1. High Angle Shot – a high angle shot is taken from above a subject
facing down. The shot frames a particular object/character usually with
little or no props in the background creating a focal point of the
character.
Example: In this scene, Harry is shown from a
high angle shot to highlight his vulnerability
and emphasise the dramatic position that he’s
in.
A high angle shot is usually used in dramatic scenes to emphasise the
power /vulnerability of the subject.
2. Low Angle Shot
Low Angle Shot – a low angle shot is taken from below the subject facing
up. The shot frames an object/character typically the main character(s) with
mostly natural backgrounds (buildings ,trees ,the sky etc.)
A low angle shot is usually used to highlight the power and strength of the
subject/character
Example: in this still, the low angle shot allows
the audience to see the power that the two
characters have over the object/person on the
floor.
3. Establishing Shot (XLS)
Establishing shot, also known as an extreme long shot – an establishing
shot is a typically wide shot capturing location
An establishing shot it usually used to create a setting and give the
audience an idea of environment and the surroundings. It also indicates
that the majority of the
series will be based here.
Example: This shot from the
beginning of American Horror
Story: Asylum shows the audience
the setting that the series will be
based in this building.
4. Long Shot (LS)
Example: Within this still, the group of
young offenders from Misfits are shown on
top of a run down block of flats in a rough
area. This allows the audience to stereotype
the characters by the place that they live
and their outfits.
Long Shot – a long shot is taken to show an entire object or character(s)
A long shot is typically used to place the object/character in a particular
surrounding which relates to
them and their actions
5. Medium Long Shot (MLS)
Medium Long Shot – a medium long shot is when a character can be
seen from the head to the knee.
A medium long shot is typically used to give both scenery and character
an equal amount of importance.
Example: This still shows the
policeman’s body language whilst also
showing the audience his surroundings
and the type of situation he’s in.
6. Medium Shot (MS)
Medium Shot – a medium shot is a shot in which a character can be seen from
the head to their waist.
A medium shot is typically used in a scene where it is desirable to
see both the characters facial expressions, and body language.
Example: in this still, the joker’s facial expression
is clearly show whilst also showing the
Audience his surroundings informing them of
the jokers attitude towards being in that
situation.
7. Medium Close Up (MCU)
Medium Close Up – a medium close up contains a head, shoulders and
occasionally upper waist shot of a character.
A Medium close up shot typically contains a clearer image of the subject. Also
used to give the audience a better and clearer view into the characters facial
expressions without zooming in too close.
Example: This still allows the audience to clearly see
the characters facial expressions whilst also getting
an indication as to her location. The audience can
then assume the type of situation the character is
in sparking an emotional response from the viewer.
8. Close Up (CU)
Close Up – a close up shot is a shot in which a characters head is
captured
A close up shot is typically used to convey emotions and allow the
audience to generate an emotional response to their facial expressions
or the situation that they are in.
Example: this close up still shows
the character to be crying. This
allows the audience to connect
with the character feeling a sense
of sympathy.
9. Extreme Close Up (XCU)
Extreme Close up – an extreme close up is a shot which focuses on a
particular feature or reaction on a persons face
Extreme close ups are typically used to convey an emotion or mood
and are usually used in very intense/dramatic scenes.
Example: This close up is used in the
scene of The Vampire Diaries where
Elena grows her vampire teeth. It is used
alongside dramatic music to emphasise
Elena's discomfort in the situation as she
states clearly through the first 3 seasons
that she despises the idea of becoming
a vampire.
10. Point-Of-View Shot
Point-Of-View Shot – a point of view shot is a shot that is captured from
the person/characters point-of-view.
A point of view shot is usually edited in a way that is clear to the audience
who’s it is. It is typically used to give the audience a view on the characters
perspective.
Example: In this still, the audience can
clearly see the scene through the characters
eyes. This allows the audience to see the
characters perspective and their take on
certain events.
11. Two Shot
Two Shot – a two shot is any shot throughout the scene containing two
people.
A two shot is typically used to show the two main characters of a film. It
is also used to show the emotions clearly of the two subjects.
Example: in this still, the two shot frames
both Claire Standish and John Bender from
the breakfast club. This allows the audience
to acknowledge the two main characters of
the film.
12. Over-the-shoulder Shot
Over-the-shoulder Shot – an over the shoulder shot is a shot in which we see a
character over another characters shoulder.
An over-the-shoulder shot is typically used in conversations, giving the
audience a view of the character that’s speaking from the other characters
point of view. The camera angle usually cuts in very quick shots, alternating
between both
characters.
Example: In this shot, the character can
clearly be seen speaking however the we
can see a blurred over the shoulder image
of the person he is speaking to.
