Over the past few days I have been learning about different camera angles, camera movements and shot types. All of which I will state and demonstrate below:
For Camera Angles
These include:
Eye level
This angle involves the camera being positioned as though a human was observing the scene so that the heads of the actors are in the same position as the focus. For the majority of the time when this angle is used the camera itself is often placed either 5 or 6 feet above ground level.
High Angle
This is not as extreme as a Bird's eye view. The camera is elevated slightly to give an overview of the scene and action, a crane is used to produce this shot. This makes what is being shown on screen smaller, less intimidating and less scary (significant). This angle is used when a character is being swallowed up by there surroundings and they become part of a wider picture.
Low Angle
This angle is used for short actors and give a sense of speeded motion. It gives a sense of powerlessness within the scene and provide a sense of confusion for the viewer, because of this the backdrop for this particular angle always seems to be an object with little detail such as a ceiling or a wall to help disorientate the viewer. The additional height of the object may inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer, who is dominated physiologically by the on screen figure.
Low-Level
This angle gives head on views of ground level subjects.
The Bird's-Eye view
This is a very strangle and unnatural angle, this angle is used to show a scene that is directly overhead. Normal objects could seem unrecognisable upon first glance, however this angle provides positives as well as negatives, from this angle the audience are put in a 'GOD' like position by looking down on the action in the scene. This angle could make characters in the scene seem insignificant to there surroundings and ant-like. People who like to use this angle include English film producer and director Alfred Joseph Hitchcock.
The oblique angle
To suggest and symbolise imbalance, instability and transition on occasion the camera is tilted such as in Titanic. This angle is used to suggest POV (Point Of View) shot, for example when the camera becomes the eyes of one particular character. A hand held camera is often used to achieve this angle.
For Camera Movements
These include:
Hand-Held Shots
This movement unlike it's title name actually involves a heavy, awkward piece of machinery strapped to it's operator via a harness. The movement was first invented in the 1950's and it allowed the cameraman or operator to move in and out of scenes at speed. The effect this movement produces is jerky and raggedy which is totally at odds with the organised smoothness of the dolly shot. This movement is favoured by a majority of film makers who look for a gritty realism.
Dolly Shots
This is sometimes called a tracking shot, the movement involves the camera being placed on a moving vehicle which moves alongside the action in the scene, the action for this form of camera movement often involves following a moving object or figure. Advanced dolly shots involve a track being laid alongside the set for the camera to follow , hence the alternative name 'tracking shot'. The camera may be mounted on a car, a shopping trolley or even a plane to achieve the correct movement. A dolly shot is a good way of both saving money (the particular type of movement is often used by independent film makers to save some money) and for portraying movement. This could be for example following a characters journey, or from moving from a long shot to a close up.
Zoom Lenses
This particular lens means that the camera does never need to be moved which saves a lot of trouble and time. The lens means that the camera is able to zip in and out of a scene quickly with minimal effort. The negatives for this type of movement include the lens not being able to make a steady movement whilst zooming in much like the human eye. This lens is only able to focus whilst zooming if used very slowly, and if not zoomed slowly the lens tends to be jerky and it causes objects to be distorted making the objects and images in the scene seem closer together than they really are.
Steadicam
A steadicam is a type of hand held camera which is worn as a harness by the cameraman or operator. To ensure the camera remains level and smooth as the cameraman moves a gyroscope system is used. This form of camera movement can be seen in the beginning of 'Gladiator' to film the battle scenes, this was done so that the camera could be within the action and engage the audience more directly. Another example of where this was used first was in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining'.
The Aerial Shot
This is a variation of a crane shot and this movement is usually taken by a helicopter. This type of movement is good for establishing setting and movement which is why it is usually used at the opening of a film. You could think of a helicopter as a taller and bigger crane which is able to preform any movement a crane can preform, it can keep up with anything, convey real drama and and exhilaration, move in and out of scene and go anywhere with relative ease.
Crane Shot
A crane shot is basically a dolly shot in the air, a crane is a practical and useful way of moving a camera due to it being able to move up, down, left, right, moving diagonally out of action or moving in on action.
Pans
This is a movement which scans horizontally, it involves the camera being placed on a tripod which operates as a stationary axis point whilst the camera turns, often to follow a moving object and therefore keeping it in the middle of the frame.
Tilt
This is a movement which is similar to a pan, it scans a scene vertically.
Pedestal up/ Pedestal down: (Ped up/ Ped down)
This movement is often used to show dominance, submissiveness or the lack thereof in a shot, this shot involves raising or lowering the camera.
