New TNA: 5 Things That Work (And 5 That Don't)

By Chris Quicksilver /

5. Innovative Camera Angles

TV direction is extremely important to the success of televised wrestling. A bad camera angle (e.g a mounted punch combo shown from behind the recipient, as opposed to the attacker) can really highlight the €˜fake-ness€™ of a match and thus, remove the viewer from the suspension of disbelief required to truly enjoy the show. Whilst new TNA is still finding its feet in this department, the hand-held, panoptic feel of Destination America€™s TNA tapings has been really effective thus far. The perfect antidote to WWE€™s slick, cinematic groove, new TNA€™s camerawork is frantic, brash and always at the heart of the action, giving off the impression of a wild, unscripted fight when necessary, whilst still delivering the story of the match in a clear and uncluttered manner. Take a look at the company€™s Lockdown 2015 taping. Cameras were present for ultra high angles, ultra low angles and everything in between (that€™s the middle angles, in case you wondered). Camera operators seemingly have free reign to openly zoom in on a bleeding wrestler, or a dramatic event, lending a freewheeling reality TV or (dare we say) €˜cinema verite€™ approach to wrestling coverage. With low angle cameras that rattle along with the hardest bumps and high angles that perfectly capture the high spots for the home viewer, new TNA has become far easier on the eye and, in the process, has begun to distance itself from its nearest competitors.