Types of shot in Media

An establishing shot in filmmaking and television production sets up, or establishes the context for a scene by showing the relationship between its important figures and objects.

It will usually be a long shot of an area and be at or near the start.

Establishing Shot

Camera MovementCrab A less-common term for tracking or trucking.

Dolly The camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks for a very smooth movement. Also known as a tracking shot or trucking shot.

Dolly Zoom A technique in which the camera moves closer or further from the subject while simultaneously adjusting the zoom angle to keep the subject the same size in the frame.

Follow The camera physically follows the subject at a more or less constant distance.

Pan Horizontal movement, left and right.

Pedestal (Ped) Moving the camera position vertically with respect to the subject.

Tilt Vertical movement of the camera angle, i.e. pointing the camera up and down (as opposed to moving the whole camera up and down).

Track Roughly synonymous with the dolly shot, but often defined more specifically as movement which stays a constant distance from the action, especially side-to-side movement.

Truck Another term for tracking or dollying.

Zoom Technically this isn't a camera move, but a change in the lens focal length with gives the illusion of moving the camera closer or further away.

Camera Movement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3oxjnFr0c

In film making, the 180-degree rule

is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene.

180 Degree Rule

This schematic shows the axis between two characters and the 180° arc on which cameras may be positioned (green). When cutting from the green arc to the red arc, the characters switch places on the screen.

The 30-degree rule is a basic film editing guideline that states the camera should move at least 30 degrees between shots of the same subject occurring in succession.

30 Degree Rule

If this rule isn't followed a jump cut occurs and there is a risk that the audience starts focusing on the filming technique instead of the story that is being narrated.

A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

High Angle

This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.

Low Angle

A tilt is a vertical camera movement in which the camera points up or down from a stationary location. For example, if you mount a camera on your shoulder and nod it up and down, you are tilting the camera.

Tilt

Other Camera AnglesPoint-Of-View Shot (POV) Shows a view from the subject's perspective.

Over-The-Shoulder-Shot (OSS) Looking from behind a person at the subject.

Noddy Shot Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.

Extreme Close-Up (ECU) This shows extreme detail on a characters face.

Cut In Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

Cutaway (CA) A shot of something other than the subject.

Mid Shot (MS) Shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject.

Close-Up (CU) A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.

Medium Close-Up (MCU) Half way between a Mid Shot and a Close-up.