Types of shots (standard shots)

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Extreme long shot

• This shot is good for setting the scene and giving the audience a good sense of where they are, its also called an establishing shot.

Medium close up

• Medium close up shot is good for showing a character or a person in the most basic way possible, its typically a view of a person from the waist or stomach up.

Long shot

• This is the most difficult to categorise precisely, but is generally one which shows the image as approximately "life" size i.e. corresponding to the real distance between the audience and the screen in a cinema (the figure of a man would appear as six feet tall). Typically shows a person from head to toe.

Extreme close up

• Extreme close ups are typically used to show the emotion of a person in detail, This is a very artificial shot, and can be used for dramatic effect. The tight focus required means that extra care must be taken when setting up and lighting the shot - the slightest camera shake or error in focal length is very noticeable.

Medium shot

• A medium shot just like a mid close up shows a person in the most basic way as well, typically filmed from the knees and waist up, helps the audience see the surroundings and the person at the same time.

Medium long shot

• A medium long shot is usually filmed from the knees up. Its typically good for showing action between two people, like when someone is being handed something by another person. In addition to this not good for filming any dialogue, it may well be good for showing something watching them or stalking them, as from there point of view they cant hear them.

Cut-in

• Cut ins are not easy to film but are very effective in creating meaning of what is going on. For example showing a person opening or reading a letter. They help to establish what is happening from the actors point of view. In addition to this its slightly on the side of the actors view to make it look as if we are someone stood next to them looking over.

Close up

• Close ups just like extreme close ups do tend to show the emotions of people however don’t do it with as much drama as with extreme close up shots. They help to concentrate on the detail of someone's face with little to less drama than extreme close up shots.