This document provides an overview of fundamental shot types and camera techniques used in media studies. It defines shots like extreme close-up, close-up, mid-shot, long shot, and establishing shot. It also covers camera angles like high, low, and Dutch angles. Common shots discussed include point-of-view shots, cutaway shots, and over-the-shoulder shots. The document also mentions camera movements such as pan, tilt, track, dolly, and zoom.

1. THE FUNDAMENTAL SHOT TYPES
Shot types/angles are the fundamentals of Media Studies; you need to be able to
identify these (and discuss why they’ve been selected) in existing texts, as well as
select appropriate shots (and explain your choices) for your own productions. As we
work on shot types, make brief notes here, eg low angle = powerful.
The POV (point-of-view) shot is another common shot: typically we geta CU or ECU and cut to what/where the
character was looking. The POV also encourages an audience to identify with the character featured this way. Cutaway
shots are typically ECU-MCU of an objector other mise-en-scene used to break up repetitive shotsequences.
EXTREMELONG
SHOTELS
(commonlyusedfor
establishingshot)
Aka DUTCH or
CANTED ANGLE.
Typically connotes
something is not
right
EXTREME
CLOSE-UPECU
Subjectappears
(signified as)
powerful
Subjectappears
(connoted as)
weak,
vulnerable
From MCU
onwards we see
more ofthe
background, but
also body
language
OTS.The180degree
rulewouldapply, &
shot reverse-shot
wouldbe typically
usedwithin continuity
(invisible!) editing
Often used to
signify a
relationship of
some sort
ECUs of objector
part of face/ body
leave little room for
interpretation &
powerfully signify
(convey) emotions
to the audience
Its common to
showfragments
of a room/location
beforerevealing
allin a master
shot(LS or ELS)

2. A-Level EXAM BOARD LIST OF CAMERA TERMS
Shots: establishing shot, master shot, close-up, mid-shot, long shot, wide shot, two-
shot, aerial shot, point of view shot, over the shoulder shot, and variations of these.
Angle: high angle, low angle, canted angle.
Movement: pan, tilt, track, dolly, crane, steadicam, hand-held, zoom, reverse zoom.
Composition: framing, rule of thirds, depth of field – deep and shallow focus, focus
pulls.
SLIDING
SCALE:
ECU
CU
MCU
MS
MLS
LS
ELS/EST./
MASTER. Can
also be termed
wide shot, with
landscape the
focus
MOVEMENT:
PAN
TILT
TRACK
See overleaf for
further terms
ANGLES:
DUTCH/TILTED,
aka CANTED
HIGH
(MID-)
LOW
Worm’s eye
(low) and bird’s
eye (high) shots;
crane +
helicopter (high)
shots are also
used to denote
angle and
camera
operation
COMMON
FRAMING:
OTS
X-SHOT (x =
number): eg two
shot