Camera shots are the basic building blocks of film and video narrative. A shot is an uninterrupted take of action or dialogue. The length of shots vary, but start the moment the camera starts rolling and end when the camera stops rolling. There are many different types of shots and combination of shots that you can use to shoot your video.
Assignment # 1: In this project your group will shoot a simple 3 scene narrative using at least 10 different camera shots, angles and movements. It's recommended that you shoot more than 10 shots, which will give you more options in the editing process. Your story must be edited so the different shots flow together in a cohesive order.
You must include:
3 different DISTANCE SHOTS
3 different PLACEMENT SHOTS
2 different ANGLE SHOTS
2 different CAMERA MOVEMENTS
Assignment # 1: In this project your group will shoot a simple 3 scene narrative using at least 10 different camera shots, angles and movements. It's recommended that you shoot more than 10 shots, which will give you more options in the editing process. Your story must be edited so the different shots flow together in a cohesive order.
You must include:
3 different DISTANCE SHOTS
3 different PLACEMENT SHOTS
2 different ANGLE SHOTS
2 different CAMERA MOVEMENTS
THE BASIC SHOTS
DISTANCE SHOTS
These shots describe the composition or placement of the actors in a scene.
These shots describe the composition or placement of the actors in a scene.
1D. MASTER SHOT
A master shot captures all the action/dialogue in an entire scene and is typically composed as a long shot. For example, if a scene involves people seated at a dinner table, a master shot would be wide enough to see everyone seated at the table. This is crucial for the editing process as this is the scene to which all coverage shots (close-ups, cutaways, medium shots) are referenced and synchronized to. If any of the other takes or angles don’t work in post production, the editor can always go back to a master shot.
A master shot captures all the action/dialogue in an entire scene and is typically composed as a long shot. For example, if a scene involves people seated at a dinner table, a master shot would be wide enough to see everyone seated at the table. This is crucial for the editing process as this is the scene to which all coverage shots (close-ups, cutaways, medium shots) are referenced and synchronized to. If any of the other takes or angles don’t work in post production, the editor can always go back to a master shot.
2D. ESTABLISHING SHOT
Establishing shots is a long shot that tells the big picture. We learn about the time, place of the story setting. If actors are in the shot they play a very small part. This shot is about the environment and the world where the scene/story is taking place.
Establishing shots is a long shot that tells the big picture. We learn about the time, place of the story setting. If actors are in the shot they play a very small part. This shot is about the environment and the world where the scene/story is taking place.
3D. LONG SHOT
The long shot shows the setting and the entire actor. This shot is used to establish the actor's place in the scene or their relationship to that world.
The long shot shows the setting and the entire actor. This shot is used to establish the actor's place in the scene or their relationship to that world.
4D. MEDIUM SHOT
Medium Shots are the most common shot used in film. These are perfect shots to show the actor up close, but not too close. Actors are framed from the waist up, including plenty of space/setting. The viewer can see the actor's facial and body gestures and their relation to the setting.
Medium Shots are the most common shot used in film. These are perfect shots to show the actor up close, but not too close. Actors are framed from the waist up, including plenty of space/setting. The viewer can see the actor's facial and body gestures and their relation to the setting.
5D. CLOSE-UP SHOT
The close-up shot fills the frame with part of the actor. A common close-up is an actor's head and shoulders. This shot is used to communicate the emotions and reactions of an actor.
The close-up shot fills the frame with part of the actor. A common close-up is an actor's head and shoulders. This shot is used to communicate the emotions and reactions of an actor.
6D. EXTREME CLOSE-UP SHOT
The extreme close-up shot is used for very intense or emotional moments. The actor is framed focusing on one part, such as the face, or eyes. In the image below a game figure is framed in an extreme close-up to convey a clue. In this shot backgrounds are usually unrecognizable, so the viewer focuses only on the actor or character.
The extreme close-up shot is used for very intense or emotional moments. The actor is framed focusing on one part, such as the face, or eyes. In the image below a game figure is framed in an extreme close-up to convey a clue. In this shot backgrounds are usually unrecognizable, so the viewer focuses only on the actor or character.
PLACEMENT SHOTS
These shots describe the composition or placement of the actors in a scene.
These shots describe the composition or placement of the actors in a scene.
1P. TWO SHOT
The two shot shows how two actor's interact. This shot is typically a medium or a long shot.
