Theory

1. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
Shot types/movement
The various angles, shot types and perspectives all have a different purpose or effect. In
instance, an extreme close-up would be used to identify an objects importance, or emotion if
of a face.
Extreme long shot (establishing shot)
An extreme long shot is usually exterior of a vast landscape or big building to tell the
audience when and where (time-period/country) and the setting. The scene setting can be
taken as much as a quarter of a mile away from the camera.
Wide-shot
This is a wider shot to emphasise size, scale, the dramatic or epic. A wide-shot usually shows
part of the set or externals.
Crane shots

2. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
Crane shots also known as dolly-shots-in-the-air, help to move the camera up, down, left,
right, swooping in on action or moving diagonally.
Aerial shot/birds eye view
An aerial shot is taken from a helicopter or drone, maybe shown at the beginning to establish
the setting and movement. A helicopter is a flexible sort of crane – it can go anywhere, keep
up with everything, move in and out of a scene, and convey real drama and exhilaration.
Long shot

3. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
Long shot, like wide shot, is where the camera is placed a long way away to capture a large
area of view. Usually the opening establishing shot of the movie is a long shot. If of a person,
we see all of them from head to toe.
Medium shot
The medium shot is most commonly used in movies. Usually contains all the action of the
scene and should be well matched with the flow of the long shot. If of a person, it shows from
their middle, upwards, and you can see facial expressions that you would not see in a long
shot.
Close-up

4. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
The close-up shot shows very little background and concentrates on the person’s face for
emotion or a detail of mise-en-scene. This shot magnifies the object and shows the
importance of things, be it words written on paper, or the expression on someone’s face.
Extreme close-up
This is an extreme version of the close up, generally magnifying beyond what the human eye
would see in reality. An extreme close-up of a face, for instance, would only show the eye or
mouth, to show further emotion or importance.
Point of view (POV)

5. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
This is the shot we see what the actor is seeing to put us in their shoes, giving a sense of
discomfort or tension if the point of view is hostile or sympathy with the viewer.
Subjective point of view (over the shoulder shot)
The shot where we see what the actor sees but not what they see through their eyes. This puts
the viewer in the scene but as an accomplice to the action, making them feel as a buddy in
the scene with them.
Two shot

6. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
This shows a conversation/link or reaction between characters or hero/villain or a
connection, relationship or conflict depending how close or not close they are standing with
the other person. In a two shot, the actor’s distance between one another is very important.
Shot/reverse shot
This shot assumes two people are talking to each other but the viewer hasn’t seen them stood
next together. The camera flicks from one person to the other.
Breaking the 180-degree rule is reversing the shot so the actors are seen as they are on
different sides to how the viewer thinks they are stood so it would confuse the audience.
Angles/camera movement
Pans

7. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
Movement which scans the scene horizontally. The camera is placed on a tripod, which is
stationary as the camera is turned, often to follow a moving object which is kept in the
middle of the frame.
Tilts
Movement which scans the scene vertically, otherwise similar to a pan.
Tracking (crabbing)
Movement where someone is carrying the camera and moving vertically.
High angle
High angle shot looks down on the action from a really high position. The observer
dominates the power and high status.
Low angle
Camera is now down and is looking up. The observer is vulnerable, weak, and lower in
status.
Dolly shots (tracking shots

8. Media Camera Shots and Cinematography
Camera is placed on a moving vehicle and moves alongside the action, generally following a
moving figure or object with a tripod on the vehicle. In addition, the tripod could follow on a
train track to film moving action.
Hand-held shots
These shots give a jerky or ragged effect. Gritty realism, which involves the viewer very
closely with a scene.
Zoom/reverse zoom
Camera gets closer or further away. The zoom lens means the camera needs not be moved,
like with a dolly/tracking shot. This can suggest surveillance and intense observation.