Wednesday 19 September 2018

Media Language - Use Of A Camera

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Basic Camera Shots

Extreme Long Shot
An extreme long shot or also known as an establishing shot is a photo of a setting normally outside and of a location, not of people. It is used to establish the scene and convey to the viewer where the characters are and the overall setting. 


Long Shot
A long shot is a shot of a character or person, and includes the whole body, (head to toe) in the frame. The purpose of this shot is to help the viewer understand the relationship between the character and the environment they are in.


Mid Shot
The mid shot is a shot that includes the waist and up in the frame. The use of the mid shot is to allow the viewer to begin to create a connection with the character and understand them and their motivations.


Two Shot
The two shot is a shot that includes two people. The purpose of this shot is to show and express the relationship that the two characters have between each other.


Close Up
The close up shot is a shot that is taken with the character from the shoulders up, without a clear shot of the background. The point being that the director wants to focus the viewers attention on the character and be ore in tune with their emotions. The close up can also be used to show an object that is of some importance to the narrative.


Point Of View
The point of view shot shows what the character themselves would see during an action or something else. The purpose being to keep the viewer in check with the characters motives and enable them to understand what the character wants to do.


Extreme Close Up
The extreme close up is a shot of exclusively their face and can be even more specific areas such as the eyes. The point of this is to bring the viewer even further into the emotions of the character. The extreme close up can also be used to show an object that is of importance to the narrative again.


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Basic Camera Movements                                                                                                           *Dolly

Tracking*
Tracking is the moment into or out from the character. Tracking in is used to draw the viewer into the action and tracking out is used to signify the end of the scene and that the narrative is moving on.


Sideways Tracking*
Sideways tracking or the crab shot is where a shot is filmed whilst the camera is moving sideways on a dolly. The purpose being to follow the movement of a character or object, to keep the audience in check with the pace of the action.


Tilt
A tilt is filmed by either moving the camera up or down on an axis. The purpose of tilting up being to create a sense of power and superiority from the character. Tilting down would be the opposite effect and make the character seem small and less significant or powerless.



Zoom
Zooming is the changing in focal length of the camera zooming in or out. This creates a similar effect to the tracking. Tracking in is used to draw the viewer into the action and tracking out is used to signify the end of the scene and that the narrative is moving on.

Arc
The arc is when the camera which is focused on a character or an object and semicircles or full circles around them. The purpose being to allow the viewer to see the reaction of the characters and can also build the intensity of the narrative.


Crane
The crane shot, as it sounds is where the camera is attached to a crane and lifts up to give a birds eye view. This allows the viewer to follow the action from a different perspective.

Panning
A panning shot is a shot that is taken by a camera mounted on a tripod and it can also be paired with


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Basic Camera Angles

Over The Shoulder Shot
The over the shoulder shot is a shot that is taken from over the shoulder and is mainly used during conversations that occur between two people.


High Angle Shot
The high angle shot is a shot where the camera is placed above the character and points on an angle downwards. This angle can give a feeling of vulnerability to the characters and make the viewer feel superior.


Low Angle Shot
A low angle shot is a shot taken by a camera that is in a low position and therefore points at an upward angle. As opposed to the high angle shot the low angle shot does the opposite, it makes the characters look superior and make the reader perhaps feel vulnerable.

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