Camera angles/shots

Shots, framing and camera movement.

Before we started filming, we had to carefully consider what kind of shots we wanted to use in our film to convey particular messages and meanings.

Shots

Long shot/ Establishing shot

A long shot is often used to show the surroundings of a character- usually to set the scene or establish a character. An establishing shot is a variation on this- it is used to set up a scene, often a far away long shot of a neighbourhood or a building, to help the audience understand the location of the character and setting.

Mid shot

A mid shot shows a character from the waist upwards. This is used when a director wants to create more intimacy with the character than a long shot, but still include aspects of costume and background in the shot.

Close up

A close up generally shows only a characters face. This is used to establish intimacy with the character, so the audience can easily see the expression of the character.

Extreme close up

An extreme close up is similar to a close up- a person or object is placed directly in front of the camera and fills the screen. This is used to emphasise the importance of something or show in more detail a character's reaction.

High/low angle shot

A high or low angle shot is used to indicate the power of something or someone. A high angle shot involved the camera pointing upwards towards the object- this indicates that the object is powerful, and the viewer is intended to feel less powerful. A low angle shot is intended to have the opposite effect- the object is meant to seem vulnerable and hold less power than the viewer.

Point of view shot

This kind of shot is used when a director wants the audience to feel that they are viewing events through the eyes of a character. This helps the audience relate to the character and gain understanding of them.

Movements

Pan

A pan shot is when a camera slowly moves horizontally to one side. This is often used to follow a conversation or establish a scene.

Track

A tracknikg shot is similar to a pan shot in that the camera can move horizontally. However, it can also move backwards or forwards, similar to a zoom- the tracking shot can follow a character.

Tilt

Tracking is when a camera pans up or down. Downward tilting is often used at the beginning of a scene, to indicate the beginning of an event. Upward tilting tends to be used when a scene is finished, as though the camera is floating out of the scene.