Film TechniquesFilm TechniquesThe ShotsThe ShotsThe AnglesThe Angles

Light and DarkLight and DarkColorColor

Lenses, Filters, and StocksLenses, Filters, and Stocks

SHOTSSHOTSThe amount of subject matter that is The amount of subject matter that is

included in the frame of the screenincluded in the frame of the screen

Extreme Long Shot (Establishing Extreme Long Shot (Establishing shot) Long shotshot) Long shot

A shot taken from a distance; shows full A shot taken from a distance; shows full subject and surrounding scenesubject and surrounding scene

The Polar Express, Robert Zemeckis, 2004The Polar Express, Robert Zemeckis, 2004

Medium ShotMedium Shot

In between LS and CU—people seen from In between LS and CU—people seen from knees to waist up knees to waist up

Almost FamousAlmost Famous, Cameron Crowe 2000, Cameron Crowe 2000

Close-up (CU)Close-up (CU)

Alfred Hitchcock, Alfred Hitchcock, PsychoPsycho, 1960, 1960

Two Shot/Three ShotTwo Shot/Three Shot

Similar in perspective to the MS; Notice Similar in perspective to the MS; Notice the proxemics (distance of the two the proxemics (distance of the two characters, symmetry, balance) for clues characters, symmetry, balance) for clues to the relationship shownto the relationship shown

Over-the-shoulder ShotOver-the-shoulder Shot

Usually contains two figures, one with part Usually contains two figures, one with part of his or her back to the camera, the other of his or her back to the camera, the other facing the camerafacing the camera

Johnnie To’s Johnnie To’s Mad DetectiveMad Detective 2007 2007

Crane ShotCrane Shot

A shot taken from a special device called a crane, which A shot taken from a special device called a crane, which resembles a huge mechanical arm. The crane carries resembles a huge mechanical arm. The crane carries the camera and the cinematographer and can move in the camera and the cinematographer and can move in virtually any direction. virtually any direction.

AnglesAngles

Angle refers to the position of the Angle refers to the position of the stationery camera—where is the lens stationery camera—where is the lens pointing? pointing? Can serve as the director’s comment on Can serve as the director’s comment on the character or the actionthe character or the actionRealist directors avoid extreme angles; Realist directors avoid extreme angles; formalists often use themformalists often use them

LowLow

Camera shoots the subject from belowCamera shoots the subject from belowMakes the subject look larger than normalMakes the subject look larger than normalStrong, powerful, threateningStrong, powerful, threatening

Eye levelEye level

The most natural of shotsThe most natural of shotsNeutralNeutral

HighHigh

Camera is above the subjectCamera is above the subjectMakes the subject look smaller than usualMakes the subject look smaller than usualWeak, powerless, trappedWeak, powerless, trapped

Hitchcock, Hitchcock, PsychoPsycho 1960 1960

Dutch, canted, Dutch, canted, obliqueoblique•Tilted sideways

•Used to add tension to a static frame•Sinister or distorted view of character

Bird’s EyeBird’s Eye

Viewed from directly overheadViewed from directly overheadDisorientingDisorientingOften abstractOften abstractMakes characters seem insignificantMakes characters seem insignificant