Glossary Camera

High Angle The camera angle is normally located above the eye line.

It brings the feeling of power over the person in the camera.

Low Angle A shot that is taken with a camera placed below pointing up at the subject.

This shows the view of the person that is being overpowered.

Bird’s Eye View A shot where the camera shoots a scene directly overhead.

This is to set the scene for the viewer’s so they know exactly where about it is.

Canted Angle/Dutch Angle

The Dutch angle is a type of camera shot where the camera is set at an angle on its roll axis.

Worms Eye View A view seen from below or from a not important/humble position.

This could be used to show someone watching the character ,it could be an animal’s point of view.

Pan Movement This is when the camera does not move from the place it is stood, it only moves left and right.

This can be used to film a character walking past from another characters point of view ,who is not moving.

Whipt Pan Movement This is when the camera does not move from the place it is stood, it only moves left and right really quickly.

This can be used to film a character running past from another characters point of view, who is not moving.

Track/Dolly Movement

A shot in which the camera is mounted on a camera dolly, a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken.

This can be moved to film a large group moving along ,or things such as a horse scene.

Tilt Movement This is when the camera does not move from the place it is stood, it only moves up and down.

This could move as a head movement, which is pretending to be a character which is agreeing to something else.

Crane /Mechanical shot movement

A shot taken from a crane, which is like a huge mechanical arm. The crane carries the camera and cameraman, and can move in any direction.

This could show the panic of a character running around on the floor from above.

Crash Zoom Movement

This is a very quick zoom in, on a certain object.

There could be a sudden realisation the character goes through ,which must be shown to the viewers with this movement.

Stedicam Movement This is when the cameraman has weights on him and is carrying the camera. This is so that they can get through crowds in a steady movement.

This can follow a character that is searching in a large crowd and there needs to be a close up shot.

Zoom/Reverse Zoom Movement

Zooming in to extreme detail and out for the bigger picture in a smooth movement.

Hand Held Movement This is when the cameraman holds the camera in their hands to film.

This can be used in a scene where the movement needs to be shaky, this could be to show someone being nervous.

Deep Focus Composition

Everything in the planes remains clearly in focus, from close-up range to infinity.

This is to make sure everything in the scene because it is all important to acknowledge everything going on.

Shallow Focus Composition

Is used to emphasize one part of the image over another.

This draws the attention to the characters facial emotions.

Rule of Thirds Composition

This makes sure the entire screen is used, and there is no unused space.

Eye Line Match Composition

This is to make sure when the camera switches during conversation, which the eyes are lined up to make it realistic.

Makes sure the viewer’s still know who is in the conversation.

Long shot Camera A detailed shot from head to toe, with the entire person in the frame.

Close Up Camera A detailed view of a person or object, normally without anything else going on.

Medium Close Up Camera

A medium close up includes the shoulders upwards.

Medium Shot Camera A medium shot of a figure generally includes the body from the knees or waist up.

Establishing shot Camera

Usually an extreme long, used at the beginning to show the view where the scene is, before the story line starts.

Over the shoulder shot A medium shot, used in dialogue scenes, in which one actor is filmed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor.

Two Shot A shot with two actors in.

Pull Focus Movement This is when an object is in focus in the background, then focus changes to the object I the fore ground.