Camera terminologyTo revise camera shots, angles and movements

What shot is this and what is it used for?

Wide/Long shot

Long shots are used to emphasize a sweeping location around the subject. Long shot and wide shot are interchangeable terms.

Name this shot and explain why it is used?

Establishing Shot and Master Shot

An establishing shot and a master shot are not the same but they usually use the same framing and composition.An establishing shot introduces a new location – a church, a city street, a rooftop, a hospital room – from a vantage point that allows the audience to see all the relevant characters in the filmic space. A master shot would probably be recorded from the same position, with the same lens, also showing all the characters. The difference is the duration. A master shot records the entire action, a complete run-through from that same camera position to provide a back up stock of rushes so the director knows they have enough material to show the whole scene.

Clarifying the establishing shot

Establishing shots refer more to the editing phase of the film, where the editor selects one quick angle to reveal the location. Also note that an establishing shot doesn’t necessarily mean that we see the character’s full body. Bascially, the establishing shot displays the elements needed for the scene to function in terms of explaining the narrative to the audience.

During the first years of cinema, the most common type of shot was the long shot. Back in the 19th Century there were no filmmakers, only camera operators who were interested in landscapes and locations because that’s what the audience wanted to be transported elsewhere and see something new. Close-ups were rare. It is only narrative that pushed for establishing shots to become more common.

Name this shot and explain its use.

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium shots are the most common types of shots in film narratives. Showing most of the subject’s body, medium shots are halfway between long shots and close-ups. They are all about the character’s action and their involvement with the narrative development.

Name the shot and explain why it is used.

Two-shot and Over-the-shoulder shot

There are two other famous shot types which are usually framed as medium shots.A two-shot, with two actors facing the same screen direction.The over-the-shoulder shot, showing a conversation in which the actors sit or stand across from each other.

Name the shot and its effect.

Close-up (CU)

In close-up shots, the subject occupies most of the frame, allowing very little observation on the environment. Close-ups are much more dramatic than long or medium shots. They are perfect for emphasizing someone’s emotion.

Name the shot and why is it used?

Extreme Close-up (ECU)

Sometimes, called a detail shot, extreme close-ups do exactly that: show small detail that would otherwise be missed.

What is an insert shot and what is it used by directors to show the audience?

Insert Shots

Insert shots don’t focus on people. They are used to emphasize a relevant object, such as a letter or a gun that would otherwise be lost in the mise-en-scene. Insert shots are tightly framed and a sometimes used as a break from the main action during the editing phase, as they smooth transitions between shots.

What’s a reaction shot used for?

Reaction shots

Reaction shots are a cutaway – usually a close-up of an actor reacting to the main scene, like a conversation or an event. They show their emotional reaction and will move the story forward or reveal their traits, which will be useful for the narrative.

The craft of the director.

What’s the difference between low and high angle? Label A and B below.

What’s the difference between low and high angle? Label A and B below.

A) The low angle is to make the audience share the character’s perspective here.

B) The high angle is to make Matilda seem weak and scared.

Name the camera angle

Dutch Tilt

Also called a canted angle, a Dutch tilt has the camera leaning sideways, transforming the horizon into a slope. A Dutch tilt changes horizontal and vertical lines into diagonals and creates a disorientation to disturb the viewer.

Name this shot. Why is it used here in the 2010 film The King’s Speech?

Point-of-view (POV)

This is the perfect shot for positioning the audience with the character. They are usually preceded by a close-up of the character’s eyes.