For Camera Shots
Here are some self made videos demonstrating:
Camera Shot Types:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW98anv-mTY&feature=plcp
Camera Movements and Angles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg8wrYpQ_pQ&feature=plcp
High Angle
This is not as extreme as a Bird's eye view. The camera is elevated slightly to give an overview of the scene and action, a crane is used to produce this shot. This makes what is being shown on screen smaller, less intimidating and less scary (significant). This angle is used when a character is being swallowed up by there surroundings and they become part of a wider picture.
Low Angle
This angle is used for short actors and give a sense of speeded motion. It gives a sense of powerlessness within the scene and provide a sense of confusion for the viewer, because of this the backdrop for this particular angle always seems to be an object with little detail such as a ceiling or a wall to help disorientate the viewer. The additional height of the object may inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer, who is dominated physiologically by the on screen figure.
Low-Level
This angle gives head on views of ground level subjects.
The Bird's-Eye view
This is a very strangle and unnatural angle, this angle is used to show a scene that is directly overhead. Normal objects could seem unrecognisable upon first glance, however this angle provides positives as well as negatives, from this angle the audience are put in a 'GOD' like position by looking down on the action in the scene. This angle could make characters in the scene seem insignificant to there surroundings and ant-like. People who like to use this angle include English film producer and director Alfred Joseph Hitchcock.
The oblique angle
To suggest and symbolise imbalance, instability and transition on occasion the camera is tilted such as in Titanic. This angle is used to suggest POV (Point Of View) shot, for example when the camera becomes the eyes of one particular character. A hand held camera is often used to achieve this angle.
For Camera Movements
These include:
Hand-Held Shots
This movement unlike it's title name actually involves a heavy, awkward piece of machinery strapped to it's operator via a harness. The movement was first invented in the 1950's and it allowed the cameraman or operator to move in and out of scenes at speed. The effect this movement produces is jerky and raggedy which is totally at odds with the organised smoothness of the dolly shot. This movement is favoured by a majority of film makers who look for a gritty realism.
Dolly Shots
This is sometimes called a tracking shot, the movement involves the camera being placed on a moving vehicle which moves alongside the action in the scene, the action for this form of camera movement often involves following a moving object or figure. Advanced dolly shots involve a track being laid alongside the set for the camera to follow , hence the alternative name 'tracking shot'. The camera may be mounted on a car, a shopping trolley or even a plane to achieve the correct movement. A dolly shot is a good way of both saving money (the particular type of movement is often used by independent film makers to save some money) and for portraying movement. This could be for example following a characters journey, or from moving from a long shot to a close up.
Zoom Lenses
This particular lens means that the camera does never need to be moved which saves a lot of trouble and time. The lens means that the camera is able to zip in and out of a scene quickly with minimal effort. The negatives for this type of movement include the lens not being able to make a steady movement whilst zooming in much like the human eye. This lens is only able to focus whilst zooming if used very slowly, and if not zoomed slowly the lens tends to be jerky and it causes objects to be distorted making the objects and images in the scene seem closer together than they really are.
Steadicam
A steadicam is a type of hand held camera which is worn as a harness by the cameraman or operator. To ensure the camera remains level and smooth as the cameraman moves a gyroscope system is used. This form of camera movement can be seen in the beginning of 'Gladiator' to film the battle scenes, this was done so that the camera could be within the action and engage the audience more directly. Another example of where this was used first was in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining'.
The Aerial Shot
This is a variation of a crane shot and this movement is usually taken by a helicopter. This type of movement is good for establishing setting and movement which is why it is usually used at the opening of a film. You could think of a helicopter as a taller and bigger crane which is able to preform any movement a crane can preform, it can keep up with anything, convey real drama and and exhilaration, move in and out of scene and go anywhere with relative ease.
Crane Shot
A crane shot is basically a dolly shot in the air, a crane is a practical and useful way of moving a camera due to it being able to move up, down, left, right, moving diagonally out of action or moving in on action.
Pans
This is a movement which scans horizontally, it involves the camera being placed on a tripod which operates as a stationary axis point whilst the camera turns, often to follow a moving object and therefore keeping it in the middle of the frame.
Tilt
This is a movement which is similar to a pan, it scans a scene vertically.
Pedestal up/ Pedestal down: (Ped up/ Ped down)
This movement is often used to show dominance, submissiveness or the lack thereof in a shot, this shot involves raising or lowering the camera.
For Camera Shots
These include:
Extreme Long Shot (ELS)
Very Long Shot (VLS)
Long Shot (LS)
Medium Close Up (MCU)
Close Up (CU)
Extreme Close Up (ECU)
Cutaway (CA)
Cut In (CI)
Two Shot (2-Shot)
Over-the-Shoulder Shot (OSS)
Point of View Shot (POV)
Here are some self made videos demonstrating:
Camera Shot Types:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW98anv-mTY&feature=plcp
Camera Movements and Angles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg8wrYpQ_pQ&feature=plcp
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