Shot Types & Camera Angles

Shot Types

What is a shot and What is cinematography?

Shot = A series of frames that runs for an uninterrupted length of time.
Cinematography = The art of photography and camerawork in film.

Types of Shots

• Extreme Long Shot (XLS) - A wide view of a complete setting such as a cityscape. This can be used to convey the setting of a scene. Here is an example below.

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  Long Shot (LS) - Closer than XLS but still shows the complete scene. This can show the setting from a closer perspective. An example of this is in the film 'Skyfall', where James Bond (Daniel Craig) looks over London.

• Medium Long Shot (MLS) - This shot gives great detail of  about the setting. This gives great detail about setting. Here is an example

• Medium Shot (MS) - On a human body, it would start at the waist and include a little bit of space above the head. This could be used to show the character's body language and facial expressions.  Here is an example from 'Titanic' where Jack & Rose famously stand on the deck

Medium Close-Up (MCU) - This shot focuses on the head and the shoulders. This is a typical frame for a newsreader and it allows the audience to focus entirely on the face. Here is a typical example of Fiona Bruce presenting BBC News.

• Close-Up (CU) - This shot shows details on the subject, for example, the subject might be a person's face. This would allow the character to convey their emotions. This is an example from a scene in Doctor Who featuring Peter Capaldi.

• Big Close-Up (BCU) - This shot shows all detail of the subject and used to show extreme emotion or prop detail. This can show a character's emotion from one part of their body such as their eye. This is an example from a scene in Doctor Who featuring Peter Capaldi.
• Extreme Close-Up (XCU) - This shot shows only a portion of detail or magnifies something that is minute. This helps to really focus on a character's emotion. Here is an example.

 

Camera Angles

Camera Angle = The exact position in which a camera is placed to take a shot.

• Birds eye view = This is an view of a setting or a character from high above. This angle would often be used to convey the setting. Here is an example. 

• High view = When a camera looks down on the subject from a high angle. This angle is similar to a Birds eye view but has a lower angle but it can still be used to convey setting. Here is an example.

• Neutral view = When a camera looks directly in front of it. Here is an example.

• Low view = When the camera is positioned below the eye and looking up. Here is an example.

• Worm's eye view = Where the camera is positioned as if it is a worm looking up. Here is an example.