Camera angles and movements

1. Camera angles and camera movements

2. By the end of this lesson you:
 Must – be able to analyse an audio-visual media text, using media key concepts
and appropriate terminology.

3. 1. What is media language?
2. What is audio-visual language?
3. What are the main elements of audio-visual language?

4. 1. What is media language? The way verbal and non-verbal elements are used to construct meaning (communicate).This include
images, graphic signs and symbols, as well as text or spoken words, depending on whether we talk about audio-visual or graphic
media language.
2. What is audio-visual language? Is a form of communication made of both audio and still and motion images, as well as other
elements that operate at a semantic level (such as the mise-en-scene)
3. What are the main elements of audio-visual language? These elements are:
 CAMERA SHOTS: the framing of the subject that indicates the distance between the subject and the camera.
 CAMERA ANGLES: the position of the camera in relation to the subject of a shot.The camera might be at a high angle, a low
angle or at eye level with what is being filmed.
 CAMERA MOVEMENTS: the location of the camera with regards the subject that is filmed.
 PHOTOGRAPHY: the different ways of creating an image through the means of the use of lens and composition.
 EDITING: the juxtaposition of shots in order to create meaning.
 SOUND
 MISE-EN-SCENE: the different elements in the staging of a scene.

5. Camera Angles
the position of the camera in relation to the subject of
a shot. The camera might be at a high angle, a low
angle or at eye level with what is being filmed.

6. Bird’s eye angle
The bird’s eye angle refers to a camera
angle looking directly down on a
subject. This angle makes the subject
appear very small and vulnerable and
is often used for establishing where a
character is.
The director may have chosen this shot
to show Williams’ vulnerability in this
sad song. Along with this shot, the
music video is also in black and white
which implies feelings of melancholy
and sadness.
Robbie Williams ‘Angel’
Example 1

7. Bird’s eye angle
Bird’s eye is an angle when the camera is placed above the subject so you can see what is going on from a higher
perspective.
This bird’s eye angle was taken from the Thank U Next music video. From one of the opening scenes.
The dramatic effect of this camera angle can show the viewers what she is doing from a different perspective. We can
also see the name of the song title on a book (the book is an intertextual reference to the film Mean Girls, in which they
use a burn book)
Example 2

8. Bird’s eye angle: A camera angle from above the subject/object. Often used to make the
subject/object unaware of being observed or to highlight its vulnerability.
The director may have chosen this angle to highlight Ariana Grande's vulnerability as this is the first
song that she released after she suffered PTSD from a terrorist attack at her concert in Manchester
2017.
Example 3

9. High Angle
The high angle is a camera angle that looks
down on the subject and can make them
seem vulnerable or powerless when applied
with the right mood, settings and effects.
The director may have chosen this shot to
express how lonely Williams is feeling as
since it is an angle from above, it shows how
he is the only one in the middle of nowhere.
Along with this shot, the music video is also
in black and white which implies feelings of
melancholy and sadness.
Robbie Williams ‘Angel’
Example 1

10. High angle
A high angle shot shows the camera looking down on a person or people, this can sometimes make them look smaller and
more vulnerable.
This high angle was also taken from the Thank U Next video as well. The dramatic effect of this camera angle can sometimes
be to make the people appear smaller and vulnerable but in this music video it can appear that the people are watching the
cheerleaders from different angles in the bleachers.
Example 2

11. Eye level angle
The eye level angle is a camera
angle where the camera is
positioned so the subject can
actually look into the lens without
moving their eyes up or down – the
camera is positioned at the same
level as the subjects face.
The director may have chosen this
camera angle as it allows the
viewer to look into Williams’ eyes,
which therefore creates a
relationship between them.
Robbie Williams ‘Angel’
Example 1

12. Low angle
The low level angle is a camera
angle positioned below the
subject to make them appear
bigger, stronger and more
superior. This angle can also be
used to make the subject appear
taller.
The director may have chosen
this camera angle to show that
although he is depicted as lonely
and vulnerable from other angles
such as the high angle and birds
eye angle, he still remains big,
strong and superior.
Robbie Williams ‘Angel’
Example 1

13. Low angle: a camera angle that looks up at a subject/object. Often used to make the subject appear powerful
or dominant.
At this point in the film, a child, who has been shrunk, is in risk of being eaten by the father, so the
director may have chosen this angle to show the difference in size/scale between his parents and himself.
Example 3

14. Worm’s eye angle
The worm’s eye angle is a view from below, as though the observer were a worm; the opposite of a bird’s
eye view. This can be used to look up to something to make an object look taller, stronger more superior.
In the context of Post Malone's ‘Circles’ music video, I believe the director may have chosen this angle as a
way to show people passing by rather than the usual use of making something appear bigger and more
superior.
Example 1

