1. Shot Types in Film:
Extreme Long Shot (ELS) – Also known as an establishing shot. Often used at the beginning of a
sequence to ‘establish’ the setting in which the scene takes place.
Long Shot (LS) – A shot that portrays the scene in a realistic perspective. It can also be defined as a
Full Shot, a shot that contains a person from head to toe. This can be used to draw the audience into
a scene after an establishing shot.
Mid Shot (MS) – A shot depicting a person from the waist up. Can be used for dialogue
2 shot – A MS containing 2 people. Used for travelling scenes and dialogue.
3 shot - A MS containing 3 people. Used for travelling scenes and dialogue.
Close Up (CU) – A shot depicting a person from the shoulders/neck up or depicting a specific item or
prop in the scene. Used to draw the audiences attention to a specific person or item. Can be used for
dialogue
Extreme Close Up (ECU) - A detailed shot either displaying a person’s facial feature (i.e. the eye.) or
an important object. Used for dramatic effect to display emotions or to draw the audience’s
attention
Camera Angles:
Birds Eye View – A high angled shot normally directly overhead the character. Combined with an ELS
it can be used to establish a scene.
High Angle – Shot by the camera pointing down at the character. Used to diminish a character and
make them seem smaller.
Eye Level – Most commonly used angle. Used to depict dialogue and in most other scenes. This gives
a naturalistic effect to the scene.
Low Angle – Shot by the camera pointing up at the character. Used to add height to buildings, also
makes characters seem taller and more threatening.
Dutch Angles – The camera is tipped and not level with the floor. This gives a sense of unease to the
scene. This angle is more commonly used in the Horror or suspense genre.
Camera Movement:
Pan – Horizontal camera movement across a scene
Tilt –Vertical camera movement across a scene.
Tracking (Dolly Shots) – Camera moves alongside the action. These can be aerial (achieved by a
crane), in a car, or more conventionally on a dolly.
Aerial Shot - Usually an ELS shot from an aeroplane or a helicopter. Used to give a sense of grandeur
and exhilaration

2. Zoom – Used to focus on an object within a scene without editing. Can be achieved by a zoom lens
or by physically moving the camera closer to the object