Camera Shots and Angles

By Kirsten Price

Extreme Long Shot (Establishing shot)

Extreme Long Shot – An Extreme long shot, also known as an establishing shot, is a shot that is used to set he scene. In informs the audience where (possibly when) the scene is set and though the mise-en-scene, allows the audience to guess what might be in store in the next scene.

Typically in media, this shot is used at the start of a TV programme or Film to allow the audience to know where they are and possibly what kind of genre the film/programme may be.

Example – This shot is from the film The Hunger Games. This lets the audience know that this film is set in a place that is a poor area to live, so life for the characters would be hard here.

Long Shot (LS)

Long Shot – A long shot shows the character fully (so you can see their full costume), as well as showing the majority of the background and possibly other characters.

Typically this is used in Media in Film/TV when introducing a new character or when a character has just entered the room. The shot creates a more dramatic effect in there appearance and also makes it easier to see a persons body language.

Example – This shot is from the TV show Perception. This lets the audience know that this character looks lost/confused and possibly up set, because his shoulders are slumped and is looking down.

Medium Long Shot (MLS)

Medium Long Shot – A Medium Long shot is a shot that is from the top of the knee and upward and is used so that the audience can still see the background of the scene and a majority of the character's costume.

Typically in media, this shot is used for when two characters meet one another and fall into conversation.

Example – This shot is from the Film The Avengers. This lets the audience know that these to characters are about to have a talk/ scene together.

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium Shot - A medium shot is a shot that is taken from the waist and upwards. It allows the audience to see the facial expression of the character more clearly, as well as there body language.

Typically in media, this shot is used when one character is talking to another character who is out of shot, or it is used to see a characters expression clearly when they are by themselves, which makes the scene more dramatic.

Example – This shot is from the TV show Merlin. This lets the audience know that the Character looks up set but determined, while stilling allowing the audience to see where the scene is set, in this case a forest.

Medium close up (MCU)

Medium Close Up Shot - A medium close up is a shot that is from the characters shoulders and above. It allows the audience to see the characters expression even clearer, but the background/setting is harder to see.

Typically in media, this shot is used to show a characters emotions. They are rarely talking to another character and are usually by themselves.

Example – This shot is from the Film The Avengers. This lets the audience know that the character feels upset and is thinking carefully about what has just happened, which allows the audience to guess that he possibly feels guilty about what had just happened.

Close Up (CU)

Close Up Shot – A close up shot is a shot that is just of the characters face. It allows the audience to see the emotion in a characters face, but the setting is completely lost.

Typically in media, this shot is used then something dramatic/emotional is happening in the scene and lets the audience see how the character is feeling.

Example – This shot is from the TV show Arrow. This lets the audience know that the character is angry and determined, which is also backed up but by the use of the gun as well as his facial expression, but also upset because the audience can see that his eyes are watery.

Extreme Close Up (XCU)

Extreme Close Up Shot – A close up shot is a shot that usually only has a eye or just a mouth in the frame. It allows the audience to see the characters expression clearly.

Typically in media, this shot is used to show extreme emotion, usually fear or sadness, or to show writing that a character is reading.

Example – This shot is from the film The Avengers. This allows that audience to clearly see the tears that are building in the characters eyes which allows them to imply that the character is sad about what has just happened.

High Angle

High Angle Shot – A high angle shot is a shot that is taken that is above the character. It creates the effect that the character is weak/ less powerful.

Typically in media, this shot is used for characters who are weak or defenceless, such as someone who is getting bullied or is upset.

Example – This shot is from the TV show Doctor Who. This allows the audience to see that the character at this moment is feeling powerless, but since she is looking up, it could be implied to the audience that she now has hope since she can hold her head up high.

Low Angle

Low Angle Shot – A low angle shot is a shot that is taken from bellow a character that looks up at them. It creates the effect that the character is more powerful.

Typically in media, this shot is used for characters who are powerful and strong and this camera shot emphasises this..

Example – This shot is from the film The Avengers. This allows the audience to see that these characters are strong and confident as they are looking down at the character.

Over the Shoulder Shot

Other the Shoulder Shot – The over the shoulder shot is a shot that is taken from behind a characters shoulder and partly shows their head.

Typically in media, this shot is used when two characters are talking to one another so the audience know who the character is directing the conversation to and their reaction towards it.

Example – This shot is from the TV show Doctor Who. This allows the audience to see that the two characters in shot are talking to one another and that her reaction to this conversation is to smile, which means whatever they are talking about the audience know it is a happy/good subject.

Two Shot

Two Shot - A two shot is a shot that is usually from the waist upwards and includes two people. It allows the audience to see both characters reaction to what is happening.

Typically in media, this shot is used to show the expression of the two characters in the shot. It is also used if the two characters are whispering to one another.

Example – This shot is from the TV show Merlin. This allows the audience to see that these two characters are concerned about something in the distance, which makes the audience wonder what they are looking at and whether it is a threat or not.