how come subjective viewpoint cinema doesn't work? - rec.arts.movies.past-films

Message from discussion how come subjective viewpoint cinema doesn't work?
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From: "Craig Franck" <craig.fra...@verizon.net>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies.past-films,alt.movies,rec.arts.movies.current-films,alt.cult-movies
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Subject: Re: how come subjective viewpoint cinema doesn't work?
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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 19:43:34 GMT
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"choral reef" wrote

> of course, most movies use momentary subjective view shots but how
> come camera is a poor substitute for extended subjective shots?
> how come movies that utilize long subjective take--lady in the
> lake--are considered aesthetic failures?
>
> could citizen kane have worked using subjective perspective throughout
> as originally planned?
>
> now explain memory flashbacks or dreams. these are meant to be
> personally subjective. yet, in most movies we see the person whose
> dream or memory it's supposed to be in the dream or memory flashback.
> isn't this kinda absurd?
> yet, it always works. why?

It might sound absurd, but many people take a God's-eye view of a
situation that they recall. Most recollections are reconstructions rather
than sensory playbacks. When I dream, I am as often observing myself
as I am being me. I think it works because it mimics the format of our
psychological experiences. This is in keeping with the movie-as-a-dream
theory of film.

From an analytical POV, the problem with extended subjective shots is
you need to reestablish often because there is not enough information
given about the type of shot that it is. The second film I mention below
deals with this in novel binocular-type way.

> best use of subjective shot?

"Russian Ark" was a single shot from a subject POV, but it broke down
logically toward the end.

"Being John Malkovich" and "Halloween" are two others.

-- 
Craig Franck
craig.fra...@verizon.net
Cortland, NY