This document defines and provides examples of various camera shots, angles, and movements used in filmmaking. It explains extreme long shots, long shots, medium shots, close ups, and extreme close ups based on how much of the subject is shown. It also covers basic camera movements like pans, tilts, tracks/dollies, and trucks. Camera angles are defined as high angle, low angle, or eye level based on the camera's position relative to the subject. Examples are provided to illustrate each technique.

1. Camera Shots/
Camera Angles/
Camera Movements

2. Camera Shot
Camera Shot
•This refers to the size of the subject in the
frame. (How much of the person/subject we
will see.)

3. Extreme Long Shot

4. Extreme Long Shot
The Extreme Long Shot (ELS) is used
to portray a vast area from an
apparently long distance. An ELS is
used to impress the viewer with the
immense scope of the setting or scene.
Often, the ELS makes it hard for the
audience to connect with the characters
emotionally.

5. Long Shot

6. Long Shot
• The Long Shot (LS) shows the entire area
where the action takes place. The whole
subject is in frame.

7. Medium Shot

8. Medium Shot
• The convention of the Medium Shot (MS),
is (when framing a person) approximately
half of their body is in shot, (from waist up).
More subtle performances and detailed
actions can be seen. The Medium Shot is a
good framing for conversation scenes
between characters, especially if hand
movements are part of the performance.

9. Medium Long Shot
• The MLS can
frame one or
two people
standing up,
that is, their
entire body.

10. Close Up

11. Close Up
• The Close Up Shot (CU) shows a detail of
the overall subject or action (the head or
hands if it is a person). Close ups of
characters are a good way of engaging the
audience into the character emotionally. As
we get closer to the character, we begin to
lose the background information, therefore
emphasizing the subject, rather than the
background.

12. Extreme Close Up

13. Extreme Close Up
• With the Extreme Close Up (ECU), a small
detail of the subject is framed, such as a
part of a human face, a hand, or foot. This
unnatural closeness to the subject is good
at bringing the viewer into intimate
relationship with the subject.
• Sometimes called a “tight close up.”

14. Eye Level Shot
Shot at eye-
level, the
impression
is neutral.
Cary Grant, North by Northwest
(Hitchcock)

15. Reverse Angle Shot
Usually the camera looks at the subject, but
occasionally the camera shows what the subject is
seeing. (This is also known as a point-of-view shot.)
Often used when there are two characters. We cut
back and forth between the two characters talking.

16. Shot/Reverse Shot
(Reverse Angle Shot)
Shot Reverse Shot

17. Camera Movements

18. Pan
• PAN: To pivot the camera horizontally,
moving the lens to the left (pan left) or to
the right (pan right).
• NOTE: Unlike the trucking shot, the camera
does not move from its position on the
tripod.

19. Pan
Talent
Pan Left Pan Right
Camera

20. Tilt
• TILT: To pivot the camera vertically,
moving the lens up and down.
• Camera does not move from its
position on the tripod.

21. Tilt
Talent
Camera
Tilt Down
Tilt Up
Camera

22. Dolly/Truck
• DOLLY: To move the camera and its dolly toward
the subject (dolly in) or away from the subject
(dolly out.)
• TRUCK: To move the camera and its dolly to the
left (truck left) or to the right (truck right).
• NOTE: The camera (and its tripod) is being
moved.

23. Dolly/Truck
Truck Left Truck Right
Talent
Dolly Out (or
Back)
Dolly In
Camera

24. Camera is
on a “Dolly”

25. Truck/Crane Shot
FROM THE SET OF "AT THE PEAK OF THE HILL"

26. Basic Camera Angles

27. Camera Angles
Finding the perfect position
for the camera -- the camera
angle -- is influenced by how
much area needs to be
shown and what viewpoint
the filmmaker wants the
audience to take.

28. Camera Angles
Three important components
make up a camera angle:
• Subject Size
• Subject Angle
• Camera Height

29. High Angle
The
camera is
positioned
above the
subject,
looking
down.
Makes the
subject
seem
smaller.

30. Low Angle
The
camera is
positioned
below the
subject,
looking up.
Makes the
subject
seem
larger.

31. Assignment
• In the next few slides, name the
shot, angle, or camera
movement.

32. Name the Shot
The Golden Compass, New Line Pictures
Medium Long
Shot

33. Name the Shot
Captain Jack
Close Up

34. Name the Shot
Nicole Kidman, The Golden Compass, New Line Pictures
Medium Shot

35. Name the Shot
Russell Crowe as Maximus, Gladiator
Close Up

36. Name the Shot
Johnny Depp, Sleepy Hollow
Long Shot

37. Name the Shot
Troy, Warner Bros. Pictures
Extreme Long Shot

38. Name the Angle
The Golden Compass
Low Angle

39. Name the Shot
Russell Crowe,
3:10 to Yuma,
Focus Pictures
Medium Shot

40. Camera Movement?
John Ford directing The Searchers
Dolly

41. Name the Angle
Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock
High Angle