15. Worm’s eye angle
This is an extremely low angle known as a worm’s eye angle since it is taken from right down on the ground.
his shot was taken from A Bug’s Life to show the detail of the insects from their perspective. This angle can also make other things seem abnormally
large.
Example 2

16. Worm’s eye angle: this is a very low angle shot. A camera angle from below the object.
Often used to highlight the power of the object or to make it look bigger than the subject's view.
At this point in the film, a child, who has been shrunk, is in risk of being eaten by the father, so the
director may have chosen this angle to show how intimidating this feels.
Example 3

17. Ariana Grande ‘No Tears Left To Cry’
Canted Framing angle
Canted framing is a camera angle that is achieved by titling the camera on its axis resulting in a
framed shot at a slanted angle. This angle is usually used to create an impression of instability
and chaos. The director may have chosen this angle to represent Grande's mind because of
everything she’s gone through; the Manchester bombing, her ex boyfriend committing suicide,
then being blamed for that, etc.
Example 1

18. Canted framing (or slanted/oblique): a camera angle that makes the shot appear to be tilted.
It conveys uneasiness and awkwardness, and emphasises action.
The director may have chosen this angle to suggest that Ariana Grande feels like she is living in an unstable
world as this is the first song that she released after she suffered PTSD from a terrorist attack at her concert
in Manchester 2017.
Example 2

19. Camera Movements
the location of the camera with regards
the subject that is filmed.

20. PAN (short for panoramic view)
Panning is when the camera moves horizontally; either left to right or right to left, while the base
is fixed on a certain point. The position of the camera does move, only the direction it faces
moves. This can be used to follow a moving character or to fir more into a frame.
Example 1

21. Pan (short for panoramic view)
This camera movement is known as a pan since the camera slowly scans a scene to either show
the setting or the characters. It is normally used to show the details in a scene and can also set
the scene when a new place is introduced that the characters haven’t been to before. It is closer
than a wide shot and can also introduce characters in slightly more detail.
Example 2

22. PAN (horizontal) - where the camera pivots horizontally to reveal a setting. This can
be used to give the viewer a panoramic view, often used to establish a scene.
The director has chosen this camera movement to reveal the setting of this music
video, so we can see that this music video is set in a college/school-environment.
Little Mix – Black Magic Music Video (0.05-0.08) seconds
Example 3

23. Whip PAN
A whip pan is when the camera pans from left to right or right to left so quickly that the picture blurs
into distinct streaks. This type of camera movement is commonly used as a transition between shots
and can indicate the passage of time or a frenetic pace of action, and is frequently seen in 1970s
martial arts movies.
In the context of ‘That 70s Show’, the director has chosen this camera movement as a way of
transitioning between each character sat in the circle of Eric’s basement.
Example 1

24. Whip pan
This camera movement is known as a whip pan since it is very similar to a pan but it is much faster
and is normally closer up to the characters so we can see them in detail. It shows the points of
interest and what is most important about that scene.
By using this camera movement, the director abruptly introduces the villain and scares the
audience by the sudden appearance of the killer.
Example 2

25. Whip pan: a very fast pan between two or more characters. It gives off a sense of surprise to the audience and is used in
the place of a more conventional cut/shot/reverse shot.
Casino Royale Whip Pan: https://youtu.be/6qjCwb9DoaI
Example 3

26. Tilt
A tilt is when the camera stays
in a fixed position but rotates
up to down or down to up in a
vertical plane. Titling the
camera results in a motion
similar to someone raising or
lowering their head to look up
or down and is typically used
to introduce a new subject.
In the context of ’Toy Story’,
the director may have chosen
this camera movement to both
introduce the character of
‘Buzz Lightyear’ and also
make him out to be this tall,
strong and mighty character.
Example 1

27. Tilt
This camera movement is known as a tilt,
it is similar to a pan however it goes
vertically instead of horizontally.The
movement is used to often show a
character, maybe as a first impression of
what they look like or in this case, to show
the expression on the persons face.
This example was taken from the movie IT
and in this case it is used to progressively
introduce the character’s reaction from a
extreme close up (hands) to a close up
(face).
Example 2

28. TILT (vertical) - where a camera scans a
setting vertically. Similar to a pan, but
vertical.
The director has chosen this camera
movement to reveal the setting of this music
video, so we can see that this music video is
set in a college/school-environment.
Little Mix – Black Magic Music Video (0.09-0.11) seconds
Example 3

29. Track
Track is a camera movement where the camera follows a subject/object. The tracking shot can include
smooth movements forward, backward, along the side of the subject, or on a curve but cannot include
complex movement around a subject. ‘Track’ refers to rails in which a wheeled platform (which has the
camera on it) sits on in order to carry out smooth movement.
In the context of ‘Stranger Than Fiction’, the director has chosen to use this camera movement to
create a smooth, controlled shot of Harold crossing the road, without any wobbles.
Example 1

