Aice Media Studies - Camera Shots and Angles

Extreme long/Establishing

Extreme long/Establishing

Used to set the scene or as an establishing shot, often outside. This shot can be taken from as far away as a quarter of a mile.

Master

This shot, like the Establishing Shot also sets up the scene through showing key signifiers, however, whilst the Establishing Shot leans towards showing the setting and location, the Master Shot contains the main characters for the length of the shot.

Long

This shot shows images in ‘life size’ in the context of the distance between the cinema screen and the image: for example, the height of a child might appear to be 3-4 feet. Usually this contains a full body shot.

Medium

A shot that shows a character from the waist up. An alternative to this shot is a two shot (includes two people) and a three shot (includes three people).

Over the shoulder

This shot is taken from ;over the shoulder’ of a character and is often used to make the audience feel as though they are actually included in the conversation/action. It is a form of point of view shot.

Point of view

This shot is taken from the view of the person looking/speaking. POV may be literal, or it may be implied when, for example, a character looks off-screen, and we then see what they are looking at.

Close up

This shot shows a part of something, for example, someone’s face is used to draw attention to the thing/person or emotions.

Extreme close up

This shot is even closer than the last one and creates an image larger than the eye would usually see.

Wide

A shot in which an actor might appear very small against the landscape as the image as a whole gives a much wider view than the individual.

Aerial

A shot taken from a high viewpoint, as though it is taken from a drone showing a bird’s eye view.

High angle

A shot that is taken from above the character/setting to create a sense of empowerment for the character with Point of View, as it diminishes the figure in the frame.

Low angle

A shot taken from a low angle, this helps to reinforce intimidation or disempowerment for the character with Point of View, as it creates an overwhelming perspective.

Canted angle/ Dutch angle

This is a shot taken with a tilted horizon, often used to signify imbalance or uncertainty, but sometimes for and aesthetic effect.