CAMERA WORK101

By Jake Murley and Tyler Drewe

High Angle Shot

Camera is elevated above action to give general overview.High angles are typically used to make the object/character seem smaller, and less important, or scared.Object/character often gets “swallowed up” by setting.They become part of a wider image.

Film Example:The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Low Angle Shot

Increase height and give sense of speeded motion.Help give sense of confusion to viewer, or powerlessness within action of a scene.Background of low angle shots – sky or ceiling; adding to the perplexity of the viewer. Added height of object may inspire fear and insecurity in audience, who is psychologically dominated by character.

Film Example:The Dark Knight Rises

Extreme Long Shot (XLS)

Can be taken as much as a quarter of a mile away. Generally used as scene-setting, which is an ‘establishing shot’. Shows exterior of, e.g. a building or landscape. Often used to show scenes of thrilling action e.g. in a ‘war’ or ‘disaster’ film.Usually first shot of new scene; designed to show audience where action is taking place.Very little detail visible in shot. Meant to give general impression rather than specific information.

Film Example:The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Long Shot (LS)

Shows image as approximately ‘life’ size.Corresponds to real distance between audience and screen (man’s height would appear as six feet tall).Includes full shot showing entire human body. Head near top of frame and feet near bottom.While focus is on characters, plenty of background detail still emerges.

Film Example:Kids Might Fly

Medium Long Shot (MLS)

Shows most of a character(s), typically head to knees. Gives film makers the opportunity to show some of the setting, but also allow multiple characters to easily interact.

Film Example:Sherlock Holmes

Medium Shot (MS)

Contains character from the knees/waist up.Normally used for dialogue scenes, or to show some detail of action. Background detail - minimal. Because location has been established earlier in scene. Audience already know where they are. Want to focus on dialogue and character interaction.

Film Example:The Hunger Games

Medium Close Up (MCU)

Frames a subject's head and cuts off around mid-chest.Focus is on the subject and reveals only little of surroundings. Shows the facial expressions of the subject. Shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.Commonly used for interviews in documentaries and news programs.

Film Example:Frankenstein

Close Up (CU)

Shows very little background. Concentrates on either a face, or detail of mise-en-scene. Very little of background shown. Magnifies object and shows the importance of it. Example: words written on paper, or the expression on someone's face. Takes audience into mind of character. Close up of a face is a very intimate shot. May be used to make audience feel comfortable/uncomfortable about a character. Usually uses a zoom lens in order to get the required framing.

Film Example:Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Extreme Close Up (XCU)

Usually magnifies beyond what humans would see in reality. Extreme close-up of face would show only mouth or eyes.No background detail whatsoever.Can be used for dramatic effect. Extra care must be taken when setting up and lighting shot.The slightest camera shake or error in focal length is very noticeable.

Film Example:Clockwork Orange

Point-Of-View Shot (POV)

Subjective shot made from perspective of one of characters. Shows audience scene as it would look through character's perspective.Normally prior to a reaction shot to establish the POV.Commonly used in horror films. Placed in position of killer who is slowly sneaking up on victim.

Film Example:Force of Evil

Two Shot (TS)

Comfortable shot of two people.Often used in interviews, or when two presenters are hosting television series.Also used to establish a relationship between two charactersCan also involve movement or action. Good way to follow interaction between two people without getting distracted by surroundings.

Film Example:Shutter Island

Over-The-Shoulder Shot (OTS)

Framed from behind a person who is looking at character. Character facing the other should usually take up 1/3 of the frame.Helps establish position of each character. Gets the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.Common to cut between these shots during conversation. Alternates view between the different speakers.Older 4x3 framing – person facing away from camera typically cut off just behind the ear. 16x9 and other widescreen framing – More width available and more of this person can be shown.Shot can be varied to include shoulder/back of the person facing the subject.

Film Example:Sherlock Holmes

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