A look at what different camera angles and editing are available to filmmakers and how they can be understood - using World War Z as an example

1. Technical Codes
What is the grammar of
cinema & television?

2. Technical codes
• Filmmakers control what the audience focus on
and therefore every shot is chosen for a reason.
• Changing how an object or person is framed can
drastically alter how audiences react to that
character / object
• There is no such thing as neutral.

3. Establishing Shot
• An Establishing Shot lets the viewer know where the
action is taking place – it can also give a feel for the
type of location the character might spend time

4. Long Shot
• A Long Shot shows a large distance and makes a
character symbolically small within a space

5. Full Shot
• A Full Shot shows the character from head to toe
and allows them to feel part of their surroundings

6. Mid Shot
• The Mid-shot is the most emotionally neutral and
reflects ‘normal’ conversation distance

7. Close Up
• A Close Up shows the emotion in a character’s
face. It is an intimate shot and normally allows us to
relate to a person.

8. Extreme close up
• An Extreme Close Up is incredibly intense and shows
a moment of action or suspense. We hardly ever
get this close to people in real life.

9. Focus
• Shallow focus can highlight the emotion of a
character and ‘bring them out’ of a location
(more artistic)
• Deep focus can add a distance between
characters and their surroundings and make
them feel small or insignificant
(more realistic)

12. High Angle Vs. Low Angle
• High Angle – looks down on a character reducing
their importance or strength
• Low Angle – looks up at a character increasing their
domination of the frame

13. Mini Quiz
What type of shot is this and what is a possible
‘reading’?

24. Reminder
• When analysing a frame it is important to think
about Distance / Focus and Angle
• When analysing filmmaking it is important to focus
on Duration / Movement and Edit

25. Duration
Different shot durations have different uses:
• Quick Editing is used to create action and
excitement. Often the viewer is tricked into thinking
they have seen more than they really have
• Slow Editing is used to create emotional
attachment to the onscreen action. For example, a
moving dramatic scene or lengthy conversations

26. Camera Movement
From A Fixed Point
With Movement
• Hand-Held – shaky as if
• Pan – moving left & right
the point of view is in
the action (realistic)
• Tilt – moving up & down
• Tracking – smoothly on
• Zoom – moving in & out
tracks or with a
steadicam to provide a
distance from viewer
(artistic)

27. Editing (Techniques)
Editing is the name of the process that puts moving images in
order. Some useful examples are:
• Match Cut – graphically (or with audio) linking two shots
together to create a higher meaning(Jump Cut)
• Jump Cut – purposefully jolting the action forward normally
to convey waiting around (Match Cut)
• Cutaway – showing an important object or person away
from the main action / main character’s eye line

28. Editing (Transitions)
A transition is an obvious edit between two scenes:
• Fade to Black – signals the end of a scene
• Cross dissolve – shows the passing of time
• Wipe – usually means “Meanwhile…”

29. An Example

30. World War Z
The Framing of a Hero…

31. Establishing Shot

32. Mid Shot (4 shot)

33. Close Up (2 Shot)

34. Close Up (2 Shot)

35. Extreme Close Up

36. Close Up

37. Low Angle

38. Mid Shot

39. Long Shot

40. Extreme Close Up

41. Over Shoulder Shot

42. Low Angle

43. (slightly) High Angle

44. Your turn!
• In pairs / groups, watch a film trailer and comment
on the types of camera angles / editing being used:
o Distance
o Movement
o Focus
o Editing
o Angle
o Duration
• What does this say about the genre of the film and how is
the audience supposed to read these ‘codes’
• Make ten bullet points / screen shots and we will watch
them together next week…