This weeks reading was on Sound and Perspective. What I found most interesting were that connections that were made between camera shots, sound and perspective.

The first part of the reading addressed perspective and social distance. Each of us have these “invisible set of boundaries” which we only allow some to enter. For example, “personal distance” are for those we trust, perhaps close friends and family. This is the distance in which people can touch and be close to us. This distance therefore corresponds with a close up shot. When using a close up the general intention of doing so would be to create a sense of intimacy between the the figure on screen and the audience. This similar pattern works for all different shot sizes. A mid shot would be the equivalent of “social distance” in which we keep people at an arms length. A long shot would be “public distance” which are for strangers.

Later on in the reading, the author then created similar parallels which music. A whisper is intended for only a single person to hear and thus may be something very personal. Therefore, this also can be classes as “personal distance.” Close range speech is similar to “social distance” and is usually less personal matters. Finally, at “far neutral” range we speak at full volume about non-personal things.

Consequently, it is easy to see the pattern and when you think about films and the way filmmakers use these three elements together, it can either make the audience feel close or connected to the character(s), or it can distance us from them.