Camera angles

1. Rebecca Roe

2. High Angle Shot
 A shot whereby the camera is positioned at an angle above
the object.
 In a high angle shot the camera is elevated above the action
to show a general view, this often makes the object/character
seem smaller and therefore less significant.
 An example of a high angle shot is a scene in Matilda where
Matilda is talking to her parents, a high angle shot is used to
make Matilda seem small and innocent.

3. Low angle shots
 A shot whereby the camera is positioned at an angle
below the object.
 Low angle shots make the object/character on screen
appear larger and therefore more powerful.
 An example of a low angle shot is the scene in mean girl
where Cady is about to start her first day of school, a
low angle shot is used on her parents to make them
seem more intimidating.

4. Establishing shot
 A wide shot of location that establishes a sense of
surroundings.
 An establishing shot is used to show the audience
where the scene is set.
 An example of an establishing shot is at the start of a
scene In gossip girl where the camera shows the skyline
of New York, this shows the viewers that this particular
scene is set in New York.

5. Extreme long shot
(XLS)
 A wide shot that places a person or object
a long distance away from the camera.
 An extreme long shot is generally used to
set the scene.
 A central reason a director may choose to
use an extreme long shot is that it can
foreground an environment a central
character is borne from or finds
themselves in.
 An example of an extreme long shot would
be in The Wizard of Oz when the camera
pans out to show how far the characters
are away from emerald city, this shows the
viewers how the next scene will be set
travelling to the city.

6. Long shot (LS)
 A shot in which a person can be seen from head to toe.
 A long shot is used to place the subject in the
environment.
 An example would be in Mr Bean when the camera
zooms out on him from head to toe, to show the viewers
where he is and that he is walking up the middle of the
busy road.

7. Medium long shot (MLS)
 A shot in which a person can be seen from
head to knee.
 Often shows the subject in relation to the
surroundings.
 May be used when there are 2 or 3 people in
the scene.

8. Medium shot (MS)
 A shot in which a person can be seen from head to
waist.
 A medium shot shows to the audience, the scenery
and characters in the scene. It is generally used to
display characters actions.
 An example of a medium shot is in the Hunger Games
when Katniss aims her bow and arrow at a nearby
deer, the medium shot is used to give the viewers a full
view of what is going on in this particular scene

9. Medium close up (MCU)
 A shot in which a person can be seen from head to
shoulders/upper body.
 This shot shows the face more clearly, without
getting uncomfortably close.
 An example of a medium close up would be a close
up of Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl just after she has
found out that Chuck Bass has betrayed her, the
medium close up is used to show Blair's
unimpressed reaction.

10. Close up (CU)
 A shot in which a persons
head is captured
 close-ups display the most
detail, but they do not
include the broader scene
 A close up shot in Harry
Potter to show the
desperation and anger on
Harrys face, therefore
adding tension to the
scene.

11. Extreme close up (XCU)
 A shot which captures a specific feature or reaction on a
persons face.
 Usually used in very dramatic scenes.
 The extreme close-up shot is traditionally used in film to
allow the viewer to enter the character’s intimate space,
revealing certain characteristics and emotions that would
otherwise go unnoticed from afar.

12. Point of view shot.
 A shot captured from a
persons point of view.
 It is usually established by
being positioned between
a shot of a character looking
at something, and a shot
showing the character's
reaction.
 It is used to show the viewers
something that is happening
from a particular characters
perspective.

13. Two shot
 Any shot with two people in it.
 The shots are used to show the emotional
reactions between the subjects.
 It can show that the two characters have the
same level of dominance in the scene.
 An example would be Harry potter when a two
shot is used to show the reaction of Harry and
Hermione in a dramatic scene.

14. Over the shoulder shot
 A shot in which we see a character over another characters
shoulder.
 This type of shot is very common when two characters are
having a discussion and will usually follow an establishing
shot which helps the audience place the characters in their
setting.
 As well as a point of view shot, it is used to show the viewers
something that is happening from a particular characters
perspective.
 An example of an over the shoulder shot would be in a love
scene in the titanic, the camera pans over Rose’s shoulder to
show the intense conversation between her and jack.