The document provides instructions for a media studies assignment on textual analysis and representation, asking students to identify at least 6 shot types and 3 types of camera movement used in TV dramas, and explain their effects. It also provides resources on technical aspects of moving images and examples of shots to help students complete the tasks. Students are assigned homework to create a crossword linking shot types and camera movements to their effects.

1. AS Media Studies
Unit G322a:
Textual Analysis and
Representation

2. 1. Identify at least 6 shot types and why they are
used.
2. Recognise at least 3 types of camera movement
used in TV dramas and explain the effect they have.

3.
In looking at camera work the following areas need to be
considered:
Shot type
Position
Angle
Composition
Depth of field
Movement
NB – Other useful docs on Moodle – Technical Aspects
of the Moving Image
http://moodle.reigate.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=20

4. How did you do with the starter activity?

5.  The camera is the viewers eyes in a scene
 …so, the camera position also dictates the
viewers relationship with the action or
characters in the scene.
 How do the following images make you feel?

8.  Low angle
 High angle
 Tilted angle (sometimes
called ‘dutch’ or ‘canted’)
 Birds eye view
 Worms eye view
 Eye level
 When/why do you think
the different camera
angles might be used?

9. Dead Man (Jarmusch, 1995)

10. A frame’s depth of field refers to the focal length.
 Deep focus - where a frame shows everything sharp or
in focus.
 Selective focus - when a particular part
of the frame is picked out and the rest
of the frame is blurred or indistinct.
 Pull or ‘rack’ focus - when the focal
point changes within the frame.
To get an idea of how this works put your finger in front of your face
To get an idea of how this works put your finger in front of your face
and concentrate on it. The finger will appear in focus and the
and concentrate on it. The finger will appear in focus and the
background blurred. Now concentrate on the background, the human
background blurred. Now concentrate on the background, the human
eye ‘pulls’ focus from the foreground to the background.
eye ‘pulls’ focus from the foreground to the background.

11.  Pan
 Tracking
Watch the clips from
 Tilt Skins and The Bill
 Crab
What effect does
 Crane camerawork, in
particular camera
 Handheld movement, have?
 Zoom lens The Bill:
The Bill:
http://estream.reigate.ac.
http://estream.reigate.ac.
uk/View.aspx?ID=820
uk/View.aspx?ID=820
Skins: Series 1, Episode 1-
Skins: Series 1, Episode 1-

12. 1. Identify at least 6 shot types and why they are used.
2. Recognise at least 3 types of camera movement used in TV
dramas and explain the effect they have.
To test the above, your homework task is to produce a
crossword (using an online crossword creator) that includes
at least 6 shot types and 3 camera movements. The best
crosswords will have clues that link to the effect of that
particular shot.
i.e. Clue: This shot would show the head and shoulders of a character
and is often used to show the audience a character’s facial
expression and so be suggestive of a particular emotional state.
Answer: Close Up.
Crosswordlabs is a good crossword generator but you may find a
better one to use.