Camera Angles

             In the opening scene of the motion picture Angels and Demons, director Ron Howard uses different camera angles in order to describe and set the tone for the scene. The first scene takes place in a big indoor pool and Howard uses the long shot to set the stage for the scene. From the long shot, we see a man swimming in the pool with another man entering the swim complex. There is an almost ominous tone as these are the only two people in the building.

            As the camera moves in for the medium shot, we see the swimmer to be Tom Hanks, the star of the film. If you have seen the movie, The Da Vinci Code, you recognize him as the character Robert Langdon. The other man does not look familiar. If not, you don’t know who these people are yet, but we know they are going to have a relationship because the man is walking toward the swimmer, even though the swimmer doesn’t immediately realize this man’s presence.

            Finally, the camera moves in for a close-up. We are able to identify who this unknown character is, as there is a crest on his briefcase that represents the Vatican. Also we know this person is in a position of power, as the camera is focused upward on the man. As the camera angle focuses on this man’s face, we see a concerned expression, which tells us that there is possibly a problem within Vatican City. Just from this expression, and by extension, this camera angle, we know the basis of the conflict for the whole movie.