This document provides definitions and examples of common cinematography shot types including establishing shots, wide shots, medium shots, close-ups, point of view shots, over the shoulder shots, two shots, shot/reverse shots, low angle shots, and high angle shots. Establishing shots establish the location and time period of a film or TV program. Wide shots show the full scene with a character in the middle to provide context. Medium shots focus on the upper body to show important actions. Close-ups emphasize emotions or significance. Point of view and over the shoulder shots involve the camera perspective of a character. Two shots and shot/reverse shots involve conversations between characters following the 180 degree rule. Low and high angles influence the perceived

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Cinematography (Shot Types) and Examples
ShotTypes/Movement:
Establishing:
- Showswhere the film/TV Programmeisset.
- Showsthe time perioditssetin(Past,present,future).
- Usuallya piece of landscape,atown,a cityetc.
Wide Shot / Long shot (WS):
- It’sa shotthat’swide,thatusuallyhasa personinit.
- The main character isinthe middle,showingthe scene behind.
- It tellsthe audience where the characteris,givingmore information.
MediumShot (MidShot):
- Onlythe middle upwardsof the characterisshown.
- The legsaren’tshownbecause they’re notsignificant.
- The shot showsthat the character isdoingsomethingimportant,e.g.
checkinghisphone etc.
MediumClose Up:
- Usedto showa bitmore emotion.
- Showsthe mostsignificantparts of the scene.
- The shouldersupwardsare mostcommonlyshown.
Close Up (CU):
- Couldbe of a personor a prop.
- Showssomethingsignificant,e.g.aClose Upon a personshowstheir
emotions.
- If a close upis usedona prop,e.g.a Knife,it’sbecause it’ssignificant.
Extreme Close Up (ECU):
- Highlightsthe emotion.
- Addstensionandsuspense.
- Onlythe eyesare commonlyshown.
- Usedto make the audience feel the same (similar)way.
Point OfView:
- Showsthe audience ascene fromthe pointof view fromanother
person.
- A bodypart of a character,e.g.feetare shownfroma personlooking
downon somebodyelse.

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Over The Shoulder:
- Makes the audience feelliketheyare alongside the characterinthe
shot.
- The camera man isright behindyourshoulder.
- May be usedif the character isin a lotof danger;makesyoufeel like
you’re onthe character’s side.
Two Shot:
- Two people are ina scene
- Showsthe middle upwardsof twocharacters.
Shot/Reverse Shot:
- The camera goesbackwardsand forwardsbetweentwodifferent
people havingaconversationetc.
- The 180 Degree rule – The characters nevermove asit wouldn’t
make sense tothe audience.
- The 180 degree shotmakessure the audience know whereall the
characters are.
Low Angle:
- The camera is downonthe floorandit’spointedupat something.
- Makes charactersmake lookmore powerful ormore important.
- Commonlyusedona character e.g.a superhero.
High Angle:
- The camera is uphigh,lookingdownon somebodyorsomething.
- Makes characterslookweakor vulnerable.