This document defines and describes various types of camera shots and angles used in filmmaking. It provides definitions for wide establishing shots, crane shots, aerial shots, close-ups, extreme close-ups, point-of-view shots, two shots, over-the-shoulder shots, shot reverse shots, pans, tilts, high angle shots, low angle shots, and zoom shots. Each shot type is used to convey different meanings, perspectives, relationships between characters, or to set a scene or emphasize scale.

1. Can be taken from as much as a
quarter of a mile away, and is
generally used as a scene-setting,
establishing shot. It normally shows
an EXTERIOR, eg the outside of a
building, or a landscape, and is often
used to show scenes of thrilling action
eg in a war film or disaster movie.
This is a broader shot, showing
perhaps parts of the set or externals –
To emphasise size, scale, the
dramatic or epic.
Basically, dolly-shots-in-the-air. A
crane is a useful way of moving a
camera - it can move up, down, left,
right, swooping in on action or
moving diagonally out of it.
Crane Shot
Establishing Shot
Wide

2. An exciting variation of a crane shot,
usually taken from a helicopter. This
is often used at the beginning of a
film, in order to establish setting and
movement. A helicopter is like a
particularly flexible sort of crane - it
can go anywhere, keep up with
anything, move in and out of a scene,
and convey real drama and
exhilaration.
This shows very little background,
and concentrates on either a face, or
a detail of mise en scene. This shot
magnifies the object and shows the
importance of things, be it words
written on paper, or the expression
on someone's face.
This shot takes us into the mind of a
character. so a close up of a face is a
very intimate shot. A film-maker may
use this to make us feel extra
comfortable or extremely
uncomfortable about a character.
Aerial Shot / Birds eye view
Close Up

3. As its name suggests, an extreme
version of the close up, generally
magnifying beyond what the human
eye would experience in reality. An
extreme close-up of a face, for
instance, would show only the mouth
or eyes.
This is a shot were we see what the
actor sees through their own eyes –
identification/ sympathy with the
viewer or a sense of discomfort/
tension if the point of view is hostile.
Extreme Close Up
Point of view

4. This is a shot were we see what the
actor sees but not through their own
eyes – This puts the viewer in the
scene, but as an accomplice to the
action.
This shows a conversation/ link or
reaction between 2 characters or
hero/ villain / antagonist/ protagonist
– a connection, relationship or
conflict.
Two Shot
Over the shoulder

5. Is where one character is shown
looking (often off-screen) at another
character, and then the other
character is shown looking "back" at
the first character. Since the
characters are shown facing in
opposite directions, the viewer
unconsciously assumes that they are
looking at each other (the 180 degree
rule).
Shot reverse shot

6. A movement which scans a scene
horizontally. The camera is placed on
a tripod, which operates as a
stationary axis point as the camera is
turned, often to follow a moving
object which is kept in the middle of
the frame.
A movement which scans a scene
vertically, otherwise similar to a pan.
Tilts
Pans

7. This shot looks down on the action
from a superior position - The
observer dominates, power, higher
status.
This shot looks up at the action from
below, an inferior position – the
observer is vulnerable, weak and
lower in status
This is when the camera gets closer to
or moves away from the action in a
very quick movement.
This can suggest surveillance,
voyeurism and intense observation.
Zoom/reverse zoom
High angle shot
Low angle shot