Beasts of the Southern Wild - Camera Analysis

The scene opens with an establishing shot of Hushpuppy's house. The came has a hand-held effect to make the film feel more realistic and authentic. We also see the house from a distance, connoting that we are outsiders being brought into an unknown world. The next shot begins as a low angle shot but then tilts to reveal Hushpuppy. The camera follows what Hushpuppy is doing, signifying to the audience the perspective we are going to take whilst viewing the film. The camera also shifts focus between Hushpuppy and the bird she is caring for, signifying the connection between Hushpuppy and nature and also informing the audience of some of Hushpuppy's key personality traits to develop a connection between the protagonist and the audience. With the third shot, the audience is once again positioned on a lower level, looking up to Hushpuppy. This is a technique commonly used in documentaries so the fact that it is present here adds to the sense of authenticity and realism that Zeitlin wants to create. The next few shots mostly frame Hushpuppy in close ups, positioning the audience on Hushpuppy's level. This allows the audience to develop more of a connection to the protagonist. The fifth shot is from Hushpuppy's POV - literally positioning the audience with Hushpuppy. When Wink opens the door in the shot, the frame is obscured. This signifies to the audience that Hushpuppy's relationship with her father. The next shot is a tracking shot of Hushpuppy from a low angle. We can't see where Hushpuppy is leading us however we are encouraged to follow her further into this unknown world. The final few shots in the sequence are of Hushypuppy and Wink on their boat in the bayou. In all of the shots, we are positioned closer to our protagonists than we are to the levee and the industrial world, forcing us to view it with suspicion and negativity. In certain shots, the camera has been positioned to split the industrial world from the natural world. This has been done to connote to the audience that these are two very diverse worlds. The industrial world is also positioned above the natural world, further developing the idea that it is a negative thing but also that it is very powerful and threatening.