Camera angles

Camera angles/shots

Camera angle and shots are used as filming techniques. The director can choose from a range of different types of camera angles and shots as there are several due to each angle and shot showing and representing unique things. Every type of shot and the different angles are always specific and carefully planned out by the directors and producer. Many people get confused and think that camera angles and shots are the same thing where as their purposes are somewhat familiar however are not the same.

Camera angles

Camera angles are as important as the rest of the film making such as the script which is carefully written up with all the details stating what’s going to happen when and who’s going to say what so this, like the script, also has to be carefully picked. Directors use these so that the audience can be involved with the atmosphere around and can be familiar with the relationship between the characters. This is easily done as they help in presenting to the audience the meaning of the film and are able to understand it. A scene can be shot in many different angles; this is done because the director wants the audience to involve in the scene as the angles give out different meanings such as the emotions and the sense of the opposite character.

Eye-level angle

This shot is used so that the audience is on the same position and level as the characters. This angle is very commonly used in most if not all films. This angle is used so that the audience can feel more engaged in the scene and makes them feel as if they are a part of it as it shows the real world in the film. So you can see the atmosphere, the people and the objects around as if you were there in real life, this is so the audience feels comfortable.

Birds-eye view

This angle is shot from directly overhead the subject. This shot is somewhat unusual and is not always noticed by the audience. However this puts the audience in a higher position than the subject so that it seems that they are looking down on the scene. This also again engages the audience as it makes the scene more intense and power-like as the subject below seems less powerful. This angle is mostly used when the director wants the scene to seem more dramatic and tense. It’s also used so that when the director wants the audience to see something that the characters in the film are not aware of or don’t know about it giving the audience the upper hand.

High angle

This angle is shot from above so that the camera is looking down on the character/object making them seem shorter/smaller and also less significant. Also because of where the camera is positioned the subject seems to be wider than it actually is. This angle is also used when there is a level difference between the characters such as when one character is above the other or is stood higher so that it seems that the character below is seen as if less vulnerable and under the other characters control. This is also used to make the scene appear more dramatic and intense.

Low angle

This shot is positioned so that the camera is lower on the vertical axis below the eye-line so that the camera is looking up on the subject. This angle is quite confusing as it may show that the subject is more powerful and is more controlling but it may also show the opposite as its shot from below. More so than ever, the audience is intimidated because the subject seems bigger and more dominant. It seems that audience is looking to them and so is dependant on them in a way.

Over-shoulder shot

This shot is mainly used when there is a ongoing conversation between two characters. The camera is placed over the shoulder of the character seeing part of their head and maybe their shoulder. This is so that you can see the opposite character as if you were looking from that characters point of view seeing what they are seeing. This is also used so that whilst the character is talking you can see what and how they are saying it. Sometimes it’s the other way around so that the camera is placed over the character talking and you can see the opposite’s facial expressions and their reactions to what is being said to them.

Over-shoulder shot reverse

This is basically the same as over shoulder shot but its going back and forward between two characters showing both of their faces whilst the other is talking but also when the character is talking him/herself. This shot is mainly used in dialogue but can be used otherwise.

Camera shots

A camera shot is how much you can see in one frame. These are used so that you can see a particular part of the scene from different aspects. They are very useful in understanding the film and so because of this, they are very important. They show what you can’t see in any other situation. 

Extreme close-up

This is when the directors want to focus on one specific thing in particular. In this shot you can see the subject very closely and in detail such as if they wanted to focus on a characters eye because it showed emotion. This magnifies what the human eye can’t see. This is used when the director wants to show something in a dramatic way so that you can understand more in what’s happening. This is however too close to show a person’s reaction and emotions but it does emphasise in specific detail in one thing.

Close-up

This shows very little and again concentrates on a subject however you can see more such as a face so you can see the reactions and emotions on their face. Because the way its done, the object seems bigger than it actually is as its magnified on it so that the audience is focused on just this object. This can be used to show how a character is and make the audience feel more comfortable so that they feel that they know the character.

Medium/mid shot

In this shot you can see more background as well as the object. This is usually used when two people are talking so that the audience can see the body language of the characters. You sometimes see this when action is taken place such as a fighting scene where you see them fight with their hand but also can see their faces showing emotion.

Medium 2 shot

This shot is mainly used when the director wants the audience to see and understand the body language and emotions between two characters so that the audience can understand the relationship between them. We see how they interact with one another and this makes the audience feel as if they know them. You can also see the background around them so this also shows how the characters feel because sometimes their emotions have an impact on the atmosphere around.

Long shot

This is basically real life size image of the atmosphere and the characters/objects and how they are seen from the audience from where they are. This shows everything that is happening so that the audience feels comfortable with what’s happening. In this shot you can see the characters in full human size and even though the audience is aware of the surrounding area, the focus and attention is still on the subjects.

Extreme long shot

This is taken from a far distance and isn’t emphasising on one thing but is showing the atmosphere around as it isn’t detailing on one particular thing. Its generally used as a scene setting to make the audience feel comfortable.