Shot Types

Throughout the past few lessons in Media Studies, we have been focusing on the different shot types, and the reasons why we would use them.

Establishing/wide shot - A wide shot, usually shot with a 35mm lens. This kind of shot is usually used to establish the setting of the scene, and give the viewer a clear picture of where they are at this moment in the film. A prime example of this can be seen in the TV show 'Friends', as wherever they are in the programme, for example Central Perk, an establishing shot will be used to show they viewer where we are, before we cut to the action inside.

That familiar establishing shot from the long-running NBC sitcom Friends

 

Close Up - A standard close up includes the head and shoulders of the subject. It tends to be used to show emotion when involving a person, and to show a lot of detail to audience. An example of a close up can be seen in the final Harry Potter movie (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2), as Harry prepares for the final battle with Voldermort.

Extreme Close Up - An extreme close up can be used to make an object appear larger than life, and to show all of the detail of the object or person show in the shot. A prime example of a use of an extreme close up can be seen in 'Kill Bill Vol. II', where the mosquito can be seen on the skin of Black Mamba (Uma Therman), after her being in a coma following being shot in the head.

 

Two-Shot - A two shot is quite self explanatory; it is a single shot involving two people. It is often used to show conversation  between two characters. It is usually filmed from the mid-chest up, similar to a medium close up, and can be used to show harmony, or disharmony between the characters in the shot. For example, in this shot from 'Twilight' below, a two shot has been used to show empowerment of Edward (Robert Pattinson), as he is taller than Bella (Kristen Stewart), and also creates a sense of foreboding which is also reinforced by the use of lighting.

Over the Shoulder - An over the shoulder shot occurs when the camera is placed over the shoulder of a character. This makes the characters head and shoulders visible, ensuring the audience knows that they are there, but making sure the main focus is on the other character or object in the shot. An example of an OTS can be seen in 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World', however this is a very interesting use of an over the shoulder. The shot has been taken  from such an angle that most of Ramona's (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) features are visible, yet still making the main focus of the shot to be Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera).

Point of View - A POV shot is used to represent the subjective view of a specific character. In order to achieve the sense of a POV, the camera is physically placed at eye level, in an attempt to show you what the character is seeing. An example of a POV shot can be seen in 'Inglorious Basterds', where a POV shot is used to show disempowerment, as a low angle shot of Lt. Aldo Raine has been used, in order to communicate that the character (who's point of view it is from) is weaker than the characters of Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), and his accomplice.  

High Angle - A high angle shot occurs when the camera is placed above a subject facing down. this is used in order to make the subject appear weak an vulnerable. An example of this can be seen in 'Matilda', where an over the shoulder shot has also been combined with a high angle. Mr Wormwood (Danny DeVito) can be stood standing over Matilda (Mara Wilson), conveying to the audience that he is a lot more powerful than Matilda, and that Matilda is very vulnerable.

There are plenty more shots that I could go in to detail about, and they may be featured in future blog posts, however these are some of the most commonly used shots, and therefore the ones that are most definitely needed to be known.