This document defines various camera shots and techniques used in filmmaking, using examples from the music video for "How Deep Is Your Love" to illustrate them. It describes long shots, mid-long shots, mid shots, and close-ups to frame different parts of the character. Extreme close-ups and big close-ups are used to draw attention to specific features. Slow motion and sped up footage can focus on or sync elements to the music. Aerial shots capture from above while low angles look up. Point-of-view shots show the protagonist's perspective. Dolly and handheld shots provide smooth or "documentary" movement. Other terms covered are whip pans, zoom shots, pans, steadicam,

1. Put into context using the ‘How
Deep Is Your Love’ music
video:

2. Long/Wide Shot:
Shows the whole character in the frame and can also be used
as an establishing shot to present the setting/scene.
Mid-Long Shot:
This is similar to a Long Shot but shows the protagonist from
(roughly) the knees up as opposed to showing their entire
body.

3. Mid Shot:
In the frame, it shows the character from the waist up. There
are many combinations of Mid, Long, and Close Up shots that
can be used.
Close Up:
The character’s head and shoulders are visible in a Close Up.
This is often used to show the protagonist’s emotions and
encourages the viewer to empathise with them.

4. Extreme Close Up Shot:
Only one or two features of the character are visible in this
type of shot, it is used mainly to draw attention to certain
aspects of the character (i.e. it is used here to emphasise her
lips and perhaps to sexualise her)
Big Close Up Shot:
This is a cross between a Close Up and an Extreme Close Up,
it is slightly closer to the protagonist than a usual Close Up but
still allows the viewer to see the entirety of her face.

5. Slow Motion:
This is used to help focus on specific elements of the shot
and in this case it fits into the music when it calms down for
a few bars
Sped Up:
This helps the visual keep in time with the audio but also
helps contribute to the hallucinative effect that the video
achieves.

6. Aerial Shot:
This is similar to an Establishing Shot but is shot from
above, in the air, using a high angle
Low Angle Shot:
This refers to the fact that the camera is placed further
down than eye level and helps give the impression that
the viewer is looking up

7. Point Of View (POV) Shot:
This is often done using an over-the-shoulder angle
and is used to show the action from the perspective of
the protagonist- so we’ll see what they see.
Dolly Shot:
In this shot, the camera follows the action on a dolly or
sequence of tracks which allows for a smooth
movement as opposed to using a handheld shot.

8. Handheld Shot:
A shot filmed without using tripod or a stabliser, an
operator is moving the camera themselves. This is
often used to give a ‘documentary’ or more ‘realistic’
view to certain shots.
Other key terms:
Whip Pan- A very fast pan often used to give the impression
that the camera is just catching up to the action.
Zoom Shot- A shot in which a change in focal length occurs.
Pan- A panoramic shot in which the camera moves in a
horizontal motion from a fixed point.
Steadicam- A counterbalanced camera which is purpose
built to allow the user to produce smooth moving shots
without the use for a dolly or tracks.
Frame Rate- The frequency at which a filmstrip is played
through the camera; the film industry standardised this to be
24 frames per second.