How Films Use Different Shots to Evoke Specific Emotions

I chose to comment on a couple of the camera shots used in the Korean Drama that I’m currently watching, this show is called “Oh My Ghost.” I chose to comment on this show specifically because Asian Dramas are known for using a variety of different intensified camera angles to create a sense of shock and sentimentality within their viewers. This particular K-Drama fits into the romance genre as it focuses on a shy kitchen assistant (Bong-sun) who gets possessed by the ghost of a confident young woman (Soon-ae) who needs to resolve her unfinished business in order for her to pass on to the afterlife. In order for the ghost to pass on she must find a boyfriend. This show has a lot of different twists and unexpected outcomes, because of this, the film makers had to use different camera shots to evoke the right feelings in their audience.

             The episode opens up with an establishing shot of the restaurant owned by Soon-ae’s father, the shot shows the surroundings, and sets up the overall mood of the following scene. It is sunny outside and it seems like there’s a breeze, this is a very cheery and happy environment. Just as it was mentioned in the article, ‘Use of Long Shot in Films’, the establishing shot illustrates a large location which in this case seems to be their neighborhood and judging by all the cars parked outside their business, they probably have a lot of customers. 

               The next scene shows Soon-ae greeting the customers in what seems to be a close shot, this can be distinguished because we can see her from the top of her head to her mid-waist. We are close enough to see her friendly demeanor and warm smile, this indicates that the mood of the restaurant is uplifting and that she genuinely enjoys working there. Right away, the audience can tell that this is a flashback because earlier in the show it was revealed that Soon-ae had actually passed away. Although this shot makes the atmosphere feel happy, the viewer can’t help but feel a bit pitiful by getting a glance at her past now knowing that she is a ghost.

                Following the flashback, we go back to the present and we see Bong-sun in an eye level shot. Since Soon-ae has possessed Bong-sun she was the one currently recalling the memories of her life when she was still alive, what triggered the rush of old memories was the fact that Bong-sun had run in to Soon-ae’s father at a police station. Because of the shot being used, the audience can focus on the character and we can see her getting emotional due to the nature of her situation. The article ‘Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions’ mentions that since the camera is zoomed in on the subject’s face and shoulders, we should be able to feel whatever the character is feeling. The film makers were successful in recreating this shot because we can see the tears welling up in Bong-sun’s eyes as well as her sorrowful expression, this is effective in making the viewer also feel sad.

                  As the episode progresses, Bong-sun (who is possessed by Soon-ae) starts becoming closer to Soon-ae’s father. While they’re conversing at his restaurant there are several over the shoulder shots being showcased. We can tell that these are OTS shots because although they are in Bong-sun’s point of view part of the back of her head is still visible. The article ‘Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions’ explains that these types of shots are supposed to make the viewer feel as if they are also experiencing the scene and that they should help illustrate how close the characters are. The film makers were able to recreate those feelings exactly, because of the angle, the audience can tell how comfortable the two characters are with each other. It also makes it seem like as if we were a third party observing their conversation.

                   The next notable shot in the episode is the two shot; this particular one was showcasing Bong-sun trying to convince her boss, Sun-woo, not to fire the sous chef at the restaurant they work at. This type of shot is usually used to film a conversation. The article ‘Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions’ talks about how these shots add a level of intimacy between two characters, considering that Sun-woo is the main love interest of Bong-sun it would make sense that the film makers decided to use this particular shot for their conversation. We are able to see Bong-sun smiling at her boss and earlier in the scene even touching his arm in order to appear friendlier. This creates a sense of anticipation in the audience because we can see them beginning to get closer to each other and begin to like one another.