The Use of First-Person Perspective in Film

Are You the Protagonist Now?

For a while now, films have been using a first-person perspective more frequently. This can be seen in numerous "found footage" films and various GoPro videos all over Youtube. Part of the reason why there is a sudden explosion of first- person videos has to do with the technology. GoPro cameras are light, portable, and have great image quality to allow for the simulation of being in first-person, such as in a fight scene.

While it is more or less a gimmick, it is still a fascinating new way to present film. Recently a writer from Film School Rejects wrote a post about this particular trick. In his article Why Are Movies Shot Fully In “First-Person POV” Such a Bad Idea?, Chris Campbell admitted that while it will be entertaining, first-person POV just does not work in the way people think.

His main argument is that people commonly think that using this perspective makes them feel like they are the protagonist. The problem is that film is a passive experience and so these films are more like being strapped to the back of the hero instead of being the hero. For the most part, I agree with his main idea. I recall the usual reaction to first-person videos being, "it's like a video game". Video games allows actual interaction and thus more sense of control. As Campbell mentions, these are times in which one medium is trying to be something it is not.

What I would disagree on would be some of the words he uses. First off, the title of the article comes off as too harsh against the film technique. The writer himself admits that it can create worthwhile experiences, so having a title calling it a "bad idea" will give the wrong impression. Also he says that these "first-person" moments should be called second-person cinema, which I disagree on solely for technical purposes. When mentioning second-person perspective, I would think it takes from the point of view of other people looking at the main person.

Nevertheless, it is a good simple article that addresses a recent trend with film and Youtube videos.