Mid shots and close-ups are used to focus on characters, while long shots and wide shots show more of the surrounding action and themes. Different camera shots convey different information: mid shots show the background around a subject; long shots allow audiences to make judgments about characters; close-ups focus on a subject's expression; and wide shots provide visual context to set a scene. The camera distance and framing chosen by the director influences what audiences understand about characters and themes.

1. Distance/ Camera Shots
Distance between the camera and
the subject
In general, the mid shot and
close-ups are used to convey
character driven scenes.
Long shot and wide shots are
used to show more of the actions
and themes.

2. Mid Shots
Commonly used shot,
showing the background
but still focusing on the
subject. If it is a person,
usually from waist
upwards.
The effect of this shot is to
reveal the back ground of the
subject, with the constant focus
of the character.
Therefore, able to understand
the themes and circumstances
of the stage of the film.

3. Long Shots
Usually used as an
establishing shot, to set
the scene in a film. It will
be of the whole body.
This enables the audience to
create their own judgments
on the characters from the
appearance.
It creates the atmosphere
that will stay with the
audience for the rest of the
film.

4. Close ups
This enables the audience to be able
to take in the appearance of the
character then able to assess the
expression to get a sense of the status
and position of the person in the film.
It can help the audience to relate to
the character, depending when this
technique is used, e.g. during an
emotional scene.
Focuses on the
detail/reaction/expressio
n of a subject. It shows
the head or head and
shoulders. Helps us to
relate with the expression
or to mark significance of
an object if not human.

5. ECU- extreme close ups
As this technique frames small
parts of the character, it creates
the significance of the part that is
shown, leading the audience to
believe that it is connected heavily
to the film, or it can reveal a clue to
what has been going on e.g. an
iconic tattoo or mark on the body.
Frames small parts of
the body/object. One
thing and emphasises its
significance it can make
small things look bigger
and more significant.

6. Wide Shots
Used wide angles lens.
Lots and visual
information for the
audience to “set the
scene”
This allows the audience to be able
to set the scene and able to come to
their own conclusions before the
film has started, knowing the
location and then the lighting being
used will indicate the genre, being
low or high key, then also the time of
day, being at night it can specify the
setting of the film.

7. Aerial Shot
Taken from a
helicopter/ airplane,
used for a birds eye
view.
The sensation flying or
extreme long distance
relationships.
This is shown at the
beginning of a film, in order
to establish setting and
movement.

8. Point of View Shot
What the
character sees, it is
a first person or
subjective shot.
Puts audience in
the hand and mind
of the characters.
This allows the viewer to
see the surroundings from
the view of one of the
characters, so you are
following their story.

9. Over the shoulder Shot
Technique used to
film conversation,
used with reverse
angle shot, which
shows other
characters dialogue.
This shows the viewer the
relationship between the
characters and able to see
the reaction of the others in
the scene.

10. Two Shot
Shows the
relationship
between the
characters. It usually
shows dialogue.
The effect of the shot is that
you are able to see two
characters and the reactions
to their surroundings, and
the dialogue between them
both.

11. Establishing shot
This is usually an opening shot to a new
scene. This is made so that the
audience know where the following
scene is taking place, e.g. the
establishing shot will be of a sun set,
telling the audience the scene is late
afternoon.
It is useful after a time or location shift.
Directors these days tend to
use them minimally or not at
all. This is to keep the pace of
the Movie/Tv Drama and to
avoid boring viewers.

12. Master Shot
The Master Shot is a
single shot from
beginning to end.
In filming the master shot was
considered as the MOST
important as it bring together
crucial component elements and
relationships in such a way as to
allow the audience to make sense
of the action follows