How camera angles are used to show tension and unease in Lord Of The Rings

From this scene from "The Lord Of The Rings", we can see various different techniques used to create an air of tension and unease. The first used technique is moving the camera around the subject, while they move with it, to make it look like it is mainly the background that is moving. This can have a very disconcerting effect on the viewer, and while it is combined with the wary expression on Frodo's face and the tense, "warning" music, a tense atmosphere is created from a very lighthearted one in just a few seconds. This effect is very good for showing that a character is aware of something or someone, and could be used to rotate around a person to reveal somebody else standing behind them.

Next, notice the use of the 'dutch tilt', created by holding the camera at an angle so that the ground, (and everything on it) is slanted. This effect is used repeatedly throughout the scene, often in conjunction with other effects to show what is at first at first unease, but soon becomes fear. This is a shot I would like to use in my opening, due to the ease and effect of it. I could use it to portray a large range of emotions, all of which would be related to desperation and madness, which are very commonly used in thrillers. The shot has also been used in many famous thrillers such as "The Third Man" and "Twelve Monkeys"

It is also worth noting that while Frodo suspects that something is wrong, the shots are constantly being changed, as if to reflect his growing anxiety. When the Hobbits decide to hide, the camera stays in the same place for a good 10 seconds before starting to track forwards and tilt upwards at the Black Rider to make it clear that he is a very dangerous character. This is a technique I have noticed before, notably in "Analysis Of 'Spunky, the video game influenced monkey'", where in the murder scene the camera is constantly changing. This is an effect I am likely to use, as during a tense or violent scene, I will be able to emphasize the effect, as well as keeping the scene interesting and lively.

The next shot used is of the road imbetween a line of trees towards a vanishing point. This is where the "Dolly Zoom" is used. The Dolly Zoom is an effect that makes it look like the layers in the distance are moving closer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Contra-zoom_aka_dolly_zoom_animation.gif). The effect is created by tracking backwards while zooming in, or vice-versa, depending on whether the deisred effect is to have the background moved forwards or backwards. In this case it is used to echo the shriek of the Black Rider, and to show its effect on Frodo. This is another shot I would very much like to use, or at least try out, as it is stimulating and not very common, yet very effective at showing how unsettled a person is, realisation or paranoia. I think this shot would work very well at portraying the latter if combined with a close up.

Although i've mentioned this several times before, it is still worth noting that the camera moves downwards, to make the hobbits seem smaller in comparison the the Ring Wraith, showing the Wraith to be a powerful character.