Camera Techniques In The Pilot By David Cross

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Luther (2010), created by David Cross, is a popular British crime drama that follows the brilliant yet unorthodox methods of Detective John Luther (Idris Elba). In the pilot, the audience is introduced to Luther’s world as a lead detective right from the get go. The pilot lays out several different plot points that will no doubt have importance in the future. The audience meets many different characters and becomes familiar with their struggles both internal and external. Cross uses sound, editing, and camera movements to create an effective pilot episode that helps the audience understand characters pasts, as well as how they may behave in the future. During Luther’s first interrogation of Alice (Ruth Wilson), sound is an incredible important …show more content…

In many instances throughout the episode the camera tracks from behind Luther as he walks to his next objective. The camera following him as he moves rapidly from place to place. The opening scene of the episode uses’ this technique very effectively. The episode opens in a chase scene. A distraught man in a suit runs through a warehouse, constantly looking back in fear. As the man in the suit, who we later find out is Henry Madsen (Anton Saunders), tries to escape, the camera begins to follow a large figure walking briskly behind Madsen. This is the audience first introduction to Luther. The camera tracks from behind Luther following him as approaches his target. Because the camera is tracking from behind him the audience knows he is the one doing the chasing. As Madsen runs through the warehouse the camera has lots of jump cuts and tracks from the front of him. Tracking from the front allows the audience to see the scared look on Madsen’s face. The camera being placed in front also implies that something is coming from behind him that the audience needs to see. With the tracking shots that follow Luther the viewer sees what is in front of him. As the camera tracks and follows him it feels as though he is stalking his prey. Luther does not run to chase his target. He has a good pace to his steps showing he is moving with purpose, but he is still calm enough to not break into a full sprint. Throughout the episode it is apparent Luther is a man on a mission, always two steps ahead of everyone else. The tracking shots implies to the audience Luther should be followed because he knows where he is going. While chasing Madsen the camera follows Luther with confidence he will get his man. Same as when Luther goes to confront Zoe about their marriage at her office. Luther struggles to separate life and work. No matter what life situation, he is always hunting

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