CAMERA SHOTS

Camera Shots

A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame.
Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and themes.
As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film.
Reviewing the examples on the right hand side of this page should make the different camera shots clearer.

An extreme long shot contains a large amount of landscape.
It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting).
This is also known as an establishing shot.

A long shot contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting.
A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place.

A full shot contains a complete view of the characters.
From this shot,
viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help
to demonstrate the relationships between characters.

A mid shot contains the characters or a character from the waist up.
From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more
clearly as well as their interaction with other characters.
This is also known as a social shot!

A close-up contains just one character's face.
This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also
allows them to feel empathy for the character. This is also known as a personal shot.

An extreme close-up contains one part of a character's face or other object.
This technique is quite common in horror films,
it creates an intense mood
and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer.