This document defines and describes various types of film shots, including establishing shots, wide or long shots, medium shots, close-up shots, medium close-ups, extreme close-ups, point of view shots, over the shoulder shots, two shots, shot reverse shots, high angle shots, and low angle shots. Each shot type is used to establish settings, include or exclude background scenery, focus on subjects or objects from different distances and angles, and manipulate the viewer's perspective for storytelling purposes.

1. Ellie Pike
Film shots
Establishing shot: An establishing
shot establishes the setting of a
scene and reminds the viewer of
where the picture or film is
taken.
Wide or long shot: A wide or
long shot reveals where the
picture or film has taken place,
this is because the scenery
around is included in the shot.
Medium shot: A medium shot is
taken from a medium angle and
distance away. It is usually from
the waist up on a person.
Close up shot: A close up shot
closely frames the object, person
or animal in the picture or film.
This means that the viewer solely
focuses on the main subject in
the shot.

2. Ellie Pike
Medium close up: A medium
close up is close enough so that
you are able to focus on
something such as a character
and what they are doing or
holding.
Extreme close up shot: An
extreme close up shot allows
the viewers to be able to
focus on something extremely
close up like a murder
weapon or someone’s eyes,
enabling them to read their
emotions.
Point of view: A shot taken from
the point of view of the person to
make the viewer perceive the
scene from the subjects own eyes.
Over the shoulder: A shot
taken over a person’s
shoulder in order to make
the viewer feel they are at
the scene with the people
involved. It also allows the
viewer to feel they are
seeing what the person in
front is seeing.

3. Ellie Pike
Two shot: A shot
taken focusing on
two people in a
scene.
Shot reverse shot: Usually a film
technique where one character is
shown looking at another and
then the other character is
shown looking back at the first
character, as seen in the picture
demonstrated.
High angle shot: In a high angle
shot the camera is usually at an
angle above the eye line (as
demonstrated) and the camera
looks down onto the subject
which gives the impression of the
subject being ‘swallowed up’.
Low angle shot: A low angle shot
is where the camera is placed
under the subject pointing
upwards. This gives the
impression the subject is much
more powerful and bigger than it
really is.

4. Ellie Pike