Camera Angles & Camera Movements

Gitanjali Suresh

How a film director might use camera angles and movement to enhance a scene.

Camera Angles

Camera angles• Used to highlight important moments.• Used in various positions, angles and distances.• Different viewpoint and emotions

Different camera angles

• Extreme close up shot• Medium shot• Over the shoulder shot• Point Of View shot• Long shot

Extreme Close Up

Focus the audience’s attention on something specific.

Shows very precise details.

Medium Shot

Shows facial expressions but also starts to show body language

Over the Shoulder shot

Allows the audience to see how characters react to one another.

Often used for dialogue

Point of View shot

You see the scene through characters perspective

Long shot

Shows the context of what’s happening

Allows the audience to see everything in the surrounding area

‘MATILDA’

Over the shoulder shotPoint of view shot

Extreme close upMedium shot

Camera Movements

Camera Movements• The camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks for a very smooth movement. • Tracking shot or trucking shot. • Movement will give your film life. • Most shots should have some kind of movement in them, even if it’s very slight.

Different camera movements

• Pan• Zoom• Dolly• Tilt

Pan

Panning is when you move  your camera horizontally; either left to right or right to left, while its base is fixated on a certain point. You are not moving the position of the camera itself, just the direction it faces. These types of shots are great for establishing a sense of location within your story.

Zoom

Without a doubt, zooming is the most used camera movement. It is often used as a clutch when the videographer is not sure what else to do to add interest to a shot. Use a quick zoom to add energy to a fast-paced piece. It involves changing the focal length of the lens to make the subject appear closer or further away in the frame.

Dolly

A dolly is when you move the entire camera forwards and backwards, typically on some sort of track or motorized vehicle. This type of movement can create beautiful, flowing effects when done correctly.

Tilt

Tilting is when you move the camera vertically, up to down or down to up, while its base is fixated to a certain point. Again, like panning, this move typically involves the use of a tripod where the camera is stationary but you move the angle it points to. These shots are popular when introducing a character, especially one of grandeur, in a movie.