Camera Angles/Movements/Shot Types

Name

Definition

Establishing
Shot/Extreme Long
Shot (ELS)

This shot is used to set

the scene; its used to
show the audience
where the action is
taking place. It also
establishes the context
for a scene by showing
the relationship
between its important
figures and objects.
This shot takes up the
full frame, it can be
used to show the
object in action or
show them in terms of
their surroundings.

Long Shot (LS)

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium Close-up
Shot (MCS)

Close-up Shot (CUS)

The boundaries of this

shot range from the
knee/waist to just
above the head. This
shot is useful if
someone is talking as
it can emphasise on
their hand gestures.
These have boundaries
from the mid-chest to
the top of the head.

Close-up shots are

mainly used to
concentrate on a face
or a particular miseen-scene, this helps to
direct what the viewer

Example

Extreme Close-up
Shot (ECU)

Over the Shoulder

Shot

POV Shot

is actually looking at.

This shot is used to
create a tense,
dramatic effect. An
extreme close-up of a
humans face tends to
focus on an eye, or the
mouth.
This is framed from
behind a person who is
looking at a subject.
Its often used during
conversations.
A POV shot is
represented through
the camera; its used
to show what a
character (the subject)
is looking at.

Birds-eye View

This is an elevated
view from above, often
used in the making of
floor plans, maps and
blueprints.

High Angle

This is a cinematic
technique where the
camera looks down on
a subject; it makes the
subject seem as if its
vulnerable and
powerless.

Low Angle

The camera angle is

positioned below the
eye-line, looking
upwards. This is an
effective shot as it
makes the subject
come across as
dominant.

Eye Level

This is a neutral shot;

the camera is
positioned as if the
viewer was actually
observing the scene
themselves.

Pans

This is used to scan

the scene horizontally.

Tilts

This camera
movement is similar to
the pans, however its
used to scan the scene
vertically. This shot
along with the pans
has to be done very
effectively, as soft
movement is very
sensitive, therefore
mistakes can be
spotted out very
quickly.
Often called a
trucking or a
tracking shot. This
shot is used to follow
the movement of a
human or an object
showing the journey
from beginning to end.
These shots allow the
viewer to feel as if
theyre inside the
movie, experiencing
the action thats taking
place.

Dolly Shots

Hand-held Camera
Shots

Crane Shot

These are taken on a

crane device, which
resemble a huge
mechanical arm. It
carries the camera and
the cameraman, and
can virtually move in
any direction.

Zoom Lenses

The focal length of a

shot can be rapidly
changed using these.

Aerial Shot

These shots are

usually taken from a
helicopter or a plane.
Theyre often found in
establishing shots
although in my
opinion, aerial shots
are far more
interesting.