glossary of camera shots, angles and movement

7/31/2019 Glossary of Camera Shots, Angles and Movement

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Glossary

Camera Shots Definition Possible Effect Example

Establishing

Shot

Is often like a

long shot,showing the

same amount of

the scene as a

long shot.

This shot allows the

viewer to see andrecognise a large area

of the setting and

everything around it.

Master Shot Shows the entire

scene and the

characters within

it.

This shot shows all the

characters and puts

them into context.

Close-Up Shows all of a

characters face,

or detail closer

up on an object.

Allows detail and

characters faces to be

put into context.

Mid-Shot Like a long-shot,however it is

slightly closer to

what’s being

focussed on and

shows less of the

scene than a

long-shot.

This shot allows moreof a scene to be shown

closer up than a long-

shot, therefore

showing more detail.

Long-Shot Shows a large

area of a scene.

Long shot allows a vast

area to be in shot,

showing setting or a lot

of people.



Wide Shot A wide shot, is

like a long shots,

but shows a

larger area,

width ways

Allows a wider area to

be seen in context, if

the is a wide scene, a

wide-shot is used.

Two-Shot A two shot shows

just two

characters.

Allows a conversation

to be filmed effectively.

Aerial Shot Shows an area

from an extreme

height, a crane is

normally used

Allows a scene to be set

from an alternative and

interesting area.

Point Of View

Shot

Is a shot where

the camera is

filming from the

viewing area of a

character.

Allows the audience to

see what the character

is seeing.

Over The

Shoulders

Shot

The camera shot

films something

over a characters

shoulder, seeing

the shoulder as

well.

Has the same sort of

effect as the point of

view but allows the

characters shoulder to

be seen too.



Camera

Angle

Description Possible Effect Example

High

Angle

The is a shot

taken from

above the

characters or

scene.

This allows the viewer

to look down on a

character, often

makes the character

look vulnerable.

Low

Angle

A shot taken

from the

ground, or

slightly higher

than the

ground of either a

character or

setting.

This allows the

camera to emphasise

or exaggerate

something’s/

someone’s size. Can

make it seem scarieror more superior.

Canted

Angle

This is a shot

where the

camera isn’t at

a level angle,

but is tilted

This can be used to

put the viewer off

centre and make

everything askew. Has

the effect something

has happened to

make the camera atthat angle.

Camera Movement Description Possible Effects

Pan The pan movement is when

the camera stays levels, and

moves horizontally along a

line.

This can be used to show an

area that is too wide to be

taken in one shot. It can also

go along a group of people ina line.

Tilt This is when the camera

stays at the same height, but

tilts up, or down.

This can be used to look at a

character then up to the sky

or down to the ground, this

shows emotion, for example

guilt.

Crane This is when the camera

stays at the same level and

angle, but moves up or down

in a smooth movement.

This can have the same

effect, but the shot isn’t

distorted by the angle of the

camera changing.



Steadicam This is when the camera is

either stationary or moving

smoothly attached to

something that moves

smoothly.

This creates a sense of

smoothness. Makes the

scene smooth and steady.

Track The track follows the

character as he/she moves.

This gives the audience a

sense that they are following

the character.

Dolly This is when the camera is

attached to a cat for

extremely smooth

movements.

Used for fast paced shots,

where fast and smooth

movements is used.

Handheld This is when the camera is

not on a tripod, but is held

by the camera man. This

makes the camera shake and

unsteady.

This can be used when the

characters are running or in

times of high action and

suspense.

Zoom This is when the camera

moves towards something.

Could be used as an

introduction scene, zooming

in on the main character,

shows the object/person in

more context.

Reverse Zoom The opposite of zoom, the

camera in this movement

moves away from

something.

Could be used in an ending

scene, moving away from

something that’s happened.

glossary of camera shots, angles and movement

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