Camera Shot Types

When a film is made, directors will often plan a scene to use a collaboration of shot types in order to hold the viewers attention. The audience would quickly lose interest if only one type of shot was used therefore directors aim to employ as many shot types as possible throughout the film. Not only do shot types ensure the mise en scene is explored thoroughly, they also add depth to emotions and events involved in the narrative of the film. For example, close ups of a knife in a horror film show the audience how sharp and dangerous the weapon is and that a violent attack is about to take place. It has an immediate and effective output just from the shot type.

Walking around the school site, we were instucted to take photographs of the many different shot types that people in the film industry use. In doing so we understood how the framing, composition and surroundings all work together to create a variety of shots which can be fitted together to explain a narrative in depth. Using the camera on my phone, I photographed various classmates and places in the school area. Afterwards I edited the photos into black and white and adjusted the settings to represent a horror theme. Note: a few pictures have been taken or sourced elsewhere than from the school area.

CLOSE-UP

In close-ups, the subject dominates the majority of the frame allowing very little background to be shown. They are more dramatic than a mid or long shot in conveying emotions. In reality we are likely to only allow people we really trust to get this close to our faces: parents, children, partners usually, so this is a fairly intimate shot. In a horror film this shot could be used to make the audience feel uneasy due to the magnification and detailed focus of the person or object.

EXTREME CLOSE-UP

As the name clearly suggests, this shot is an extreme close up of a person or object. The shot does exactly what it says; shows a small detail of certain relevance which could be otherwise missed in a long shot. The main focus fills the whole frame and is normally used for dramatic effect. It is often used in horror films to make the audience feel uncomfortable as for example, you're unlikely to get so close to somebodies face as shown in the picture (left) in real life.

MID-SHOT

A mid-shot is when you can only see a figure from the waist up. It is appropriate when the subject is speaking without any dramatic emotions. It works well when the intention of the shot is to deliver information, for example news reporters are often filmed from this distance. As well as being a comfortable, neutral shot, it allows room in the frame for hand gestures and movement. This would be used in perhaps calmer scenes in a horror film when emotions and intensity do not need to be exaggerated. Furthermore it could be used when the villain and hero are having a conversation, as in reality this is how much of the other person you would see if you were actually talking to them.

LONG SHOT

A long shot displays the character/s from head to toe in the entire frame and plenty of detail of the background is also shown. It is a very commonly used simple shot to show the audience to know what is going on, who is involved in the scene and the area surrounding them. They are unlikely to be used in emotive scenes or intense situations as they lack detail. It usually exhibits the mise en scene as a "life size" view for the audience watching the film in a cinema for example.

POINT OF VIEW

A point of view shot is when the camera acts as a pair of eyes and makes the audience feel as though they are in character mode and are really there in the scene. It is often used in horror films to guide the audience as to what a character is up to or in a chase scene from the victims point of view. It is used to make the audience feel involved, scared and unsettled. An effective and popular shot that directors frequently decide to use.

OVER THE SHOULDER

Over the shoulder shots show the subject from behind the shoulder of another character, almost as if you were peering over somebody. Sometimes a subject is not shown and just the shoulder view can be seen (e.g. left picture). In horror films this could be used to show the monster or ghost spirit peering over the victims shoulder, following them down the road perhaps. Other types of scenes this shot is used for is when two people are having a conversation. The camera cuts continuously to behind each persons shoulder.

ESTABLISHING SHOT

Usually the first shot of a new scene and is designed to inform the audience of the location. It is also useful in scenes where the action is very spread out. For example, in a horror film a fight between goodies and baddies, the shot can show the scale of the action and fight taking place. The establishing shot is frequently used at the very start of the film or the very start of a new location; helping the audience to keep on track what is happening.

LOW ANGLE

Low angle shots can be used for all sorts of reasons. They increase height and could be used to make the object superior to the audience and make them sense fear and insecurity as they are being dominated by a larger, bigger character. This shot has the ability to make somebody look powerful. Low angle shots can also increase the size of buildings and sometimes distort the overall image to the audience which directors occasionally do for effect. In a horror film this could be used collaborated with a point of view shot; showing the victim on the ground looking up at the superior villain. It adds variety to the scene and keeps the audience interested.

HIGH ANGLE

Obviously, the high angle is the opposite of low angle and has different effects upon the audience. The camera is elevated above the scene using a crane, or a cameraman on a high chair or structure to give a general overview of the characters and surroundings. High angles make the subject appear smaller and represent being less significant or vulnerable. They are effectively used in horror films to make a victim look scared, significantly small or less powerful as opposed to the villain. Alternatively this could be subverted if the hero overturns the villain and wins against him in a fight.

BIRDS EYE

Birds eye view shot otherwise known as aerial, is a shot from above looking directly below at a vertical angle as opposed to a slight diagonal angle like a high angle shot. These are usually shot from a helicopter with a suspended camera. In a horror film, birds eye view shots are typically used to follow a chase for instance and is effective in including both the characters and scenery in it. This shot puts the audience in a godlike position, looking down on the action and people can be made to look insignificant, almost ant-like.

WORMS EYE

The worms eye shot is typically the opposite of the previous birds eye shot. It does exactly what it says, as if you are a worm and looking around and above you from the ground; this is the type of view you'd have (left). Worms eye shot is a more extreme version of a low angle shot and usually would involve the camera man or camera being positioned on the ground facing upwards. These types of shots make the subject appear more intimidating, looming and powerful.

CANTED

This is a technical term for a 'titled' angle shot. The camera is titled to one side and distorts the orientation of the subject/scene. It disorientates the horizon level that the audience are used to seeing. It is a very popular shot type in horror movies as it suggests imbalance and instability; making the audience feel nauseous or unsteady/uneasy.