Shot Types & Comps Flashcards
Shot
Basic elements of a film which are edited together to make a scene.
Take
A version of a shot
Long take (Continuous shot/take)
Continues for an extended amount of time. Used as an establishing shot, to give a sense of realism or to build tension.
Camera position
Distance + Angle
Long shot/Wide shot
Entire scene of action. All elements in a scene (setting, characters, etc). Establishing scene.
Master shot (enough footage, used with other shots).
Extreme long shot
Characters very small compared to surroundings. Establish a scene, show context (impressive scope, huge scale).
Medium shot
Waist up. (Most common, facial expressions, conversations)
(Knees/Ankles up –> Medium long)
(Mid-chest up –> Medium close)
Close-up
Frame filled with object or face.
Attention to details (emotion).
Extreme close-up
Frame filled with only part of face (eyes, mouth, ears). Stylistic, surrealist.
POV shot
seeing through someone’s eyes.
Eye-level
Most common camera angle.
High angle
minimizes subject
Low angle
Subject bigger, more imposing.
Canted/Dutch angle
tilted, disorientation, tension.
Aerial angle
Establishing shot. Bird’s eye view. Plane, crane, drone.
Overhead angle
Like aerial angle but closer. See what characters don’t.
Shallow DOF
Blurry background, subject in focus, aperture on camera more open (lower #)
Deep DOF
Background and subject in focus. Aperture more closed (higher #)
Tracking shot
Dolly, handheld. Follows the mvt of the scene.
Pan shot
side to side
Tilt shot
Up and down.
Zoom shot
In and out.
Rack focus
Manually change focus during a shot.
Rule of Thirds
Subject in one of four spots if shot divided into 9 squares. (asymmetrical)
