Cinematography infromation ideas.

1. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
In the past week I have watched and assessed different camera angles, camera techniques
and different movie clips to gain a better understanding of different shots. In each clip they
were able to explain how to set them up and what effect they will have on the audience
when they are used in a scene. The different shot angles and techniques can have different
effects on the audience.
Shot sizes- shot sizes are used to show tension, tone and what is happening in a scene. The
angles will look different depending on how the director is wanting to show a character’s
emotions and or actions. Many shots may be used within one scene to create more tension
or suspense. Directors must follow a set of rules- codes and conventions to target a certain
audience or a certain genre.
Establishing shot- The establishing shot is usually a wide
shot which is used to establish the location, scene or
where the characters are during a scene. This allows the
audience to get a general idea of where the scene will
be taking place. Certain genres have specific establishing
shots, for example in horror films it is usually
abandoned hotels, haunted houses or dark streets.
Directors do this to foreshadow the events that will
occur late on in the scene/film, they also do this to
create suspense and leave the audience wondering what will happen next. Establishing
shots are also used to create transitions between scenes, using an establishing shot are
crucial as it introduces the new scene/ world that they characters are in.
Master shot- The master shot is like the establishing shot
it shows both the location and geography of the scene but
shows the location in more detail, a master shot shows all
the actors in view and is used to film an entire dramatized
scene. Directors use master shots to capture all the
necessary information in a scene, the purpose of the
master shot is that it covers an entire scene. The master
shot also establishes where the characters are and where
they are in the relationship in that specific scene.
Wide shot- The wide shot positions the characters far away from the camera but they are
able to show their relationship and how the environment
around them will affect them in the scene. A wide shot
shows the audience who is in the scene, where they are
and where the scene will take place, this allows the
audience to become familiar with who is in the scene and
the location of the characters. Wide shots are also used
to benefit the director by allowing them to have a lot
more space to work with but it also allows the actors to
utilize their physicality around them.

2. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
Full shot- The full shot captures the actor’s body from
the top of the frame to the bottom of the frame, in this
frame it is not necessary for the subject to be in the
centre of the screen but that is normally the case in
movies, this may be to show the power that the
character has during the scene or overall. A full body
shot may be used of show the posture, wardrobe or
body of the character this may be used to allow the
audience to get a general idea of the character in the
scene. The shot needs to be wide enough to further the
story line but tight enough to tell the story with the
characters face.
Medium full shot (fs/cowboy)- the medium full shot
generally captures the actor’s body from the top of the
subject’s head to below the waist. This is normally referred
to as the cowboy shot, it is called this because this is where
the gun is kept on a cowboy’s belt. This shot is used to
show a character as confident, dangerous or
confrontational, this allows the audience to see the
character as more powerful.
Medium Shot- In cinema the medium shot is the most
popular shot, it is the most popular shot as they are the
most neutral shot and they aren’t as dramatic as a close up
so can be used in the majority of scenes. The shot also
captures the subject’s size similar to how we would view
them. The shot starts from above the waist, below the
chest and ends just above the subject’s head. This allows
the audience to be eyelevel with the character which will
feel more neutral for them.
Medium close up- The medium close up shot starts
just above the subject’s head, this reduces distraction
throughout a scene and prioritises the story line. The
medium close up allows the audience to focus on the
characters details and feel more intimacy with the
character without them losing their physicality. The
medium close up also isn’t close enough for it to
cause extreme dramatic effect, but close enough to
get a detailed ok into the characters emotions.
Close up (cu)- The close-up shot is the most powerful visual weapon in cinema, it is the most
popular shot as it adds emotion to the scene. It also allows the actor to establish a strong
emotional connection with the audience as they can see every detail of the actor’s face,
these types of details wouldn’t be seen in a wide shot, full shot or a long shot. The close up
shot adds a dramatic effect to the scene and adds tension. Close up shots are normally set

3. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
at eyelevel as it allows the audience to dig into the ‘windows of
the soul’. With a close up the audience has a front view of how a
character is feeling.
Extreme close up (ECU)- An extreme close-up shot is frequently
used in cinema and consist of portions of the subject’s face being
cut off by the edges of the frame. These shots are used to show a
specific part of the actors’ body like their eyes, lips or mouth the shots may go even closer
with just a singular eye. The idea of the close up is to not show the whole object but only a
small portion of it. Directors use extreme close ups to create an important sensory moment
in a scene between the actor and the audience, they also use it to show tiny details that
wouldn’t have been noticed without the extreme close.
Camera framing
Single shots
Single shots feature one character alone in the frame of a scene, this allows that one
character to become the focus of the scene. The shot sizes don’t really matter in this sense
as long as it is one character alone in the frame. However, over the shoulder shots can be
used as the subject in the foreground isn’t featured in the shot, directors use this shot to
show the characters emotion in closer detail without distraction.
Two Shot
Two shots are frequently used to allow performances to play out in a single take, which is
used often in comedy. This type of shot also allows actors to go off script and improvise as
they can talk back and forth with each other. The two shot is also used to show the
relationship between two characters or to show a difference between their personalities.
Three shot
Three shots are important in specific movie genres like adventure films or any film that
involves following a group of people, they do a three shot as it would be to draining to show
every character's emotion in a single shot, so a three shot is used to show every character's
emotion.
Over the shoulder shot (OTS)
Another crucial element of the camera shots is the perspective of the shot, the over the
shoulder shot shows the subject from behind the shoulders of another character, this
camera angles are often used in scenes where two characters are having a conversation.
The over the shoulder shots allows the audience to connect to the characters on an
emotional level.

4. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
Over the hip shot (OTH)
An over the hip shot is similar to the over the shoulder shot as the camera is placed to the
characters hip that is in the foreground and focuses on the subject that is in the plane of
acceptable focus. This shot will create a power imbalance which will benefit the blocking
and staging of the actors and the camera. This will show one of the characters as being
more mysterious or more powerful.
Point of view shot (POV)
A point of view shot is a shot that shows exactly what the character sees, this will allow the
audience to transport themselves into that character and allow them to feel what the
character is feeling. POV shots can invoke horror and create suspense within a scene. The
camera acts as the characters eyes for the audience so they can get a better perspective on
what the character sees. Directors also use this shot to show how the characters are
reacting to an event in the scene.
Insert shot
An insert shot has a sole purpose is to focus the viewers' attention to a specific detail in the
scene that the audience may not have noticed without the insert shot, these shots are often
placed from the point of view of a certain character suggesting that the view that is being
shown is how the character is looking at the object. The detail that the director is showing is
normally very important to the plot line and will be used later in the film or in the scene.
Camera Angles
Eye level shot
An eye level shot is when the camera is placed at the same height as the eyes of the
character that is in the frame. In this frame the subject’s eyes don’t need to be shown and
they don’t need to look directly at the camera for it to be considered an eye level shot. A
director would use an eye level shot to take away the barrier between the audience and
show the character in a neutral camera angle.
Low Angle shot
A low angle shot is a shot that can be positioned anywhere from below the eye pointing
upward, a low angle shot can also be taken from below the characters feet which is seen as
an extreme low angle shot. In film a director would use this shot in order to make a
character seem more powerful or more vulnerable to others, this is because the camera
angle increases the perceived hight of an object and can make it look more large or
powerful compared to its surroundings
High angle shot

5. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
A high angle shot is where a camera looks down on the subject from an elevated/high
surface. This can be achieved by placing the camera on a higher surface than the subject and
angling the camera down so that they are in the frame. A director would use this shot to
create an emotional response from the audience and allow them to feel the same emotions
that the characters are feeling, they may also use this shot to show a character as
vulnerable or diminish them.
Hip level shot
A hip level shot or a cowboy shot is created when a camera is placed just below the waist of
a character, this camera angle is used a lot in western films as it shows the cowboys
weapons the best, and the camera is placed in a place where the gun holster would be. A
director would use this shot to show that a violent scene was about to take place by
focusing on their weapons or where their hands are placed.
Ground level shot
A ground shot is where the cameras height is ground level with the subject, this camera
angle is used frequently to show characters walking without showing the identity of the
character. A director would use this to show where the character is and what the audience
would see if they were at this low angle, this can make the subject seem more powerful to
the audience as they see things compared to the characters legs.
Dutch angle shot
A Dutch angle shot is a shot where there is a noticeable tilt in the shot/camera, this is often
used to show the audience that something is wrong or something bad is about to happen. A
director may also use this to show different depths of fields for the audience’s view. Dutch
angle shots have also been used to show who is more powerful in fight scenes and who is
becoming more vulnerable towards the end of the scene.
Overhead shot
An overhead shot is when the camera is placed directly above the subject and is normally
placed at a 90-degree angle above the scene that is currently taking place, these shots are
sometimes referred to as a bird’s eye view or an elevated shot. The camera places the
camera somewhere near the action as it allows the audience to feel like they can see the
whole scene taking place. Directors may use this shot to create suspense within a scene and
leave the audience wondering what will happen next.
Aerial shot
An aerial shot is a shot taken from an elevated advantage point that is framed within a shot,
directors use this shot as it allows the audience to gain a deeper understanding of what is
happening below them. They may also use this to provide a greater sense of the scale of the
surroundings of the characters or the location.

6. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
Camera Focus
Deep focus
The depth of focus refers to the space between the lens of the camera and where the image
is being filmed which will appear in focus to the human eye. If the image sensor is too far or
too close to the lens, it is outside from its depth of focus which will make the footage look
blurrier.
Shallow focus
Shallow focus refers to the technique that keeps a specific part of the image in focus, but
the rest is out of focus, this can be done by increasing the focal length of lens or placing the
camera closer to the subject to create a further blur. This blurs the background and
foreground to help emphasise one part of the frame to help draw the audience’s eye to the
specific area in the frame.
Soft Focus
Soft focus is a technique that is used to capture images that reduces the fine detail of an
image and can also utilize a lens flaw where the lens forms a blurred image. A soft-focus
lens deliberately uses a spherical aberration in order to blur a image, however they aren’t
the same as out of focus shots or shallow focus shots. In the past soft focus has been used
to capture glamour shots or portraits as it eliminates any small details on the skin or face of
the subject. Directors may use soft focus to give off a romantic effect in a specific scene.
Rack focus
Rack focus is a filming technique of changing the focus of the lens during a continuous shot,
when a shot ‘racks’ it moves from one object in a frame to another, this is also known as
focus pull or pulling focus these techniques are used to include small or large changes in the
focus. The shallower that the depth of field is the more noticeable the transition between
the focal planes is. This focus is also used to follow a character’s train of thought, to reveal
something that may have been hidden in the frame.
Tilt shift
A tilt shift is where the position and orientation of the lens mechanism with respect to the
image sensor. Normally the lens and the sensor are parallel to one another on the same
plane. With the ability to tilt or shift the lens in different directions changes the entire plane
of focus, by changing the angle between the lens and the camera sensor it can change the
focus and the depth of field. By changing the scale, it also allows the image to appear
miniature, but by shifting or tilting the camera it can minimize or maximise the blur that is
behind the subject.
Camera Gear

7. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
Handheld
A handheld camera rig/ shot utilizes mechanisms such as a shoulder rig. Shoulder rigs hinge
on the movement of the camera operator, the result is a camera shake and movement that
creates intimacy, heightens intensity or establishes subjectivity. Handhelds are frequently
used in fight scenes as it allows the audience to feel like they are involved in that scene. If
used correctly it can create more suspense and take the scene up a notch, however some
people find this distracting.
Tripod
Tripods are often used to shoot static shots, a camera shot that as no movement. A tripod is
a type of camera stand that has a fluid head to which the camera is mounted on, if the
camera does need to move the tripod can also pan around and tilt up or down or create
smooth controlled movements.
Pedestal
The pedestal is used by filmmakers when they need to move the camera vertically in
small/minor movements. Pedestal shots are excellent for mirroring actors’ movements, they
can also be used for revealing things that may cause dramatic effect.
Crane Jib
A crane shot is captured by a camera being placed on a moving crane/jib. A jib’s purpose is
to stretch a camera out over a tripod and move it up, down, left and right or could be a
combination of all the movements. This is convenient but expensive.
Dolly
A dolly shot is used when director wants to move the camera in a horizontal fashion. It is
mainly used to track a subject and their movement or to go through a scene. It is favoured
due to it being on a wheeled base which allows for smooth movement.
Stabiliser
Stabilisers are for when the director wants smooth movement but with the control of
handheld movement. The most common form of this is a Steadicam. A Steadicam allows for
the same control as handheld but removes jitters and shakes.
Overhead camera rig
The overhead camera rig is excellent for shooting top down shots of action and different
spaces, they are typically used to insert shots from a birds eye perspective. The overhead rig
is great for establishing a more objective point of view for the audience, it creates a distance
between the audience.

8. Research into camera techniques ( AC1: informing ideas)- Georgia Dodsworth
Vehicle mount
The vehicle mount is the most practical way to shoot any scene that involves conversations
in the car, helicopter scenes and car chases, car mounts are typically on the exterior of the
car but can also be on the interior of the car. Car mounts allow filmmakers to capture shots
and mount a camera where the operator cannot safely shoot from.
Drone camera
Aerial cinematography has become more popular over the years since the drone was
invented. Before drones areil cinematography was limited to helicopters capturing the
footage. Drones are great for capturing shots of expansive landscapes, chase scenes and
establishing shots, they are also available for all filmmakers budget.
Camera motion control
Motion control allows filmmakers to have complete control and precise repetition of the
camera movements, these camera systems are used for stop motion, time lapses and more
commonly visual effects. Filmmakers have now found ways to use motion control to create
unique shots that depend on precision of the camera movements.
Waterproof housing
Waterproof camera housing is the use of a completeley waterproof housing that allows
control of the camera while being fully submerged underwater, they are frequently used to
capture scenes in the ocean or a pool. The fil ‘The Meg’ uses waterproof housing in a lot of
its scenes. It can also be used on the surface of the water, for bobbing in and out.