Because this film had a very limited amount of characters and settings, it was necessary that other elements helped to add appeal for the audience. Because in my commentary track the focus was on actual setting, I decided to apply my new critical eye to Gravity. The setting did vary partially, but as a whole it was based in outer space, go figure.. Instead, I noticed that in several scenes the camera work stood out to me in particular.
While I could only find trailer clips of the two scenes, they both have key elements in common. The first scene is called "Explorer's Been Hit", and it uses a long tracking shot to capture the action. This kind of shot uses a continuous shot from one camera, and the effect it creates is obviously one of continuity, but also one that adds a different perspective to the audience. The camera pans all around the action, allowing the viewers to see just how vast space was. You also are able to see everything happen in real time, making you feel like you're apart of the action, instead of just watching it happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YQyKOAq-rA
I chose the next clip to parallel the first. The camera work in this scene is the exact opposite of the first clip- it does not focus on showing the scene as a whole, but focuses on Ryan. All we can hear is her heavy breathing and panicked signals, while the camera is focused on her face, even though she is flipping over during her free fall in space. It is not until the end of this scene that you can see that she is, and it almost disorientates the viewers like the tracking shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFQN_iqPTjc
Because there was not much in the way of set changes or props, aside from outer space, Gravity relied on film making techniques to portray certain aspects of the film to the viewers. This was done partially through a variety of different camera uses, including one of my new favorites, the tracking shot.
