Describing different camera angles and shots

1. Camera angles
and shots
By Natasha and Amy

2. Close up
• This is because the camera is so
close you can see the emotions on
the characters face.
• How much of the subject you want to
put in the frame
• It also shows the importance of the
character
• It’s a shot taken at a close range
• The camera is only inches away from
an actor's face

3. Extreme
close up
• Showing the eyes
• Even closer to the
face or object
• Extreme close ups
such extreme detail.
• You would normally
need a specific
reason to get this
close

4. Long shot/ full shot
• It shows off the characters bodies
• It also shows of the body language of the character
so we can determine their mood
• Costume
• Allows us to see a person in relation to their
surroundings
• They are a good way to introduce characters as
you are able to see their whole body
• The mise-en-scene behind the characters and the
costumes the characters are wearing can tell the
audience a lot about that person, along with their
body language and facial expressions

5. Medium shot/mid
shot
• Showing facial expressions
• It is for showing the emotions of the
character
• It also shows their body language
• Med shot is from the waist upwards
• The mid-shot can be used to focus
attention on an interaction between 2
actors, such as a struggle, debate or

6. Two shot
• This shot is to show the relationship
between people
• This is combined with other key
terms
• Two shot is a type of shot in which
the frame encompasses two people
(the subjects)
• The subjects do not have to be next
to each other, and there are many

7. Establishing
shot
• This makes the setting clear
• It is to show off the location the
scene is taking place in
• Related to the mise-en-scene
• In this shot you get the feeling of
the place
• Tone and mood
• Makes people understand what is
going on
• They are a great way to set the
scene
• They are usually used to open films
to allow the audience to see the
location of where the film is set
• Sometimes shots start of as
extreme long shots before zooming

8. Low angle
• Low angle is used for dramatic
effect
• Makes people look large
• The object the camera is looking
at looks dominant and powerful
• Looks up at people
• When the camera is in a low
position, below the eye-line

9. High angle
• This shot makes someone seem
vulnerable
• It makes them seem weak, small
and innocent
• It positions the audience to feel
sympathy
• Its when the camera looks down
on the subject

10. Straight angle/
eye level shot
• This shot wants the
audience to feel like it is
happening in their eye
line
• To seem like they can
relate to that person
• They can also feel
empathy in certain scenes
• This is the most used

11. Canted angle/ dutch tilt shot
• This shot is tipped to one side
• It makes a situation seem
disoriented
• It makes the scene chaotic and like
the actor is drunk
• Everything behind them is tilted to
• This shot is usually used when
someone's in danger or if someone
is confused

12. Tracking shot
• This shot is used when a character is
moving
• It also shows more than one thing in
the scene
• It shows how different things are
arranged or related
• The aim is to show someone's
journey

13. Handheld shot
• The camera moves and jolts about
• This shot is to show the action,
drama and fast paced scenes
• It also gives a sense of urgency
• It puts us in the scene
• It gives us a sense of realism as the
camera is doing it himself rather
than something helping him.
• It is also a very dramatic shot.

14. Shallow focus
• Shallow focus makes someone
seem important
• Depth of field
• Only some things in focus
• Drawing audience’s attention to
something

15. Birds eye
view
• This shot is directly above the
subjects
• This makes us see something
in its larger surroundings
• Its making something look
small
• This is often used in
establishing shots where the
camera flies over cities and
streets, setting the scene for
the movie.

16. Pan left/right
• To show where
something or someone
is going
• Show something just
out of shot
• Shot on a tripod
• Pivots round
• Stays in one spot but

17. Trombone shot
• This shows characters dramatic
reactions
• This shot is filmed during major
events
• Creates effect as the background
moving away
• Focuses on the person in the frame.

18. Master
shot
• An entire dramatized scene
• Long shot
• Establishing shot
• First shot in scene
• In older films it is the most important
shot
• Used in a theatre stage
• It’s a key element
• Not built around shots anymore

19. Pull focus
• It changes where the audience is looking
• It draws our attention to something else

20. Deep
focus
• It’s a deliberate choice
in a film
• It shows the
surroundings

21. Tilt up/
down
• Showing the whole of an object or person a
bit at a time
• Making it seem like someone
• Objectifying

22. Point of view shot
• The camera is the person
• Its in a charcaters point of view
• It’s a handheld shot
• We are the camera
• In the position of the camera
• shot that depicts the point of view of a
character so that we see exactly what they
see
• This shot often engages the audience as it
makes them feel like they are there in the
scene in the moment

23. Zoom
in/zoom out
• Camera stays still
• Lens moves in
• Zoom in- focusses our
attention on someone
• Zoom out- shows the
bigger picture

24. Crane
up/down
• Seeming dramatic
• Drawing attention to
someone’s isolation
• From eye level up or down
• Seems important