| |
 |
Extreme
Long Shot (ELS) or Extreme Wide Shot EWS
The view is so wide that the actual subject is not visible. It shows
the subject’s surroundings. |
Very
Long Shot (VLS) or Very Wide Shot (VWS)
The widest shot possible whilst the subject can still be recognised
(by the colour of their jacket perhaps, but not their face). Keep
the subject away from the edges of the shot. The emphasis is on the
environment. |
|
 |
Long
Shot (LS) or Wide Shot
The subject takes up the whole frame, with feet showing and plenty
of headroom – no part of the subject is out of the frame. Often
used as an introductory shot – shows the subject within the environment. |
Medium
Long Shot (MLS)
The subject is shown from the knees up with a little headroom. The
framing is always from slightly above the knee or slightly below –
Never cut off ON the knee. Often seen as a movement shot, perhaps
someone walking. |
|
 |
Medium
Shot (MS) or Mid Shot or Waist Shot
One of the most common and flexible shots, framed from just above
or below the waist, with just a little headroom. It shows some more
detail of the subject, focusing attention whilst still showing enough
for the viewers to feel that they are looking at the whole subject. |
Medium
Close Up (MCU)
Between a MS and a CU, and a very common shot. Framed with adequate
headroom and cutting off between the elbow and the armpit. Shows the
face clearly but not its finest details, a comfortable distance away. |
|
 |
Close
Up (CU)
Usually a full face shot, from above the hairline to below the chin,
possibly including the shoulderline. |
Big
Close Up (BCU)
The whole face but not the whole chinline and hair. The main problem
that occurs with this type is not allowing for domestic cut off whilst
framing. A close up is generally of the face, but in it’s wider
sense can be taken to mean a shot showing a detail of the larger whole. |
|
 |
Extreme
Close Up (ECU)
Goes
right in so that the detail fills most or all of the frame. For example
a shot of an eye, of both eyes, or a twitching lip, or the handle
of a cup.
|
Two
Shot
Shots of two people. Usually the subjects are facing the camera or
looking at each other. If one person is more prominent on camera they
are said to be ‘favoured’ in the shot. Normally the framing
is not closer than a MS (a Medium 2 Shot) which leaves little room
to show movement or gestures. If movements are to be shown then it
is more likely to be using a wider framing.
Other shots in this category may include:
Three Shot – showing three people; Group Shot, 4 or more people;
Crowd Shot – many people in a LS or VLS |
|
 |
Over
Shoulder Shot
There are many variations to this shot, but it generally takes the
form of two people, one of whom has their back to the camera. Very
often one shoulder is in shot as this indicates the people’s
relative positions. Sometimes the shots are of High Angle or Low Angle
to correspond to the heights of the subjects’ eyelines. |
Cutaway
The Cutaway is a crucial shot, usually of something other than the
main subject or current action. It should add interest, information
or detail about the environment. These shots are essential to the
editing process – you can never gather too many cutaways. |
|
 |
Cut-In
The Cut-In has the same role as the Cutaway, but generally shows a
detail of the subject in question. |
Noddy
Common interview shot showing the reaction of the interviewer. They
are usually shown apparently nodding, listening and reacting to the
subject although such shots are actually gathered after the interview
has taken place. |
|
 |
Weather
Shot
The sky takes up at least 2/3 of the entire frame with the emphasis
on showing the weather. Often used for sporting events and for letting
viewers know that a storm is brewing. |
Point
Of View Shot
Shows the viewpoint of a subject, ie what they would be seeing at
that point in time. It is not obvious from the shot who is supposed
to be doing the looking, this is made clear to the viewer through
the editing together of a sequence. |
|
|
