Cuffs Camera Work

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

There is a focus-pull after the blond hippy is being locked up, she threatens the desk Sargent, telling him that her mother is a lawyer. Ryan says "We don't care what people's parents do" and the camera changes from focusing on Ryan to focusing to focusing on Jake. This is because Ryan is referring to Jake and how he has a father who is a superintendent, he is saying that he doesn't care about that. Reaction shots are also used to show the reaction of the other police officers and the reaction of Jake when he realises what Ryan meant by his comment.

After Jo is turned down by the superintendent, there is a close-up on Jo's face. It is very harshly lit casting a lot of light on one side of her face and exaggerating her facial features, making her look older. The other side of her face is quite dark. This shows many emotions on Jo's face. It shows: Hurt, rejection, embarrassment, frustration and sadness all at once.

In conclusion, Cuffs uses camerawork to accomplish a multitude of things. It can very clearly show how someone is feeling, can make it clear what is meant by certain comments made and can help create an atmosphere for what kind of scene is being shown (e.g. emotional scene, action scene etc.)