SSC Film Studies

Cinematography Analysis

Firstly, we see Harry Potter hiding behind a grave, trying to shield himself from Voldemort. The camera is positioned in front of Harry's face, this shot type is called a medium close up. The director used this so the audience can feel what harry is feeling. The frame is tight and claustrophobic, it makes Harry looked trapped. In this clip we see Harris scared and afraid of Voldemort, this makes the audience fern him too. There is. Mid shot of Voldemort's face, he resembles a snake like figure, this makes the audience disturbed by his appearance. The music makes the audience realise something is going to happen.

Secondly, Harry then comes out from behind the grave to face Voldemort. The director uses many close ups of Harry because he is the main character and he is represented as a hero throughout the films. When the camera is positioned towards Voldemort there is a slight low angle, this makes Voldemort's character looks dominant, threatening and dangerous so this makes the audience apprehensive of what Voldemort can or will do. Whereas, there was a slight high angle on Harry's face this gives the audience an impression that Harry is weak and vulnerable.

Thirdly, Harry and Voldemort then begin to battle. It starts by the shot type being a wide shot of them both beginning to use spells against each other. A close up is used in the middle of the battle to show the beams of light and power coming from their wands. The director uses a pan shot of Voldemort holding the wand in Harry's direction but we cannot see his expressions because the camera is positioned far away from Voldemort. On the other hand the director also uses a pan shot and a medium close up of Harry's face, the audience can see the determination for Harry to defeat Voldemort.

The next shot used is a close up of Voldemort's face is used, the audience can see him gritting his teeth. This makes the audience more petrified of him because we know he represents evil. The camera is positioned as a very wide shot, this is showing an emphasis in the environment. However, the beams of light start to shoot out from Voldemort's wand. The beams then become ghostly figures of Voldemort's victims, they then start to talk to Harry. Also, there is a close up of Harry's face after his parents figures appear.

Harry looks adamant to defeat Voldemort but he knows he might not succeed. Harry's parents start trying to persuade him the let it go. This makes the audience wait in anticipation for Harry's decision. Harry breaks the bond between both wands, which causes a clouds of fog. Harry has disappeared by using a spell, before Voldemort becomes visible. Voldemort searches round to try and find him but has no luck due to Harry vanishing. Finally, a close up is used on Voldemort's as he is shouting, this tells the audience that he is frustrated that Harry has escaped again.