Assigned Roles: Camera Shots, Movements & Angles

Camera Movements

Pan

A Pan shot is a camera movements which shows a scene horizontally. The camera is often placed on a tripod and operates from a point and is turned left or right depending on what is wanted to be shown. A pan shot often follows a moving object, which is normally a character. 

Tilt

A Tilt shot is a camera movement which shows a scene vertically and is often placed on a tripod and operates from a point and is tilted upwards or downwards depending on what's being shown.

Dolly Shot

A Dolly shot is a camera movement which is often known as a tracking shot. The camera is placed on a vehicle or a moving object with wheels. A tracking shot often follows a character or a object, for example a car.

Handheld Shot

The handheld shot is a camera shot. This is used to show the characters point of view and is showing what the character is viewing. Different types of equipment can make different effects, for example a smooth shot can be done by a Steadicam.

Crane Shot

The Crane shot is a camera movement which is a alternate piece of terminology for tracking shot in the air. The Crane is a heavy and expensive piece of equipment to use. However it is a good way of getting a tracking shot from high up. The Crane shot can have different ways of movement for the shot, vertical, horizontal, upwards and downwards.

Zoom Lenses

A Zoom Lenses is a camera movement and is used to change the magnification of the image. On a camera that is stationary this allows a close up shot to be taken while there is still a large amount of distance between.

The Aerial Shot

A Aerial Shot is a camera movement and is taken by using a helicopter or a crane. This is often used at the beginning of films and helps show the location to the audience.

Camera Shots

Extreme Long Shot

An extreme long shot is a camera shot. Also this is known as a establishing shot and is used to show the audience the location.

Long Shot
A Long shot is a camera shot, this shows the whole character from bottom to top and helps let the audience view all the characters clothing and any actions that they are performing. Also it shows some of the location to the audience.

Medium Shot

A medium shot is a camera shot, this shows part of the character from the waist upwards. This also shows the audience part of the character’s facial and body expressions.

Close-up Shot

A close up shot is a camera shot, this shows the characters facial expressions and allows the audience to feel more connected with the characters emotions. However the audience will not be able to see the location.

Extreme Close-up Shot
A extreme close up is a camera shot, this shows a certain part of the characters face, for example an eye or the mouth. Also the facial expressions will be seen clearly for the audience.

Very Wide Shot 

A very wide shot is a camera shot which shows the location from a very long distance and sometimes has a point of empathises.

Wide Shot

A wide shot is a camera shot which shows the location and normally has a point of empathises. Also a lot of the background is shown from long distances.

Two Shot
A two shot is a camera shot, this shows two characters, often from the waist upwards. This shows part of the location and shows the facial expressions and part of there body language of the two characters.

Over the Shoulder Shot

The over the shoulder is a camera shot, this shows part of the characters shoulder and head and helps show the audience what the character is looking at in there point of view.

Point of View Shot

A point of view shot is a camera shot, this shows what the character see’s from their point of view.

Camera Angles

Low Angle Shot

A low angle shot is taken from below and the camera looks up at the character. This makes the character appear powerful and in control. Also it makes the character appear to have strength and can look somewhat intimidating to the audience.

High Angle Shot

A high Angle shot is taken from above and the camera looks down at the character. This makes the character appear weak and vulnerable. Also this shot can make the audience feel sympathy for the character as they appear smaller.

Dutch Tilt Shot

A dutch tilt shot can show a character or object from a unnatural point of view. This can help create confusion for the audience.

Eye Level Shot

A Eye Level shot is taken directly looking at the character, this makes the character appear that he or she has a balanced amount of power. Also it makes the audience feel more comfortable as it is more realistic, because it is what point of view they would likely see if they were having a conservation with the character.