SHOT TYPES AND CAMERA
ANGLES
EVIE DRAKE
BIRDS EYE VIEW SHOT
Birds eye shots are taken from
a high angle and are usually
used to show height. For
example, from the top of a
building. This shot is common
in action movies and is used to
add dramatic effect.
HIGH ANGLE SHOT
A high angle shot is where the camera is
facing down towards a character looking
upwards. This shot is to show minority
in the character on screen. For example,
a parent looking own speaking to their
child.
MID SHOT
A mid shot is a commonly used shot,
from the waist upwards of a character.
This shot shows body language and
costume of a character. Similar to a
close up but is not so close it is an
uncomfortable angle.
EXTREME CLOSE UP
Extreme close ups are used to show
detail of an object or character. This
shot emphasises emotion and can add
tension between characters. An
extreme close up is an unusual shot
because it is uncomfortably close and
no background is seen.
OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT
The over shoulder shot is a popular
shot in movies, tv programmes etc..
This shot is used during conversation
between 2 characters to show the
reaction of one subject as well as the
other subject talking. Over shoulder
shots are used along side of shot
reverse shot.
GROUND SHOT
A ground shot is similar to a
worms eye shot but is not facing
upwards. Ground shots are used
to add tension as only certain
parts of a character would be
shown.
TWO SHOT
A two shot is similar to a mid
shot, showing waist up of a
character, but involves 2
characters. Two shots are used
to show partnership or
relationship between 2
characters.
LONG SHOT
Long shot/wide shots are used to show
not only the character but his or hers
surroundings. A long shot would be
used in a situation where it is essential
you see the what is going on around
the character to understand the scene.
Long shots can also be used to show
multiple characters if they are not
close enough to capture in a mid shot.
EXTREME LONG SHOT
Extreme long shots are used to
show background or the
scenery of a shot. Usually only
used when the scenery is nice
to look at or is a vital part of
the film/scene.
ESTABLISHING SHOT
An establishing shot is used to show the
scenery or location before showing the
scene involving characters. For example,
the apartment block in Friends is shown
before a scene inside the apartment. This
shot is useful to give the audience an idea
of where the scene is set.
CLOSE UP SHOT
Close up shots are used mainly to
show emotion in characters and
detail in objects. A close up could
be used to show affection or
tension and is commonly used
alongside over the shoulder shots.
LOW ANGLE SHOT
This is a low angle shot. It is used
mainly to show dominance and power
in the character shown. Low angle shots
are shot from a low/floor angle looking
up at a character or object to show
height.
EYE LEVEL SHOT
The eye level shot is the most
commonly used shot in film. This
particular shot is used to show a
natural level and is usually shown
in a close up (same picture used).
Eye level shots make the audience
feel in the moment with the
character.
POINT OF VIEW SHOT
Point of view shots are used to see
what is going on from the particular
characters perspective. The shot is
usually close up and shows certain
parts of the characters actions so the
audience feel more involved in the
scene e.g. typing, shaking hands
with another character..