how to make claustrophobia

G

ghosttv

Carbonite Member
What's good ideas to make audience feel claustrphobia? Lens, light, angle, framing, or anything you thought about it.
 
Use very long focal lengths and keep a very shallow depth of field. Dont use a backlight and have the camera up higher than eye level.
 
Also, mind your depth cues. +1 to using shallow DOF to achieve flat space, but also keep your planes frontal and not longitudinal. Try to keep a consistent size between your subjects and if the shot has movement, keep it parallel to the camera and rely on panning and tilting. Aim for tonal affinity between subject and background and reverse the usual warm/cool color separation. Finally, a canted/dutch angle can go a long way in letting the audience in on how the subject feels if he/she is claustrophobic themselves--you can achieve an even great effect if you tilt the z axis of the camera into the canted angle.
 
Thanks so much. I'm grateful. But what's mean "lkeep plane frontal" and z axis? Tonal affinity mean actor match background for color and light?
 
ghosttv said:
But what's mean "lkeep plane frontal"
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Avoid 1, 2, or 3 point perspective; shoot against a flat background like a wall.

and z axis?
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The axis that runs from front to back and denotes depth.

Tonal affinity mean actor match background for color and light?
Click to expand...

One way of doing it. Affinity is the opposite of contrast. Contrast between subject and background is a depth cue. Avoid contrast to achieve flat space.
 
HARD CANDY is a great example of claustrophobia. They essentially keep very close on the 2 actors, with virtually no wide, establishing shots - no 'breathing space' in other words.

I'd highly reccomend watching that film if you want lessons in claustrophobia.
 
I've seen a few movies where they make sure to show the ceiling in their shots to give that sense of confinement
 
You can also use the frame to give a feeling of claustrophobia by having the subject very tight in the frame-that's assuming
there is a person in the scene you are talking about.
 
If you're going for a feeling of claustrophobia, stretching the concept into other departments will do lots to help your shot decisions. If you can find locations with rooms that have low ceilings, and maybe fill the rooms with furniture or clutter that leave little room to maneuver, you'll compliment all the framing and movement suggestions from the above posters quite nicely.
 
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