types of camera shot
DESCRIPTION
Examples and definitions of the 14 most popular camera shotsTRANSCRIPT
Erin Staves
Types of camera shot
EWS (extreme wide shot)
A shot where the subject may not even be visible – the emphasis is on the subjects
surroundings
VWS (very wide shot)
Closer to the subject than the
EWS but still quite far away
This shot focuses in placing the subject
in their environment
Usually an establishing shot
WS (wide shot)
Subject takes up the full frame and
is the point of emphasis in the
shot
MS (mid shot)
Shows some part of the subject in higher definition
whilst showing enough for the
audience to feel as though they
are looking at the whole subject
MCU (medium close up)
Half way between a mid shot and a
close up
Shows the face more clearly,
without getting uncomfortably
close
CU (close up)
A certain feature, or part of the
subject takes up most of the shot
Emphasises emotional state,
the viewer shares the subjects
personal space and so therefore shares
their feelings
ECU ,XCU (extreme close
up)
Used only for specific reasons,
usually used in very dramatic
scenes
CI (cut in)
Refers specifically to a particular
part of the subject in detail
CA (cutaway)
Usually shows something other than the current
action.
It could be a different subject, a different part of a
subject or just about anything else
A buffer between shots
Two shot
A comfortable shot of two
people
Could also involve movement or
action
OSS (over the shoulder shot)
Framed from behind a shot who is looking at
the subjectThis shot helps to
establish the position of each person.
These shot are common during a
conversation, alternating the view
between the different speakers
Noddy shot
Common in interviews, a shot
of a person listening and
reacting to the subject
POV (point of view shot)
A shot done from the subjects perspective
Weather shot
The subject is the weather. The sky
takes up two thirds of the
frame.