Camera shots, angles, depth of field and camera gear.

1. Camera Shots
A close up shot could be used to show the characters emotions, so that the audience can
see their facial expressions more clearly, however close-up shots can also be used to show
the importance of specific props.
Extreme close-up shots are usually used to show one specific characteristic of a person or
object, such as their eye(s).
Master shots and wide shots are used to help to set the scene and tell us, as the audience,
more about the characters and what is going on around them.
An establishing shot is used specifically to set the scene and no characters can be seen
during it.
Full shots are specifically used to show a character and their actions, never usually to set the
scene.
Medium shots are used to show the upper half of the character which can show both the
character, their expressions and their background.
Medium full shots (cowboy shots) are positioned to show them from below the waist so
their actions can be seen as well as their background, but are mainly focusing on their
actions.
Medium close ups are positioned to show the characters shoulders and above and are used
to show the characters expressions and if they’re talking as well as any actions.
Shot Composition
In films there are different shots depending on how many of the characters can be seen, a
clean single shot where only one character is visible, a dirty single shot where one character
can be fully seen and part of another is visible.
Two person shots are used if there are two people in the frame and so one. A crowd shot is
a term used to describe a shot with anymore that five characters shown at one time.
Point of view shots are used to show you what a character can see from their perspective
and an insert shot is usually used to show a specific prop.
If a character is taking part in a conversation during a scene, the it is likely that a two or
more-person shot is used, or an over the shoulder shot, so that you can see the character
speaking and who they are speaking to. One person shots can also be used however this
would include many cuts where the camera is changing from person to person, this may
happen if the characters are facing opposite each other so that it is easier to see them.
Camera Angles
There are several different angles used in film, where the camera is positioned at a certain
angle, for example low angle shots where the camera is placed below the characters as if
looking up to them, this could be to show the superiority and power of the characters.
High Angles are when the camera is positioned above the characters and is pointing down to
them, it could be used to present the characters as not powerful or to help show more of
their surroundings.

2. Overhead shots are when the camera is positioned directly above the character, like a bird’s
eye view and is mainly used to show the character with their surroundings.
Dutch angles are when the camera is tilted and not straight and is used to create a
disorientated effect on the audience.
Eye level shot is when the camera is positioned at eye level with the character and can be
used for point of view shots, for if the character is talking directly to the camera and is
documenting a commentary, or for close ups of the character, to show their emotions and
expressions.
Shoulder level shots are when the camera is positioned at the characters shoulder, but their
face can still be seen and can be used to show the character talking and a small action or to
show over the shoulder shots.
Hip level shots show the main character’s hip, top half of their legs but cut off their chest
and head so they can’t be seen. This shot can be used to show the movement of the
character and is mainly used to show their surroundings as well.
Knee level shots are mainly used during action films as they can show the character if they
are falling, as the camera is positioned above but quite close to the floor.
Ground level shots are also focused on movement as they show the character’s feet and the
ground.
Depth of Field
This is the focus that is used with the camera, these types of focuses include deep focus,
shallow focus, soft focus, rack focus, split diopter and tilt shift.
Deep focus is a technique using a large depth of field, meaning that the foreground, middle
ground and background can all be clearly seen and none are blurred.
Shallow focus is a technique using a small depth of field, meaning that only part of the
frame is in focus, usually it is the background that will be out of focus and only the subject in
the image can be viewed clearly.
Soft focus is where a lens is used hat softly blurs the entire image, meaning no aspect of the
image is clear.
Rack focus is a technique where the main focus view of the camera can change as it moves
the focal plane from one object in the frame to another, this could be from one character is
another, to the background or to an object.
A split diopter is half a convex lens that is attached in front of a camera’s main lens, this is to
make half of the lens near sighted, showing the effect of deep focus, only the illusion of it.
Atilt shift lens, also known as a perspective control lens, changes the position of a lens in
relation to a camera’s sensor, which shifts the planes focus and changes the depth of field.
Camera Gear
A handheld camera seems to be used for a range of different shots, creating a shaking affect
which could possibly symbolise the characters emotions and feelings of nervousness.
Cameras can also be handheld to show the movement of a character, for example if the

3. character is walking forwards with the camera in front of them, the camera will move with
them, keeping the same distance in between them as they move.
Tripods can also be used to stand the camera and to keep it still and steady, so that the
camera doesn’t shake or move and the picture is captured perfectly.
Camera’s ca also be attached to other forms of equipment such as pedestal’s which move
the camera up and down steadily. This could be to introduce the character and show their
outfit, which could help the audience collect context about the film and the character.
Overhead positions the camera above the characters and like the tripod ensures the camera
is still. A crane, otherwise known as a jib, gives a bird’s eye view and can move in any
direction, the majority of crane’s accommodate both a camera and its operator. This feature
is mainly used in action movies to show the movement of the characters, for example is
they are running at a fast pace somewhere.
A dolly is used to create a tracking shot where the camera can move in a forward or
backward direction or to move alongside the subject, the dolly is placed on a railroad track
like rails. This is to add depth to a scene with smooth camera movements.
A camera stabilizer is a device used to make sure that the camera does not pick up any
movement, however is still being handheld by its operator. This is so the camera can follow
the character more easily, without appearing shaky.
A snorricam is a camera that is attached to the body of an actor and is facing them directly,
this is always used as a close-up shot and to show their characters emotions, facial
expressions and movement. When the actor moves with the snorricam, the camera moves
with them, making it look like it is the world round them is moving and not the actor,
creating a disorientating effect for the audience.
Vehicle mounts are like tripods that are attached to a vehicle and can be used to show the
characters when they are in the vehicle or to show their perspective from inside the car.
These mounts make it so the camera is stable on the car and therefore the movement is in
sync with the characters, and is therefore not shaky.
A drone with a camera attached to it can be used to show a bird eye view of something and
is mainly used to set the scene as the drone can fly quite high meaning that it can show a
large picture of the place where the filmis taking place.
Motion control is a technique used to show the motion of characters quickly, like they are
time lapsed, this is mainly used with one actor remaining still during this time, while the
other characters swiftly move around them. This is to create a disorienting effect and so
that you feel what the character is feeling as time passes.
Underwater housing is a method used where the camera can go under the water. This could
be the camera fully under the water to show the characters or it could be half under water
and half on the surface.