30. Track – a shot where the camera follows a subject/object. The tracking shot can include smooth movements
forward/backward/along the side of the subject/on a curve. Cannot include complex movement around a subject.
“Track” refers to rails in which a wheeled platform, which has the camera on it, sits on in order to carry out smooth
movement.
The director has chosen this camera movement to follow the criminal’s actions by using smooth movement along the side of
the subject. In this example, the actors are moving on the top of a train, so the camera must be sitting on a wheeled platform
on rails, which allows the camera to move smoothly in order to film and capture the action.
Skyfall: https://youtu.be/p4nLHMl-H60
Example 2
1.37-1.39 seconds

31. Track
This camera movement is called a track since the camera is placed on a “track” and follows the
subject/subjects either in a curve or a straight line. It is a smooth movement and even though it makes this
scene look busy, the camera is still moving in a steady curve but it is following the different characters.
Example 3

32. Steadicam
A Steadicam is a stabilising mount for a camera which mechanically isolates the operator’s movement from
the camera, allowing a very smooth shot even when the operator is moving quickly over an uneven surface.
The main purpose of this camera movement is that is makes the shot look smooth and controlled, capturing
the action without any wobbles.
In the context of ‘The Shinning’, the director has used a steadicam to follow Danny through the maze when
he is being chased by Jack.
Example 1

33. Steadicam – a stabilising mount for a camera which mechanically isolates the operator’s
movement from the camera, allowing a very smooth shot, even when the operator is moving
quickly over an uneven surface.
Example 2

34. Steadicam
The steadicam is another camera movement used in many forms of media. This camera movement is held by a person but the
Steadicam operates in a way that even if the person is running fast, the camera quality will still be clear and wont be bumpy.
In this scene we can see a boy running away, the steadicam is used in a way which follows him slowly and watches him running away
before he runs of shot.The camera does follow him for a short while and the dramatic effect can be to show how the boy is slowing
down but he is still running away from something he is afraid of.
Example 3

35. Crane
A crane shot is a shot taken by a
camera on a moving crane or jib. A
crane shot is sometimes used to
signify the end of a
scene/programme/film. The effect is
achieved by the camera being put
onto a crane that can move upward.
In the context of Ariana Grande’s ‘No
Tears Left To Cry’ music video, the
director may have used a crane shot
to show Ariana Grande from a high
angle to show her vulnerability due to
everything she had been through that
year; the Manchester bombing, her ex
committing suicide, etc.
Example 1

36. Crane
This camera movement is called a crane because
the camera is literally placed on a crane and
moved up and down around the subject matter.
In this scene the camera is following the little boy
in the rain, it first starts up high and slowly ends
up behind him. The dramatic effect of this
camera movement could be to show the boy
from a different angle so that the audience can
see what he is doing from other angles whilst the
camera gets closer or higher up.
Example 2
It opening Scene 2017:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJWJ6RP55nU
(0.00-0.02) seconds

37. Hand-held camera
The hand-held camera is a technique in which a
camera is held in the operator’s hands as
opposed to being mounted on a tripod or other
base. Hand-held camera shots often result in a
shaky image, unlike the stable image from a
tripod-mounted camera, a tracking shot or a
steadicam shot. However, this can make the
scene feel more realistic, due to its connotations
of documentary footage, amateur footage (such
as home video films) or news reports.
In the context of Joel Corry’s ‘Sorry’ music video,
the director has used this camera movement to
create a shaky shot to make the viewer feel like
they are there.
Example 1

38. Hand-held camera
This camera movement is similar to a Steadicam but when it is used, the camera movement is bumpy and
looks as if someone is following behind those in shot instead of it just being a camera following them. The
dramatic effect of this camera movement can make the audience feel as though they are part of the scene
and since this scene is showing a group of boys bullying another guy, it can make the audience feel like we
are really watching them abuse him from close up but we cant do anything to help the situation.
Example 2

39. Following with the Power Point presentation that you started in the previous lesson, add one slide for
each of these camera angles and camera movements, adding the definition (written) and an example
taken from a film, advert or music video:
1. Using as case of study a film or advert of your choice, find one example for each camera angle
and camera movement listed in this lesson.
2. Create one slide for each camera shot. Take a screenshot or image and paste it on the slide.
3. Write the definition of the camera shot and a brief explanation of the narrative purpose of that
shot in the context of that film or advert’s narrative.

40. Choose one music video that you can find online and analyse five
camera angles and movements, naming them and explaining their
dramatic effect (What is the meaning that they convey and how do
they work in the narrative of the advert? Or, in other words, why has
the director chosen that angle or movement to represent that specific
action?)