One of the most important of all shots is point of view. A point of view shot is a scene that shows what the subject is looking at represented through the camera. Hitchcock was the first to use point of view which compels not with story but images. For example, in Rearview Mirror the audience takes on the characters point of view and they feels like they're part of the action. This subjective narrative style treats the viewer as a participant and immensely effects their experience. With point of view shots, the audience feels like they're experiencing the moment rather than just viewing it. When watching film, we connect ourselves to the character. A major part for this reason is point of view shots because without them the audience would feel disconnected.
This technique is often used in horror films. In this clip from Friday the 13th the girls are being watched and the audience is seeing it through the eyes of the antagonist. The scene feels more suspenseful and mysterious by using a point of view shot because the viewer is put in the position of a negative character and may make them have an unsettled feeling-which they should. I think the scene is effective because using the point of view shot evokes fear in the audience. They aren't only about the single shot but also the shots that follow.
In most cases this is done by the character looking, then we see what they see, followed by a reaction shot. This short animation called The Sandman by Paul Berry contains many point of view shots(for example: 1:10 or 2:05). In reality, the setting could be a normal house and the boy could just be having a nightmare, however the audience feels creeped out because that is how the child is perceiving it. This is a great example of point of view because the shots reinforce the fear and suspense felt through the entire film. The audience would not get the same feelings without point of view shots. To understand the overall message and emotion the audience needs to see and experience it through the eyes of the characters.
I do agree that point of view shots are an excellent way of getting a certain message across in a film. As you said, they allow the viewer to almost engage in the scene through the eyes of either an antagonist/protagonist and is a cool way of showing the scene, instead of having a wider shot showing the subjects where the viewer would feel like they're on the sidelines. Also with the example from Friday the 13th i feel the point of view shots can allow the viewer to step into the characters shoes and think like the killer, almost trying to predict what the character is going to do next which. I feel this is a great example and it really allows the viewer to be engaged with the film and almost role-play a bit.
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