The Language of Film
Film 2 Day 1: Camera Angles
Mrs. Kelly Brown
Rio Seco
Lesson Outcome:
• Understand that the positioning of the
camera can create and change the
meaning of the scene
Angles
• Where the camera will be placed in
relation to the subject.
• Low-angle, high-angle, and eye-level.
Another thing you should consider when observing
A frame is the angle or camera position.

Was the frame shot from high above
looking down?
(a high angle shot)

Was it shot at eye level (straight on)?

Was it shot from a low angle (the camera is
below its subject) ?
High Angle
• Opposite effect of low angle
• Camera is above the subject of the shot.
• Subjects appear much weaker, smaller,
and powerless.
A frame shot from a high angle is often referred to as
God’s eye view because it suggests that ‘someone’
is observing the characters. It can suggest danger
and helplessness. These are high angel shots.
300 2006
COMPOSITION OF THE FRAME
Camera Angles
High angle
Psycho (Hitchcock)
Apocalypto 2007-High Angel Shot
High Angel
Shots
The Fountain 2007 High
Angel Shot
COMPOSITION OF THE FRAME
Camera Angles
Low angle
Low Angle
• Creates the effect of making the subject
more significant, dominating, powerful,
and in control.
• Important for creating stronger characters
in your movies.
A frame shot from a low angle makes the subject seem larger. These
are low angel shots being that the camera is below the subject.
Citizen Kane 1941
The Postman Always Rings Twice 1946
The Dark Knight 2008-Low Angel Shot
Inglorious Basterds 2009- Low Angel Shot
A character that seems larger than another in a frame is usually the
dominant character.
From Double Indemnity 1944
From Letter from an Unknown Woman
1948
From
Gone with the Wind
1939
From
Rebecca
1940
High Angle or Low Angle Shot?
Vertigo, Alfred Hitchcock, 1958
Eye Level Angle
• The usual approach in filmmaking.
• The camera is at the same level as the
subject of the shot.
• “Neutral shot”
COMPOSITION OF THE FRAME
Camera Angles
Eye-level or Straight on
Rebecca (Alfred Hitchcock, 1940)
The Departed 2006-Eye Level Shot
Eye-level Shots