Video ProductionVideo Production

Camera Angles and MovementsCamera Angles and Movements

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

Finding the perfect position for the camera -- the camera angle -- is influenced by how much area needs to be shown and what viewpoint the filmmaker wants the audience to take.

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

A carefully selected camera angle can heighten dramatic visualization of the story -- a bad one can confuse and distract.

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

Where is the best place for the camera? How much should be shown or included in the shot?

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

Three important components make up a camera angle:

•Subject Size •Subject Angle •Camera Height

Camera Angles – Subject SizeCamera Angles – Subject Size

• Long Shot

•Medium Shot

•Close-up

•Over-the-shoulder

The subject's size relationship to the over-all picture area.

Size --The Long ShotSize --The Long Shot

A long shot takes the entire area of action.

Place, people and objects are shown to acquaint the audience with their over-all appearance.

Long Shot – ExamplesLong Shot – Examples

Size -- Medium ShotsSize -- Medium Shots

It provides an excellent way to record gestures, facial expressions and movement.

Actors can be easily followed and enough background is revealed to keep the audience oriented.

Medium Shot -- ExamplesMedium Shot -- Examples

Size -- Close-upsSize -- Close-upsClose-ups eliminate all non-essentials and isolate whatever significant incident the filmmaker feels should receive attention.

Close-up -- Close-up -- ExamplesExamples

Size -- Over-the-Shoulder ShotSize -- Over-the-Shoulder Shot

Over-the-shoulder close-ups (or medium shots), are shots as seen from over-the-shoulder of another person in the foreground.

The nose!

ExamplesExamples

QuestionQuestion

What are two ways to change What are two ways to change the Camera Angle? the Camera Angle?

Angle -- ¾ AngleAngle -- ¾ Angle

A forty five degree angle (known as a three-quarter angle) gives the best sense of depth. It records people with roundness and objects with more surfaces and converging lines. Unless a special effect is required, always strive for a three quarter angle.

Angle – ¾ -- ExampleAngle – ¾ -- Example

Angle -- FrontAngle -- Front

A front angle is a shot where the camera films directly in front of the subject. This creates a very flat image. However, combining a front angle with your subject looking close to the lens creates a feeling of great intimacy.

Angle – Front -- ExampleAngle – Front -- Example

Angle -- SideAngle -- Side

A side angle is a shot that is filmed directly from the side, creating a profile. Side angles increase the audience's sense of detachment. Use Side angles sparingly.

Angle – Side -- ExampleAngle – Side -- Example

HeightHeight

The adjustment of camera height has a profound effect on the artistic, dramatic and psychological overtones of a motion picture. Think of horror films where the camera is kept low to make the killer/monster appear larger than life and more threatening.

Height – Eye LevelHeight – Eye Level

An "eye level" camera angle is one taken from the eye-level of the actor or subject (not the camera operator). A eye level camera angle creates a neutral shot. It does not distort emotionally or physically.

Height – Eye Level -- ExampleHeight – Eye Level -- Example

Height -- LowHeight -- LowA low-angle shot is one where the camera is tilted upward to view the subject.

Used to inspire awe, create excitement or drama, increase subject height, drop the horizon or even eliminate a distracting background.

Height – Low -- ExampleHeight – Low -- Example

Height -- HighHeight -- HighA high-angle shot is one where the camera is tilted downward to view the subject.

This angle reduces the height of an actor and invokes a feeling of superiority in the audience.

Height – High -- ExampleHeight – High -- Example

Intermission, get some popcorn, Intermission, get some popcorn, Act 2 coming upAct 2 coming up

Camera MovementsCamera Movements

Camera MovementsCamera Movements

Movement is what movies are all about.

Whenever possible, find a way to integrate movement within the frame.

Movement -- PanMovement -- Pan

A pan is a left to right, or a right to left, horizontal movement of the camera on its own axis.

What could they be used for?

Movement -- PanMovement -- Pan

They can be used to follow moving subjects, shift an audience's attention from subject to subject or simply display a panoramic landscape.

Pan TipPan Tip

In most cases, you should pan slowly and keep the camera still for a few seconds at the beginning and end of a pan. This ensures that the pan will edit properly with static shots.

Movement -- TiltMovement -- TiltA tilt is an up or down vertical movement of the camera on its own axis.Tilts are great for capturing vertical action.

Movement -- ZoomMovement -- ZoomEveryone knows what a zoom is. In fact, it's the most overused shot in film and video.

Use Sparingly! Why?

Movement -- DollyMovement -- DollyA tracking/dolly shot is one where the camera moves parallel to the action or toward or away from the subject.

Dolly TipDolly Tip

To enhance the dolly effect, place objects such as plants, lamps, trees or fences in the foreground. (Objects in the foreground move faster than those in the background and give the audience a greater feeling of movement.)

Movement -- TruckMovement -- Truck

The subject is stationary, the camera moves toward or away from it. For example, if you are shooting a grove of trees with a hand-held camera, you can give the viewer a visual sense of moving through the area by walking toward or away from the trees with the camera.