Influx

PBS is currently airing Charles Dickens’ Bleak House. The series made for Masterpiece Theater, relies on some incredible editing and cinematography to bring the viewers close to the Dickensian experience, but also to give the historical drama, a very modern touch.

Camerawork is one of the principal reasons for the program looks and feels so fresh and interesting. The show uses techniques pioneered by the TV show NYPD Blue and the movie, Traffic, both of which made extensive use of hand-held cameras.

The technique is now called a “breathing camera”, because the cameraman’s breathing creates visible movement on the edge of the frame.

The director used it for Bleak House, because it provided an additional layer of emotional tension, that fitted perfectly with the Dickens story.