Shot types
Establishing shot
The purpose of this shot is quite simply to set the scene for the rest of the film, enabling the audience to familiarise themselves with the characters surroundings. The establishing shot can help the viewers to identify the relation between the character and their environment such as, countryside or run down urban city. The establishing shot often features one or more of the main characters and does not have to be a specific angle however it does tend to be used with a birds eye view, overhead shot or a a wide shot.
Long shot
This is a shot featuring the whole of the body of a character from head to toe. Using this shot can give the audience the feel of a distant relationship because personal aspects such as facial expressions are not focused on at this point. Although, depending on the angle, the viewers could perceive the character to be of importance for example if a low angle is used. As this would create the effect of a presence of a confident and powerful being because
the camera is
looking up.
Mid shot
A shot only including the body from the waist up to the head enabling the camera to capture the facial expression and body language of the character on screen. Due to the flexibility of this shot it can be used frequently in almost any instance but it most successful for shot reverse shot scene of conversation. Whereby gaining the maximum effect from a scene concentrating on dialog and responses from the characters.
close up
A close up shot maintains part of the boy, shoulders and neck, whilst emphasising the importance of the face of the character or the specific fine detail of an object of significance.As a result of this shot the audience can begin to engage with the film on a personal level.
Big close up
A shot featuring only close proximity of the face of a character in order to raise intensity of the situation of the importance of the characters responses through the emotion demonstrated in their face.
Extreme close up
A close up of only one aspect of the characters face such as eyes or mouth. Extreme close ups are good for times of speech and suspense in a moment. The length of this shot is not usually long as it is used to gains a reaction from the audience through immediate dramatic effect.
High angle
low angle
This shot makes the camera look down upon the character, implying to the audience that they are superior to the person on screen. On the flip side a high angle shot can also the illusion that the character is isolated and perhaps in danger depending on the situation and surroundings and zoom different effects can be achieved.
Here the camera is looking up to the character or object and is positioned at an angle below them, often giving the opposite effect of using a high angle on film. As the viewers would be looking up to the character they immediately feel inferior by their presence and may assume that they have some form of high importance through strength or reputation etc. often a shot used in fantasy films or capturing the view of tall buildings.
Over the shoulder
wide angle
canted angle
Regularly used in scenes of conversation as it captures both characters in the shot whilst concentrating on ones facial expressions mostly. It also can engage the viewers during a dramatic scene through showing them the characters reposes and perspectives through dialog and facial expression.
A good way to set the scene is the wide shot because it familiarises the audience and characters with the surroundings. As the shot shows a lot of the setting usually with a character from head to toe it can give the audience the feel that they are disconnected.
A shot which is purposely set on a side tilt to manipulate the audiences view. The effect usually portraying dramatic effects like; confusion, dizziness, unease, disorientation means of intoxication, desperate action either caused by the characters or surroundings.
