Different types of camera angles,and how they are used

1. Camera angles

2. Extreme Close up (XCU)
Extreme Close up – a shot which captures a specific feature or reaction on someone’s face.
Typically used in all types of media. This shot is usually used in times of shock, fear,
confusion ,or happiness. This is to show the audience the characters’ exact emotions and
feelings in any particular scene.
An example of this is in ‘The Blair Witch Project’ when Heather is giving her monologue. You
can tell she is nervous and scared by not only the way she is speaking but also the look in
her eyes, which is emphasised by the closeness of the camera.

3. Close Up (CU)
Close Up – a shot in which a person’s head is captured
Typically used in all types of media, a close up shot is used to capture the emotion on
the whole of their face. Similar to a extreme close up, a close up is used in times of fear,
happiness, confusion and high tension.
An example of this is in Homeland, when Carrie is about to have shock therapy in
attempt to treat her bipolar disorder. It lets us know what she is feeling, by the look on
her face, while also a little of what is going on around her.

4. Medium Close Up (MCU)
Medium Close Up – a shot in which a person can be seen from to shoulders/mid
body.
Typically used in all types of media. Usually to show a person/s’ emotion when
it isn’t necessarily a key feature of a scene. It also shows a small part of the
Mise-en-Scene.
Example: In House of Cards, when Frank Underwood is being sworn in as vice
President. Here a mid shot is used to show him taking the oath with his hand on
the bible.

5. Extreme Long Shot (XLS)
Extreme Long Shot – a wide shot that places a person or object a long distance away
from the camera.
Typically used in all types of media, the shot shows the character a long distance away,
helping to set the scene and show who the character is.
An example of this is the opening scene of Hot Fuzz, where Sgt. Angel is walking into
the police station and stops right in front of the camera to begin his monologue. This
show where the scene will take place.

6. Long Shot (LS)
Long Shot - a shot where a person can be seen from head to toe.
Use in all types of media, a long shot is used to show a characters costume,
while also showing some Mise-en-Scene and showing us the location
where the scene is about to take place.
An example of this in Pirates of the Caribbean, when Captain Jack Sparrow
is running away from a tribe of islanders. You can see his costume, his
facial expression and the other characters behind him.

7. Medium Long Shot(MLS)
Medium Long Shot – a shot in which a person can be seen from head to knee.
Use in all types of media, usually an action sequence . It shows a character/s
talking about a plan. It shows most of their costume and their props. It also allows
some of the setting close to them.
An example this is in the A-team when Peck and Hannibal are talking about their
just after getting back to their base in Afghanistan.

8. Mid Shot (MS)
Medium Shot – a shot in which a person can be seen from head to waist.
Used in all types of media, a mid shot is used to show a character’s costume, facial
expression/emotion, and a some Mise-en-Scene.
An example of this is in House of Cards when Frank Underwood is breaking the
fourth wall and addresses the audience. You can see his serious facial expression,
him at his desk and his costume.

9. Low Angle (LA)
Low Angle Shot – a shot whereby the camera is positioned at an angle below the object.
Typically used in all types of the media, a low angle shot makes a character/s look
powerful through a point of view shot while looking up. The subjects in the shot look
powerful as they are towering above you, looking down.
An example of this is in the opening scene of inglorious basterds, when Lt. Aldo and sgt.
Donowitz are carving a swastika into a Nazi’s head. They are show to be in control and to
have power as they are leaning over you in the shot.

10. Establishing Shot (ES)
Establishing Shot – a wide shot of a location that establishes a sense of environment
and surroundings.
Used in all types of media, an establishing shot is similar o a extreme long shot, it sets
the location for a scene, the only difference is that there is no characters in an
establishing shot.
An example of an Establishing shot is the opening title sequence to House of Cards. It
is made of up multiple shots of Washington DC. It shows the city and some of the
buildings where the show takes place.

11. High Angle(HA)
Low Angle Shot – a shot whereby the camera is positioned at an angle above an
object.
Used in all types of media, a high angle shot is looking down at a character,
usually after they have been defeated or are about to be killed. The high
position of the camera makes the character in shot seem weak and powerless.
An example of this is in Peaky Blinders, when Tommy Shelby is smoking a last
cigarette before he is going to get shot. This makes him look powerless as he is
defenceless and his death is inevitable.

12. Over The Shoulder (OTS)
Over the Shoulder Shot – a shot in which we see a character over another
character’s shoulder.
Used typically in all types of media, this shot is used when two characters are
having a conversation. It allows us to see one characters facial expression, while
also showing the setting, the characters position in the scene, and Mise-en-
Scene.
An example of this is in the Dark Knight, when Batman is interrogating the Joker.
It shows the Joker’s facial expression, while setting his location within the
interview room.

13. Point of View (POV)
Point of View – a shot captured from a person’s point of view.
Used in all types of media, a point of view shot offers unique view into
the scene. However by using a POV shot you lose the ability to see the
character's facial expression, costume and some Mise-en-Scene.
An example of a POV shot is in the opening scene of inglorious basterds,
when sgt. Donowitz and Lt. Aldo are carving a swastika into a Nazi
officer’s head. This creates a powerful scene, however you cannot see the
characters emotions.

14. Two Shot (TS)
Two shot – any type of shot with two people in it.
Used in all types of media, a two shot displays two people together. It is also used to
show an conversation between two people, typically used when a scene takes place
between two people are in a car.
An example of this is in the film SWAT, when Street is driving Hondo around while being
recruited for the SWAT team. It shows the two of them and allows the audience to see
the emotions and facial expressions.