Artefact 4 Planning - Genre with Camera

For my 4th artefact of 5, I plan to use the same scene as in my previous texturing artefact with improvements (lighting, unwrapping, ambient occlusion) to experiment with CAMERA TECHNIQUES. Specifically, I would like to research and test how camera techniques are used within different film genres, therefore creating different moods.

The main techniques I will look at are:

• Camera angles
• Camera shots (long shot, mid shot, close-up, etc.)
• Focus & depth of field
• Overall composition (rule of thirds, etc.)

I could then take this further for my next artefact, including the techniques of camera movement and editing, to further the effect of mood and genre.


The environment I have created so far is aimed to be derelict, old, and dark. Therefore, I think it would be good to try to create the effect of a genre such as thriller, mystery or horror, so have researched techniques used within these styles.

For instance, the main types of camera shot used within the thriller genre are birds eye view shots and extreme close-ups. This also covers camera angles, with the birds eye views being high angled establishing shots, and the close-ups being more of a low-angle shot to add emotion.

Similarly, in the genre of horror, low angled shots and extreme close-ups are often used to add to a tense atmosphere. In addition, a technique also often used is a slanted camera angle, where the camera is tilted in order to create an effect of tension and disorientation.

In both of these styles, another technique strongly used alongside these choices of shots and angles is a shallow depth of field. Particularly effective in close-ups and extreme close-ups, this is where only a small amount of the shot may be in focus, in order to draw the audience's eye to a specific area or subject, or to make a subject's surroundings seem disorientating.

Examples of techniques in use...

Still from thriller film 'se7en'  using close-up and slanted angle

Extreme close-up photograph of meat hooks with shallow DOF

Another example of extreme close-up with shallow DOF

Birds eye view shot from Tarantino's 'Kill Bill vol 2'

Low angled establishing show of environment