UNDERSTANDING CAMERA SHOTS
What is the importance of camera shots?
- A camera shot is the amount of space that takes up the frame. The difference in space is very important for portraying different aspects toward the setting, theme and characters in the film.
- The different camera shots are as follows:
Extreme long shot ( contains a large amount of landscape ) often used as an establishing shot to show the general location.
Long shot A long shot may contain a building where the setting takes place.
Medium Shot Contains a figure from the knees/waist up and is usually used for dialogue scenes or to show some action taking place.
Close-up Close-ups show very little background and concentrates on either a face or a specific object. Taking us into the mind of the character.
Extreme Close-up An extreme version of a close up. An extreme close up of the face for example would only show an eye or the mouth.
Each of these camera shots are demontrated by using this toy below.
What is the importance of Camera Angles?
Camera angles are important as they help tell the story so that it is easier to follow.
For example:
A low angle shot may be used to show that they are of a high importance.
A high angle shot may be used for the opposite purpose. To make the subject feel inferior of less powerful.
A canted angle is usually used to show distress, that something is wrong.
An eye-level shot is the most commonly used angle as it shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life.
A Birds's eye angle is used to show the scene from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.
A worm's eye view is the perspective of the audience,so it may be used to show someone on the ground looking up or something as simple as a bug.
For example:
A low angle shot may be used to show that they are of a high importance.
A high angle shot may be used for the opposite purpose. To make the subject feel inferior of less powerful.
A canted angle is usually used to show distress, that something is wrong.
An eye-level shot is the most commonly used angle as it shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life.
A Birds's eye angle is used to show the scene from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.
A worm's eye view is the perspective of the audience,so it may be used to show someone on the ground looking up or something as simple as a bug.
MORE CAMERA SHOTS
Cut in - A cut in shows another section of the subject in detail
Cutaway - A shot of something other than the subject
Two Shot - A shot of two people, similar to a mid shot.
(OSS) Over the shoulder - looking over a person's shoulder at the subject.
Noddy shot - Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.
(POV) Point of view shot - Shows a view from the suspects perspective.