Framing/Camera Shots
Framing is used through the different uses of Camera Shots and Angles. Framing can be used to provide information to the viewer which a charcter does not know, as well as showing a certain characters point of view and to hide information from a viewer - this would happen by something being out of the shot. All of these shots can help create suspense.
There are different kind of shots that help define what is to be seen by the audience and what is not to be, also how much detail is to be viewed.
Long Shots and Wide Shots
Long shots and Wide shots allow the whole scene, landscape or person to be viewed by the viewer. This type of shot is often used to allow the audience to view the character/s environment and get a glimpse of what the setting is like. This gives a overall persepective and establishes the background information. The shot also implies that this is essential or important to the plot or characteristics of a character.
Long shots and Wide shots are often also used as the first shot of a new scene.
Mid Shots or Medium Shots
Mid Shots or Medium Shots cut actors off at the waist, this allows the camera shot to focus more on the characters expressions and movements without becoming the main focus of the screen. This shot usually cuts out the majority of the background and allows for more finer detail in body language, such as facial expressions.
Close Up Shots
A close up shot shows the actors heads and occasionally the shoulders, this shot manages to express the meaning and implication of what the actor/character is doing, saying or feeling in a cerain scene. A close up shot can also draw attention to an object that may prove to be important to the following story.
Extreme Close Up Shots
An extreme close up shot is used for dramatic emphasis, the close up is usually of the actors mouth or eyes, this is so the director can highlight a certain emotion the character is feeling at this moment in time. It can also be used to add suspence, drama and tension to the moment.
Master Shots
A master shot is usually the first shot of a brand new scene, it is also a wide shot in which it includes the setting and characters. It also includes the action and speech at the same time and establishes the situation. It allows the audience to understand the circumstances before it happens.
Two Shots
A two shot is a shot that includes two characters in the same shot together, this scene usually includes dialogue between the two characters or some action with one another.
Point Of View Shots
A Point of View Shot (POV) is where the camera is used to show what another character sees, as though the camera is what is seen through their eyes. This can be used by the filmmaker putting a character in a position that would be seen from the other character.
A point of view shot is used to help the audience identify with the situation and character, also to understand a particular emotion a character is feeling or to even add suspense and drama to the moment.
This scene is often used to show a characters reaction or something important referenced to a character.
Over The Shoulder Shot
An over the shoulder shot is a shot that is coming from looking behind a character at the subject/character that is the focus of the scene. The character is usually being cut of the frame, only half of the head/body is visible to the audience. This shot shows a position of the character and gives the audience a feel of looking at someone over the view of someone else.
Camera Angles
A camera angle is another way for a director to allow the audience to see what the filmmaker wants them to see of the characters or of a certain location. This is important as it allows the audience to interpret a character and respond to them.
High Angle
A high angle shot is where a camera is placed above a character or setting and allows the audience to feel like they are looking down on the scene, it can also be used to gain a wider shot of the scene.
High angles shots can also be used to have a character looking down at something or someone to allow the character to seem weak or powerless.
Eye Level
An eye level angle is where the camera is placed upong the same angle as the person or object being filmed, it creates the idea that the viewer is on the same level as what is being viewed. This can be used to bring the viewer more closer to the action.
Low Angle
A low angle shot is where the camera is placed to look up at an object or the character, this makes the viewer feel as though they are looking upwards during this type of scene. This angle is usually used to create the idea that the character is superior or higher in authority etc.
Canted Angle
A canted angle is a shot which deviates from a normal horizontal and vertical axes, the image appears tilted to the audience. This can change the main focus of the scene and signify a mental imbalance of a character. They are used to create an impression of chaos within the scene.
Camera Movements
Camera movements decide on what is revealed to the audience, it can reveal new settings and new information, but it can also be used to follow the action of the scene and to emphasise drama.
Camera movements can attract the viewers attention and draw it into something particular that the filmmaker wants the audience to focus on. If the audience is led closer into the scene by the movement this allows them to feel more in the scene and more intimate with that moment.
Zooming
Zooming allows the objects/person to be brought into the scene by a closer look, they also appear bigger in the frame of the shot by zooming in. This can also happen by a reversing zoom shot.
A zoom shot can be used to suprise a viewer and a reverse zoom could be to allow more of the scene to be visible.
Panning
Panning involves a camera moving from side to side to gain more access to the scene for the viewer, all the whilst the movement is happening, the tripod is kept still. This can be used to show the speed of an object.
Tilting
In this camera movement, the camera tilts up and down whilst the tripod is kept stil, this can create a sense of unnease for the viewer.
Hand-held - this can create a jerky and unsteady image, which creates a sense of chaos.
Steadicam - allows the camera to be within the action to allow the audience to feel more involved.
Crane Shot
A crane shot is where the camera is attatched to a small crane that can be raised high enough to look down on the scene, it can also be swept low to move along the scene.
Tracking/Dollying
A tracking movement is where the camera and tripod is attatched to a moving platform to allow the camera to follow a character or scene, this can also be used for zooming and creates a closer relationship with the scene.
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