Shot Types

Shot Types

Learning different types of shots and the reasons why we use them. There are many more shots that could be included but these are the commonly in films.

Establishing/wide- Usually wide shot with a 35mm lens 

Indicates:

Location - Establishing shots may use famous landmarks to indicate the city where the action is taking place or has moved to, Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty to identify New York, the London Eye or the Elizabeth Tower (commonly referred to as Big Ben) to identify London the Eiffel Tower to identify Paris

Time - Sometimes the viewer is guided in his understanding of the action. For example, an exterior shot of the night then a cut back to the action inside portrays the conversation is occurring at night.
 

Relationship - An establishing shot might be a long shot of a room that shows all the characters from a particular scene. For example, a scene about a murder in a college lecture hall might begin with a shot that shows the entire room, including the lecturing professor and the students taking notes.
 

Establish a concept - For example, a shot of rain falling could be an establishing shot, followed by more and more detailed look at the rain with individual raindrops falling.

 A prime example of this can be seen in the TV show 'Friends' an establishing shot will be used to show they viewer the location which is Central Perk, before the cut to the action inside.

 

Close up- Show a lot of detail to the audience, such as characters' emotions, or some intricate activity with their hands. Major characters are often given a close-up when they are introduced as a way of indicating their importance.

Leading characters will have multiple close-ups. An example of a close up can be seen in the film “Jonny English” it depicts Jonny’s facial expression as soon as he gets hurt. Another example is from “Harry Potter” as Harry prepares for the final battle with Voldemort.

Extreme Close Up-The shot is so tight that only a detail of the subject, such as someone's eyes, can be seen. An extreme close up can be used to make an object appear larger than life. A prime example of a use of an extreme close up can be seen in 'Kill Bill Vol. II', where the mosquito can be seen on the skin of Black Mamba (Uma Therman).

Two shot- frame encompasses a view of

two people (the subjects).

The subjects do not have to be next to each other, and there are many common two-shots which have one subject in the foreground and the other subject in the background.

 It is often used to show conversation between two characters. The two shot can show harmony or disharmony depending on the scene.  It is usually filmed from the mid-chest up.

 

Over-the-Shoulder Shot- Occurs when the camera is placed behind the shoulder of the character. This makes the characters head and shoulders visible, ensuring the audience knows that they are there, but making sure the main focus is on the other character or object in the shot (most often the second character is the subject of interest).

In this way the characters are “married” into the frame. It can be used to suggest tension, intimacy, desire or hatred.

Point of view shot- Intended to represent the subjective view of the character (the subject).

The camera lens is physically placed at the eye level of the character whose point of view we are seeing. In this way the audience see’s what the character sees. Usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character's reaction. POV provides the audience an exaggerated sense of intimacy with the character.

 

High Angle shot- occurs when the camera is placed above a subject with the lens pointing down. This makes the subject appear small and powerless/vulnerable.

Focus often gets "swallowed up" by the setting. (Dramatic or if there is someone at a high level that the character below is talking to).