Film and Lit: Framing, Angles, Shot, Mise en Scène, Characterization

Shot

The building block of all filmmaking

A single, uninterrupted piece of film

Different shots = different effects

Long Shot (Wide shot)

AKA wide shot

Main object appears small or far away

Whole body is visible

Viewer can choose where to look

Close Shot (Close-up)

AKA Close-up

Object/person takes up 80% of the screen

Forces your eye to go where the director wants it

Medium Shot

Most common and naturalistic; doesn’t stand out

Similar to what our eyes see most of the time

Neutral perspective

Single Framing

Definition: A shot featuring one character alone in the frame.

• Clean Single: No part of another character visible → shows isolation.

• Dirty Single: Includes part of another character in frame → suggests presence/relationship.

  • Example/Purpose: Used to focus on one character’s emotions or perspective.

Two Shot

Definition: A shot where two characters are visible together in frame, both faces clearly shown.
Example/Purpose: Shows the relationship between two characters (affection, conflict, imagination, etc.).

Three Shot

Definition: A frame with three characters visible.
Example/Purpose: Establishes group dynamics and relationships among three characters.

Four Shot

Definition: A frame with four characters visible.
Example/Purpose: Used to show a family or group connection, often in medium or wide shots (example: Parasite backyard scene).

Five Shot

Definition: A frame with five characters visible.
Example/Purpose: Rarely counted out — demonstrates relationships in a larger group.

Crowd Shot

Definition: A shot with many characters (more than four–five). No official limit.

Example/Purpose: Used when numbering would be “overkill.” Establishes a large group or crowd.

Over the Shoulder (OTS)

Definition: Shot framed over one character’s shoulder, focusing on another. A hybrid of single and two shot.
Example/Purpose: Common in conversations. Places viewer “in the scene” and gives perspective from both sides.

Point of View (POV)

Definition: Shot framed to show what a character (or creature/object) sees.
Example/Purpose: Makes the audience experience the scene from the character’s perspective. Can be paired with POV audio. (Examples: from a person, alien, shark, spirit, etc.)

Insert Shot

Definition: A shot focusing tightly on a detail (e.g., object, hand, small action).
Example/Purpose: Provides important story information; often more about how it’s framed than how close it is. Can be combined with POV shots. Example: Whiskey glasses being filled in Parasite.

Low Angle Shot

Definition: Camera placed below a subject’s eye line, looking up.
Example/Purpose: Makes the subject look powerful, intimidating, or heroic. Example: Scar in The Lion King framed as a villain.

High Angle Shot

Definition: Camera placed above the subject, looking down.
Example/Purpose: Makes a character appear weak, small, or vulnerable. Often paired with low angles to highlight power imbalance. Extreme version = aerial shot (cities, landscapes, armies). Example: Loki vs. the Avengers.

Overhead Shot (Bird’s-eye/God’s-eye view)

Definition: Camera positioned directly above, shooting straight down.
Example/Purpose: Shows complex movement, disconnection, or “divine” perspective. Example: The Master – Freddie lying above sailors, disconnected.

Dutch Angle Shot

Definition: Shot tilted on its horizontal axis for an off-balance image.
Example/Purpose: Creates unease, tension, mania, or confusion. Example: Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing — tilt increases with racial tension.

Eye Level Shot

Definition: Camera placed at the subject’s eye height.
Example/Purpose: Neutral, natural perspective; doesn’t judge. Example: Wolf of Wall Street — Belfort’s eye-level monologue connects him directly to the audience.

Shoulder Level Shot

Definition: Camera placed around the subject’s shoulder height.
Example/Purpose: Slightly lower than eye level → subtle low-angle effect without intensity. Common in conversations/OTS shots. Can emphasize height differences or enhance intimacy. Example: Westworld romantic glance.

Hip Level Shot

Definition: Camera placed at hip height.
Example/Purpose: Common in Westerns, often paired with cowboy shots because gun holsters sit at hip level. Example: Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Knee Level Shot

Definition: Camera positioned at the subject’s knee height.
Example/Purpose: Can track action, show movement, or emphasize detail. Often doubles as a low angle. Example: Forrest Gump — knee-level shot during his run highlights his triumph.

Ground Level Shot

Definition: Camera placed at ground height or slightly below.
Example/Purpose: Stylish tracking shot; emphasizes environment or movement. Often doubles as a low angle. Example: The Shining — tracking Danny’s tricycle with iconic carpet pattern.

What is Mise en Scène?

Official definition: The placement of actors and scenery on stage (or in a shot) for a theatrical, film, or television production.
Practical definition: The process of deciding what to include and where it should go in the shot.

Why does Mise en Scène matter?

Filmmakers use elements of mise en scène to show:

• Who has power (and who doesn’t)

• Who belongs (and who doesn’t)

• Who/what changes (and who doesn’t)

What elements of Mise en Scène matter?

ALL elements apply to Mise en Scène!

Direct Characterization

Occurs when the author explicitly describes a character’s traits. These descriptions tell the reader exactly what the character is like, without requiring inference.

Indirect Characterization

Occurs when the author shows the character’s traits through their actions, words, thoughts, interactions with others, and the way others react to them. This method requires the reader to infer or interpret a character’s personality based on the evidence provided.

Indirect characterization acronym STEAL

• Speech – What does the character say and how do they say it?

• Thoughts – What do the character’s internal thoughts and feelings reveal?

• Effect on Others – How do other characters react to or feel about the character?

• Actions – What does the character do and how do their actions define them?

• Looks – How does the character’s appearance or expression give clues to their personality?