Camera Angles,Sizes and Movements

Hello, members, it's Boae!

I'd like to have a review of camera angles, sizes and movements that we have learnt in the last semester. We have to use the camera in a right way so that we can have beaufiful shots for our film. I found a useful website that introduce the basic information of camera sizes, angles and movements. This will help you guys to remind what we have learnt in the semester 3, and it is good to remember the visual literacy so that we can plan the shots for each scenes to look the best.

For the first film, as it is an interview with people from RSPCA, we will mainly use mid shots and close up shots. When we want to shoot all people including interviewer and interviewees in one screen, we will use wide shot or panning.

For the second film (advertisement), as we have decided to film in a park, we will mostly use wide shots to view the park and dog at the same time. Using close up shots of dog will be good when we want to catch the dog's emotional face. Anyway, Let's try to use variety of sizes, angels and movements in our film.

Camera Sizes

Shot	Code	Description	Purpose	Example
Extreme close-up	ECU	This is a very close shot showing the detail of an object or the physical features of a person.	To make the viewer aware of some specific detail in the film. It can be used to heighten tension.
Very close-up	VCU	This is a face shot taken from the mid-forehead to above the chin.	This shows the close detail of the character's eyes and mouth. It can be used to heighten tension.
Big close-up	BCU	This is full head height and the head takes up the entire screen. It contains little or no background.	This shows the detail of the character’s face.
Close-up	CU	This is a shot taken of a person’s head from just above the head to the top of the upper chest. It can also be used to film an object at close range. It contains little or no background.	This used to introduce a character and allows the character to show emotions. It can be used to heighten tension.
Medium close-up	MCU	This shows the upper half of the body. The shot is taken from the above the head to lower chest.	Good for conversation between two characters.
Medium shot	MS	This shows half of the body. The shot is taken from above the head to just below the waist.	This allows you to get to know the character more closely by viewing their facial expressions and body language.
Medium long shot	MLS	This shows the whole person as well as some of the background.	Places the person in context.
Long shot	LS	This shows the whole person and other characters, but the background dominates the shot.	This allows the viewer to understand the relationship between the characters and their environment.
Extra long shot	ELS	This shows the landscape of the film or a barely visible character in the distance of a background.	This gives information to the viewer about where the action is to take place. It often sets the atmosphere of a film.

Camera Angles

Angle	Description	Purpose	Example
High	The camera is placed above and looks down on the subject or object.	It is used to make the character look small and also indicate that the character is weak or inferior.
Eye	An eye angle places the audience on eye-level with the character.	It is used to indicate that the character is on equal footing with the audience. It suggests reality.
Low	The camera is placed looking up on the subject or object.	It is used to make the character look big and indicates that the character is powerful and dominant.
Overhead/ Bird's eye	The camera is placed overhead or directly above the object or scene.	Characters and objects are made to look small and vulnerable. A character or object could be followed at a different speed or pace.

Camera Movements

Angle	Description	Purpose	Example
Zoom	The camera moves towards or away from a particular object.	It is used to make objects appear closer or further away.
Panning	The camera turns from side to side, i.e. from left to right or right to left.	It is often used in the opening scene of a movie or can be used to show the landscape from the view of the characters.
Tilt	The camera moves diagonally from the top to the bottom of the frame.	It is used to show the character from head to toe and can emphasize size. It can also indicate speed and reaction.
Dolly	The camera moves towards or away from the character. The camera is often placed on wheels to allow for a smooth movement.	It allows you to follow the characters or the action, from one place to another.
Tracking	The camera moves along with the actors or the action. The camera is usually on wheels.	It engages the viewer in the action where they can feel part of it.

Source from http://portals.studentnet.edu.au/literacy/Minisites/SCEGGSDarlinghurstrevised/vliteracy/shots.htm