There are a range of different camera shots used in film for specific effects and how it makes the action on screen more impacting on the audience and more visually enhanced. The following are all the different camera shots used in film:
- Long shot
- Medium shot
- Close up
- Extreme Close up
- Point of view
- low angle
- high angle
A long shot also known as a full shot or a wide shot portrays the entire object or figure on screen and usually includes most of the surroundings and setting on the set. Prime examples of long shots used in film could be when filming a long street with characters walking towards the camera or looking at a character secretly observing another from a long distance away
.
Medium shot
A medium shot is the shot in between a long shot and a close up. On occasions it is difficult to separate between either a medium shot and a long shot or a medium shot or a close up. A medium shot is normally classified by the shot being taken of a person from the waist up. This can show the facial expressions of the character corresponding with their gestures and can normally display some features of the background in the shot.
Close up
A close up shot is used to display an object or a facial expression closely and with visual detail. This can be effective in making an audience feel a certain way such as a shocked facial expression on screen can make them feel tense or a stupid facial expression can make audiences laugh. Close up shots can also represent significance of things in films, especially inanimate objects.
Extreme close up
An extreme close up shot is when the camera is highly zoomed in and is only focusing on a specific detail of a subject such as the eye of a person. This shot is generally used to express the significance of a specific detail on screen but can also be effectively used in circumstances such as graphic matches leading one scene into the other. the shot can have an effect on the audience where they can realise something small but major in the film or portray a certain importance to the audience.
Point of view
The point of view or POV shot can be used to portray to the audience what a character on scene can see. This can be both first person or third person where the camera could be showing the direct account through an individual's eyesight or over the shoulder of the character making the shot a third person account. A POV shot can also be shared through dual or triple shots showing the point of view of two or three characters. Point of view shots especially in the thriller genre link up with close up shots where the camera shows the point of view at the character and then their reaction to what they have seen. There are also films where only the POV shot is used such as; Clover field and paranormal activity.
Low angle shot
A low angle shot is a shot that is below the eye line and usually tilted up towards the action. It can be used for circumstances where two people are having a conversation and the camera is in front and below them. It can also be used in situations on different sets such as when a character is walking down stairs or it can represent landscape such as significant buildings. It can be used to portray the action from a different perspective to give the audience a better feel to the action and allows them to relate to it in different ways. A prime example of a low angle shot is a trump shot.
High angle shot
A high angle shot is a shot where the camera is above the eye line of a subject or the audience. It can often be used to emphasize the significance of a setting despite not being the center of focus and can make the subject on screen seem weak and powerless by the camera being above them suggesting a higher status. In film, high angle shots are used in dramatic moments or when a character below is talking to a character above the camera.
Camera Movement
Pan
A Pan shot is the movement of a camera across a horizontal axis, a pan shot is an effective camera manoeuvre based on the way it can follow action on screen in an orderly and structured manner maintaining clear and concise imaging as the action progresses. A prime example of when a Pan shot is used in film is when an object or being is moving across the camera and can be followed through the efficiency of panning.
Tilt
A tilt shot is very similar to the pan shot in relation to how the camera moves, however, the tilt shot is the vertical movement of the camera in an upwards or downwards motion. The tilt shot can be used effectively in circumstances where the camera is following an object or item up into the air or in an opposite way where something on screen can be falling towards the ground and the camera begins in a high angle position and then tilts vertically towards the ground. An example of when this could be the case is if a person is falling directly to the ground or a hot air ballon is rising steadily off from the ground.
Crane Shot
A crane shot is the camera above the action on screen located on a crane or jib. A crane shot can be used to establish the scene and setting and gradually move in closer to the action from a birds-eye position. In contrary, a crane shot can be used to finish a scene or decline from the setting and gradually draw out from the characters and action; this is effectively used to give the audience the indication of the film coming to a close and allows them to embrace the setting once more.
Tracking shot
A tracking shot is the movement of the camera in a travelling format on a wheeled dolly being pushed along a railed platform normally with the director sitting on a chair behind the camera on the rails. The tracking shot relates fiercely to the name where it is capable of following the action on screen quickly and efficiently keeping a steady and even picture. This can be effective when an actor on screen could be running and the camera can follow them in the direction that they are running in.
Rolling shot
A rolling shot is a very peculiar type of camera movement in which the camera rotates from side to side giving the impression of a distorted location or moment on screen. This can be when conducting a close up for instance when the camera rolls in front of the character on screen which implies that they are confused or baffled at that particular moment.
No comments:
Post a Comment