Establishing Shot

An establishing shot is usually the first shot of a new scene; it is designed to show the audience where the action is taking place.

Extreme Long shot

There will be very little detail visible in the shot, as it is meant to give a general impression rather than specific information. This shot shows the audience the object or human in life size form.

When referring to a person, a long shot means they take up almost the full frame height. This lets the audience see the full image of the person from their facial expression to what shoes their wearing.

Long shot

Medium shot

The medium shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. The medium shot allows room for hand gestures and movement. The audience would see the person the same when having a conversation with them because they look at the top half of the person.

Close up

A close up shot is where the persons face takes up most of the frame; it allows the audience to see the characters facial expressions which convey emotions. The audience are drawn into the characters personal space and shares their feelings.

Extreme close up

This shot normally shows just a specific part of the face which tends to be the eyes. It calls attention to the subject making them more memorable visually. This shot is designed to make the audience enter that characters personal space. You look at them from a different perspective.

This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person looking at the subject should normally occupy 1/3 of the frame. This shot helps to establish the positions of the two subjects and get the feel of looking at one subject from the other ones point of view.

This shot is mostly used in western films as it captures the main character with a detailed background to give effect. The audience can see the characters situation and where they are. It’s normally shot from the mid-thigh up.

Over the shoulder shot

Cow Boy shot

Neutral Angle

The camera is made to look like the subject is pointing at you or like your standing in front of them. This makes the audience feel involved in the film.

Low Angle

This angle makes the subject look taller and more strong and confident. It helps give a sense of confusion to the audience and makes them seem smaller.

High Angle

This angle makes the characters look smaller and insignificant, it makes their surroundings or background look huge and like its swallowing them. This lets the audience see the bigger picture.

Dutch Tilt Angle

This is where the camera is slanted to one side to give dramatic effect, and makes the audience feel disorientated and confused.

Bird’s Eye View Angle

This shot puts the audience in a God like position as they can see all the action from above. It makes people and objects look very small and insignificant.