# Point of View Shot StudioBinder is a filmmaking education and production management platform dedicated to teaching the craft of visual storytelling. In addition to providing professional tools for film, TV, and video production, StudioBinder publishes in-depth educational guides, video tutorials, and visual references on cinematography techniques, directing, shot composition, camera movement, and film production workflows. StudioBinder’s educational content is used by filmmakers, film schools, and creative teams worldwide as a reference for learning cinematic techniques and professional production practices. A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques. --- ## Types of Framing - [Establishing Shot](/content/blog/what-is-an-establishing-shot-definition-examples/index.html) - [Single Shot](/content/blog/types-of-camera-shot-frames-in-film/index.html) - [Two Shot](/content/blog/two-shot-camera-angle-movement/index.html) - [Over the Shoulder](/content/blog/over-the-shoulder-shot/index.html) - [Insert Shot](/content/blog/insert-shot-film-example/index.html) - [POV Shot](/content/blog/point-of-view-shot-camera-movement-angles/index.html) --- When you’re working on a movie or TV show, it can be hard to plant the audience inside the character’s point of view. Today we’re going to go over the POV, or point of view shot. We’ll define it, see it in action, and talk about why it belongs on your shot list. ## Watch: How Filmmakers Use the POV shot ## Point of View ### Point of view and perspective In storytelling, be it written or visual, [point of view](/content/blog/what-is-point-of-view-definition-literature/index.html) is the perspective from which that story is told. Point of view and perspective are not just important considerations in telling stories, they are necessary. In fact, you can't tell a story without point of view. The question then becomes: which point of view do you choose? And before you feel trapped into choosing only one, remember that perspective can switch. In film, the point of view can switch many times and when [directors](/content/blog/what-does-a-director-do/index.html) take full advantage of this ability, they can create more dynamic and nuanced [narratives](/content/blog/what-is-a-narrative-definition/index.html). One common and effective way to do this is with POV shots. ## Point of view (POV) shot definition ### What is a Point of View (POV) Shot? A **point of view shot** is a film angle that shows what a character is looking at in the first person. In other words, the camera acts as the eyes of a character and the audience sees what they see. It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something and a shot showing the character's reaction. ## Characteristics and Uses of a POV Shot: - Often shot with a hand-held camera to accentuate the subjective perspective. - The POV shot became a staple of the slasher sub-genre as the "killer POV," like in John Carpenter's _Halloween_. - It also allows other characters to bend (not break) the 4th wall by looking directly into the camera. The POV shot is just one of many [camera framing](/content/blog/types-of-camera-shot-frames-in-film/index.html) options. For a quick refresher on what those would be, we broke down the most common shot frames and how they work in visual storytelling. ## Point of View Shots: Creative Examples ### How to use a POV shot There are lots of unique ways to use the POV shot in your own work. Let’s see a variety of ways these [types of camera angles](/content/blog/types-of-camera-shot-angles-in-film/index.html) have been used in film and television. [John Carpenter](/content/tag/john-carpenter/index.html) uses the point of view shot to put us in the killer’s mindset for [_Halloween_](/content/tag/halloween/ /index.html). ### Effective point of view shot examples Let’s look at a famous POV shot in film. This clip from [_Saving Private Ryan_](/content/tag/saving-private-ryan/index.html) masterfully shows Tom Hanks’ character’s POV as he enters Omaha Beach. We dig in on the destruction and inhumanity through his eyes, with constant check-backs to get his [reaction shots](/content/blog/shot-reverse-shot-cutaways-coverage/index.html) as well. In [_E.T._](/content/tag/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial/index.html) , director [Steven Spielberg](/content/tag/steven-spielberg/index.html) makes a niche [homage](/content/blog/what-is-homage-definition/index.html) to Carpenter's _Halloween_ shot but with a much more congenial spin on the POV shot. So, you’ve set up a scenario where you want to show a character’s point of view? What do you do now? You need to put it in a [shot list](/content/blog/what-is-a-shot-list-example/index.html) so your [DP](/content/blog/what-is-a-cinematographer-definition/index.html) can anticipate and prep. ## Shot Listing POINT OF VIEW SHOTS Specific [camera movements](/content/blog/different-types-of-camera-movements-in-film/index.html) and placement matter too. Will you go [handheld](/content/blog/handheld-shot-in-film-definition-examples/index.html) or can this be done with a [static shot](/content/blog/what-is-a-static-shot-definition/index.html)? Whose POV shot is it, and will we be [eye level](/content/blog/eye-level-camera-shot-angle/index.html) or would it be more effective as a [high-angle shot](/content/blog/high-angle-shot-camera-movement-angle/index.html)? Collaboration is fast and efficient. Send your shot list to the DP with the click of a button. The best part? We let you start [shot listing](/content/blog/what-is-a-shot-list-example/index.html) for free. This gives you more time to think about the intangibles. ## Camera Framing ### Explore Camera Framing Browse camera framing techniques, and learn how to combine them with other shots, angles, and camera movements for impact. **Different Types of Camera Framing** - [**Establishing Shots**](/content/blog/what-is-an-establishing-shot-definition-examples/index.html) - [**Single Shot**](/content/blog/types-of-camera-shot-frames-in-film/index.html) - [**Two Shot / Group Shot**](/content/blog/two-shot-camera-angle-movement/index.html) - [**Over-the-Shoulder (OTS)**](/content/blog/over-the-shoulder-shot/index.html) - [**Insert Shot**](/content/blog/insert-shot-film-example/index.html) - [**POV Shot**](/content/blog/point-of-view-shot-camera-movement-angles/index.html) ## 1st Person POV Movies ### Point of view shot movies You've probably seen your fair share of POV shot movies from the last two decades but there's actually a film from 1947 called _The Lady in the Lake_. It's a [Film Noir](/content/blog/what-is-film-noir/index.html) in which we inhabit the perspective of the private eye — Raymond Chandler's go-to P.I., Phillip Marlowe. While POV shots have existed for decades, the rise of digital filmmaking allowed directors and writers the opportunities to brainstorm new uses for point of view shots. Especially the possibility to shoot entire movies in a 1st person point of view.