This document defines key vocabulary for camera shots, angles, movement, and composition used in TV drama. It provides descriptions of common camera shots like establishing shots, close ups, and point of view shots. It also explains different camera angles like high angles and low angles. Various types of camera movement are outlined such as pans, tilts, tracks, dolly shots, and zooms. Finally, compositional techniques like the rule of thirds are mentioned.

1. Media Studies ASTV DramaKey Vocabulary

2. Camera Shots, Angle, Movement and Composition

3. Camera Shots (1 of 2)Establishing ShotA shot that sets the scene of where the action will take placeMaster ShotWhen a scene is filmed from one angle from start to finish.Close UpA shot that zooms in to an object/person to show the action in detail.Mid ShotA shot that zooms to show half of an object/person.Over the ShoulderA shot looking over the top of a character involved

4. Camera Shots (2 of 2)Wide ShotA shot that fits in a large amount of the scenery into the frame through a wide angle lens.Two-ShotWhen only two characters are shown in the same frame.Aerial ShotA shot filmed high above the action of the scene.Point of View Giving the audience a camera angle in the perspective of a character in the scene

5. Camera AnglesHigh AngleWhen the camera is located above the character/object, so the camera is looking down on them/it.Low AngleWhen the camera is located below the character/object, so the camera is looking up on them/it.Canted/Oblique AngleWhen the camera is titled left or right to give a different visual perspective of the scene.

6. Camera Movement (1 of 2)PanWhen the camera rotates on the spot to show more of the scene.TiltSimilar to a Canted angle, however the audience watch the camera as it tilts to the side.TrackWhere the camera follows a character/object as it moves.DollyA dolly is used to undertake tracking shots across the ground smoothly.SteadicamSimilar to a dolly except held by a cameraman with special stabilisers.

7. Camera Movement (2 of 2)CraneWhen the camera gives a very high angle shot, achieved by lifting the camera on a crane.Hand HeldWhen the shot is filmed by the camera man with no stabilising. It is common to combine this as a POV shot for a character; e.g. “Cloverfield” is entirely filmed hand held.ZoomWhere the camera appears to move closer (zoom in) or further away (zoom out) to a character or object.

8. CompositionRule of ThirdsThis is when the screen is separated into imaginary thirds.