Camera shots and movement

1. EmilyMorris
Camera shots and movement
Camera Shots
Establishing shot – First shot and should establish the exterior and gives the audience key
information as to where we are and what there is.
Wide shot – Broader shot showing parts of the set and can be used to emphasize size or
scale of the set.
Crane shot – Useful way of moving the camera: can be moved up, down or across (very
versatile shot). The camera is literally shooting from a crane. Used for aerial shots as well.
Aerial shot / birds eye view – Variation on a crane shot and usually filmed from a
helicopter. Often used at the beginning of a film to establish setting and movement. It can
go anywhere and keep up with anything.
Close up – Forces the audience to look in a particular place because it shows very little
background. Magnifies the object and shows the importance of things. Takes us into the
mind of a character and can highlight emotion.
Extreme close up – Extreme version of a close up and will show, for example, sweat coming
down a forehead or a tear from an eye. Forces the audience to focus on a precise thing.
Point of view – We see through the actor’s eyes.
Subjective point of view / over the shoulder shot – We see what the actor see but not
necessarily from their point of view. Puts the viewer in the scene and makes us a part of it.
Two shot – Mainly used to show conversation. Where two people are in the scene and
shows a link or reaction between characters etc.
Shot/Reverse shot – Shot is of one person talking and then cuts to the person they’re
talking to before cutting back to the first person again. Since the characters are shown to be
facing in opposite directions, the viewer unconsciously assumes that they are looking at
each other (180 degree rule).
Movement
Pans – On a tripod and goes from left to right. The tripod acts as a stationery axis point as
the camera is turned, often to follow a moving object.
Tilts – Movement which scans a scene vertically and also uses a tripod (much like a pan).
High angle – Shot looks down on the action from a superior position. The observer is then
dominant.
Low angle – Looks up at the action from below or inferior position. The observer is made to
be vulnerable or weak or have a lower status.
Dolly shot – Sometimes called a tracking shot. The camera physically moves on a track or a
dolly to move alongside the action. A good way to portray the journey of a character.

2. EmilyMorris
Hand held shots – Someone is physically holding the camera which gives a jerky, ragged
effect. Creates a gritty realismcompletely different to a dolly shot and involves the viewer
very closely with the scene.
Zoom/Reverse zoom – When the camera gets closer to or moves away from the action in a
very quick movement. Suggestive of surveillance, voyeurism or intense observation.