Chapter Calling the Shots

Objective Given: textbook What: Group activity on subject distance in preparation for scavenger hunt How Well: with 100% accuracy

Camera Angle Names A camera angle is a distinctive, identifiable way of framing subjects from a particular position at a particular image size. The most common angle names are taken from the apparent distance between the camera and a standing adult human.

Examples See the examples on page of the textbook.

Camera Angle Names By Distance extreme long shot (XLS): the figure is tiny and indistinct in a very large area long shot (LS): the standing figure fills the screen from top to bottom, often with just a small amount of head and foot room three-quarter shot (3/4): the shot shows the subject from about the knees to the top of the head

Camera Angle Names By Distance Medium Shot or Mid Shot(MS): the shot shows the subject from the belt line to the top of the head Medium Closeup or Bust Shot (MCU): the shot shows the subject from about the solar plexus to the top of the head

Camera Angle Names By Distance Closeup (CU): the shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head Big closeup (BCU): the shot shows the subject from below the chin to the forehead or hairline Extreme closeup (XCU): the shot shows the subject from the base of the nose to the eyebrows

Camera Angle Names By Horizontal Angle front angle: the camera faces the front of the subject three-quarter angle: the camera is placed between 15 and 45 degrees around toward one side of the subject profile angle: the camera is at a right angle to the original front angle

Camera Angle Names By Horizontal Angle three-quarter rear angle: the camera is another 45 degrees around, so that the subject is now facing away rear angle: the camera is directly opposite its front position and fully behind the subject

Camera Angle Names by Camera Height bird’s-eye angle: an extremely high camera position (around 1 o’clock) that simulates the view from a plane or high building high angle: a shot in which the camera is evidently higher than the eye level of a human subject (between 1:30 and 2:30) neutral angle: a shot in which the camera is more or less at the subject’s eye level (3:00)

Camera Angle Names by Camera Height low angle: a shot in which the camera is evidently below eye level (between 3:30 and 4:30) worm’s-eye angle: an extremely low camera position, looking dramatically upward (5 o’clock)

Subject

Camera Angle Names by Shot Purpose master shot: recording most or all of a scene in a full shot establishing shot: serves to orient viewers to the general scene and the performers in it reverse shot: to show the action from a point of view nearly opposite that of the main camera position POV shot: (point-of-view) shows the audience what someone on the screen is seeing

Camera Angle Names by Shot Purpose over-the-shoulder shot: enhances the feeling of depth and give great perspective cutaway shot: the purpose is to show the audience something outside the principal action, or to reveal something from an onscreen person’s point of view insert shot: serves to show small detail of an action, most often from the point of view of a person on the screen

Camera Angle Names by Shot Population single: shot showing one person two-shot: shot showing two people three-shot: shot showing three people

Camera Movement Dolly: Moving the camera, it’s tripod, and dolly toward or away from the set. Truck: Moving the camera, it’s tripod, and dolly to the left or right parallel to the set Arc: Moving the camera in a curved truck around the set. Fixed on subject

Camera Movement Pan: Moving only the camera horizontally. Tilt: Pointing only the camera lens vertically up or down Pedestal: Raising or lowering the camera on the pedestal while facing the set