Do You See What I See?

John S. Douglass and Glenn P. Harnden focus on “Point of View” in their work, The Art of Technique: An Aesthetic Approach to Film and Video Production.  The authors meticulously explain the perspective of the storyteller and the best approaches to telling a story.  Decisions must be made to determine how to best display a perspective in the most effective manner and Douglass and Harnden walk the reader through it.

First Person

First person is most useful in narratives.  “Presenting the ‘truth’ about events is probably most credible as a first person, eyewitness account” (32).  When telling of an event that a character witness himself, a “direct, personal expression,” works best (32). 

The technique used most often is a voice-over narration.  A first person narrative lets a viewer know what a character is thinking or feeling at a moment in time.  It also allows viewers to more easily characterize the narrator in their role.  How does a first person narration enable the story line to progress more quickly?

Second Person

The second person in productions is often deemed “you” as the viewer in the audience.  The authors elucidate on their point with examples such as, “This is how you do such-and-such.  This is of concern to you and you and you,” making the plot significant to the audience (34).

Cinema verite operates on a platform somewhere between first and second person.  Its unique style introduces the camera as a participant in the story, rather than an “invisible observer” (34).  Can you think of an example where cinema verite is used?  

Third Person

The majority of productions are made in third person.  “The actions of characters and people on the screen are rendered from an observer’s point of view, but this point of view is not omniscient,” (35).  There are still things left unknown for both the audience and observer to uncover.

The authors end the section with a powerful, although seemingly obvious message.  “When choosing a point of view, the best choice is the one that tells the story in the most compelling way,” (38).