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Name: - Date: - Class: - Camera Shots, Angles, and Movement Terms and Examples

The document provides definitions and examples of various cinematic techniques including camera shots, angles, and movement. It defines close-up, medium, and long shots and gives examples of how each would be used. It also explains high, eye-level, and low camera angles and how they influence the subject's appearance. Various camera movements like tracking, dollying, panning, and tilting are outlined. The document instructs students to analyze three videos and identify at least three techniques used in each, describing how each shot/angle/movement relates to and affects the subject.

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69 views

Name: - Date: - Class: - Camera Shots, Angles, and Movement Terms and Examples

The document provides definitions and examples of various cinematic techniques including camera shots, angles, and movement. It defines close-up, medium, and long shots and gives examples of how each would be used. It also explains high, eye-level, and low camera angles and how they influence the subject's appearance. Various camera movements like tracking, dollying, panning, and tilting are outlined. The document instructs students to analyze three videos and identify at least three techniques used in each, describing how each shot/angle/movement relates to and affects the subject.

Uploaded by

brisonger
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name:__________________________________Date:_________Class:_____ Camera Shots, Angles, and Movement Terms and Examples

What terms are used to identify the three main types of shots that describe how near or far the camera is from the subject? (Close-up, medium shot, long shot.) Camera Shots What are some examples for each of these shots? (A close-up shows only one part of the subject, usually in great detail. Close-ups would include shots of a person's face, or the paws of a dog walking down a path, of a hand on a doorbell, or of a tree branch. A picture showing half of the subject, such as a character from the waist up or the back end of a car, is a medium shot, while a long shot shows the whole subject: a person from head to foot or the entire car. Any of these shots can show one subject or more at the same time.) How might these shots be used in a movie or television show? (These three shots are used for specific reasons. An establishing shot at the beginning of a scene tells viewers where they are; for example, a long shot of a car driving up to a hotel, or a close-up of a restaurant sign. To show the effect of one person's words or actions on the other people in the scene, a reaction shot is used.) What types of camera shots are you most likely to see in movies? In television? In music videos?In commercials?(In general, television is a closeup medium: things look better in close-up because the screen is small. However, mixing the shots provides variety and gives information needed to keep the story moving.) Camera Angles In addition to camera shots, camera angle is also important. The angle from which a shot is taken is another way to give variety as well as information. (Think Blair Witch Project!) What is a high-angle shot? Can you think of an example from a film youve seen? (A high angle shot positions the camera above eye-level, looking down on the subject, which consequently appears insignificant, weak, helpless, or small according to how extreme the angle is.) What about a shot at eye-level? (At eye-level, the impression is neutral.) A low-angle shot has the camera looking up at the subject, who then appears important, powerful, or domineering, again depending on how exaggerated the angle is. What is a reverse-angle shot? (Usually the camera looks at the subject, but occasionally the camera shows what the subject is seeing. This is a reverseangle shot.)

Camera Movement Another way to give television programs variety is for the camera to move. When the camera changes its position by moving left or right, this is called tracking or trucking. Changing the camera's position by moving it forward or backward is known as dollying. When the camera stays in the same position but turns left or right, this is panning, and when it turns up or down, this is known as tilting. Even when the camera is stationary and not turning it can appear to move closer to or further from its subject; by using a special ring or lever on the lens, the camera person can zoomin or out. Although these moves are useful, they should not be overused or they will lose their effect. In fact, any camera movement must be planned and rehearsed so that it will be smooth and in tune with the action.

Camera Shots Vocabulary


Close-up All you see on the screen is a well-manicured hand, nervously tapping a countertop. Medium Shot An interior of a car where a couple are having an argument. Long Shot A car is driving on a deserted road. The outline of a city can be seen in the distance. High Angle Shot You have a bird-eye view of a group of children playing in a schoolyard. Low Angle Shot A villain laughs cruelly its as if he is standing on top of you as he does this. Eye-level Shot The condemned man looks squarely at the camera and declares his innocence. Reverse Angle Shot As the heroes escape, its as if we are in their shoes, looking ahead at the dark alley as we try to get away. Tracking The camera moves from left to right, following the hero as she runs on top of a moving train. Panning A teacher and principal are having a discussion. The camera doesnt move, but the shot moves from the principal, on the left to the teacher, on the right, each time they speak. Dollying The camera moves backwards from an interior shot of a couple arguing in their car, to an exterior shot of their car stuck in a traffic jam. Tilting With the camera remaining in one place, the shot follows Spiderman as he climbs up the side of a building, and then down again.

Assignment- One the following page, complete the Task:Identify at least three cinematic techniques used in each of the three videos (9 overall). First identify the subject of the shot, then identify the shot, angle, or movement the camera is using and HOW it relates and effects the subject. Here is an example of a response for one video: 1) A long shot shows the subject in relation to its overall surroundings. The photograph may include a rider on a horse in the distance with mountains in the background. 2) A medium shot shows the subject in relation to its immediate surroundings. The rider and horse appear to take up most of the photograph. It is now evident that the rider is the subject of the photograph. We now see some details in the subject's immediate surroundings (small bushes, boulders on the ground, desolation). 3) The panning of the camera allow the viewer to see the subject ride through the mountains quickly, probably to show the sense of stress and worry of the subject. Video 1: Romeo and Juliet Movie Trailer

Video 2: The Police-Every Breath You Take Music Video

Video 3: JayZ and Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind Music Video

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