Hasta La Motion!

In an era that is saturated with lavish and complex camera movement, Steve McQueen stands out for implicating the contrary. McQueen often employs the static shot in crucial situations, a technique that partially defines the unique style of the director’s three feature-length films: 12 Years a Slave, Shame, and Hunger. Rather than using a slow dolly or handheld movement to convey poignancy, McQueen chooses to simply leave the camera be. In doing so, he urges us to fully absorb the moment–there are no pans to guide us away, or even a rack focus to slightly divert our attention. McQueen seems to especially favor the static shot during gruesome struggles and times of extreme distress. He often lingers on these moments for extended periods of time, yet the camera remains motionless. Like the characters, we cannot escape the moment and we are forced to endure every second. MUSIC: “Unravelling” by Harry Escott Films used: Hunger (2008) Shame (2011) 12 Years a Slave (2013) Featured at: http://blogs.indiewire.com/pressplay/watch-steve-mcqueens-lingering-camera-a-video-essay-20150206 Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.