Shots, angles, movements
Framing, shots, types
Camera Shots/
Camera Angles/
Camera Movements
Camera Shot
This refers to the size of the subject in the frame. (How much of the person/subject we will see.)
Extreme Long Shot:
portray a vast area from an apparently long distance. It is used to impress the viewer with the immense scope of the setting
Long shot
The Long Shot (LS) shows the entire area where the action takes place. The whole subject is in frame.
Medium shot
The convention of the Medium Shot (MS), is (when framing a person) approximately half of their body is in shot, (from waist up). More subtle performances and detailed actions can be seen. The Medium Shot is a good framing for conversation scenes between characters, especially if hand movements are part of the performance.
Medium long shot
The MLS can frame one or two people standing up, that is, their entire body .
Close up shot
The Close Up Shot (CU) shows a detail of the overall subject or action (the head or hands if it is a person). Close ups of characters are a good way of engaging the audience into the character emotionally. As we get closer to the character, we begin to lose the background information, therefore emphasizing the subject, rather than the background.
Extreme close up shot
With the Extreme Close Up (ECU), a small detail of the subject is framed, such as a part of a human face, a hand, or foot. This unnatural closeness to the subject is good at bringing the viewer into intimate relationship with the subject.
Sometimes called a “tight close up.”
Eye level shot
Shot at eye-level, the impression is neutral.
Reverse Angle Shot
Usually the camera looks at the subject, but occasionally the camera shows what the subject is seeing. (This is also known as a point-of-view shot.)
Often used when there are two characters. We cut back and forth between the two characters talking.
Movement
PAN: To pivot the camera horizontally, moving the lens to the left (pan left) or to the right (pan right).
NOTE: Unlike the trucking shot, the camera does not move from its position on the tripod.
TILT
To pivot the camera vertically, moving the lens up and down.
Camera does not move from its position on the tripod
Dolly/Truck
DOLLY: To move the camera and its dolly toward the subject (dolly in) or away from the subject (dolly out.)
TRUCK: To move the camera and its dolly to the left (truck left) or to the right (truck right).
NOTE: The camera (and its tripod) is being moved.
--Truck/Crane Shot
Low angle
The camera is positioned below the subject, looking up.
Makes the subject seem larger.
High angle
The camera is positioned above the subject, looking down.
Makes the subject seem smaller.