2. Camera Angles
• Just as they can select
the distance of the
camera, filmmakers can
also select the angle of
the shot.
• Possible angles are
● eye-level
● low-angle
● high-angle
● bird’s eye
● worm’s eye, and
● Dutch tilt (or canted
angle).
• What purpose do you
think these different
angles serve?
3. Eye-Level
Shot
• The camera is placed
at the level of the
actor’s eyes.
• Why might an eye-
level shot be used?
• It’s considered
“neutral.”
Stagecoach, 1939
Titanic, 1997
Forrest Gump, 1994
4. Low-Angle
Shot
• The director shoots his
or her subject from
below.
• Why might a low-angle
shot be used?
• The camera is “looking
up” at the subject.
• Can make the subject
seem important,
powerful, or
threatening.
Inglorious Basterds, 2009
Touch of Evil, 1958
5. High-Angle
Shot
• The director shoots
his or her subject
from above.
• Why might a high-
angle shot be used?
• The camera is
“looking down” at the
subject.
• Can make the
subject seem weak or
vulnerable.
Matilda, 1996
O Brother, Where Art Thou?, 2000
6. Bird’s-Eye
Shot
• The director shoots his
or her subject from
directly above: the
highest possible angle.
• Why might a bird’s-eye
shot be used?
• Is a “god-like” view.
• Can imply a dream-like
or “out-of body” state.
• Presents the context of
what is beneath the
subject.
Kill Bill, 2003
Titanic, 1997
7. Dutch Tilt
• Named due to its use
in early German films
(“Deutch” means
German).
• Why might a Dutch
Tilt be used?
• Can show a character’s
unbalanced mental
state.
• Can suggest
corruption, or a world
out of kilter.
Inception, 2010
The Third Man, 1949
8. Camera Angles – Points to
Consider
1. Camera angles can often
distort what is onscreen,
making a figure appear
larger or smaller, for
example.
2. Camera angles have a
psychological effect on the
audience’s perceptions
3. Angles may sometimes
fulfill the opposite of the
functions defined here.
The Shining, 1980
Activity: Have students take pictures of one
another from various angles and share these
to a common folder. Display, and discuss
the impact each choice has.
10. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and
why.
• The Untouchables
(1987)
11. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and
why.
• The Great Gatsby
(2013)
12. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and
why.
• Raiders of the Lost
Ark (1981)
13. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and
why.
• Dead Poets Society
(1989)
14. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and
why.
• The Virgin Suicides
(1999)
15. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and why.
• Forrest Gump (1994)
16. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and why.
• Shrek (2001)
17. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and why.
• Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
18. Camera Angles:
Examples
• In the following film
clip, identify which
angles the director
makes use of and why.
• Zootopia (2016)
19. Camera Angles Quiz
1. Why might an eye-level shot be used?
An eye-level shot might be used because it’s considered “neutral” and helps the
audience connect with the character.
1. Why might a low angle be used?
A low angle might be used to make the subject appear important, powerful or
even threatening by shooting from below.
1. Why might a high angle be used?
A high angle might be used to make the subject seem weak or vulnerable by
shooting from above.
1. Why might a bird’s-eye shot be used?
A bird’s-eye shot might be used to provide a “god-like” view, imply a dream-like
state, or show the context beneath the subject.
1. Why might a Dutch tilt be used?
A Dutch tilt might be used to convey an unbalanced mental state or suggest
corruption.
