Camera work

[kobrad]

Okay so i have been watching wwe and tna for a long time now and I have noticed something really interesting. The better the camera work is the better the show is. Now of course there is the thing with talent and good storylines but those are just obvious.

Hear me out:

Camera work is very underrated and i think that it is one of the most important factors in the wrestling business. TNA's camera work almost makes me sick it actually sucks! I mean seriously TNA you are not shooting the blair witch project. Their backstage camera shoots are just the worst thing i have ever seen. On the other hand WWE has great camera angles for almost everything. They always have the best angles for whatever you are trying to portray. I really think that if TNA wants to make another push, get new camera workers.

 

[kash_is_money]

I really enjoy the new style of TNA camera work. I think it makes the product seem alot grittier. The first time we seen it I think was a pre match interview with RVD before he beat AJ for the title. I think it adds a sence of realism to the show. What really stood out to me about that first RVD interview is that he wasnt cutting your typical pre match promo "awh im gunna kick ur ass and win the belt for all my fans"!!!!. It instead was a documentary style interview which gave a closer look at RVD before his biggest TNA match. It looked completely unscripted and seemed to look like insider footage which should make the fans feel that they are seeing something unique that they wouldnt see in any other kind of wrestling show.

TNA should continue use both the traditional camera style and this home video style.

Many former WWE employees have critisied the "invisible" backstage camera and have yapped on about how TNA doesnt use this stupid gimmick. But i think TNA could use this new home video style video footage to their advantage. They could use it to show backstage brawls and agruments as well as disscussions developing storylines. And still use the hard camera and host (christy hemme) for the pre match interviews and promos.

 

[Craig-O-Mac]

I have to agree with the above poster kash_is_money...

WWE use the so-called 'invisible camera' and its just not believable. I believe Rhyno actually said it in an interview once that he felt stupid having conversations that were meant to be between himself and an ally yet there's a camera 'just there'. Example, you have 2 superstars whispering or hatching a secret plan backstage but surely the camera there is a killer of suspension of disbelief. And the other superstars can just watch the monitor and find out!

There always also just happens to be a camera there, i remember when HHH attacked Randy Orton at his house. Granted there was the main camera on site for the Orton interview, but why were there multiple cameras stationed around and outside the house also?

On the other hand with TNA you have cameras creeping around corners or through cracked doors catching stars 'unaware' while they plan stuff. Its subtle but very believable. Now obviously WWE's production values are a million times better than TNA's but this one area where I think TNA have it right.

I must point out though that I have no problems with how backstage interviews are shot, its cool if there is an interviewer present.

 

[ABMorales787]

Okay so i have been watching wwe and tna for a long time now and I have noticed something really interesting. The better the camera work is the better the show is. Now of course there is the thing with talent and good storylines but those are just obvious.

I'm guessing why both companies went into HD.

Hear me out:

....................................................................................................................I hear nothing. Are you sure you don't want me to read instead?

Camera work is very underrated and i think that it is one of the most important factors in the wrestling business. TNA's camera work almost makes me sick it actually sucks! I mean seriously TNA you are not shooting the blair witch project. Their backstage camera shoots are just the worst thing i have ever seen.

You should speak with MTV about that too. This is pretty ridiculous. TNA is utilizing a unique and more realistic camera styles that completely separates it from WWE by giving a more gritty and "it's still real to me" feel to the show.

On the other hand WWE has great camera angles for almost everything. They always have the best angles for whatever you are trying to portray. I really think that if TNA wants to make another push, get new camera workers.

For yeeeeeaaaaars people have complained about how camera's are in the most casual of places and go totally unnoticed while WWE Superstars get away with anything while cameramen go unnoticed. It's been a huge plothole that has plagued pro wrestling for years. And TNA decided to do away with that. I prefer TNA's camera work. New age, new ways, new look.

 

[MarchingOnTogether]

I have to agree with the responding posts. TNA cameras defienatley feel more real, like they are not susposed to be there. Here's an example of great TNA camera work. Now I don't know how to post youtube videos, but here's the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6vc0l95H7c&feature=related

Now the link I'm about to post for the WWE, defienatley feels more scripted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdpitHu3ys&feature=fvw

If TNA are better than The WWE at anything, it's at camera work.

 

[harrythem]

Gotta agree with the others that, on the backstage camera-work, TNA has a more realistic vibe and wins for me. However, on the in-ring camera front, I'd give it to WWE. There just seems to be times that, I know might seem strange to some, but the TNA camera guys dont get the best view of the action in the ring, which is another area where TNA excels and should be show-cased a lot better then TNA's ringside camera crew allow it to be