CAMERA SHOTS AND ANGLES
SHOT: The appearance of what is in each frame. It is determined by both the camera’s
distance from the subject, angle, and movement.
Establishing Shot (ES):
Extremely long shot used at
the beginning of the film to
set the scene.
Long Shot (LS):
Shot filmed from a distance
so you can see figures
whole bodies.
Medium Shot (MS):
Figures in shot are seen
from the waist up.
Medium Close Up (MCU):
Figures seen from mid-chest
to head.
Close Up (CU):
Extreme Close Up (ECU):
Shot of head and shoulders. Shot of only a part of a
figure’s face or a detail of
an object.
Over the Shoulder Shot:
Camera shoots from over
the shoulder of one character
from behind.
Reverse Angle Shot:
Alternate over the shoulder
shot. Shows viewpoint of
speaker and reaction of
listener.
P.O.V. Shot:
Framed from a particular
character’s point of view.
High Angle Shot:
The camera looks down on
the subject, making it look
small or vulnerable.
Eye Level Shot:
The camera is level with
with the subject.
Low Angle Shot:
The camera looks up at the
subject, making it look
large and powerful.
Camera Movement
Pan
Camera moves from side to side from a stationary position
Tilt
Movement up or down from a stationary position
Tracking
The camera moves to follow a moving object or person
Crab
The whole camera is moved to the left or right on a dolly track which allows
the camera to be physically moved closer or further away from, or parallel to
the subject.
Zoom
Camera is stationary - Lens moves closer to the subject (zoom in) or further
away from the subject (zoom out).
Crane
Camera moves up/down in any direction when mounted on a crane.
Aerial
Shots taken from a helicopter or aircraft.
Editing
When considering editing, it is important to consider shot duration (how
long each shot in a sequence lasts), - juxtaposition (how shots and
sequences follow each other) and pace of editing (whether shots are rapidly
juxtaposed or whether the pace of the sequence is more slow-moving).
Cut
Fade in
or out
The ending of a shot. If the cut seems inconsistent with the next shot, it is
called a jump cut.
The image appears or disappears gradually. Often used as a division
between scenes.
Dissolve
One image fades in while another fades out so that for a few seconds, the
two are superimposed.
Inpoint
An image which starts the scene. Sometimes the inpoint is used to smooth
the transition between scenes, by making a visual link with the previous
scene.
Sound
Soundtrack
Diegetic
Sound
Consists of dialogue, sound effects and music. Should reveal
something about the scene that visual images don't.
Diegetic sound is ‘atmospheric’ sound or ‘actual’ sound. The source of
this sound is either visible on the screen or implied to be present by the
action of the film. Diegetic sounds include:



voices of characters
sounds made by objects in the story (eg. a door slamming)
music represented as coming from instruments in the story
space ( = source music)
Diegetic sound is any sound presented as originating from a source
within the film's world
Non-Diegetic
Sound
Sound that is completely separate from the action on the screen. These
sounds are added after filming is complete. Non-diegetic sounds can
include:



narrator's commentary
sound effects which are added for the dramatic effect
mood music
Lighting
Strongly influences the way the film looks and feels. Lighting effects are created by the
use of artificial lights, natural lighting and reflection, and the use of colour filters.