Camera Shots, Angles and Movement

Introduction to camera shots, angles and movement

Camera Shots
A camera shot is the space seen within one shot or frame of filming. These shots can be applied to demonstrate setting, characters and themes of the plot. 

Establishing shots:

Sets up or 'establishes' the setting of the scene. It is typically at the beginning of a scene.

Long/wide shots: 

These shots show the whole person or the feature object as part of the landscape. The establishing shot  is usually to show the audience the actor/s in their environment.

 

Mid/Medium shot:

This type of shot generally shows a character from the knees/ waist up. This allows the viewer to clearly see the characters' expressions and movement without dominating the screen. This type of shot usually cuts out much of the background, allowing concentration to be on body language & dialogue but shows less specific detail. 

Close up shot:

A close- up shot shows very little background, and tightly frames a person or an object. Everything in the background becomes blurred. This type of shot magnifies the object and directs the audience to the significance of the action/ reaction of that time. It also displays clear detail and emotions and facial expressions.

Camera Angles

Handheld shot:

It is filmed from the camera mans point of view, it is a little shaky and it's used to show the subjects perspective or feeling. 

Point of view shot:

The camera shows the scene from a characters perspective and is usually seen through the characters eyes.

Birds eye view shot:

This type of view shows a scene from directly overhead; and is considered an unnatural angle to the human eye.

High angle shot:

The camera is elevated above the character/ object, but not as extreme as a birds- eye shot. This can be used to show which character holds the most power, and which appears to be the weaker one that is looked down on.

Eye line match/ Eye level shot: 

The camera is positioned as the person/ subject would observe a scene, with the subject's head on level with the frame of the camera focus.

Low angle shot:

Filmed from the knees up and can also show the power of a character during a conversation or conflict. Low angles help give an impression of superiority/ authority within the action of a scene.

Camera movement:

A director may choose to move the pace of action along by telling the narrative via a series of cuts, changing from one shot to another, or the camera may be moved with the action. The camera movement can draw the viewers attention to or away from something, or switch from one subject to another that appears in the same frame.

Zoom shot:

Camera zooms in to isolate the subject or zooms out to display it in a wider context. 

Swish pan shot:

Panning involves a movement of scanning a scene/landscape from left to right (vice versa). Camera moves swiftly from one subject to the other. This movement is often used to follow a character, as the camera can move, keeping the subject within the main focus of the frame, without minimizing setting. 

Crane shots:

The crane is a piece of equipment, size dependent on purpose. The camera is suspended and raised up according to the scene content. This effect allows horizontal and vertical movement, the location to be seen from a high angle, which can then be swept down out of the action.

Tracking shot:

Follows the action at a constant distance and it keeps the subject on screen.

Dolly shot:

The camera is placed on a dolly and it moves at a constant rate. It does not always follow the action.