Camera Shots Analysis in Romantic Comedies

Romantic Comedy's use typical camera shots in order to keep the story simple and easy to understand for the audience. This even adds to the fact that romantic comedies are usually female orientated therefore are stereo typically 'easy' to view and comprehend.

Common Camera Shots used in Romantic Comedies:-

Establishing Shot- This shot is used to set the scene and location of the story; where everything will take place. Pretty Woman uses many establishing shots to set it's location which is Beverly Hills, California. The opening shows the famous landmark Hollywood which automatically tells the audience where this film's location is. In Romantic Comedies these shots are usually shown from either the central characters point of view or are shown neutrally from no ones point of view. In Pretty Woman they are shown neutrally from no one's point of view.

Esatablishing Shots from Pretty Woman (1990)

Mid Shot- This shot is typically used to introduce the character to a more personal connection towards the audience so they get a better look at the protagonist. They can either be used throughout the romantic comedy or at certain scene's. These shots work well in showing body langauge; telling us how the chacrter fells without them having to speak.

An example from Sleepless in Seatle (1993) 

Close Up- The close up is typically used in Romantic Comedies to show the central characters feelings and emotions. They are usually a good shot to make the audience feel empathy towards the character.

Jennifer Lopez close up from The Back -Up Plan (2010)

Posted by Bansari Raval