Introduction to Introduction to Video Video CommunicationsCommunications

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

1. EXTREME WIDE SHOT1. EXTREME WIDE SHOT ( EWS )( EWS )Shows the Shows the

subject’s subject’s surroundingssurroundings

Also called Also called establishing shot – establishing shot – the first shot of a the first shot of a new scenenew scene to show the to show the audience where the audience where the action is taking place.action is taking place.

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

2. VERY 2. VERY WIDE WIDE SHOTSHOT ( vws ( vws ))

The subject is barely The subject is barely visible but emphasis visible but emphasis on the on the subject’s subject’s environment.environment.

Plenty of room Plenty of room for actionfor action, or for , or for multiple multiple subjects to appear.subjects to appear.

Subject takes up Subject takes up ¼ - ½¼ - ½ of the frame of the frame

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

3. WIDE SHOT3. WIDE SHOT ( WS )( WS )

The subject takes The subject takes up up the majority the majority of the frame of the frame

Lots of roomLots of room for for movement of movement of subject.subject.

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

4. MID SHOT4. MID SHOT ( MS )( MS )

Shows mid body mid body to above headto above head

Often used in news broadcastsnews broadcasts.

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

5. MEDIUM CLOSE-UP5. MEDIUM CLOSE-UP ( MCU )( MCU )Approx. from

above head to above head to upper chestupper chest

Shows expressions, some backgroundsome background

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

6. CLOSE-UP6. CLOSE-UP ( CU ) ( CU )

Part of the subject Part of the subject takes up takes up most of most of

the framethe frame

Close up of a Close up of a person person emphasizes emphasizes emotions and emotions and expressionsexpressions..

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

7. EXTREME CLOSE-UP7. EXTREME CLOSE-UP ( ECU )( ECU )

Used for Used for isolating detailisolating detail in a scenein a scene

Hard to capture Hard to capture reactions or reactions or emotionsemotions from from this closethis close

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

8. OVER THE SHOULDER 8. OVER THE SHOULDER SHOTSHOT ( OSS )( OSS )Looking at the Looking at the

subject subject from from behind behind a persona person

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

9. TWO SHOT9. TWO SHOT

Two people Two people comfortably comfortably fit in the framefit in the frame

Establishes Establishes relationship relationship between subjectsbetween subjects

Used for Used for interview or discussioninterview or discussion

Types of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera ShotsTypes of Camera Shots

10. POINT-OF-VIEW SHOT 10. POINT-OF-VIEW SHOT ( POV )( POV ) Shows a view Shows a view

from the from the subject’s subject’s perspectiveperspective

Make it obviousMake it obvious whose POV it is.whose POV it is.

Basic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingHere are a few camera techniques you Here are a few camera techniques you

should know:should know:

1.1. PANNINGPANNING Camera swivels from

side to side.side to side. This move is similar to This move is similar to

standing in one place standing in one place and turning your and turning your head.head.

Basic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera Handling

2.2. TRUCKINGTRUCKING Camera sits on a tripod and Camera sits on a tripod and rolls rolls

from side to side.from side to side. Good movement to use when Good movement to use when

following alongsidefollowing alongside someone someone walking or running.walking or running.

Basic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera Handling

3.3. DOLLYINGDOLLYING Camera rolls towards or awayrolls towards or away from

subject (on tripod).

Gives the viewer the impression Gives the viewer the impression they are walking nearer or they are walking nearer or

farther from subject.farther from subject.

Basic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera HandlingBasic Camera Handling

4.4. ZOOMINGZOOMING When zooming, the cameraWhen zooming, the camera does not does not

move.move. The camera’s The camera’s lens settinglens setting changes to make changes to make

an object appear an object appear closer or farther awaycloser or farther away from the camera. from the camera.

Use with care – avoid Use with care – avoid zooming in and out too quicklytoo quickly.

Video Tips: Video Tips: TripodTripodVideo Tips: Video Tips: TripodTripod Always maintain a Always maintain a steadysteady

camera by using a camera by using a tripod.tripod.

You can also steadyYou can also steadyyour camera your camera using yourusing your hands hands and arms.and arms.

Use a piece of Use a piece of furniturefurniture or a wall to stay steadyor a wall to stay steady

Video Tips: Video Tips: Angles/HeightsAngles/Heights Don’t film everythingDon’t film everything at

eye-level. Too many shots at the same Too many shots at the same

height are height are boring.boring. Try different angles and heights Try different angles and heights

to create to create visual interestvisual interest & show subjects in ways your audience audience isn’t used toisn’t used to..

Video Tips: Video Tips: Angles/HeightsAngles/Heights To make your subject appear small, To make your subject appear small,

weak, insignificant, try a weak, insignificant, try a downward downward angleangle

To make your subject appear large, To make your subject appear large, powerful, mighty, try an powerful, mighty, try an upward upward angleangle

Video Tips: Video Tips: Natural Natural FramingFraming Use elements of Use elements of

your surroundings your surroundings to frame shotsto frame shots (trees, windows, (trees, windows, buildings, etc.). buildings, etc.).

Natural framing Natural framing makes the audience makes the audience feel like they are part of the scene.feel like they are part of the scene.

Video Tips: Video Tips: Rule of Rule of ThirdsThirds Divide your frameDivide your frame into thirds, vertically and into thirds, vertically and

horizontally.horizontally. When filming, try to When filming, try to place subjects at place subjects at

specific pointsspecific points in the frame. in the frame. Creates Creates

powerful powerful visual visual interest.interest.

Video Tips: Video Tips: Rule of Rule of ThirdsThirds Objects placed at the Objects placed at the dead centredead centre

of the screen tend to look of the screen tend to look boringboring..

Video Tips:Video Tips: Move subjects a little Move subjects a little off-centreoff-centre and and

things start to look good!things start to look good!

Video Tips:Video Tips: Sometimes the rule can be broken . . .Sometimes the rule can be broken . . .

Centering a subject can work well when the subject is powerful or powerful or unusualunusual..