Comic Strip

Point of View and Over the Shoulder shot

Point of View shot (POV): A point of view shot is shown from the perspective of a particular character. This can be popular with the audience as it makes them feel like they're in the characters position so they can think how they'd react. Which is why directors use this often in horror or thriller films.









Over the Shoulder: An over the shoulder shot is useful in dialogue scenes, in which one actor is photographed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor. This shot allows the audience to an insight into what the main character is seeing from his point of view which adds realism to the shot as the audience adopt this characters view.
 

Mid shots and Long shots

Mid shot, Mid long shot and Long shot: Examples used are taken from 'The Dark Knight', 'Inception' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.


A Mid shot is the most common camera shot and regularly used shot. It will normally contain a figure from the waist up and is usually used in dialogue scenes or to show some action whilst still keeping the main detail of the figure in focus. It should be clear that one person is the focus yet still showing there surroundings.




The Mid long shot is very similar however the figure is shown from the knee upward.







In a Long shot the figure is show in 'life size' from head to toe and whilst the main focus is on a particular character (or more), background detail is more clear, like the picture from The Pirates of the Caribbean shows the main character at the front yet the other characters are still clear in the background.

High Angle shots and Low Angle shots

High Angle shots: Aerial, Bird's eye view, Crane and High Angle. Examples used are taken from 'The Sound of Music', 'The Hobbit' and 'Matilda'. These high angle shots are obviously taken from high up often looking down and belittling an object or character and making them look scared or frightened with the applied setting and other effects such as lighting. A high angle shot is not as extreme as a bird's eye view shot however the object can often seem to be swallowed up by its surroundings and they become part of a wider angled picture. Aerial shots are often at the start of the film or scene like shown here in 'The Sound of Music' to show the setting and landscape.

















Low Angle shots: Worm's eye view and Low Angle. Examples used are taken from 'Inglourious Basterds' and 'The Dark Knight'. These low angle shots are taken from anywhere below eye level although usually from the ground, looking vertically upward at a character or object. The effect of this is that it makes the character or object seem strong and powerful which is why these shots are very commonly used in superhero film to portray a superhero or villain.

Close ups and Long Range shots

Close up and Extreme close up:

Examples used are from 'The Shining' and 'The Dark Knight Rises'. A close up and extreme close up are shots which the camera focuses on a particular detail of the person, usually of their face to show an important moment in a film and the characters facial expressions in high detail. Extreme close ups are very intimate and are best used sparingly. This unnaturally close view intensifies feelings that the character is experiencing and allows us to establish a connection with the character. Every subtle expression, facial movement and detail becomes much clearer. This then emphasises the dramatic importance of the scene.







Long shot and Extreme long shot:
Examples used are from 'Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone' and 'The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers'. An extreme long shot or long shot can be taken usually from a high angle and from at least a mile away to establish a scene-setting picture. These will usually happen at the beginnings or ends of scenes, for example showing the beginning of a battle like in The Two Towers and also at the end showing the destruction caused.

Analysing a media text

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Camera Frames and Movements Overview

I will be explaining what each camera frame and video looks like including images and videos and why a director may choose them. 

These pictures on the right show six different camera frames and their description, a director may use an  extreme close up or close to highlight detail either in a character to show importance in facial expressions or in an object to highlight its importance. 

The pictures to the right and below show the remaining camera frame shots and their importance. Camera shots taken at a high angle can be used to show a more extreme view of everything happening for example a high speed police chase, and to heighten dramatic effects. Camera shots taken at a low angle are also used to heighten drama by making objects look or seem more intimidating.

Next I will be showing the dramatic effects and importance of different camera movements. This video shows the manny camera movements and how they are used in some famous films.






A pan or whip pan camera movement is used when the camera follows a particular object in a horizontal direction, often distorting the background and just focusing on the object;





A dolly or zoom dolly and a tracking shot are also used to follow action.
Zooming is usually used to show emotion in a characters face as yo can see every detail. A tilt is used as a reveal, to size up a building or character.






A crane movement can be used also as a reveal to show secrets or important events.




A steadicam would be used as a point of view shot, possibly to suggest dreams or fantasies.
A handheld camera shot shows instability as it is often very jerky.