Camera Shots and Movement

Camera shots and movement

Establishing shot- Describes where you are and gives a shot of the exterior of something e.g. Building

Wide Shot- a broader shot to show the scale of something

Crane Shots-like if a camera has been put on a crane and gives an aerial shot

Aerial Shot/Birds Eye View-variation of a crane shot and gives a view from high up

Close-Up-shows little background and is focused on an object or someone’s face so you see their emotion

Extreme Close-Up- a close up but to the extreme as in the camera is focused on just their eyes or sweat on their forehead

Point of View- we see through the actors eyes

Subjective point of view/over the shoulder shot-we can see what they’re seeing but not from their POV but it still puts the viewer in the scene

Two Shot-shows a conversation between two people

Shot/Reverse Shot- the shot is on one person talking and then switches to the next person talking and then back again. You have to follow the 180 degree rule

Angles/Movement

Pans-a movement which scans a scene horizontally, using a tripod, which operates as a stationary axis point as the camera is turned in order to follow a moving object or cover a scene

Tilts- A movement which scans a scene vertically

High Angle-implies things like they character is insignificant or weak

Low Angle-Implies things like the character is big or important

Dolly Shots/Tracking- Camera physically moving alongside the action, generally following the moving figure or object

Hand-held Shots- gives jerky effect as literally held by hand and can add to the panic or suspense. Used by film makers for gritty realism.

Zoom/reverse Zoom- This is when the camera move closer or away from the action in a very quick motion