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There are countless shots in this opening battle scene that can be seen as the best handheld shot in film history. The handheld camera work was so effective that many historians and veterans of the actual Normandy invasion consider Saving Private Ryan one of the best World War II films of all time for its ability to recreate the insanity. Spielberg and his cinematographer Janusz Kaminski utilized handheld shots to heighten the intensity and chaos of war. One of Spielberg’s best films, Saving Private Ryan, has brilliant uses of this technique.
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During chaotic scenes of panic, action, or urgency, the camera shake of a handled shot visually adds to the intensity of the moment. Some filmmakers, though, have found opportunities to elevate emotion and intensity. Some action movies are examples of how not to use the handheld shot. Handheld Shot Example Handheld shots heighten intensity Let’s analyze a few uses of the handheld shot that elevate a scene and some handheld shot examples that demonstrate each. Filmmakers still find brilliant ways to utilize the handheld shot by being selective and intentional with their shots. The handheld shot has become a point of criticism in action films that overuse handheld camera work. Filmmakers like Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, and more recently Paul Greengrass have used the handheld shot for its storytelling capabilities. Handheld camera movies started to appear throughout the industry. Filmmakers utilized the handheld shot and shaky cam across genres to create more subjective shots or to heighten the intensity of a scene. Throughout the '80s and '90s, handheld camera movies started to become more apparent in the mainstream.