We were asked to analyse a selection of camera shots in order to understand how they are used and to what affect in filming.
Mid Shot - This shot usually shows a person from the waist up, it is used to show a part of the person in more detail, while still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the subject on a whole. This shot allows for hand gestures and slight movement to help the actor convey a message. This shot is a very natural, authentic shot because it is the part of the body that is usually focused on throughout conversations.
Close-up - This shot concentrates on either a face or a specific detail. It blurs the background and magnifies the object. This is used to make the audience feel comfortable with the character and show the expression on their face.
Medium Close-up - This is a shot showing the head and shoulders of a person, the purpose is to allow the viewers to see the facial expressions without getting too intimate as they would in an ordinary close-up. It could also suggest that the character will not let the audience/characters get too close, showing the characters personality.
Big Close-up - This shot is of the whole face, the purpose of this is to allow the audience to engage with the character.
Extreme Close-up - This shot is of the nose and eyes only, it is often used for dramatic effect as it is a fairly artificial shot. In this photo we can see Laura's eye-line and can therefore make the audience wonder what she is looking at, thus creating dramatic effect.
Medium Long Shot - This shot is usually of a person from the knees up and is normally used for dialogue scenes or to show a detail among the action.
High Angle - This shot is when the camera is located above the eye-line so the person is being looked down upon from above. High angles make an object or person look smaller, or less significant, therefore it can convey to the audience the character's status, or even physical size.
Low Angle - This shot is when the camera is situated below the eye-line so the person is being looked up to from below. The height of the person may make the audience feel insecure due to the domination of the character over the screen. Low angle shots can portray a character's dominant status or their physical size. Low angle shots are also used when the production teams are trying to trick the audience into thinking a character is taller than he actually is - for example in Lord of the Rings Gandalf is frequently shot from a low angle to portray his height compared to the smaller hobbits - despite the fact they are similar sizes in reality. In this case, the camera shot is also used to convey the character's importance.
Tilted Frame - This shot is deliberately taken from an angle. This is sometimes used for dramatic effect to help portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication and madness. The shot suggests imbalance, transition and instability. This shot is very popular in the genre of horror.
Over the Shoulder Shot - This shot is framed by the person it is shot behind, who is looking at the subject, this person usually occupies a third of the screen. This shot helps to establish the position of each person and helps the audience get a feel of looking and a character from another's point of view.
Two Shot - This shot is usually the distance of a mid shot with two people as the subject. Two shots are useful for establishing a relationship between characters.
Long Shot - This shot shows the entire body and places it in the surroundings so the audience can relate the character to its surroundings. From this screen shot of Titanic it is clear the characters are standing on the edge of a huge boat. This shot also allows the audience to see the clothes they are wearing and relate that to the character and situation. Furthermore, the characters in view are able to show what kind of relationship they share because the audience is able to see the full image.
Extreme Long Shot - The background is the main part of this shot, with the subject being a minor part. It is hard to see the actors expression in this shot so the emphasis is on the surroundings and how the story and character relate to the area.
Mid Shot - This shot usually shows a person from the waist up, it is used to show a part of the person in more detail, while still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the subject on a whole. This shot allows for hand gestures and slight movement to help the actor convey a message. This shot is a very natural, authentic shot because it is the part of the body that is usually focused on throughout conversations.
