Angles to Distinguish Point of View: THE PENGUIN

These two scenes from different episodes (1.07 "Top Hat" and 1.08 "A Great Or Little Thing") happen within different Points of View while two different actresses portray one character, but the shots keep clear what’s happening.

Differentiation

In “Top Hat” we’re in Young Oz (Ryder Allen)’s POV — the camera tracks across the room with him, he knocks on his mom’s door, which opens to reveal his mom Francis Cobb as portrayed by Emily Meade.

"A Great Or Little Thing" shows the same scene from Francis’s POV.

We start in her bedroom and see her portrayed — as she is in most of the show — by Deirdre O'Connell. We’re clear what’s happening before we hear Young Oz’s line (same as in “Top Hat”) from outside the door.

Similarities

When Francis makes her entrance — once as Young Francis once as Old Francis — the wide living room shots in each scene are the same.

Differentiation Again

After that, “Top Hat” shoots Francis with ‘clean’ mediums and closeups, because she’s as Young Oz sees her.

Meanwhile "A Great Or Little Thing" shows a similar angle, but with Young Oz ‘dirty’ in frame subtly reminding us we’re in Francis’s POV.

Both scenes move into different shots for a brief conversation.

This section is longer in Francis’s POV because 1. we have more context (from the many other scenes which have come between) and 2. Francis understands more about what’s happening here than Young Oz does.

Transition

Both episodes segue into the next scene with different establishing shots of Monroe’s — Young Oz’s from an outside, lower perspective like a child might have, and Francis’s from an insider who is familiar and more clear-eyed about what’s about to happen.

Takeaways

Shooting two scenes which portray the same events from different Points of View — especially if those scenes are not intercut or back-to-back — requires a special attention to detail. The scenes need to be not too similar, while not so different the audience won’t realise right away what’s happening.

It’s not easy, but it is simple: clarity in writing, storyboarding, and collaboration.