Kane high/low angle shots

The most interesting technical aspect of Citizen Kane, was the use of high, low, and medium angle shots. It is fascinating how frequently these shots were used, and when each type of shot was used. As the movie progressed, the camera angle began to digress. What was once a high angle shot at the beginning of the film when Kane was young and giving his speech, later transformed and ended with his low angle shot shown while he was speaking down to what was his second wife at the time. The low angle shot, used to display power and exaggerate magnitude, did so with Charles Foster Kane. As Kane became older and more materialistic, he began to put things he once loved to the side. After gaining such power, he became bored and greedy; this is shown in his attempt to create an opera singer out of his wife by building an opera house for her. After his greed and boredom became more transparent, the camera shot transitioned to more use of a low angle, to create the feeling and appearance that Kane is talking down to whoever. Towards the end of the film the camera continuously stays at a low angle shot to exaggerate Kane’s anger and frustration. However what I found most interesting was the rosebud scene. While this is the beginning scene in the film, it is really what completes the film. The final scene allows the audience to understand the meaning of the word “rosebud”. When Kane is in his final moments and says “rosebud”, the camera angle is a normal, medium, steady shot on only his mouth. By doing this, the director was successfully able depict Kane for who he truly was before the fame and fortune. The scene is almost a realization by Kane of what truly mattered to him and he was able to finally understand that he did not need his reputation and prosperity to be happy. The medium shot shows a rare calm and content Kane. Something the audience does not see throughput the film.