Review of Different Shots

This is my review of a few of the Camera Angles from the television show, Breaking Bad From Producer Vince Gilligan. I chose this show because it has very captivating plot and characters that draw the viewers attention in. In addition to this, it is an action packed conglomerate of episodes that is extremely diverse in camera angling, as most professional visual media is.  A lot of the camera angling in this show is intended to put the viewers in the main characters’ perspective.     

In this scene, Walter is running downstairs into his hidden and secret chemistry lab, of which is overseen by Gus, to discuss the mishap and confrontation that had occurred between Walter’s DEA brother-in-law and Gus, the underground drug lord. The camera angle is an eye-level shot, but taken from behind the subject while the subject is racing to talk to the protagonist. The chasing and shaking camera angle delivers that sense of anxiety that the protagonist, Walter, is feeling in that moment.    

In this point-of-view shot, we see the protagonist, Walter, walking back to his brother-in-law’s car with a shameful and fearful expression and demeanor. The point of view we are looking from in from the brother-in-law’s, Hank. Hank is visibly confused in the following shot and this point-of-view angle demonstrates and sets up the confused expression. So, since the viewer is in Hank’s point-of-view, it can be assumed that the viewer would be confused as well, as Hank was in this shot.    

In this scene, we see a menacing look from the antagonist, Gus. The close-up shot illustrates to the viewer that Gus is important. In addition to this, the close-up shot forces the viewer to analyze Gus’ facial expression. The fact that the viewer is watching from such a close distance, the moment when Gus looks up with his devious expression, the viewer knows that whoever made him upset should be nervous and afraid.    

In this scene, Gus is talking to an old, yet still fresh, enemy. The pan shot in this scene shows that Gus has the power in the conversation as he drags the chair over to Hector (his enemy). The viewer feels the visual tension between these two characters and the low-angle, over-the-shoulder shot demonstrates the conversation and importance that Gus has in this conversation. The combination of these shots make the viewer feel uncomfortable and tense.    

In this scene, Walter, the main protagonist, confronts the antagonist, Gus, in Gus’ place of employment. Gus is an undercover drug lord that operates out of a fast food restaurant and Walter “cooks” methamphetamine for Gus. The reason for the confrontation is because Walter’s DEA, brother-in-law puts a bug on Gus’ car and Gus suspects that Walter is not being loyal to Gus’ operation. The way the over-the-shoulder camera angle contributes to this tension is by insinuating the conversational conflict between the two characters. As each frame switches, you get a new glimpse at Walters pleading statute and Gus’ emotionless expression. This makes the reader feel “in the moment with the tension.”