Line #31 Main/FaceCam


1	[[quoteright:302: [[Film/RequiemForADream https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RequiemCam_5476.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:302:Creator/JenniferConnelly being devoured by camera equipment.]]
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4	Aka the Bodymount Cam or [=SnorriCam=]: The camera is mounted on the actor's body and aimed at the face, so as the actor moves, their face remains steady and in focus while the background bounces and moves. Similar to the [[CameraTricks Head Cam]], but the footage is looking in the opposite direction.
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6	Its use is normally for when the subject is moving quickly but one wants to keep a strong emphasis on the actor's facial expressions. Since it gives a continued shot of their face while in a slightly surreal manner the world starts to slide and shift, it can be particularly effective when the subject is in a state of confusion, shock or disgust, as we get to keep a good look at their face at a point when they are erratically stumbling around and we get to experience the discomforting and unsettling movements of the world around them.
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8	Often used with a DizzyCam and POVCam during a double twirl in two-person dance scenes to put us between the dancers, giving a greater sense of intimacy and excitement. Contrast NostrilShot, when the shot is taken from a low position, therefore displaying the nose for added intimacy and creepiness.
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10	----
11	!!Examples:
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13	[[foldercontrol]]
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15	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
16	* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', this is used when Mei is running down the hall after transforming at school for the first time.
17	[[/folder]]
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19	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
20	* Dates at least as far back as 1928 and ''Film/{{The Fall of the House of Usher\|1928France}}'', in which a Facecam goes with a shocked Roderick as he carries Madeline to her bed after she collapses and dies.
21	* Seen in ''Film/GetHimToTheGreek'' when Aaron gets stabbed in the chest with adrenaline.
22	* Seen in the the TV movie ''Film/CharliesAngelsTheUnauthorizedStory'' when the network assistant has ripped the [[UsefulNotes/{{Ratings}} Nielsen ratings]] numbers off the teletype and is carrying them to the head of the network.
23	* The famous NostrilShot from ''Film/TheBlairWitchProject'' serves to mimic this as cheaply as possible.
24	* Frequently used when a character is wearing a space suit or similar, although typically that character will be seen in profile in such a shot to reveal the background through his or her helmet visor. For example, ''{{Film/Alien}}''.
25	* ''Film/FreakyFriday2003'': When Mom wakes up in her daughter's body.
26	* ''Film/TheLovelyBones'' features Mr. Harvey chasing Lindsey Salmon inside his house.
27	* ''Film/MeanStreets'', where the lead character (played by Harvey Keitel) can be seen moving through a crowded bar and passing out drunk in the back.
28	* Used to good effect in ''Film/{{Pi}}'' and ''Film/RequiemForADream''. It's considered a trademark of Creator/DarrenAronofsky's early work.
29	* Used in ''Film/LockStockAndTwoSmokingBarrels'' to express a character's devastation after losing a high-stakes card game.
30	* In ''Film/RocknRolla'', Creator/GuyRitchie uses it in a fantastic railway yard chase scene.
31	* ''Film/{{Airplane}}!''. Elaine and Ted Striker during the dance scene in the bar.
32	* ''Film/{{Titanic\|1997}}'' with Jack and Kate's dance. Mocked in [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 MST3K]]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=majw_jxQyQI&feature=PlayList&p=60C890A66647F8C3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=16 1998 Academy of Robots Choice Award.]]
33	--->'''Tom Servo:''' Everybody do the Centrifuge!
34	* Used extensively in ''Film/TouchingTheVoid'' when the protagonist is walking down a mountain on a broken leg.
35	* ''Film/TheHangover'' as Stu is stumbling about in his hungover stupor.
36	* ''Film/BadSanta'' as Billy Bob Thornton is about to pass out from ''his'' drunken stupor.
37	* ''Film/Seconds1966'' makes great use of this technique.
