2. ELS: This type of shot is often used to introduce setting
(setting the scene as an establishing shot) or to indicate the
overwhelming nature of that setting

3. LS: These shots are often used to show the relationship
between a character, or group of characters, to a particular
setting.

4. MS: Perhaps the most widely used shot distance in film is
the medium shot. Characters are usually shown from the
knees/waist up enabling viewers to read the body language
of a character.

5. CU: Close-ups frame the entire head, hand or foot of a
character or part of an object. They can be used to draw
the viewer’s attention to a significant facial expression or to
an object that might have significance within the narrative

6. Over the shoulder: Usually follows a shot reverse shot
pattern to show the reactions of 2 characters during a
conversation.

7. Low angle shots involve the camera being positioned low down
so it looks up at the character or setting. This can have a number
of effects, making a character look menacing or dominant as
they loom large in the frame, making a building look daunting or
towering, making a hero look powerful, brave or statuesque.

8. High Angle Shots look down on a character, place or
object. This shot usually suggests weakness, vulnerability
or loss of power.

9. • Furthermore framing can be open or
closed.
• In an open frame the character will be
surrounded by a lot of open space,
possibly suggesting that the character
is free, whilst if the frame is closed the
character will be boxed in, prompting
feelings of entrapment.
Closed framing –
character appears boxed
into the frame. Trapped
and imprisoned.
Open framing – it’s easy to
imagine what is beyond the
frame. They may appear free
and carefree.

10. The Rule of Thirds
The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine
breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally
and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. As follows.
Eyeline can help to convey the emotions of a character and their
psychological state of mind, their status and power and finally their
relationship with the viewer (encouraging or discouraging
identification and empathy)

11. • DOF is how sharp images are within a frame. The
frame for this purpose can be divided into the
foreground, middle ground and background.
FG MG BG

12. Standard focus as the flowers in the
BG are slightly out of focus.
Shallow focus making the
flowers the main focal point
and ensuring that the viewers
attention is focussed on them

13. Activity 1
Moving Image:
1. Choose a film opening from your genre and identify the
different cinematographic techniques that have been used
and suggest why. Provide screen shots to support your
points.
2. Is there a range of techniques used? What impact will this
have on your own film opening?

14. Activity 1
Print:
1. Choose a front cover, contents page and double page spread
from a magazine in your chosen genre. Identify the different
cinematographic techniques that have been used and suggest
why. Provide screen shots to support your points.
2. Is there a range of techniques used? What impact will this
have on your own magazine pages?