YEARS 7 TO 10 | ALL UNITS | RESOURCE 4: CINEMATICS

Years 7 to 10 English
Cinematography
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Cinematography definitions

Shot: A single 'run' of the camera. This is the basic unit from which
a film is constructed. The length (or duration) of a shot depends upon
its purpose — establishing a place, to show action, to show reaction
and the pace (or tempo) of the sequence in which it occurs.
Sequence: A group of shots depicting one action, or, which seems
to belong with or depend upon each other (3 to 18 shots).
Scene: A group of sequences or (for short scenes) a group of
shots which depict an event in the story which occur in one place.
A scene is generally a larger unit than a sequence, though sometimes
a group of shots can be classified as either.

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Cinematography framing of shots

Framing or camera distance

Framing refers to what is included within
the four-square limits of the shot – and
how what is excluded adds to the dramatic
tension and meaning.
You may have seen filmmakers making
rectangles with their hands and looking
at a scene through it. They are trying to
set the frame for a shot before trying
Source: Unsplash
to explain to the camera operator what must be achieved.

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Cinematography framing of shots

Extreme long shot or wide shot:

A panoramic shot in which figures appear
small in the landscape. The setting, and not
a character, is the emphasis. Often used at
the beginning of a film of sequence as an
‘establishing shot’ to set the context. It
shows where the action is taking place and
the type of place it is. It is also used to
make a figure appear small or isolated.
Panoramic shot example shows
the setting is the emphasis.
Source: Pixabay

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Cinematography framing of shots

Long shot: Closer than a wide shot;

a shot in which a figure can be seen
from head to toe.

Long shot shows a figure, from head to toe.

Source: Pixabay

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Cinematography framing of shots

Medium shot: Also known as a

cowboy shot, because it was
originally used to include a gun
holster as well as the head/face
of an actor. This is a middle
distance shot which includes the
hip and the head and focuses our
attention on a particular subject.

Long shot shows a figure, from head to toe.

Source: Pixabay

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Cinematography framing of shots

With a mid shot the camera is close

enough to pick up detail, though still far
enough away to be able to follow the
subject as he/she/they/it moves. The mid
shot, therefore, is commonly used to
show action. For example, as
in a fight scene. It shows the figure from
approximately the waist to the head.
In a mid shot, you partially recognise an
individual and see their expression and Medium shot shows an individual,
their expression and gaze.
gaze. Source: Pixabay

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Cinematography framing of shots

Close up: Head and shoulders, enabling

you to easily see facial expressions and
gaze, so you can see what characters
are thinking and feeling, their
motivations and reactions.

Extreme close up: Head only, used

when expressions are important.

Medium close up highlighting emotions.

Source: Pixabay

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Cinematography framing of shots

Overall, the aim of a close up is usually to focus viewer attention

on a particular detail. Close ups of objects may serve as the inpoint
to a new scene, depicting a new fact or location in the story.
Close ups of a person have different functions:
• In an establishing sequence, a close up of someone shows that
he/she/they is a main character.
• The first close up of a character (in a sequence of shots),
establishes point of view. For example, who is watching an event.
• A close up is most commonly used to show the reaction
of a character. For example, a reaction shot.
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Cinematography framing of shots

Other useful terms for shots are:

Two shot: Any shot with two people in it.
Point of view shot: A shot from a character’s
point of view.
Reaction shot: A shot showing a character’s
expression as they react to something.
Over-the-shoulder shot: A shot in which we
see a character over another’s shoulder, often
used in interviews or dialogues.

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Point of view shot
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Point of view shot
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Point of view shot
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Over shoulder shot
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Over shoulder shot
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