38	* ''Film/HoldMeWhileImNaked'' is a very silly {{camp}} melodrama by George Kuchar. A shot that runs for a good 45 seconds, in a movie that is only 15 minutes long, featuring a tight closeup of Kuchar's face, as intensely dramatic music plays while he—uh, walks through the woods.
39	* Used to horrifying effect in ''Film/BatmanReturns'', when Selina Kyle gets pushed out of a window by Max Shreck and falls to her death; she would be revived as Catwoman. It happens again after the Ice Princess falls off a building after she gets swarmed by bats (released by The Penguin).
40	[[/folder]]
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42	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
43	* ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'' does it when offing a contestant to capture their reaction (and since a forward-facing cam would have given away the game). Ditto the UK version, ''Series/TheMurderGame''.
44	* ''Series/ScariestPlacesOnEarth''
45	* Used to great effect in the "Sir Digby Chicken Caesar" sequences of ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook''. The title character is a tramp who imagines himself as a Franchise/SherlockHolmes figure, and his internal monologue and chase scenes are presented from this viewpoint, as he hums his own theme music.
46	* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' often uses this to show nervousness, but one standout example was for when the Janitor changed his uniform and everybody started to act pleased around him, to his displeasure. One shot has him walking into the hospital with "Come on, get happy" playing while we have a POV shot showing everybody smiling and greeting him, contrasted with a Body Mount Cam shot of his bewildered and upset face grimacing at them all.
47	* Similar to the helmet-cam used on ''Series/FearFactor'', during high-altitude stunts.
48	* Used rather {{Narm}}fully on ''Series/{{Being Human\|UK}}'' -- the [[SpecialEffectsFailure very silly werewolf teeth]] rather detract from the intended horror at the prospect of a lycanthropic rampage in a public place. The whole sequence is a very good demonstration of why NothingIsScarier in low-budget horror. Not to mention it looked just like the abovementioned sketch from ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook''.
49	* Canadian comedy-newsman [[Series/TheRickMercerReport Rick Mercer]] always uses these for his rants, and has lampshaded it several times.
50	* Les Stroud frequently used an improvised face cam while making the ''Series/{{Survivorman}}'' series.
51	* ''Series/BeingErica'' used this in the season finale for season 1, when Erica finds out that Leo has died in the "alternate future"
52	[[/folder]]
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54	[[folder:Music]]
55	* If those examples don't help, then maybe you'll recall Music/TheSmashingPumpkins' video for "1979".
56	* Used throughout the music video for Music/{{Radiohead}}'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoLJJRIWCLU "Jigsaw Falling into Place,"]] co-directed by Creator/AdamBuxton and Creator/GarthJennings (of Hammer & Tongs, of ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy2005'' and "Coffee & TV", "Imitation of Life" and "Pumping on Your Stereo" music videos). It's rather disorientating.
57	[[/folder]]
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59	[[folder:Video Games]]
60	* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEXgaEGpfHc reveal trailer]] for ''VideoGame/DungeonsAndDragonsDarkAlliance'' uses truly baffling camera work. It rapidly cuts between a few normal-looking third person shots, ShakyPOVCam shots, SteadiCam shots around the weapons, but most jarringly, half the shots are directly aimed in front of the characters with the stability turned up to eleven, making it look like they were recording themselves with a [=GoPro=]. This with the amount of action going on makes ''everything'' look disorienting and makes what's supposed to be an epic battle scene look like a bunch of people flailing around like idiots.
61	[[/folder]]
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63	[[folder:Web Original]]
64	* ''WebVideo/TheAutobiographyOfJaneEyre'': Jane sometimes shoots the entries for her vlog outside while walking, and she very often aims the camera at her face when she talks to her viewers.
65	[[/folder]]
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67	[[folder:Western Animation]]
68	* ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'': Bloo dancing with Baby Taco in "[[Recap/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriendsS2E8Squeakerboxxx Squeakerboxx]]"
69	* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': Dancing, Phineas and Ferb with Perry and Dr. Doofenshmirtz in "It's About Time".
70	[[/folder]]

Context Main / FaceCam