The Power of Unique POV Techniques: Commercial Film, TV & Ads

5 mins read

Ask any cinematographer, and they’ll tell you that a beautiful frame is the most effective way to captivate an audience.

But in today’s fast-paced, media-saturated world, a stunning image alone isn’t enough. With ads competing for increasingly shorter attention spans and streaming services producing TV series and movies faster than ever, filmmakers must go beyond traditional techniques to keep viewers engaged.

Dynamic camera movements, unconventional framing, and innovative perspectives—unique POV techniques—invite audiences into stories in fresh and unforgettable ways.

Thanks to technological advancements like smaller cameras, FPV drones, probe lenses, and robotic arms, filmmakers now have the tools to break creative boundaries and reimagine what’s possible. These tools allow for camera placements that were once impractical or prohibitively expensive, opening up a world of storytelling opportunities.

By daring to place the camera where it’s never been, filmmakers can deliver the kind of unique, immersive experiences that today’s audiences crave.

Why Unique POV Matters

In commercial filmmaking, the goal is not just to sell a product or service but to create an emotional connection with the audience. Unique perspectives achieve this by making viewers feel like they’re part of the story.

Whether it’s a first-person POV that puts viewers in the protagonist’s shoes or an inanimate object’s POV that offers a fresh lens on the world, these techniques can be used across TV, film, and advertising to draw audiences in.

Unique POVs in Television

Television has also embraced unique perspectives to stand out in a crowded streaming landscape.

The hit series Fleabag (2016–2019) uses direct-to-camera addresses to create an intimate connection between the protagonist and the audience. This technique breaks the fourth wall, making viewers feel like confidants in Fleabag’s chaotic life.

Screenshot from season 1 of the Emmy-award-winning drama *Mr. Robot.*

Similarly, USA Network’s Mr. Robot (2015–2019) employs unconventional camera angles and framing to reflect the protagonist’s paranoia and fractured mental state.

By placing the camera in unexpected positions—such as extreme, low angles or off-center compositions—the show visually conveys the protagonist’s disorientation and feelings of alienation and oppression.

Unique POVs in Film

Filmmakers have long experimented with unique POVs to enhance storytelling.

And with the advancements in technology—such as FPV drones, probe lenses, and robotic arms—creative possibilities have expanded immensely, allowing filmmakers to break boundaries and deliver unforgettable visual experiences.

Here are a few we thought were pretty noteworthy:

Hardcore Henry (2015)

POV Technique: The entire film uses FPV, immersing viewers in the protagonist’s chaotic, adrenaline-fueled world.

What This Technique Accomplishes: This approach creates a visceral, video game-like experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

POV Technique: During the longboarding scene in Iceland, the filmmakers use sweeping drone shots and creative framing as he makes his way down the twisted mountain roads.

What This Technique Accomplishes: These techniques not only highlight the beauty of the landscapes but also reflect Walter’s adventurous journey into a bigger, more expansive world.

1917 (2019)

POV Technique: The entire film is shot/edited using the “one-shot” technique. This technique is most notably used in films like Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men.

What This Technique Accomplishes: Sam Mendes and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins created an immersive, boots-on-the-ground perspective that feels like a first-person journey through the trenches of World War I.

Unique POVs in Advertising

In the world of advertising, where capturing attention is the ultimate goal, unique perspectives are a powerful tool. Here are a few examples that really caught our eye:

Samsung | “The Spider and the Window”

POV Technique: “The Spider in the Window” uses a mix of close-ups, FPV, and wide shots to tell the story of a terrarium-bound pet tarantula falling in love with … a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

What This Technique Accomplishes: From this POV, viewers can’t help but empathize with the spider. We’re right alongside him as he experiences the ups and downs of infatuation: forbidden love, aching loneliness, sudden heartbreak, and finally, a heart-lifting connection with the spider’s 5-eyed lover.

Apple – “The Whole Working-From-Home Thing”

POV Technique: This ad uses a mix of first-person and overhead shots to humorously depict the chaos of WFH. The camera angles shift dynamically to show the protagonist juggling video calls, family interruptions, and creative projects.

What This Technique Accomplishes: Most who lived through the pandemic would gladly choose to forget it. But the shots and angles used in this ad help the viewer look back with a little laugh. It illustrates and (for many) reminds us of those “uncertain times,” all while showcasing the versatility of Apple products.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – “Rewind the Future”

POV Technique: This ad stays strictly with the FPV as we travel back through the subject’s history of poor health choices, either his own or the ones forced upon him.

What This Technique Accomplishes: This ad illustrates a prime example of “what could have been.” What ended in a tragic heart attack started as a young, innocent child, gradually and sadly introduced to unhealthy eating habits. The FPV technique allows us to relive the moments — literally from a heartbreaking distance.

Audiences are constantly bombarded with content. But unique perspectives offer a way to cut through the noise and create lasting impressions.

And by daring to place the camera where it’s never been, filmmakers can deliver unforgettable experiences that resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.