Camera shots and angles

1. Camera shots and angles
Zoe Lehane

2. Extreme close up (ECU)
Extreme close up is a type of camera shot which very tightly frames a person or
an object. Extreme close ups are used to show the most detail possible which
would not be able to be seen by a shot taken far away eg. A long shot, therefor
are usually used to show a persons facial expression in order to understand
their emotions. Extreme close up shots usually create a connection with the
viewer.
Example: an extreme close up from ‘The Blair
Witch Project’
This extreme close up is used in the movie to
show the fear and terror in her face, it also
heightens the intensity and drama within the
situation as her face and tears are highlighted
by the light and the background is pure
darkness.
Zoe Lehane

3. Close Up (CU)
• Close up shots are used in the same way as extreme close up shots; to express a
persons emotion and facial expressions, however the difference is that as close
up shots are slightly further away it manages to slightly capture the
background as well as the face/object in the foreground. This allows the viewer
to understand the situation the characters in and how they're feeling.
Example: Close Up from The Dark
Knight
This close up is a good example
because we are able to see the jokers
somewhat annoyed expression and
we can guess why because of what's
in the background – a man holding
him down.
Zoe Lehane

4. Medium Shot (MS)
• A medium shot is a shot taken from the mid point between a long shot and a
close up. In a longshot you are usually able to see half of a humans body or half
of whatever object is being filmed. Medium shots are good because they are
not too far away to not be able to understand what could be going on with the
character as you are still able to read their facial expressions, a medium shot
also allows us to see more of the background so we are able to understand the
situation the character is in better.
• Example: The Hunger Games
This example is good because we are
able to see the characters facial expression
yet a lot of the background showing the
situation she is in
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5. Long Shot (LS)
• A long shot also known as a full or wide shot is a shot which shows a whole
human figure or object as well as a lot of the background. Long shots are good
for things such as war scenes so the viewer is able to see everything that’s
happening; the people, the setting etc.
• Example:
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6. High angle shot (HAS/Birds eye view)
• High angle shots are shots taken from above the eye level. They are used to
represent power/being weak. They're used in situations where a director wants
a particular characters to look inferior, intimidated, weak and scared. The
director usually wants the content/person the camera is shooting to look
merged into the background. They are used to make the scene more dramatic
and intense.
• Example:
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7. Low angle shot (LAS)
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• Low angle shots are taken anywhere below the eye line looking upwards,
opposite to high angle shots. Low angle shots are used to make people seem
powerful, they are usually used on characters in films who have a higher status
than others. The characters that are filmed from a low angle dominate the
screen, they make the watcher feel over powered.
• Example: Spider Man
This angle is used here to portray how
powerful and strong Spiderman is

8. Titled Frame (TF)
• A tilted angle shot also known as a Dutch angle, is an angle where the camera
is on a tilted axis and not vertical or horizontal with the character or object in
the shot, the shot is sideways and not parallel. This shot is used to cause
psychological uneasiness or tension. This angle can differ from low and high
angle shots to present characters in different ways.
• Example: Marilyn Monroe in the
• film noir work The Asphalt Jungle
Zoe Lehane

9. 180 Degree rule
180 degree rule is a guideline for a shot with two
characters in it. The camera is always kept on one
side of the scene so it doesn’t confuse the viewer. the
first character is always frame right of the second
character, who is always frame left of the first. The
object/person being filmed must always remain in
the centre while the camera moves around it.
Example: Redrum the shining 2
Zoe Lehane

10. Over The Shoulder shot
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over the shoulder shot (shoulder, OS, OTS, or third-person shot) is a shot of
someone shot from the perspective of someone behind shoulder of another
person.

11. Two Shot
A two shot is a shot that includes to people in the frame, they are usually used
when filming a scene which is shooting an interview or two people hosting a
show. Two shots are good to use to establish a relationship between two
characters. It’s a good shot to establish the interaction between two characters
without getting distracted by their surroundings.
Example: Spiderman
Zoe Lehane

12. Point Of View (POV)
A point of view shot is a shot taken from the eyes of a certain character. It allows
the viewer to see exactly what the chosen character is seeing and experiencing
Example:
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13. Extreme long shot
Extreme long shots can be taken from as much as a quarter of a mile away and
are usually used as an establishing shot, Extreme long shots are used to show the
viewer where the upcoming scene is going to be set, is usually shoots an exterior
place; a landscape. In an extreme long shot the subjects are always small and the
background is the main focus.
Example: Cleopatra
Zoe Lehane