Basic shot types & angles

Basic Shot Types

• Shots come in a variety of distances, naming them is an inexact science, where does one shot distance end and another begin? Use your initiative! Here are some examples from “Casino Royale”

An extreme long shot

this time - also an establishing shot - (it shows us where the action is set)

Note this shot is from the air - therefore it is also an aerial shot

Another ELS - this time from the ground, not an establishing shot as it is mid-sequence

A Long shot (LS) - note the full body is in view

A mid-shot (MS) roughly from the waist up

CLose-up (CU) used to show emotion/reaction

Extreme close up (ECU) to show detail of action

Over the shoulder shot - also in this case a Two shot

Point of View shot (POV) to help audienceempathise with character

• Shots are usually framed from eye level, occasionally for effect this is varied

CAMERA ANGLES

High-angle shot - looking down on the actionmaybe to show vulnerability

Low angle, looking up, in this case to show the villain’s lack of awareness that Bond is

behind him in the cab

A mild Dutch tilt (or canted angle) to showconsternation or confusion in characters