2. The Distance and long Shots
Distance Shot
These shot are about
showing distance
between the camera and
subject.
Mainly used to convey
character driven scenes,
emotion and action.
Long Shot
o These shots are shot from a
distance and often used as an
establishing shot to set the
scene in a film. If of a person,
will be a shot of the whole
body.
o The long usually provides an
extended view of the current
scene. This shows the
whereabouts of the character
and maybe to show vital
information related to the plot.
3. The Mid and Wide Shot
The Mid Shot
These are middle
distance shots which
gives background info
while still focusing on the
subject. It is usually shot
from waist to the top of
head.
Mostly used to show
emotions between
characters such as hate
or to establish to the
audience they are
enemies for example.
The Wide Shot
o The wide shot is mainly
used to present a lot of
visual information to the
audience.
o Used to ‘set the scene’ in
a film scene.
4. The Close Up and Extreme
Close Up shots
The Close Up Shot
This shot shows the subject up close. It focuses on the
detail of the expression/reaction of a character or an object.
It either shows head or head/shoulders.
The effect of the close up is used to imply intimacy between
characters and between the character and audience. Also
used to reveal thoughts and feeling that characters have.
The Extreme Close Up Shot
o This shot only frames a small part of the body or
object. It can be used to make a small object/ body
part seem larger and more significant.
o The effect is that it makes the audience focus o one
thing and emphasises its significance in the film.
5. The Aerial and Over the
Shoulder Shot
The Aerial Shot
An aerial shot is taken from a
helicopter or plane and the
only reason they are used is to
provide a birds-eye view of
the scene.
This shot is mostly enjoyed by
audiences as it provides a shot
that is unique and not widely
used by many film makers as I
imagine it is costly to use a
helicopter/ plane for a scene.
The over Shoulder shot
o This shot is a technique used
to film conversations within a
scene. The camera is shot
over the shoulder of one
person to film what the other
person is talking about.
o This is mainly used in Sitcoms
such as The Big Bang Theory
or How I Met your Mother.
6. Other Camera Shots
There are many other different camera shots but so far I’ve
only mentioned the most used or recognisable camera shots
that are used in the film industry at the moment.
Below is the names of the other camera shots that I didn’t go
into detail with because they are not as widely used as the
ones I’ve mentioned previously such as the distance shots.
Movement Shots
Zoom Shots
Pan Shots
Tilt shots
Tracking shots
The Pull-back Reveal
