POV monster filmmaking

[Mikey]

Was just watching the 70's movie Grizzly last night and it struck me the classic point of view (of the monster) filmmaking technique isn't used as often today in modern movies.

Wonder who invented it ?
It's great for a low budget production considering you almost don't have to show the monster in a monster movie

Do you like monster POV filmmaking ?
Or do you think it's a lowbudget gimmick that should stay in cheapo movies ?

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

They DID use POV for a while recently; in the form of them "hand-cam" scenes. Kinda the same, but the opposite.

Personally, I"m not a big fan, but it doesn't bother me. Since I watch for the monster I'd prefer seeing as much of it as possible.

Don C.

[fallensaviour]

My favorite "monster pov" was in the evil dead films.
That was great.
Yes cheap-o gimmick but can be executed very well if done right.
I'm not a fan of the handy cam version.

[Brazoo]

My favorite "monster pov" was in the evil dead films.
That was great.
Yes cheap-o gimmick but can be executed very well if done right.
I'm not a fan of the handy cam version.

Yeah that was totally my first thought too! Those awesome POV shots through the forrest in all 3 Evil Dead movies.

It's almost a gag in his movies, because I don't think we ever see what's actually chasing them.

[Brazoo]

Was just watching the 70's movie Grizzly last night and it struck me the classic point of view (of the monster) filmmaking technique isn't used as often today in modern movies.

Wonder who invented it ?
It's great for a low budget production considering you almost don't have to show the monster in a monster movie

Do you like monster POV filmmaking ?
Or do you think it's a lowbudget gimmick that should stay in cheapo movies ?

I think that just because you CAN use effects to show the monster, doesn't mean you always should - but it's something that's very hard for most filmmakers to do.

I think that's why so many horror directors are best remembered for their earliest work. Lower budgets forced them to shoot smart, and build suspense physiologically.

A famous example is how problems with the mechanical shark forced Spielberg to not reveal it often (though Spielberg claims that was his original plan in some sources I've seen). There's lots of Shark POV shots, and they work great!

[Cmonster]

It works in something like "Predator" because of the infra red thing. If the creature has a different kind of quality to how he sees and perceives things, it could be interesting if it's well thought out.

SC

[Mikey]

Sometimes monster POV works the opposite for me.

It makes me feel like the monster so I kind of cheer for him more

[Brazoo]

Haha - Yeah, I've totally felt that way before!

[babycyclops]

I remember the Carpenter's Halloween having a POV shot right at the beginning, with young Michael Meyers putting a mask onto his face/the camera- kinda cool!
I also seem to remember slasher films being criticised for POV shots BECAUSE they put you in the place of the killer, who was usually stabbing and slashing young women... back when that was considered something controversial.

[TrueDave]

Yes. Wasnt the begining of Halloween 2 a real long point of view ending with a middle aged couple dying?
That pov really did get me into it. I was creeped out.

Was it VideoDrome that had a video game like that?
Why not that now? ALA Atari 2600 texas chainsaw?

I think a POV Zombie flick would be fun.
Terminator and Robocop had great POV.

I remember the Carpenter's Halloween having a POV shot right at the beginning, with young Michael Meyers putting a mask onto his face/the camera- kinda cool!
I also seem to remember slasher films being criticised for POV shots BECAUSE they put you in the place of the killer, who was usually stabbing and slashing young women... back when that was considered something controversial.

[babycyclops]

I think a POV Zombie flick would be fun.
Terminator and Robocop had great POV.

The Robocop POV scenes are great fun! especially the work Xmas party scene.
The pretty forgettable Doom (with The Rock) has a POV shot that takes it full circle, in that it's an extended first-person shooter scene.

[TrueDave]

Oh no! You REMINDED me of the Video Game point of View shots. Ick.

What I havent forgotten about Doom is when the Rock got back he killed everyone, and we MISSED seeing that party! Maybe it was in best taste.

What was that movie ( Horror Comedy) with the Horse Head bookend killer? I just remeber him peeking in the girls locker room in a POV saying " Boobies! " over and over .

The Robocop POV scenes are great fun! especially the work Xmas party scene.
The pretty forgettable Doom (with The Rock) has a POV shot that takes it full circle, in that it's an extended first-person shooter scene.