The most basic use of a handheld camera in a horror movie is to simulate the POV of a character as they frantically look for their attacker. This makes audiences feel like we are in that character’s shoes, adding a sense of urgency to their attempts to escape.
Similarly, over-the-shoulder shots make it seem like a killer is stalking someone, which is why those tracking shots of Star Trek icon Picard made it seem like he was about to suffer a horror movie-style death.
Finally, the use of the handheld camera in this episode makes us feel tense for the simple reason that our fictional world suddenly feels off-balance. Stable cameras provide…well…stability, and shaky, handheld cameras make everything seem off-balance for both our characters and our understanding of the world.
In short, Star Trek has a visual language that this episode contradicts, quietly making an otherwise not-so-scary episode into a lowkey horror movie.
Content Disclaimer and Copyright Notice
Content Disclaimer
The content provided on this website is sourced from various RSS feeds and other publicly available sources. We strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information, and we always provide source links to the original content. However, we are not responsible for the content’s accuracy or any changes made to the original sources after the information is aggregated on our site.
Fair Use and Copyright Notice
This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We believe this constitutes a “fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
