Lesson 1 - close veiwing- Camera shots

Question 1

Estabalishing shot

Answer 1

Used to set the scene, to show where the catuon is going to take place. Usually used early on in the film or at the start of a scene, yo give viewer a sense of the time and place.

Question 2

Long shot

Answer 2

Shows one or more character(s) from some distance. We can see their whole body, but little
or no detail from this distance. A long shot gives us a sense of distance from the character –
they might be moving towards us, or away from us. Can be combined with low/high angle
shot.

Question 3

Mid shot

Answer 3

A shot which shows one or more characters, usually from the waist up. A mid shot is used to
show the characters’ hand gestures and body language, giving the viewer a sense of how they
are interacting (useful to establish and develop character relationships and conflicts). We
don’t see a lot of detail in their facial expressions.

Question 4

close up shot

Answer 4

Focuses on a character’s face or an object in detail. Used to show the character’s facial
expressions, giving viewers a sense of how they are feeling or what they are thinking (i.e.
their internal state). A close up of an object can be used to draw attention to that object (to
suggest that it is important, or will become important later in the film).

Question 5

Extreme close up

Answer 5

Focuses on a character’s face in extreme close up (eg. on their eyes, or on their finger about
to pull the trigger of a gun). This gives viewers a highly detailed sense of how the character is
feeling / what they are thinking. May also be used to heighten tension.

Question 6

Zoom in/ Zoom out

Answer 6

Zoom in is where the camera is far away from a character/object, and slowly moves in to
focus on it, thereby showing it in increasingly greater detail. This suggests that the character/
object being zoomed in on is important, that the director wants to draw attention to it.
Zoom out is where the camera is focused on a character/object in close up, and begins to
move away; as it moves away, we see the surroundings. This is used to show the context or
setting in which the character/ object is placed.

Question 7

High angle shot

Answer 7

The camera is positioned up high, looking down on a character / object. Often used to make a
character appear powerless, weak, vulnerable, etc.

Question 8

Low angle shot

Answer 8

The camera is positioned down low, looking up at a character / object. Used to make a
character appear powerful, strong, intimidating, in control, authoritative, threatening, etc.

Question 9

Tracking

Answer 9

This is where the camera moves alongside, or behind, a moving object – eg. a man riding on
a horse, or a fast moving train. It gives us the sense that we are moving with the character or
object that is in motion. Creates a sense that we (the viewers) are immersed in the scene and
the action that is taking place.

Question 10

Panning

Answer 10

The camera does not move, but swivels to reveal detail of a setting or location. Provides more
information to the viewer about a particular setting than a static (non-moving) establishing
shot.