High Angle Shot

High Angle Shot – a high angle shot is taken from above a subject facing down. The shot frames a particular object/character usually with little or no props in the background creating a focal point of the character.

Example: In this scene, Harry is shown from a high angle shot to highlight his vulnerability and emphasise the dramatic position that he’s in.

A high angle shot is usually used in dramatic scenes to emphasise the power /vulnerability of the subject.

Low Angle Shot

Low Angle Shot – a low angle shot is taken from below the subject facing up. The shot frames an object/character typically the main character(s) with mostly natural backgrounds (buildings ,trees ,the sky etc.) A low angle shot is usually used to highlight the power and strength of the subject/character Example: in this still, the low angle shot allows the audience to see the power that the two characters have over the object/person on the floor.

Establishing Shot (XLS)

Establishing shot, also known as an extreme long shot – an establishing shot is a typically wide shot capturing locationAn establishing shot it usually used to create a setting and give the audience an idea of environment and the surroundings. It also indicates that the majority of the series will be based here.Example: This shot from the beginning of American Horror Story: Asylum shows the audience the setting that the series will be based in this building.

Long Shot (LS)

Example: Within this still, the group of young offenders from Misfits are shown on top of a run down block of flats in a rough area. This allows the audience to stereotype the characters by the place that they live and their outfits.

Long Shot – a long shot is taken to show an entire object or character(s)A long shot is typically used to place the object/character in a particular surrounding which relates to them and their actions

Medium Long Shot (MLS)

Medium Long Shot – a medium long shot is when a character can be seen from the head to the knee. A medium long shot is typically used to give both scenery and character an equal amount of importance.Example: This still shows the policeman’s body language whilst also showing the audience his surroundings and the type of situation he’s in.

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium Shot – a medium shot is a shot in which a character can be seen from the head to their waist.A medium shot is typically used in a scene where it is desirable to see both the characters facial expressions, and body language. Example: in this still, the joker’s facial expressionis clearly show whilst also showing the Audience his surroundings informing them of the jokers attitude towards being in that situation.

Medium Close Up (MCU)

Medium Close Up – a medium close up contains a head, shoulders and occasionally upper waist shot of a character.A Medium close up shot typically contains a clearer image of the subject. Also used to give the audience a better and clearer view into the characters facial expressions without zooming in too close.Example: This still allows the audience to clearly see the characters facial expressions whilst also getting an indication as to her location. The audience can then assume the type of situation the character is in sparking an emotional response from the viewer.

Close Up (CU)

Close Up – a close up shot is a shot in which a characters head is capturedA close up shot is typically used to convey emotions and allow the audience to generate an emotional response to their facial expressions or the situation that they are in. Example: this close up still shows the character to be crying. This allows the audience to connect with the character feeling a sense of sympathy.

Extreme Close Up (XCU)

Extreme Close up – an extreme close up is a shot which focuses on a particular feature or reaction on a persons faceExtreme close ups are typically used to convey an emotion or mood and are usually used in very intense/dramatic scenes.Example: This close up is used in the scene of The Vampire Diaries where Elena grows her vampire teeth. It is used alongside dramatic music to emphasise Elena's discomfort in the situation as she states clearly through the first 3 seasons that she despises the idea of becoming a vampire.

Point-Of-View Shot

Point-Of-View Shot – a point of view shot is a shot that is captured from the person/characters point-of-view.A point of view shot is usually edited in a way that is clear to the audience who’s it is. It is typically used to give the audience a view on the characters perspective. Example: In this still, the audience can clearly see the scene through the characters eyes. This allows the audience to see the characters perspective and their take on certain events.

Two Shot

Two Shot – a two shot is any shot throughout the scene containing two people. A two shot is typically used to show the two main characters of a film. It is also used to show the emotions clearly of the two subjects.Example: In this still, the two shot frames both Claire Standish and John Bender from The Breakfast Club. This allows the audience to acknowledge the two main characters of the film.

Over-the-shoulder Shot

Over-the-shoulder Shot – an over the shoulder shot is a shot in which we see a character over another characters shoulder.An over-the-shoulder shot is typically used in conversations, giving the audience a view of the character that’s speaking from the other characters point of view. The camera angle usually cuts in very quick shots, alternating between both characters.Example: In this shot, the character Nathan can be clearly seen speaking however the we can see a blurred over the shoulder image of the person he is speaking to.