Camera Work

Camera Work Revision

Close-up:  A close-up is a type of shot, which tightly frames a person or an object. They are one of the standard shots used regularly in film. Close-ups are often used as interruption from a more distant shot to show detail, such as a characters emotion. 

Extreme close up:  An extreme close-up is a shot where the scale of the object shown is a very large detailed view of an object or person. An extreme close up of an actor usually includes only his or her eyes or mouth. 

Mid-shot:  A mid-shot  is a relatively close shot, revealing the human figure from the waist up. They give the viewer a partial view of the background and also show the persons facial expressions in the context of their body language. mid-shots are the most common shot in movies. 

Establishing shot:  An establishing shot is usually the first shot of a new scene. It is designed to show the audience where the action is taking place. It is usually a very wide shot or extreme wide shot. 

Low Angle: A low angle shot is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up. sometimes it is directly below the subjects feet. the effect of the low angle shot is sometimes that it makes the person look strong and powerful. 

High angle: A high angle shot is were the camera looks  down on the subject from a high angle. High angle shots can make the subject seem vulnerable or powerless when applied with the correct setting, effect and mood. They can also make the scene more dramatic. 

Aerial shot: An areal shot is a  shot taken from a hat, helicopter or a person on top of a building. It is not always a moving shot. It is normally used in the beginning of a film to establish the setting of the film.

Point of view shot: A point of view shot is a film scene that shows what a character is looking at, but is represented through the camera. Sometimes the point-of-view shot is taken over the shoulder of the character, who remains visible on the screen. 

Camera Movement 

Tracking:  Tracking is where the camera is mounted on a camera dolly, a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken.

Panning:  Panning is where the camera is on its vertical or horizontal axis in order to keep a moving person or object in view or allow the film to record a panorama. for example to pan from one end of the playing field to the other during the opening of the football or rugby game.  

Tilting: Tilting is a technique in which the camera is stationary and rotated in a vertical plane. 

Hand held movement: Hand held movement is where the camera is held in the camera operators hands as opposed to being mounted on a tripod or other base. Hand held cameras are used because they are conveniently sized and they allow freedom of motion during filming. 

Hitchock zoom: Hitchcock zoom is where the camera moves closer or further from the character while simultaneously adjusting the zoom angle to keep the subject the same size in the frame. the effect its hat the character appears stationary while the background size changes.