This is my in depth look at camera angles using the MCU

1. CAMERA ANGLES; SHOT TYPES, LIGHTING AND MIS-EN-
SCEN.
‘Using Marvel to explain’

2. Camera Angles:
• What are camera angles?
Camera Angles are the positioning of a camera for a certain type of shot.
• Why do directors/photographers use these?
This use of positioning helps the photographer to capture a photograph with a certain type of mood
or to illustrate a background story to the image. It is important that angles are taken into
consideration with the type of shot as this makes for a successful execution in creating mis-en-
scen .
• What Texts do we see these used in?
We primarily see these angles in any types of media that consists of images, from magazines to
company PowerPoints, posters and even family photo albums, it does not end.
• What is mis-en-scen?
Mis-en-scen is a term to describe the relationship between the image and the emotions it connotes,
this roughly means that the image’s connotations effects the type of reading the audience feels
towards it. E.g.: A low angle shot of Thor hitting Captain America’s shield with his hammer connotes
power. This creates a mis-en-scen of aptitude as this battle wages on.

3. Worms eye/High angle:
• The worms-eye view angle is an angle often referred to in the said way as it appears
to be at the lowest point looking up at the focal point/chosen and focused upon image.
• Where is this used?
- Posters
- Art
- (Sometimes) Magazines
- Cinema and Television programmes
• Why is it used?
This is used frequently to create the mis-en-scen
of vulnerability for the reader as the image’s focal
point tends to be of a much larger object, giving
the connotations of being like a worm. Magazines
and artists use this angle to empower the focus of
the composition and this illustrates the mood and
the purpose of the aforementioned text. This is
also often used in pictures of infrastructures or
natural objects such as trees. This often reflects a
strong character role within a scene or image;
e.g. Nick Fury in the avengers.

4. High angle/Birds eye:
• Known frequently as the birds eye view this camera angle is positioned above the
subject matter and often focuses on the whole composition.
• Where is this used?:
-Movies
-(establishing shots)
-Google maps
• Why is it used?
This type of shot is constantly used in the film industry to either
establish a setting (to illustrate awe and scale of the event) or
to be able to evoke a sense of vulnerability for a character. An
example which exemplifies this is in ‘Captain America: The
Winter Soldier’ when Steve Rogers glances down at the swat
team sent to take him out for Hydra. The camera pans down to
look at him and the unconscious team in the elevator, this shot
connotes a large sense of vulnerability for the superhero and
illustrates the gravity of the situation while also demonstrating
the sheer strength of the character, making the audience feel
in awe of the character and creates a mis-en-scen of brutality
and adventure.

5. Eye-level:
• This angle goes by no other name but this is when a camera appears to at the
eyelevel of a central figure or the object on screen.
• Where is this used?:
-posters
-advertisements
-movies and television
• Why is this used?
This is used in film to convey emotion or to show conflict
between characters as it allows for the audience to get a
good and close look at the characters facial features and this
can help an audience member read the situation if they
hadn't been there watching the film the whole time. An
example that may help illustrate this is when Bucky Barnes
and Captain America exchange glances in whilst in Serbia in
the film ‘Captain America: Civil-War’. This particular helps to
convey strong emotions between the two characters as they
engage in conversation and look at other as a mark of
respect.

6. Extreme close-up:
• The extreme close up is a shot where the camera appears much closer to the
figure/object as to create tension as this type of shot is classed as “un-natural” and is
frequently used in many films like the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
• Where is it used?
-Posters
-Television and movies
• Why is it used?:
Extreme close ups are considered un-natural shots and
therefore are used in situations to increase the intensity
of a film scene, This is because the audience would feel
unnaturally close to the eyes of a certain character and
would be forced to observe the details on the
face/subject. This coupled with the intense context can
create an unnerving shot. This is exemplified in ‘The
avengers’ when Loki is transported through the
Tesseract to earth and stares at the S.H.E.I.L.D staff
before starting his rampage, this close up captures the
fury and rage in his eyes.

7. Close-up:
• The close up shot is a shot that primarily is used to capture the face in the shot.
• Where is it used?:
• Posters
• Film
• Television
• Commercials
• Why is it used?
This is used to connote tension but also to
capture minute detail. This is a type of shot that
adds drama to a scene. This is shown in ‘The
Winter Soldier’ when Bucky catches Captain
America’s shield, the shot captures the pain in
his face and the unfocused background allows
for the audience to understand who the
character is

8. Medium Close-up:
• A medium close up is a short that exists to capture a third of the body in a shot so
therefore it is traditionally seen at shoulder height. upwards
• Where is this used?:
• Television
• Podcasts
• Movies
• Why is this used?:
This shot type is used to capture a scenes true capacity, it
allows for leading room and for movement but can capture
engagement between characters, this is most prevalent in
the movie ‘Captain America: Civil-War’ when Bucky is
brainwashed by Zemo and starts to fight the rest of the
Avengers including Tony, Black Widow and T’challa . The
shot where he attempts to shoot Tony point clack captures
his strength by the capture of his arm but also the fear in
Tony’s eyes .

9. Long-shot:
• This shot includes approximately the whole figure and the focused background.
• Where is this used?:
• Movies
• Television
• Posters
• Advertisements
• Why is this used?
This type of shot is often used to illustrate the gravity
of the situation in the scene and is often used to
highlight the powers of individual. In the MCU this
shot type is used all the time so in Civil-War this is
also Illustrated in the airport scene when Iron-Man
cradles Rhodes. This shot is focused fully and shows
the drama of the situation.

10. Wide-shot:
• Or establishing shot, this shot used is to show the location or a large scale event
unfolding.
• Where is this used?:
• Movies
• PSA’s
• Television
• Advertisements
• Why is this used?:
This shot type is used because it focuses on the whole
background and can highlight the impact an event has
on a scene or sets a tone for the rest of the film, In ‘Civil
War’ a long shot of the UN building is used to highlight
the danger of the situation the characters are in as it is
bombed.

11. Over the shoulder:
• This shot is over the shoulder from one character and focuses on a scene or another
character.
• Where is this used?:
• Movies
• Television
• Why is this used?
This particular shot is used to pair up with dialogue
and can show reactions to statements, can implicate
actions and can highlight tension between
characters. In ‘The Avengers’ we see Loki and Thor
fighting on top of the Stark tower, the use of the over
the shoulder here is to lead the audience into a false
sense of security as Loki’s face is focused on before
he stabs Thor in the side.

12. Dutch tilt:
• When the camera angle changes whilst moving towards a focal point
• Where is this used?:
• Movies
• Why is this used?:
Again this is another un-natural shot and is often used
to connote reflection or to intensify a battle scene. This
is used most famously in ‘Thor’ when ‘Thor’ destroys
the rainbow bridge to save the Bi-Frost from the
destruction of Loki and to save Asgard. This type of
shot was used to intensify the conflict between Loki
and Thor but to also illustrate the gravity of it whilst
immersing the viewer.

13. Point of View:
• The purpose of the POV (point of view) shot is to immerse the reader of the text into
the diegesis
• Where is this used?:
• Television
• Movies
• Why is this used?
This shot type is used to immerse a viewer and
add perspective into the scene as the viewer is
forced to sit and view from a diegetic
perspective, This is seen in ‘Captain America:
Civil-War’ when General Ross shows a video
clip of the Chituri attacking New York City. The
purpose of this shot is to connote fear and add
to the consequences of the attack, this allows
for a sense of realism and also immerses the
viewer.