An extreme long shot contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general setting. This is also known as an establishing shot.
A long shot contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. a long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place
A full shot contains a complete view of the characters. From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters. For more information on costumes and acting refer to Chapter 4.
A mid shot contains the characters or a character from the waist up. From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters. This is also known as a social shot
A close-up contains just one character's face. This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character. This is also known as a personal shot.
An extreme close-up contains one part of a character's face or other object. This technique is quite common in horror films, particularly the example above. This type of shot creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer.
The pan turns the camera to the left or right, focusing attention on an object or
subject being followed. The pan is also commonly used to survey surroundings,
revealing what is beyond the connes of the original frame and to place characters
or objects more rmly within their environment.
The tilt pivots the camera upwards or downwards, often to survey surroundings,
and frequently mimics the sight of the character in point of view shots.
The Bird’s-Eye View, the camera is placed above the subject, looking down toward
the subject and the ground. Directors often use the bird’s-eye view when they want to make some kind of dramatic comment on a character or scene.
The High Angle, looking downwards, tends to draw attention to the importance of the environment or setting for a scene. High angle shots also tend to make characters look small and are often used by directors to symbolically suggest insignicance or withering authority.
The Eye-Level shot is the most common angle seen in movies. Scenes are shot at roughly the same level as the audience would see the scene.
The Low Angle, looking upwards, has the opposite effect of a high angle shot. It tends to focus attention on the size and signicance of a character or object. Often directors will use this kind of shot to symbolically announce the power and authority of one of their characters without literally telling the audience this information.
Tracking shot the camera moves to the left or right, often on a prelaid
track or on a specially designed truck. Tracking shots are conventionally used to
follow movements across a frame.
A dolly is the movement of the camera towards or from an object or subject.
Dollies are often used in point of view shots to give the audience the impression of
approaching someone or something with the character. The dolly in creates a sense of
moving towards an object.
Crane and helicopter shots the camera and mounting are free from the ground
and can be manoeuvred quite precisely. Crane shots have traditionally been used at
the start of lms to move into the action, drawing the audience with it.
Handheld shots the camera is carried by the operator, often creating an uneven
movement. These shots allows the operator to follow action very closely, creating a
greater sense of immediacy for the audience, and may mimic the movement of a
character in point of view shots.
A Steadicam is a camera is placed in a harness worn by the camera operator which
“suspends” the camera in such a way as to remove the jerkiness of handheld shots
as the operator moves across the ground.
XLS- Extra Large Shot
MCU- Medium Close Up
LS- Large Shot
CU- Close up
MLS- Medium Large Shot
BCU- Basic Close up
MS- Medium Shot
XCU- Extra Close Up
