An Introduction to Shot Types
and Camera Movement
Creative Media Production
Close Ups
(Extreme to Medium)
Close ups connote
that the audience is
next to the character.
Itsuggest intimacy
and emotional
closeness.
Closeups are
normally used in
dramatic scenes.
Close Ups
There are three main types of close
up. Close Up (CU) Medium Close Up
Extreme Close Up
(ECU) (MCU)
Mid Shot
A mid shot is an
approximation to how
you would normally
see someone while
talking to them. You
are not too close, or
too far.
You can see the
character in some
detail, it is useful for
when a character is
giving information, but
not for expressing an
emotion.
Medium Shot
Medium Long Shot
Long Shot
(Extra to Wide)
Characters are now
further back from the
camera. This
connotes that
environment they are
in is as important as
the characters
themselves.
Just like close
ups, there
are
extreme versions of
long shots i.e. The
extreme long shot.
This can also be
called a wide shot.
Two Shot
A two shot simply
has two characters
that are present
on screen. The
characters could
be facing each
other or be side by
side. The camera
cannot be too far
away otherwise it
will become a long
shot.
Over the shoulder Shot
Thisis self explanatory. The camera takes
place over the shoulder of a
character, usually talking to another
character. This allows you to see things from
the subjects point of view without going into a
POV shot. This could also be called a third
person perspective.
High Angle/ Low
Angle
A high angle shot A low angle shot
makes the audience makes the audience
feel as if they are look up at someone.
towering above a
character. This can connote a sense
This can connote the of intimidation or
character is vulnerable, symbolise the power of a
isolated or powerless. character.
Eye Level
The camera is positioned
as though it is a human
actually observing a
scene
Actors' heads are on a
level with the focus
POV Shot
POV stands for point of view shot.
This is where the audience sees
events from the characters’
perspective. This could also be called
the first person perspective.
Establishing Shot
This is a shot of an
exterior location, that
precedes a scene
that takes place
inside of the it. It
usually does not last
any longer than a
few seconds.
Establishingshots
are well used
conventions in soap
operas and TV
dramas.
Master Shot
A master shot is generally
a long shot that covers
all of the actors in a
scene at once.
Master shots are useful for
group scenes. They
include everyone.
Allof the action is seen
through this one
camera, the editor can
always fall back on the
master shot if there is no
other angle to take.
Aerial Shot
Aerial shots are taken using cranes,
helicopters or planes. They provide a
good long shot of the surroundings
of the area.
Tes
tClose
Up
Mid
Shot
Long
Shot
Establishing
Shot
`
High
Angle
Low
Angle
Master
Shot
Extreme Close
Up
Two
Shot
Aerial
Shot
Long
Shot
Two
Shot
Extreme Long
Shot
Long
Shot
Medium Close
Up
Close
Up
Mid
Shot
Close
Up
Over the Shoulder
Shot
High Angle
Shot
Aerial Shot (Crane
Shot)
Two
Shot
Long
Shot
Close
Up
Extreme Close
up
Point of View
Shot
Camera Movement
Justas important as the camera shots, is
the way that the camera moves in a
media text.
By moving the camera draws the
audiences’ attention to whatever the
producers want the audience to look at.
Camera movement can draw attention
to, reveal and lead the audience. So
understanding what each movement is
called is vital to conducting a good
textual analysis.
Tiltin
gA camera tilt moves
the camera from
vertically up or down.
It could create a
high or low angle
shot.
Tilt shots can
heighten an
audiences’
suspense as they
are not sure what
the shot will reveal.
Panning
A camera pan is a
horizontal movement
left or right.
Itcan follow a
character walking in
a particular direction,
or move away from
a character standing
still.
Itcan reveal parts of
the scenery not
seen previously.
Zoom/ Reverse Zoom
A zoom is when the camera stays
fixed in position but zooms in on a
object, location or character.
Zooming from a mid shot to a close up
could mean that the scene is changing to
a more emotional tone or to reveal a
character’s reaction.
A reverse zoom (zoom out) moves the
shot from a close up to a mid or long
shot. Showing that the surroundings are
becoming more a focus in the story.
Tracking Shot
Tracking is when a camera shot is placed on a
track and is moved to keep up with the
movement of a character.
The camera is mounted on a “Dolly”, a cart on a
track, which is then pushed or pulled.
A camera can track a subject moving
towards, away from, moving left or moving right.
Tracking shots can curve and change
direction, the camera is just always moving in a
smooth motion.
Make sure you can understand the difference
between a track shot and a pan or a tilt. (If the
camera was a person, it would be walking in
a direction not just moving it’s head).
