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Media Studies 2.1

Shot Types and Positions

In this lesson we will be learning about the

different types of shots and the reasons theyare used.

It is important that you know what the effectof a shot is, as this tells you why it was

chosen by the director.


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The Distance Shots

These shots are about showing the

distance between the camera and the

subject, but are used for different

purposes. In general, the mid-shots and

close ups are used to convey character-

driven scenes while long and wide shots

are used to show more about the actionand themes.


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The mid shot

The most common shotis the medium, or midshot.

This is a middle distance

shot, which givesbackground informationwhile still focusing onthe subject. If of aperson, it is usually a

shot of the waist to thetop of the head.


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The Long Shot

This shot is from a

distance and often

used as an

establishing shot toset the scene in a

film. If of a person,

will be of the whole

body.This long shot establishes

Maximus as a powerful man, as it

shows him on a horse inspecting,

or judging his troops.


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Close Up

This shot shows the subject up close. It focuses on the detail ofan object or expression/reaction of a person. It shows eitherhead or head and shoulders.


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Close Ups effect

The close up is used to imply intimacybetween the characters or between the

character and the audience. It is used

to reveal the characters thoughts andfeelings.Close-ups get closeras more intimacy

or the truth about a character isrevealed.


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ECU Extreme Close Up

Frames a small partof the body orobject.

Makes theaudience focus onone thing andemphasises itssignificance.

It can make a smallobject seem largerand moresignificant.


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Wide Shot

Usually shot with a

wide angle lens. This

includes a lot of visual

information for theaudience to set the

scene.

This shot sets the scene of Gladiator

as the New Emperor moves up the

steps. The crowds to the sides show

the importance of this occaision and

the colusseum and state buildings in

the background are the scene for the

power stuggle later in the film.


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The Movement Shots

The camera usually moves. There are

different types of movement:

The camera can be static, which

means it does not move. These

are usually of short duration and

can be highly effective.


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Zoom Shots

The camera stays static but appears to move

either closer or further from the object.

This shot is used to many different effects

and can be very obvious or very subtle.


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Pan Shot

A Pan shot moves horizontally from a stillcamera, like standing still and turning your

head from side to side.


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Tilt Shot

The cameramoves vertically.It usually moves

only in onedirection- eithertilt up or tilt down.

Tilts are used to

move betweenlow and highangles.

The effect is verycommon.

http://elokuvantaju.uiah.fi/english/study_material/shot/tilttaus.jsp?video=1


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Tracking Shot

In a tracking shot, the entire cameramoves.

To move smoothly, the entire camera ismounted on a dolly, and these are alsoknown as dolly shots.
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The different dolly shots

Directors often use a character dolly to focus on one or more characters ina scene. This shot is also commonly known as a push-in. The camera startsout with a full, or even medium shot, and is pushed in forward. You canpush the camera all the way up to an extreme close-up if needed. Push-insadd tension to a scene and magnify a character's emotion. Faster motionscan be used for a more comic approach.

The pull-back reveal is used to reveal the full extent of a scene. Forexample, the camera is focused up close on a lost little boy looking for hismother. As he becomes scared and increasingly worried, the shot pullsback to reveal the boy standing alone in the middle of a large crowd. Theviewers gain a sense of the enormity of the boy's situation.

In an expand dolly shot, the camera follows a character who is movingaway. As the camera moves forward, the actor walks away faster than thecamera. The viewer feels distanced from the character with a shot like this.You might use an expand dolly to end a scene. Additionally, you canreverse this type of shot to introduce a character to a scene.

A contract dolly moves the camera forward as a character walks or movestoward the camera at the same time. This type of shot makes a simpleaction more dramatic by combining two opposite actions. A variation of thiscould have the character move toward the camera while the camera pansup, revealing the subject.


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Crane Shots

The camera is mounted

on a crane, ormechanical arm that can

lift it above the ground.

Crane shots may not bevery high, but have great

flexibility for shots.

They can be used

dramatically to simulateflying or swooping

through a scene.


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Canted Angle Shots

Camera is placed on

an angle to film the

action. It can be

used as a POV shot,or to create

interesting speed

images.


