Q1 Cuffs

Analyse how camerawork is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer.
Worth 4 marks.

A first example of where camerawork is used to create meaning is in the scene when the two female officers are patrolling in the town. Firstly a hand-held shot is used while following the officers, to make it feel more realistic, like you are there in person. Then there is a close up of shaded figures in a van watching, which gives the audience a sense that something bad is going to happen. The camera then switches back to the officers, showing their faces as they casually talk and laugh. This contrast is used to build the tension, and also make you feel more sympathy for the officers, as they are clearly completely unsuspecting. A truck then comes round the corner. There is a fast paced shot reverse shot between the truck and the surprised, panicked looks on the officers faces, this giving a sense of urgency and panic. Finally we see the truck break through the glass in the shop through the shop CCTV footage. This makes it seem more realistic as it is something that you might see in a news article in real life.

A second example of where camerawork is used to create meaning is in the car chase scene that follows. The camera is placed in the back seat of the police car, like you are there with them. You then see the car speeding down roads and quickly changing lanes, this uplifting the urgency of the scene. There is then also a bird's eye view shot, giving a view of a very familiar layout with all of the traffic, once again making it feel more realistic, but the also showing the many turns and obstacles that they have to speed through, which uplifts a bit of  a sense of heroism. There are then also alternating close up shots of the two characters faces, showing their emotional features. Jake looks panicked, which increases the sense of urgency , while Ryan is calm and focused which gives a sense that the situation is under control.