1. Common Shot Types & Composition Techniques

2. OVERVIEW
This presentation will cover the basic shot types commonly used in video production.
You will also learn about some of the common camera moves, composition techniques and “rules” that skilled videographers follow when filming.
Follow these principles and your videos will look much better than all those shaky home movies posted on YouTube!

3. COMMON SHOT TYPES
It is important to be familiar with the most common shot types used in video production.
Camera operators may use slightly different terms for certain shots, but composition techniques are common.
You should be familiar with the proper terms and when certain shots are suitable to convey meaning/mood in video.

4. EXTREME WIDE SHOT (EWS)
The view is so far from a subject that he/she isn't even visible.
Shows the subject's surroundings.
Often used as an establishing shot —designed to show the audience where the action is taking place.

5. WIDE SHOT (WS) Subject takes up the full frame
The small amount of room above and below the subject can be thought of as safety room — should not cut off feet or top of head
Looks uncomfortable if the feet and head were exactly at the top and bottom of frame

6. MID SHOT (MS) or Waist Shot
Shows some part of the subject in more detail, while showing enough to feel as if you are looking at the whole subject
How you would see a person "in the flesh" if you were having a casual conversation – lower body not as important

7. BUST SHOT (BS) – no jokes!
Sometimes called Medium Close-Up
Frame from mid-chest to above head
Shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close

8. CLOSE-UP (CU) Arguably most common (and most important) camera shot
Frame person from top of shoulders to just above the head
Shows emotion – good for making connection with subject

9. EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU)
Gets right in and shows extreme detail
Important for isolating specific things on screen you want the audience to notice
Good for conveying emotion

10. CUTAWAY (CA) Shot of something other than the current action
Could be a different subject (e.g. these children), a CU of a different part of the subject (such as a subject's hands), or just about anything else around scene
Used as a "buffer" between shots (to help the editing process), or to add interest/information

11. SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS
By following some of the following useful tips, you can dramatically improve the quality of a video production .

12. SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS Don’t film everything at eye-level.
Too many shots at the same height/angle are boring.
Try different angles and heights to create visual interest & show subjects in ways your audience isn’t used to.
LOW ANGLE SHOT
Effective for making someone appear larger than life and imposing/scary

13. SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS HIGH ANGLE
Good for making subject look weak or vulnerable
TILTED HORIZON
Used when the character is about to fall over or to create unusual visual effect

14. SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS Use Natural Framing
Use elements of your surroundings to frame shots & limit what audience can see (trees, windows, buildings, etc.)
Makes audience feel they are part of the action

15. SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS Follow the Rule of Thirds (BIG ONE!)
When filming, you should place subjects at specific “third” points on the screen to create powerful visual interest.

16. SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS Rule of Thirds (contd.)
Objects placed at the dead centre on the screen tend to look boring.

17. Most important visual point
SHOT COMPOSITION TIPS
Rule of Thirds (contd.)
Our eyes map out visual space in thirds
We follow a path through the scene by moving to intersection points of the third lines 4 3 2 1
Most important visual point

18. This also gives the subject room to move and creates LEAD ROOM
RULE OF THIRDS
Try to place subjects on the third lines/off centre
This also gives the subject room to move and creates LEAD ROOM

19. BASIC CAMERA MOVES PANNING
Camera swivels from side to side to keep moving subjects on screen
Similar to standing in one place and turning your head
If possible, use a tripod for a steady shot

20. BASIC CAMERA MOVES TRUCKING/DOLLYING
Camera rolls from side to side (trucking) or forward/backward (dollying) to follow a moving subject (keeps in frame)
Use a tripod/rolling base for smooth movement
Creates illusion the viewer is moving

21. BASIC CAMERA MOVES ZOOMING Not really a camera “move”
Change the camera’s lens setting to make an object appear closer or farther away from the camera
Subject appears to move (not viewer)
Zoom-in “T” = tight angle
Zoom-out “W” = wide angle

22. BASIC CAMERA MOVES Use a Tripod! 3-legged base provides steady support
Allows for tilting, panning and filming at different heights
Add rolling base to allow for trucking/dollying

23. SOME FINAL TIPS Know how to handle the camera
Use extra support to avoid the “shakes”, especially when filming close-ups
Too much camera wobble will make your audience dizzy
Stability can be created by using your body, a wall, furniture or a tripod
Choose shot types carefully
Pay close attention to surroundings – avoid distracting backgrounds, etc.
When zooming, do so slowly and sparingly.

24. There’s plenty more to learn about video production, but you’ll do that while working on your project!