JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

WEST BENGAL STATE UNIVERSITY

BASIC CAMERA SHOT

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A. The moment from switching on the camera to the moment of switching it off, the action of the subject recorded within that time is called a shot.

B. A shot is the smallest unit of visual information captured at one time by the camera that shows certain action or event.

What is a Shot?

I. To give the relative emphasis to the subject matter

II. To interlink different areas.

III. To establish the relationship between different

subjects

IV. To show what audience want to see

V. To create visual verity

Functions Of Shot

1. Extreme Close Up

2. Big Close Up

3. Close Up

4. Medium Close Up

5. Medium Shot

6. Medium Long Shot

7. Long Shot

8. Very Long Shot

9. Extreme Long Shot

10. Two Shot

11. Over Shoulder Shot

Different basic shots are given below:

1. Extreme Close-Up (XCU or ECU):

Abbreviated ECU or XCU.

Purely a detail shot-farming favors one aspect of a subject such as his/her eyes,

mouth, ear or hand.

The usefulness of this shot is limited. The shot certainly poses problems in editing a

dramatic sequence, as each small movement of a facial expression is magnified to

such an extent that it can become silly.

Within last few years it has been used in some type of feature films known as

“Spaghetti Westerns”.

2. Big Close-Up (BCU):

Abbreviated BCU.

Human face occupies as much of the frame as possible and still shows the key

features of eyes, nose and mouth at once.

But does not include the chin line and the top of the head. Often with a man the upper

frame edge is on the brow or forehead, but with a woman the shot shows more of the

hair line.

This shot is about who and how that “Who” feels angry, scared, romantic etc.

It has been used in different types of daily soap and film.

3. Close-Up (CU):

Abbreviated CU

Sometimes called a “head shot”, as the framing may cut off the top of the subjects

hair and the bottom of the frame can begin anywhere just below the chin or with a

little upper shoulder visible.

The Close Up is usually a full face shot and is composed from bellow the chin and

may include the shoulder line.

The area of the face covers most of the frame.

It is a dramatic shot which emphasis and magnifies facial reactions or draws

particular attention to a specific thing.

4. Medium Close-Up (MCU):

Abbreviated MCU

MCU usually takes one or two forms, in this first form Direct to camera and in the

second form, Three quarter profile.

This shot is composed from the subjects breast line.

This shot very often uses in the Television program.

This shot successfully express facial an physical expression.

5. Medium Shot(MS):

Abbreviated MS

It also known as “Mid Shot” or “Waist Shot”.

The shot is composed from the subject’s waist and slightly below. It never framed

higher than the waist.

Most useful and flexible shot.

6. Medium Long Shot(MLS):

Abbreviated MLS

It also known as “American Knee Shot” or “Knee Shot”

The framing of MS is slightly above or slightly below the knee, but never on the

knee.

The shot provides ample headroom and space on each side for arm movement.

7. Long Shot(LS):

Abbreviated LS

The long shot comprises the entire body and is framed below the feet.

It often used as an introductory shot, mainly because the subject is still close enough

to be recognized.

The LS or Long Shot is most commonly used when the subject makes a complete

movement within the frame.

8. Very long Shot(VLS):

Abbreviated VLS

It is a wide and comprehensive shot, but not so wide that you can’t indemnify the

subject even on the small screen.

This shot is noticeable because of the amount of space around the subject.

This shot is often use for small crowd scene and very fast subject movement (like

car chase).

9. Extreme long Shot(ELS/XLS):

Abbreviated XLS or ELS

The subject is so small in the frame that it is totally unrecognizable.

This shot is also called “The wide angle”, “The wide shot”, even the phrase

“Geography shot” is used.

This shot is often used in the opening sequence such as a background for titles.

Westerns frequently use this shot. Also known as the Establish shot.

It also known as “Backbone of the scene”

10. Two Shot(2-Shot/2S):

Abbreviated 2-Shot or 2S

The two shot contains two people, generally either facing camera or each other.

The framing depends on number of factors, whether they are standing or sitting,

moving or static, making gesture or not.

11. Over the Shoulder Shot(OSS):

Abbreviated OSS

This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject.

The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame.

Basic Shots in brief:

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