What changes
A shot of the character looking is placed before or after the viewed image so the view is assigned to that character.
POINT-OF-VIEW · foundation
Point-of-view shot
A point-of-view shot is recorded from the position where a character is looking and shows what that character would see.
On-set method
- Record the character looking off screen.
- Record what the character would see from that position.
- Place the looking shot before or after the view so the relationship is clear.
Useful for
- Show what a character is looking at
- Connect a character’s look to a specific view
Common mistakes
- Calling a shot POV without establishing whose view it represents
- Pairing the look with a view that contradicts the established direction
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Practice
Build a three-shot sequence of a character, the viewed subject, and the character again.
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Compare
A point-of-view shot shows what the character would see; an over-the-shoulder shot keeps part of the other person visible.
FAQ
Must a POV shot be preceded by the character?
Not always. The cited definition says it is usually preceded or followed by a shot of the character.
Supporting sources
- Pitzer College, “Language of Film: Key Terms”
- Columbia University Film Language Glossary, “Point of View”
- Humanities LibreTexts, Tokyo in Film, §4.3.4 “Continuity Editing”
Further discovery
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