*Camera

Camera shots

Name:

Long shot

Nature of shot:

The full subject is in frame.

Effect/ when it would be used:

Show the audience a character or subject in relation to the environment; introduce a new scene or surrounding or simple ehasise the surroundings of the location.

Name:

Mid shot

Nature of shot:

The character is shown from the waist up 

Effect/ when it would be used:

Focuses on a specific character and their importance to the plot, allows the audience to take in surroundings of the scene but without getting too distracted by background objects.

Name:

Close up

Nature of shot:

The camera shows all of a select area of a character (face, hands, feet) or a small object fills the frame (gloves, phone, watch, etc.)

Effect/ when it would be used:

Typically used for facial shots to show emotions of the character

Name:

Extreme close up 

Nature of shot:

Shows only part of an object or selected area of character. 

For example just the character's eyes.

Effect/ when it would be used:

Used to focus the attention onto specific points and keep elements hidden, often for creating distrust towards the antagonist by not revealing their full face.

Name:

Cowboy shot

Nature of shot:

Overly used in westerns hence the name, waist hight one character A often with an opponent visible in the background facing character A.

Effect/ when it would be used:

Typically used in shoot out scenes as it focuses on both the gun and opponent highlighting the key lines of action in shot.

Name:

Over the sholder 

Nature of shot:

As the name suggests the camera is positioned behind the character, one sholder is present within the frame at either side

Effect/ when it would be used:

Gives a sense as to watch the character is seeing. Audience connects and related to the character better, useful with conversation pieces between two people to focus on one character at a time.

Name:

Point of view

Nature of shot:

Shows the line of action from a character or subject's point of view.

Effect/ when it would be used:

Audience gets a sense as to what it is like for the character and feels what it would be link to be present within the scene.

Name:

Two shot

Nature of shot:

Two characters are presented in frame from the waist. 

Effect/ when it would be used:

This is a good way to show the relationship between two characters be it positive or negative

Camera angles 

Name:

Low angle

Nature of shot:

Camera is positions below the character looking up at them. 

Effect/ when it would be used:

This makes the audience feel vulnerable, weaker and intimidated by the character shown. 

Name:

High angle 

Nature of shot:

Contrastingly to low angle, high angle is positioned above the subject 

Effect/ when it would be used:

Makes the audience feel superior than them. Both are typically used in fight scenes to distinctly show the winner and looser.

Name:

Dutch tilt

Nature of shot:

The camera is purposely positioned at an angle

Effect/ when it would be used:

Creates a sense of confusion and disorientation. Used when a character shares these emotions or the line of action takes a confusing turn.

Movement

Name:

Pan

Nature of shot:

The camera position remains stationary but the shot moves on a horizontal basis around the fixed point. 

Effect/ when it would be used:

Creates a more interesting shot, can be used to show the surrounding and setting in the opening of the scene.

Name:

Tilt

Nature of shot:

Similar to pan, the camera is stationary however the shot moves in a vertical motion from top to bottom or bottom to top.

Effect/ when it would be used:

Creates a more interesting shot, can be used to follow the action in screen or show importance in height.

Name:

Track

Nature of shot:

The camera moves along a track following the line of action/subject. 

Effect/ when it would be used:

Often follows a moving object to keep the audience focused on the key line of action.

Name:

Pedestal /Pad

Nature of shot:

The camera physically moves up and down rather than changing the angle of the shot.

Effect/ when it would be used:

Makes a more interesting shot and looks a lot more professional, this shot can also be used to follow the action of the scene.

Name:

Pull focus 

Nature of shot:

A shallow depth of field is used to create a strong contrast between two or more subjects, the pull focus moves between these subjects putting each individual in focus in their own time. 

Effect/ when it would be used:

Allows the audience's attention to me manipulated and focused onto specifically areas or objects.