The two shot shows how two actor's interact. This shot is typically a medium or a long shot.
2P. THREE SHOT
The three shot shows how three actor's interact. This shot is typically a medium or a long shot.
The three shot shows how three actor's interact. This shot is typically a medium or a long shot.
3P. OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT
The over the shoulder shot frames a character from behind the shoulder of another character. This shot emphasises the connection between two actors by showing reactions and emotions. The viewer can feel like they are close to the conversation.
The over the shoulder shot frames a character from behind the shoulder of another character. This shot emphasises the connection between two actors by showing reactions and emotions. The viewer can feel like they are close to the conversation.
4P. POINT-OF-VIEW SHOT
There are two kinds of people at the movies: those on screen, and those in the audience. The point-of-view shot blurs that distinction, and can immerse the viewer into the action of the movie. This shot is a view of a character's perspective, whether they are standing up inside a water tank, or hiding in a dark closet. The audience sees what the character sees.
There are two kinds of people at the movies: those on screen, and those in the audience. The point-of-view shot blurs that distinction, and can immerse the viewer into the action of the movie. This shot is a view of a character's perspective, whether they are standing up inside a water tank, or hiding in a dark closet. The audience sees what the character sees.
5P. THREE-QUARTER VIEW SHOT
There are two ways to use this shot. The first is a 3/4 facial shot. The focus is on the face and we see the front and the side of the face. The second shot is a 3/4 body shot. The focus on this shot is the entire person or item in the scene. A 3/4 shot gives the scene dimension and depth; it keeps the scene from looking flat.
There are two ways to use this shot. The first is a 3/4 facial shot. The focus is on the face and we see the front and the side of the face. The second shot is a 3/4 body shot. The focus on this shot is the entire person or item in the scene. A 3/4 shot gives the scene dimension and depth; it keeps the scene from looking flat.
6P. PROFILE SHOT
The profile shot is typically a medium close-up shot and is used to convey emotion. This shot shows only the profile side of a character's face.
The profile shot is typically a medium close-up shot and is used to convey emotion. This shot shows only the profile side of a character's face.
CAMERA ANGLE SHOTS
These shots describe the camera angle position.
These shots describe the camera angle position.
1A. EYE LEVEL SHOT
The most common camera angle is the eye level shot. This angle is about 5 to 6 feet off the ground which approximates the way the audience might view the scene if they were in it.
The most common camera angle is the eye level shot. This angle is about 5 to 6 feet off the ground which approximates the way the audience might view the scene if they were in it.
2A. HIGH LEVEL SHOT
A high level shot is a distorted view. The camera is physically higher than the character and looks down. It is used to add a dramatic effect, such as making the subject appear weak, vulnerable or threatened. A very high level or bird's-eye view is taken directly above the scene to establish the landscape and the character's relationship to it.
A high level shot is a distorted view. The camera is physically higher than the character and looks down. It is used to add a dramatic effect, such as making the subject appear weak, vulnerable or threatened. A very high level or bird's-eye view is taken directly above the scene to establish the landscape and the character's relationship to it.
3A. LOW LEVEL SHOT
A low level shot is another distorted view. The camera is physically lower than the subject and looks up at the subject. It is used to add a dramatic effect, such as making the subject appear powerful or threatening.
A low level shot is another distorted view. The camera is physically lower than the subject and looks up at the subject. It is used to add a dramatic effect, such as making the subject appear powerful or threatening.
4A. DUTCH TILT SHOT
A dutch tilt angle is a technique that involves tilting your camera to one side, resulting in a frame that isn’t level. This shot is used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc.
A dutch tilt angle is a technique that involves tilting your camera to one side, resulting in a frame that isn’t level. This shot is used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc.
CAMERA MOVEMENT SHOTS
These shots describe the camera's movement.
These shots describe the camera's movement.
1M. PANNING SHOT
A panning shot is when a fixed camera moves horizontally (left or right) to follow a subject or scene. It is used to show movement throughout a scene. 2M. TILT SHOT A tilt shot is when a fixed camera moves vertically (up or down) to follow a subject or scene. It is used to show movement throughout a scene. 3M. ZOOM IN/ZOOM OUT 4M. TRACKING SHOT A tracking shot is when the camera follows alongside a moving subject, whether it is horizontally or vertically. |