Film shots

Proximics

Refers to the implied distance between the camera and the subject

Extreme Long Shot

Dominated by background information

• Establishes general locations

• Depicts large scale actions

Full Shot

Frames the subject from head to toe

Medium Long Shot / Cowboy Shot

Frames the subject from knees up

Medium Shot

Frames the subject somewhere around the waist up

Medium Close-up

Frames the subject from the chest up

Close-up

Pure subject; background information is eliminated.

• Used to punctuate important dramatic moments

Extreme Close-up

Fills the frame with just a fragment or an object revealed in great physical detail

• Can give symbolic value

Low Angle

Camera is lowered to shoot up at the subject

• Conventionally makes the subject look powerful, threatening

• Conventionally: Heroic, noble

High Angle

Camera looks down on the subject from a position of power

• Conventionally: Smaller and vulnerable

Extreme High Angle

Also known as bird’s eye. Positions the camera directly above the subjects and creates a disorienting viewpoint or unnatural situation

Dutch / Oblique Angle

Slanted camera level to change us viewpoint into something diagonal

• Feels off-balance and uneasy

Key Light

The biggest and brightest light that illuminates and casts shadows on another part.

Low-Key Lighting

High contrast between light and dark

Fill Light

Used to fill in shadows

High-key Lighting

Low contrast between light and dark

Hard Light

Light is coming directly from the source

• Picks up every detial and creates a hard line between shadow and light

  

Soft Light

Diffused and broken up light so that it hits the subject from a variety of angles

Back Lighting

Lighting is behind the subject; Silhouettes the subjects.

• Used for threatening or differentiating characters

Edge/Rim Lighting

The lighting is outlining the person

Frontal Lighting

The light faces the subject from the same as the camera

• All of shadows on the face are gone

Side Lighting

Light shines from the side of the subject so that once side of the face is darker than the other

• Lighting hints at secrets and immoral ambiguity