Research - Camerawork

Camera shot types:

Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) - this is where the subject of the shot is even visible because the camera is so far away. This is usually used as an establishing shot.

Very Wide Shot (VWS) - this is where the subject is just about visible, but the main emphasis is on the environment around them. This is also usually used as an establishing shot.

Wide Shot (WS) - where the entire subject is visible, but the camera is still far away. Usually used to give the audience a good look at the entire subject but also have a look at the environment they are in.

Long Shot - this shot contains the whole of the subject in it, but not much else (for example, the entirety of a character's body). This may be used to shift the audience's focus to the character, rather than the environment.

Medium Long Shot - this shot is the same as a long shot, but slightly closer (for example, a character is 'cut off' at the knees, but the rest of their body is in shot). This may be used to draw attention to what a character is doing, rather than their environment.

Mid Shot (MS) - where most of the subject is visible, but not all (for example, the camera shot 'cuts off' a character's legs but keeps the torso and head in shot). This is used to show more predominant features of a subject, while still giving an impression of the whole thing.

Medium Close Up (MCU) - this shot is slightly closer than a mid shot and is usually used to focus the audience's attention on one character.

Close Up (CU) - a certain part of the subject takes up the whole frame, this may be used to draw attention to one part of the subject (for example, just a character's head).

Big Close Up (BCU) - the same as a close up, but slightly closer so that some of the section of the subject is 'cut off'.

Extreme Close Up (ECU) - a certain part of the subject takes up the whole frame, and more, to draw attention to minute details on the subject (for example: just a character's eyes).

Cut-In - this shows another part of the subject in detail, this may be used to show other details the previous shot couldn't show (for example, cutting from an extreme close up of a character's eyes, to a close up of their hands as they reach for an object).

Cut Away (CA) - this is the same principal of a cut-in, however, the second shot will be of something else (not the subject). This may be used to show something the character is looking at (for example, cut from an extreme close up of the eyes, to a wide shot of another character).

Two-Shot (TS) - this involves two subjects in one shot and may be used for a range of things, but usually it is used for when two characters are having a conversation (the camera is usually about as far away as a MS).

Over-the-Shoulder Shot (OSS) - this is similar to a TS, but it involves the camera looking over one character's shoulder at the subject. This is usually used while these two characters are having a conversation.

Point-of-View Shot (POV) - this shot shows things from the subject's perspective.

Weather Shot - the subject is the weather, so focusses on the sky (sometimes this is sped up to show time passing).



Camera Angles:

High Angle - where the camera is situated higher than the subject and is usually used to show a weaker character (the camera is tilted so it is facing down).

Low Angle - where the camera is situated lower than the subject and usually shows a more dominant character (the camera is tilted so it is looking up).

Eyeline - the camera is at the same level as the subject, this is usually used while dialogue is being said.

Birdseye - the camera is directly above the subject and is usually created by using a crane.

Wormseye - the camera is directly below the subject.

Canted - the camera is slightly tilted to the side and is usually used to create a sense of unease in the audience or show something is 'not right' in the plot.



Camera Movements:

Tracking - where the camera moves sideways to keep the subject in frame (tracking comes from the idea of the camera being on a dolly, on a track, moving sideways).

Follow - where the camera follows the subject at a more or less constant distance.

Pan - the camera swivels to the left or right.

Tilt - the camera changes its angle (up or down).

Zoom - the camera changes the lens focal length to give the illusion that the camera is moving closer or further away.

Push in/Pull out - where the camera physically moves closer or further away than the subject.

Dolly Zoom - where the camera pushes in and zooms out at the same time, or the other way around. This is usually used to create a sense of unease with the audience (for example, in Jaws (1995) when the main character [Brody] sees the shark at the beach for the first time).