Activating Prior Knowledge:
What is the last film you saw?
What impressed you the most about it? Why?
What is the best film you have ever seen? What about it makes
it the best?
Cinematography refers to
the art of using a camera to
record visual images on film
for the cinema.
Cinematography is an art
form because it involves
making decisions about
how a shot is framed and
how long it lasts. Other
aspects of cinematography
include sound, lighting,
camera angles, and the
scenery and costumes.
Consider how cinematography was used:
Camera Shots: Close-Ups, Medium, and Long Shots
Imagine you are directing a science-fiction movie about a monster that is threatening Paris. You
picture the large monster stomping among the buildings of the city, frightening citizens and wreaking
havoc. How can you make this threat seem real to the film's viewers? How can you communicate
your vision on the screen?
As a director, you have many tools and techniques that can shape the look and feel of a film. You
can vary a shot's perspective, lighting, location, or other qualities to achieve certain effects. One
powerful way to communicate your vision is through camera angles. Shooting your movie monster
from far away, for example, will achieve a very different look than if you were to shoot it up close.
During the planning stages of a film, the director and possibly the director of photography may
meet with a storyboard artist to illustrate the flow of shots that will best tell the story. There are a
number of camera angles that a director has at his or her disposal. The most common of these are
the establishing shot, long shot, medium shot, over-the-shoulder shot, and close-up. The
storyboards on this page show how these shots could be used in your science-fiction film to create
different effects.
Establishing shot
A shot, normally taken from a great distance or from a "bird's eye view," that
establishes where the action is about to occur. In your science-fiction movie, you
will probably need an establishing shot of the Paris skyline, most likely one that
shows the Eiffel Tower. This will communicate to the audience that the action
takes place in Paris.
An establishing shot of the
city of Paris.
Long shot
A shot that shows a scene from a distance (but not as great a distance as the
establishing shot). A long shot is used to stress the environment or setting of a
scene. In filming your science-fiction movie, for example, you might use a long
shot to show the monster causing traffic jams and panicked crowds.
A long shot of the monster
stopping traffic.
Efpatridis – ENG 1P1 – Short Story Unit
Medium shot
A shot that frames actors, normally from the waist up. The medium shot
can be used to focus attention on an interaction between two actors, such
as a struggle, debate, or embrace. It can show the effect of one person’s
words or actions on the other people in the scene.
A medium shot of two
characters discussing a plan.
Over-the-shoulder shot
A shot of one actor taken from over the shoulder of another actor. An over-theshoulder shot is used when two characters are interacting face-to-face. Filming
over an actor's shoulder focuses the audience's attention on one actor at a time in
a conversation, rather than on both.
Close-up
A shot taken at close range, sometimes only inches away from an actor's face, a
prop, or some other object. The close-up is designed to focus attention on an
actor's expression, to give significance to a certain object, or to direct the audience
to some other important element of the film. In your monster movie, you might use
a close-up of the monster's teeth or claws to show how ferocious it is, or decide to
zoom in on a frightened passerby to illustrate his or her fear. A close-up of a
restaurant sign tells viewers where they are.
An over-the-shoulder shot of
a character in conversation.
Different film techniques are used to create visual meaning. The person who
edits a movie or TV show uses the shots to create an effective visual
A close-up of a frightened
presentation. Generally, television shows are shot using close-up and
passerby.
medium shots because things look better because the screen is small.
However, mixing the shots provides variety and givens information needed to keep a story moving.
Activity 1 – Follow along to identify the types of shots used
Activity 2 - Using the picture/photo provided, identify the subject or main focus of the picture. What camera
shot used in each? Be prepared to explain why the photographer might have used this particular type of
angle to highlight the person/product. Each decision made affects the meaning conveyed to the viewer.
Follow the example provided in class.
In addition to camera shots, camera angles are also important to give variety, information, and add
meaning.
 High-angle – positions the camera above eye-level, looking down on the subject which consequently
appears smaller – perhaps even insignificant, weak, helpless . . . this is an impression that is
deliberately created.
 Low-angle - has the camera looking up at the subject, who then appears important, powerful, or
domineering depending on how exaggerated the angle is
 Eye-level – is shot directly in line with the subject projecting a neutral impression
 Reverse-angle - the shot or camera shows what the subject is seeing or looking at rather than looking
at the subject itself.
Camera Movement
 Tracking or trucking – refers to the camera moving and changing position by moving left or right – it
gives the impression of the subject moving when it really is not
 Dollying - refers to the camera’s position by moving it forward or backward.
 Panning – refers to when the camera stays in the same position but turns left or right
 Tilting - refers to when the camera stays in the same position but moves up or down
Even when the camera is stationary and not turning it can appear to move closer to or further from its
subject by using a special right or lever on the lens. The camera person can zoom in or out. All camera
movement is well planned out to smoothly convey the action and contribute to the story being told by the
camera.
Efpatridis – ENG 1P1 – Short Story Unit
NAME THAT SHOT? WHAT’S THE ANGLE?
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Efpatridis – ENG 1P1 – Short Story Unit
Efpatridis – ENG 1P1 – Short Story Unit