Camera Shots and Angles

By Hayley Price

Extreme Long Shot (Establishing Shot)

An Extreme Long Shot, also known as an Establishing Shot, is done to set the scene for the audience. It informs the watcher where and when the story will be set though the mise-en-scene of the shot, which allows the audience to grasp what kind on genre it is going to be as well as guess what is going to happen in the next scene.

Typically, the shot is used to set the start of the movie, so the audience can grasp straight away where the movie is set and what it is about.

An example of this would be the beginning of Tangled,which on of it’s first shot being of a kingdom/castle which straight away tells the audience that it is going to be a fantasy, and tells you that the story is going to be that of a fairy tail.

Long Shot

A Long Shot helps to show who is in the scene, as well as show what is happening in the background and have more than one character in the shot.

This would typically used to shows who is in the scene and helps with introducing a character for the first time. It can also be used to show emissions by using the whole of someone’s body language to portray this to the audience.

An example of this is in Doctor Who, which shows theaudience where is set (which is a spaceship) and helpsto set the mood as sparks are flying as Amy and Rory kiss.

Medium Long Shot

A Medium Long shot is a shot taken from the top of the knee and upwards of the character. It is used so that the character is in the shot to show of most of there costume, as well as show a lot of the background to set the scene.

Typically, this shot is used when two characters are having a conversation, so that we can see both of there body language. It can also be used when a character is about to approach something, so can walk easily into the next shot.

An example of this is from Doctor Who when Rory is about to approach the Dalek. The shot helps to portray that he is nervous to approach it thus keeps his distance.

Medium Shot

A Medium shot is taken from the middle of the characters chest and upwards. It lets the audience be able to see the characters facial expression more clearly than a medium long shot, but still include some of the body.

It is typically used when a character is talking to another character who is just out of shot. It can also be used when a character is by themselves to show their expression more clearly.

An example of this is Gwen in Merlin while she is having a conversation with Gaius who is just out of frame. It shows her expression to what Gaius is saying as well as when she responds.

Medium Close Up

A Medium Close Up shot is taken from the shoulder up of the character in frame, which help to see the characters facial expressions more clearly, but make the background harder to see.

It is typically used to show the character in frame emotions clearly. In the shot they are usually by themselves, but sometimes can be talking to another character who is completely out of shot.

An example of this is from Sherlock which tells the audience that he is please with something as he has a slight smirk on his face as he talks to Molly who is out of shot.

Close Up

The Close Up shot is taken just bellow or at the character is frames chin. It allows the audience is the emotions of the character easily, but the background is almost completely out of the shot.

This is typically used when something emotional happens to the character in frame and helps the audience see how the character is feeling.

An example of this is Mikasa from Attack on Titan. The shot tell the audience that she is very angry and upset about what has happened, as well as shows that she is determined to get revenge.

Extreme Close Up

An Extreme Close Up is taken usually with the shot just above the character nose, with there eyes in frame, to show the audience the character expression, and doesn’t usually show the background at all.

It is typically used to show extreme emotion of the character in frame, which can span to anger, fear and happiness.

An example of this is Eren from Attack on Titan who is clearly feeling hatred and anger towards what has just Happened, which is shown to the audience by the tears coming out of his eyes and his angry expression which is show by his scrunched up eye brow.

High Angle

A High Angle shot is taken by the camera being higher than the people in shot. It tells the audience that the person in shot is weak.

It is typically used if a character is being bullied as it shows the audience that that person is weaker than the attacker. It also can show when a character is upset or feels helpless to do anything.

An example of this is Crona from Soul Eater, the shot tells the audience that he is upset as he clutches the pillow and has his face pressed against it. The camera angle shows that he feels very help less and upset to do anything.

Low Angle

A Low Angle shot is taken by the camera being lower than the characters in shot. It tells the audience that the character is powerful and strong.

It is typically used to show that a character is more powerful than another, who would be looked down upon from a low angle shot, to show the power difference to the audience.

An example of this is Castiel from Supernatural which in this shot shows the audience that he is very powerful as the camera is looking right up at him, and with the bright light shows him to be dangerous and not to be messed with.

Over The Shoulder Shot

The Over the Shoulder shot is taken from over the shoulder of one character to show another character to show the audience that the two characters are having a personal conversation which no other character is included in.

It is typically used when two characters are alone and are having a private conversation, and helps to see a characters face as it is quite close to them, so show the audience the emissions that they feel.

An example of this is from Merlin, which the shot showsArthur talking to Gwen, which shows them to being havinga serious conversation, with the shot showing Gwen’s expressions of worry towards Arthur as she talks to him.

Two Shot

A Two Shot is taken with two people in shot. It is commonly used with the shot being from the characters waist up, so that the audience can see the character emissions in the shot as well as the background.

Typically the shot is used to show multiple character expressions in a shot, usually in a conversation which can be side on or face to face.

An example of this is Light and L form DeathNote which shows the two characters having a conversation with one another, which lets the audience know how they are feeling as both show there full body language as well as facial Expressions.