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Aerial Shot

An aerial shot is takenfrom a helicopter or

plane.

Aerial shots are used

to a give birds-eye

view of the action, the

sensation of flying or

extreme Long-Distance establishing

shots.

An aerial shot from Superman

Returns


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Handheld shots The camera is not

mounted on a stable

surface, but is instead

held by a person.

These are used to

produce a bumpy andjerky look, and were

made popular after The

Blair Witch Project

It is often used to give asense of reality or as

POV shots


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Eye Level Angle or Straight on Angle

It creates a real lifeeffect.

The camera is at thesame level as thesubject. Thisinvolves theaudience in theaction as they arealso on the samelevel as the subject.


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High Angle Shots High-angle shots are basically

the opposite of low-angles,both figuratively and literally. Ifyou want to create a feeling ofweakness with a school nerdbeing threatened by the bully,draw a subjective shot(camera is part of the action).Draw the nerd from a highangle, with him looking uptoward the "camera" (whichare the eyes of the bully.) Thefigure seems intimidated, orinferior to your audience.


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Low angle shots If you pay close attention

to movies and TV shows,you might know primarilywhy low-angle shots areused. Of course, not manyrealize why because theshots work your

subconscious.

Subjects or objects shotfrom a low-angle createintimidation.


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High and Low Angle Shots


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Who has the power in this shot?


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Shots Described By Their Purpose

The following shots can consist of many

different types of shots but we describe them

by their purpose, as they must include some

elements within the frame.

E.g. a reverse angle shot is actually two shots.

A OTS (over the shoulder shot) is usually a

close-up but does not have to be.


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Point of View Shot

This is what the character would

see, and is a first person orsubjective shot.

It can be any other shot, or

combination of shots.

It puts the audience right into theminds of the character and often

moves the way the characters

head moves e.g. the Terminator

films use this to show the POV of

the machines, including scopesand computer files.


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Over the Shoulder Shot

This is a technique used to

film conversations.

The camera seems to shoot

over the shoulder of one

person to film what the

person talking to them is

saying.

It is usually used with a

reverse angle shot, which

shows the other characters

dialogue.


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Two shot

This is a shot of two

people that shows the

relationship between

them. It can be used to

show dialogue, with

OTS and/or close-ups


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The 180 degree rule


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The rule of thirds something in the TV and film industry known as the rule of thirds. Taking thirds into account when

shooting traditionally provides for shots more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Despite what maycome naturally to you, subjects should rarely be placed in the dead-center of your frame. It's

boring. Pay close attention. Even news anchors oftentimes tend to be docked to the right or left ofthe screen with little graphics floating over one of their shoulders.

For the rule of thirds, imagine a giant ticktacktoe on your frame. It divides it into three sectionshorizontally and three sections vertically. The four spots where the lines intersectcalled thegolden meanare considered the best place to position subjects and objects of importance. Thiscomposition offers a symmetrical shot with a focus on who or what is important.

A shot considered aesthetically beautiful would be when the eyes of an individual align with thetop horizontal line in the frame. This is true even in a tight shot, even if the top of your subject'shead is cut off (audiences don't find this distracting). That's not to say the eyes have to be lined upall the time. It's impossible, especially when trying to set other moods, like the low and high anglesdescribed below.

The rule of thirds also applies to objects. You'll commonly see three distinct sections in a frame. Itmay be (horizontally) a horizon, a sea and beach, or it could be (vertically) a building on the left, agangway in the middle and a person walking on the right. Filmmakers commonly like to set uptheir shots in thirds, either horizontally or vertically, where there is something distinct in eachsection. Compositionally, it simply looks more pleasing to the eye.

Of course, there are few, if any, "rules of composition" that withstand an ultimate test of time sincestory context and the audience's expectations are always changing.


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The rule of Thirds


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Important information about Shots

Each Shot is chosen for a reason.

Each shot has an effect on the audience.

This effect can be about understanding the

characters, the theme or the story. The effect can be identified and analysed for its

contribution to our understanding of both the

scene and the ideas of a film as a whole.

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