Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

How are frames used in films?How are frames used in films?

Example of Extreme Wide ShotExample of Extreme Wide Shot

Extreme Wide ShotExtreme Wide Shot

the view is so far from the subject that the view is so far from the subject that s/he isn't even visible. The point of this s/he isn't even visible. The point of this shot is to show the subject's surroundings.shot is to show the subject's surroundings.

The EWS is often used as an "establishing The EWS is often used as an "establishing shot" - the first shot of a new scene, shot" - the first shot of a new scene, designed to show the audience where the designed to show the audience where the action is taking place.action is taking place.

The EWS is also known as an The EWS is also known as an extra long extra long shotshot or or extreme long shotextreme long shot (acronym XLS). (acronym XLS).

Example of Very Wide ShotExample of Very Wide Shot

Very Wide Shot

The The very wide shotvery wide shot is much closer to the is much closer to the subject than an subject than an extreme wide shotextreme wide shot, but , but still much further away than a still much further away than a wide shotwide shot. . The emphasis is very much on placing the The emphasis is very much on placing the subject in his environment.subject in his environment.

This often works as an establishing shot, in This often works as an establishing shot, in which the audience is shown the whole which the audience is shown the whole setting so they can orient themselves. setting so they can orient themselves.

The VWS also allows plenty of room for The VWS also allows plenty of room for action to take place, or for multiple action to take place, or for multiple subjects to appear on screen.subjects to appear on screen.

Example of Example of Wide ShotWide Shot

Wide ShotWide Shot

In the In the wide shotwide shot, the subject takes up , the subject takes up the full frame. If the subject doesn't the full frame. If the subject doesn't take up the whole width and height take up the whole width and height of the frame, the frame goes as close of the frame, the frame goes as close as possible without losing any part of as possible without losing any part of the subject. the subject.

Example of Example of Mid ShotMid Shot

Mid ShotMid Shot The The mid shotmid shot shows some part of the subject in shows some part of the subject in

more detail, but shows enough for the audience more detail, but shows enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. subject.

The mid shot is an approximation of how you The mid shot is an approximation of how you would see a person if you were having a casual would see a person if you were having a casual conversation. You wouldn't be paying any conversation. You wouldn't be paying any attention to their lower body, so that part of the attention to their lower body, so that part of the picture is unnecessary. picture is unnecessary.

The MS is appropriate when the subject is The MS is appropriate when the subject is speaking without too much emotion or intense speaking without too much emotion or intense concentration. concentration.

The mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a The mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a bit of movement. bit of movement.

Example of Example of Medium CloseupMedium Closeup

Medium CloseupMedium Closeup

The The medium closeupmedium closeup is half way is half way between a between a mid shotmid shot and a and a close upclose up. . This shot shows the face more This shot shows the face more clearly, without getting clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.uncomfortably close.

Example of Extreme Close UPExample of Extreme Close UP

Extreme Close UPExtreme Close UP

The ECU (also known as XCU) gets The ECU (also known as XCU) gets right in and shows extreme detail.right in and shows extreme detail.

You would normally need a specific You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic emotion except in very dramatic scenes.scenes.

Example of Cut InExample of Cut In

Cut InCut In

Cut In refers to showing some part of Cut In refers to showing some part of the subject in detail.the subject in detail.

Can be used purely as an edit point, Can be used purely as an edit point, or to emphasize emotion etc. For or to emphasize emotion etc. For example, hand movements can show example, hand movements can show enthusiasm, agitation, nervousness, enthusiasm, agitation, nervousness, etc.etc.

Example of a Example of a CutawayCutaway

CutawayCutaway

A A cutawaycutaway is a shot that's usually of is a shot that's usually of something other than the current action. It something other than the current action. It could be a different subject (eg. A cat could be a different subject (eg. A cat when the main subject is its owner), a when the main subject is its owner), a close up of a different part of the subject close up of a different part of the subject (eg. the subject's hands), or just about (eg. the subject's hands), or just about anything else.anything else.

The cutaway is used as a "buffer" between The cutaway is used as a "buffer" between shots (to help the editing process), or to shots (to help the editing process), or to add interest/information.add interest/information.

Example of Two ShotExample of Two Shot

Two ShotTwo Shot

There are a few variations on this There are a few variations on this one, but the basic idea is to have a one, but the basic idea is to have a comfortable shot of two people. comfortable shot of two people. Often used in interviews, or when Often used in interviews, or when two presenters are hosting a show.two presenters are hosting a show.

A "One-Shot" could be a A "One-Shot" could be a mid-shotmid-shot of of either of these subjects. A "Three-either of these subjects. A "Three-Shot", unsurprisingly, contains three Shot", unsurprisingly, contains three people.people.

Example of Over the ShoulderExample of Over the Shoulder

Over the ShoulderOver the Shoulder

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

This shot helps to establish the position of This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view. one person from the other's point of view.

It's common to cut between these shots It's common to cut between these shots during a conversation, alternating the view during a conversation, alternating the view between the different speakers.between the different speakers.

Example of Noddy ShotExample of Noddy Shot

Noddy ShotNoddy Shot

Common in interviews, this is a shot Common in interviews, this is a shot of the person listening and reacting of the person listening and reacting to the subject.to the subject.

Example of Point of View (POV)Example of Point of View (POV)

Point of View (POV)Point of View (POV)

This shot shows a view from the This shot shows a view from the subject's perspective. It is usually subject's perspective. It is usually edited in such a way that it is edited in such a way that it is obvious whose POV it isobvious whose POV it is

Example of Weather ShotExample of Weather Shot

Weather ShotWeather Shot

Although the usual purpose of this Although the usual purpose of this shot is to show the weather, it is also shot is to show the weather, it is also useful as an establishing shot, for useful as an establishing shot, for setting the general mood or for setting the general mood or for overlaying graphics.overlaying graphics.