🎥 The Magic of Subjectivity: Getting Into the Character’s Head in Filmmaking 🎥 

What makes cinema so powerful? For me, Phil Ramcke, it’s the ability to transport an audience—not just into a story, but into a character’s mind. Subjectivity in filmmaking is one of the most powerful tools in a director’s arsenal. It’s the secret ingredient that transforms a film from a passive viewing experience into something visceral and unforgettable. It’s not just about watching the story unfold—it’s about feeling it through the eyes, ears, and emotions of the characters. 

Let’s explore how subjectivity works in filmmaking, the techniques behind it, and why it’s the ultimate power move for connecting audiences with characters. 

What Is Subjectivity in Filmmaking? 

Every movie has a point of view. It’s in the way the camera is placed, how scenes are shot, and even how the dialogue unfolds. But when a film dives headfirst into subjectivity, it goes beyond telling the story—it immerses the audience in the inner world of its characters. 

This is where magic happens. Subjective filmmaking allows us to experience the character’s emotions, thoughts, and struggles as if they were our own. We don’t just observe their journey; we live it. 

Think of 12 Monkeys, where tight, claustrophobic shots pull us directly into Cole’s disoriented perspective. Or The Pursuit of Happyness, where we see the world through Chris Gardner’s eyes, feeling every ounce of his desperation and hope. These films don’t just show us the characters’ stories—they make us feel them. 

🚀 Techniques to Create Subjectivity in Film 

So, how do filmmakers achieve this level of immersion? Let’s break down some of the most effective techniques: 

1. Cinematography: Seeing Through Their Eyes 

The way a film is shot can dramatically affect how we perceive a character’s experience. 

• Point-of-View (POV) Shots: These shots put us directly in the character’s shoes, letting us see the world exactly as they do. Think of the sniper sequences in Saving Private Ryan, where the camera mimics the jittery focus of a soldier under fire. 

• Telephoto Lenses: By compressing space, telephoto lenses can visually isolate a character, reflecting their emotional distance from the world around them. In The Killer, David Fincher uses telephoto lenses to emphasize the titular character’s isolation and meticulous control, immersing us in his cold, calculated mindset. 

• Tight Framing: In 12 Monkeys, the use of tight, off-kilter framing pulls us into Cole’s confusion and paranoia, making his mental state palpable. 

In my own work, like Götterdämmerung, I’ve used wide-angle close-ups to visually distort a character’s surroundings, reflecting their emotional turmoil. This technique allows the audience to step into the character’s shoes, feeling their confusion and vulnerability. 

2. Editing: The Rhythm of Emotion 

Editing is a powerful tool for immersing audiences in a character’s mental state. 

• Rapid Cuts and Dissolves: These can mimic a character’s frantic or chaotic thought process. For example, during a pivotal fight scene in The Killer, Fincher alternates between precise, calculated edits and frenzied, rapid cuts, reflecting the protagonist’s unraveling state of mind. 

• Unconventional Transitions: Unexpected fades, match cuts, or jump cuts can disorient the audience, mirroring the character’s confusion or instability. 

• Temporal Manipulation: Films like Memento use non-linear editing to reflect the protagonist’s fragmented memory, drawing us deeper into their subjective experience. 

In one of my recent projects, I, Phil Ramcke, experimented with overlapping dialogue and abrupt jump cuts during a character’s panic attack. The result was a jarring yet immersive sequence that allowed viewers to feel the character’s anxiety in real time.