Jon2

Couldn't agree with this any more, although I find some of his exceptions (Cloverfield) to be just as bad. Although I understand why the technique was used in Private Ryan, I found that it took me out of the story every time it was used. Oddly enough I really never had a problem with it in the Bourne films, except maybe the last one.

http://www.salon.com/entertainment/m...e_la_shaky_cam

Draven

Eh, I don't agree with it. I think it can definitely add some momentum and a sense of chaos to a war movie. It's not any more of a crutch than any other "trick" that other filmmakers use. When used poorly, sure it sucks. But that can be said of anything.

My first job was as a news videographer right out of college. While I never shot "shaky cam," looking at a bobbing viewfinder has never bothered me. I'm used to seeing things like that and most of the time the camera goes in the direction I expect it to so I don't even notice it. Didn't think twice about it during Battle: LA.

arminius

I don't mind shakey cam as much as close up cam. I like to be able to see what's going on.

Maxflier

I saw this the other night and honestly wouldn't know it was in "shaky cam" if people around here weren't saying it. Does it really bother people that much?

gmanca

Yeah, this is the big problem with shakey cam; they tend to lump it together with a close-up and quick-cuts during a series of shots. That is very annoying and it should be banned during action scenes.

I tend to like when films do these type of tricks when it's for unique shots, not for the entire film. When you throw a front-steadicam or the Spike Lee dolly-tracked shot or the quick cut close-up face shots in sporadic spots, it has much more effect.

Drexl

Battlefield: Los Angeles? Get Electronic Arts on the phone...

RocShemp

Yeah, this thread led me to believe there was an actual movie based on the Battlefield game franchise.

islandclaws

Haha. I just now realized the epic fail that is the thread title.

I can deal with some shaky cam footage in my films, but I'd really prefer it wasn't used unless it's endemic to the type of film (i.e. found footage). As far as quick cuts go, I'm not a big fan of them and I think they reek of lazy editing/poor shooting. But in the right situations, they are effective.

wm lopez

Shaky cam worked the first time for the BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, because everybody thought it was real.
When you try and use all the time your sick of it. Mix it in with poor color mostly teal in your movie it's really bad. Talk about barf me out.
Give me nice cinematography with rich colors anytime over shaky cam & teal color.

sauce07

Battlefield? Los Angels? Not realizing that the movie already had a thread?

Fail.

whotony

Yes, it worked in Blair Witch because everyone thought it was real.

Yeti4623

It works better in small doses. When most of the movie uses it, it's too gimmicky and annoying. Shutter speed cam annoys me even more than shaky cam.

DJariya

Battlefield: Los Angels??? Is this the review of the Mexican bootleg?

Solid Snake

This thread failed fast. *sigh* OP fails....