Camera Shots
A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and themes. As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film. Reviewing the examples on the right hand side of this page should make the different camera shots clearer.
Unit 1: Camera Angles, Movement and Composition
Objectives
Students will be able to identify and use camera angles, movement, and perspective.
Students will be able to compose a well-balanced picture.
Students will learn camera positions that will help them create a unique look that supports their story's point of view.
As we know from watching movies, the angle at which a character is shot in a lm can dramatically affect how we perceive that character. Film directors often choose to shoot characters using different angles in order to make an authorial comment on the role and importance of that person in the lm.
There are ve basic camera angles used to shoot scenes in a lm. The angles are determined by where the camera is placed
The 'Grammar' of Television and Film
Television and film use certain common conventions often referred to as the 'grammar' of these audiovisual media. This list includes some of the most important conventions for conveying meaning through particular camera and editing techniques (as well as some of the specialised vocabulary of film production).
Conventions aren't rules: expert practitioners break them for deliberate effect, which is one of the rare occasions that we become aware of what the convention is.
The Video Guide is a resource for both students and teachers to use as they explore the world of video. We hope you'll find these advice sheets, activities, glossaries, and more, useful whether you're just getting started or have already been using a video camera for a while.