Understanding Camera Shots/ Angles
Juriz
We can demonstrate creativity of camera shots/angles by using a variety of them. For example, you could be using long shot to get a nice overview of the scenery and then close shot if it’s a dialogue or to make it into a point of view. It sounds complicated, but if you experiment with different shots/angles, it could turn out really professional and highly presented. It also demonstrates that you have a wide understanding of the different camera shots/angles and you are capable of taking risks.
Andrew
A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and themes. As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film. Reviewing the examples on the right hand side of this page should make the different camera shots clearer.
An extreme long shot contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting). This is also known as an establishing shot.
A long shot contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place.
A full shot contains a complete view of the characters. From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters.
A mid shot contains the characters or a character from the waist up. From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters. This is also known as a social shot.
A close-up contains just one character's face. This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character. This is also known as a personal shot.
An extreme close-up contains one part of a character's face or other object. This technique is quite common in horror films, particularly the example here. This type of shot creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer.
Maxwell
First person shot of subject. Technique used often for narrative effects and to get a better perspective from character. Provides detail and change.
Camera Angles
It is important that you do not confuse camera angles and camera shots. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of setting, themes and characters. Camera angles are used to position the viewer so that they can understand the relationships between the characters. These are very important for shaping meaning in film as well as in other visual texts.
A bird's eye angle is an angle that looks directly down upon a scene. This angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an extreme long shot, to establish setting.
A high angle is a camera angle that looks down upon a subject. A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. These angles are often used to demonstrate to the audience a perspective of a particular character.
An eye-level angle puts the audience on an equal footing with the characters. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.
A low angle is a camera angle that looks up at a character. This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character. This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from another character's point of view.
Example Shot
This is an example of a 360 degree tracking shot we would like to incorporate into our production, for a sense of uniqueness but also to build upon the allure that all that may seem unnatural about the production is actually happening in a realistic setting.
From 0:30 to 0:45 is example.
Evaluation:
Although this task featured many things we already knew it was still beneficial for further detail and gathering detail on why specific shots are used. We will use the connotations we found for different shots in our own work so that we can get good angles that display what we are trying to convey to the audience, such as low angles on characters to display their power.
Although this task featured many things we already knew it was still beneficial for further detail and gathering detail on why specific shots are used. We will use the connotations we found for different shots in our own work so that we can get good angles that display what we are trying to convey to the audience, such as low angles on characters to display their power.
We did this in order to know about the different angle shots and angles that professional directors use whilst filming a scene or various scenes.
Maxwell St. Hill, Juriz Castillo and Andrew Fernando