Types of Shots by Distance, Form, and Angle + Camera Movements - Section 5

Wide Establishing

This is the reference shot from which the audience will
draw upon the most information about location.

Full Shot

A shot that contains ALL of the subject in frame

Medium Close Up

A shot that contains waist-up of its subject

Close Up

A shot that contains detailed information of subject, like facial
expressions. Typically brings attention to what the character is saying. Very powerful. Build/use sparingly for effect

Extreme Close up

A shot that contains even more detailed information of subject, often isolated to a single feature. Very sparingly used.

Neutral

A shot in which the subject is centered in the frame and does not
establish screen direction with either movement of eyeline. (Allows a
reset of screen direction)

Over the Shoulder

Ties two characters together and helps put us in the position of the person being addressed

Cut-In

An instantaneous shift from a distant framing to a close view of some portion of the same space

Process

Any shot that shows in detail how something works

Cutaway/ Point of View

Any shot of some person or thing in the scene other than the main characters we are covering but that is still related to the scene. Requires setup. May emphasize some action in the scene, provide
additional information or be something a character looks at or points to outside of the space of their shot

Reverse

A shot taken from an angle 180 opposed to the
previous shot. That is, the camera is placed opposite its previous position

Tracking

Any shot where the camera physically “follows” the
subject through space.

Eye Level

Any shot where the camera is placed at eye level with subjects. Typically assumed and not required to call out.

Downshot or High Angle

The camera is placed with the horizon line high/above the frame. Usually showing the floor. Often bestows a sense of powerlessness to the subject in frame. Straight Downshots are RARELY used unless action requires it to read

¾ Downshot

The most common downshot variation. Typically keeps much of the
subject and background readily intelligible while still keeping the
horizon line high in frame

Upshot or Low Angle

The camera is placed with the horizon line low/below the frame.
Sometimes showing the ceiling above. Often bestows a sense of power to the subject in frame

Dutch or Canted Angle

A variation of the low angle in which the horizon is tilted to the left or
right. This can be used simple as a tool to allow more room for action to play within a shot!

Truck or Dolly

Any shot that physically moves the camera rig through a scene’s
space, creating depth and z-space as the background elements
adjust to movement

Pan

Shots that move perpendicularly alongside, up, down,
diagonally to the scene

Tilts

A movement of the camera that does not change the
location of the camera itself, but the angle

Zooms

alter the ratio of the frame in a constant to the scene. There is no
actual camera movement involved, just lens adjustment, and as a result background elements do not adjust in space.