Restricted/Unrestricted Viewing

What is restricted viewing?

Restricted viewing is the implementation of ambiguity in film. It's restricting the point of view from a singular perspective to create effect. The audience is given limited viewing of a particular scene to add both suspense and unpredictability. Although it may hinder a person's understanding of the narrative, it also acts as a way to engage the audience as they are curious to know what the film is hiding from them. Restricted viewings tend to follow the pattern of linear texts, solely focussing on one character/ group of characters to immerse the audience. This type of filming is best done when attempting to grasp a character's emotions and thoughts throughout a scene and allows the audience to relate more towards the character and get a sense as to how they are experiencing the events that take place.

What is unrestricted viewing?

 Unrestricted viewing incorporates all relevant points of view so that audiences have a wide understanding of the text from all angles. Scenes may switch between two or more characters, and include multiple narrations from different stand points so the audience can have the widest viewing possible. This is often done in 'slice of life' type films where a director may focus on the events that take place rather than a character's positioning in the text.

Restricted Viewing implemented into our film

Our short piece follows the story of a young boy being harassed in college by two men who are out to cause no good. In this iteration of the film we follow the events from the the boy's point of view leading up to the attack brought onto him by the two men. The only point in which we see the two men is when it is imperative to the narrative.

Unrestricted Viewing implemented into our film

In the unrestricted viewing of our text, we use all the footage from the restricted version but now include scenes of the two harassers plotting to harm the young man throughout.