POV: Omniscient Point of View

In an Australian government document relating to script development I found the term ‘omnipotent POV’. In a specialised screenwriting magazine I read “omnipresent POV”(*). Both are plain wrong. You’ve got to wonder: if they can’t even get the terminology right, there is reason to be concerned about their understanding of the concept. The correct term is … Read more

POV as Controller of Tone

A toddler looks at a man pulling funny faces, moving his limbs in crazy spasms. He falls on the ground, he hits his head. The toddler jumps with excitement. A female bystander watches the scene, her face contorted, fighting back tears. The introduction of the woman suddenly gives us a reliable POV. Although we still … Read more

Shifting POV

Often when filmmakers use the term ‘omniscient point of view’, I believe what they really mean is: ‘shifting point of view’. Most of the film will still be told from the standpoint of one ore more individual characters, shifting from one scene to the next and from one character to the next. Even in films … Read more

POV: McKee’s View

“The more time spent with a character, the more opportunity to witness his choices. The result is more empathy and emotional involvement between audience and character.” -Robert McKee In his introduction about point of view (POV) in the scene, Robert McKee focuses on screen time and the physical location of the camera. POV is more. … Read more

Anyone Can Cook

Earlier this year, a friend of mine bought an expensive High Definition Video camera. He had saved up for it for a long time. In stead he could have bought a second hand Subaru. But he doesn’t care he doesn’t have a car. He has a dream. The Australian Dream. Australia is a hands-on type … Read more