Camera Shots and Angles

Camera Shots and Angles Sci Fi Film Unit Extreme long shot • Focuses on the setting of the scene • Used to give the viewer context about the time and place of the scene, or to set a character in their context. • This is why it is often used at the start of a film. 2/2/20XX 2 Long shot • Focuses on the entirety of an object or human figure • Used to place it in relation to its surroundings 2/2/20XX 3 Medium/mid shot • Focuses on one or more people in detail as well as their environment • Is commonly used to show facial expressions, what is occurring in the background, and the relationship between characters. 2/2/20XX 4 Close up shot • Focuses on the actor’s face and expressions • Commonly used to add emotion to a scene 2/2/20XX 5 Extreme close up • shot • Focuses on small details Commonly used to show the viewer tiny details that remain unseen from afar 2/2/20XX 6 Camera Angles The power of camera position Bird’s Eye View Shot • Camera is positioned at an extremely high angle as if from the perspective of a bird. • This angle is often used to establish the context of a scene or to emphasis the smallness/insignificance of the subjects. 2/2/20XX 8 High angle shot • Camera is angled downward, often to make the subject appear small, vulnerable, or less powerful. This can elicit emotions in the viewer like anxiety, fear, or danger. 2/2/20XX 9 Straight on angle shot • Camera is angled horizontally. It puts the viewer and the subject at the same level to bring the viewer into the same experience or view as the characters. 2/2/20XX 10 Low angle shot • Camera is angled upward to suggest the power of a character or a challenge to be faced. 2/2/20XX 11 Tracking shot • When the camera is mounted on a dolly (device with wheels) to follow and ‘track’ the movement of the subject, allowing the viewer to experience the journey with the characters. 2/2/20XX 12