Establishing shots are usually set outside and are used to establish the scene and location. Extreme close-ups show extra detail by magnifying beyond normal human vision. Long shots capture a large area from far away and usually show the whole body. Medium shots are the most commonly used and show the subject from the middle up. Point of view shots help the audience see from the character's perspective to create tension or sympathy. Over the shoulder shots place the camera over a character's shoulder to feel like the audience is in the scene with them. Two shots show the connection between two characters. Close ups focus on a person's face or detail without background to reveal emotion or importance. High and low camera angles are used to convey power dynamics
2. Establishing shot
Establishing shot –
Usually set outside
Used to establish the scene (when
and where)
E.g. outside of a building or
landscape
Often used to show scenes of thrilling
action
3. Extreme close-up
Extreme close up –
Generally magnifying beyond
what the human eye would
experience in reality
Shows extra detail
4. Long shot
Long shot-
Camera placed far away to capture
a large area
Usually the establishing opening
shot
If of a person, we see all of their
body from head to toe
5. Medium shot
Medium shot-
Most commonly used shot
Medium shot should generally contain all
the action of the scene
If of a person it shows them from their
middle upwards
Shows more detail than a long shot
6. Point of view
Point of view-
Helps you see what the character
sees
Helps audience feel Tension,
discomfort, sympathy
7. Over the shoulder shot
Subjective point of view or over the
shoulder shot-
Camera placed over the shoulder of a
character
Feel like we are stood with the character
In the scene with them
9. Two shot
Two shots-
Shows a conversation/link or
relation between characters or
hero/villain, antagonist/
protagonist
A connection, relationship
conflict
10. Close up
Close up-
Shows very little background and concentrates on
a person’s face or a detail of Mise-en-scene
Shows important things be it words on paper or
the expression on someone’s face
Takes us into the mind of the character
Used to make us feel extra comfortable or
extremely uncomfortable about a character
12. High angle
High angle –
Looks down on the action from a
superior position
Observer dominates, shows power or
higher status
13. Low angle
Low angle-
Looks up on the action from below in an
inferior position
Observer is vulnerable, weak and has a
lower status
14. Camera Movement
Dolly shots – Camera is placed on a moving vehicle and follows
an object
Tracking – Camera is no longer stationary and tracks left or right
Hand held shots- Give a jerky ragged effect which shows gritty
realism
Zoom / reverse zoom – Camera gets closer or further away in a
quick movement which suggests surveillance and voyeurism and
intense observation
Pan- A movement scans a screen horizontally where the camera
is placed on a tripod which is stationary
Tilt- Similar to pan but scans vertically opposed to horizontally