Camera shots, angles,

movement & composition

Junayed Islam
Shots
• The camera is the basic tool needed to shoot a scene for a film. However the
variety of shots used within a film are one of the main aspects. They can be
used for a number of purposes such as introducing a setting or a character.
Most shots are only appropriate for a certain use; some should only be used
at certain instances like a close-up goes hand in hand with facial expression.
The ultimate goal for these uses are to engage the audience.

- One camera shot is the establishing shot which is used when introducing the
location of where that current scene will be filmed. It is usually a very wide
angle. Its important because for some scenes its essential that the setting is
made clear to the audience in order for the full understanding of the film.
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• Another shot is the close-up; it is used for evidently showing the expression of an actor. This
is important as facial expressions are closely linked to emotion and how the actors are
feeling in that current situation.
• You also have the mid-shot sometimes known as the medium, shot from the waist up and is
preferred in those instances in films where actors are talking in bigger groups as the
background is partially visible. Body language is very influential and another reason why the
mid-shot is the go-to in these situations.
• One of the most important shots of all is the master shot. This shot runs through the
entirety of a scene and enables all of the actors to be visible. The key thing with this shot is
that it follows the 180 rule which states that “two or more characters in a scene should
maintain the same left/right relationship to one another.
• Finally of the main shots we are left with we have the two-shot which is where there are
two characters in one frame. The camera switches between the two actors facial
expressions. This alongside the three-shot (which you can guess what it is) are used for to
reflect the characters as full as possible.
Angles
• High angle: This is where the camera observes object or normally the actor in
focus from a higher p.o.v tilting down towards the individual. This is used to
highlight the vulnerability of the and powerlessness of the character.
• Low angle: This is pretty much antithetical compared to the high angle. The angle
tilts up towards a character and or an object therefore reflecting the power and
status (high) of the individual.
• Bird’s eye view: This is an elevated camera angle of a setting or individual as if it
was from the perspective of a bird observing whatever was beneath it.
Depending on the scale of production these days with all of the updated
technology we usually see these filmed on drones or for films that have a
significantly higher budget they may use helicopters.
 Movement
• Pan: One of the most common camera movements within a film you would general
see. It is where the camera sways from left to right and can be used as a smooth
transition when moving from one actor in a scene to another.
• Tilt: The best way to describe a tilt is if you think of person standing still in one place
and raising their head to look up and vice versa when looking down and therefore
most effective when used with the point of view shot. Mainly used in a dramatic
sequence of events and can help to show dis-orientation.
• Track: The tracking movement is where the camera follows an individual or object
such as a car (commonly seen in action movies) almost side by side. The camera is
placed on a dolly and then on rails like a miniature train. It is used to keep something
whether that be a person or object in smoothly in focus and in frame.
• Zoom: A zoom is where the camera position is fixed and whilst it is focusing in on an
object or person the camera gradually zooms in closer. This reduces the visibility of the
background and completely bring all of the focus and attention into one place.
• Reverse zoom: The reverse zoom is the opposite of zoom. It is where whilst the
camera is focusing on an individual or object, staying in a fixed position the camera
zooms out gradually. This can be used as a comparison point where the audience
would be able to see the size difference between the subject in focus with the
background.