Camera movements - Original vs TFA

Welcome.

I have these exact same thoughts and concerns as well.

 

I think it looks fantastic. Irvin Kerscher moved the camera much more than Lucas did. In fact, some of the dolly in medium and closeup shots remind me of Kerschner's style (think of the dolly in to Leia's face when echo base shield doors close). Abrams will put his signature on this film, so if you dislike his work then you probably will have hang ups with TFA.

For me, compared to the static look of the prequels, it's a breath of fresh air.

 

Well, change your expectations. It's JJ Abrams who we are talking about. I think Rian Johnson's camera work is closer to the OT camera work.
I'm just going to leave this here. The entire video is worth a watch, but my favorite part starts at 12:57

 

Judging by the trailer, I think JJ has tried his best to make it look authentic Star Wars, and less of a "JJ Abrams" film, especially since he is such a fan. They only thing I saw that made me hesitate was that bright red lens flare from when Kylo is on the deck of a ship speaking about finishing what Vader started. I am not a fan of the artistic use of the lens flare. But other scenes look very good, like inside the downed Star Destroyer.

 

I really don't mind new/different camera techniques. I'm not stuck in the "it's not Star Wars" camp. As soon as I heard Lucas wasn't involved I allowed myself to be open to all sorts of different possibilities: storytelling, pacing, camera work and style.

 

I've got to disagree. Just with the first two teasers we could see all his characteristic features in play. Snap zoom, camera shake, sparks, blinking lights, dolly shots everywhere and crazy free camera movements. I've got to say that first shot we saw of the Millennium Falcon I didn't like right away, but I've grown to like it.
I'm not to sure about the shots in the last trailer.

 

It's not Paul Greengrass kind of camera movement thank goodness. I do agree with the above poster that JJ is showing some restraint with this film.

 

I hear this argument being brought up all the time. "The snap zoom was used in the PT". I don't get what that's supposed to prove.
All I'm saying, and seriously please watch the video, is that JJ Abrams is not the best director in terms of camera movement there is.
I don't have a problem with different camera techniques. I have a problem when they are abused and not used correctly or in a smart way.
Camera movement techniques are just tools. It's how you use them that matters.

 

JJ should be allowed to put his own litle things here and there. Doesn't have to be 100% OT looking. Let him have some artistic freedom.

 

The movie doesn't have to use every camera technique, motif, visual style exactly like the OT did in order to emulate the OT. We should be much more concerned with the emotions the film evokes rather than the way the film was made. That will be, IMO, the true testament to this films dedication to the OT. If there's floating camera work or a lens flare here or a first person view there, it would be a much smaller crime than if the film didn't at least attempt to evoke the same level of emotion that the OT did. I think JJ understands this and honestly, I'm actually perfectly fine with him doing it in his style. Doing it his way allows him to be more comfortable and "in his zone" while making the film and I think that's very important. I think that if he tried to do everything the way Lucas and Kershner did it, it would distract him from making the best SW STORY possible. So if you ask me, keep on Mr. Abrams.

--- Double Post Merged, Oct 29, 2015, Original Post Date: Oct 29, 2015 ---

 

I agree with your overall point. But I do think that camera techniques can help with an emotion or distract from it. I'm not worried about the camera techniques themselves. I'm worried about JJ using them inappropriately like he has done in the past (sometimes). So I do think it matters how a movie is filmed.

 

I've watched the whole video and agree on many things. However, JJ also acknowledges things he did wrong in the past and therefore learns from them.
Especially the 'hard-to-follow' shots where you can't really understand what's going is something I don't like, but aside from the Falcon shot from the
first teaser I feel we haven't seen any of those.

I think everything we've seen so far looks really, really good and shots like the one from inside the star destroyer breathes Star Wars to me. I'm positive we will get the best Star Wars since ROTJ

 

I think JJ looks like he's done a great job and I'm so excited to see what he's done with it. I am definitely pro-JJ at this point.
HOWEVER....what that video shows, and I think it makes very valid points, is that sometimes his choices with the camera can let great scenes down.
It's no so much a case of artistic freedom - it's more to do with feeding the story and doing it justice.
It would be like taking an amazing ballad, and splashing a crazy tapping-wah guitar solo over the top it. Sometimes simpler ideas work best.
Let's hope JJ's passion for Star Wars sees him tame some of his more wobbly ideas to suit the movie.
FORTY-NINE DAYS!

 

Agreed. JJ seems acknowledge his mistakes, which is huge! So I think there is hope and I'm sure he is doing his best for this movie.
But I've lowered my expectations just in case. But it's perfectly possible that he makes very good use of his signature camera techniques and style for this movie. We will have to wait and see. It's also difficult to judge from the trailer if they are appropriate or not, so much depends from the context and what is going on emotionally in the scene.

But I still stand by the statement that it's unequivocally JJ's style, I don't think he has changed his style for the movie at all. And I think he shouldn't!