Camera Angles, Techniques and Movement

Techniques:

Zooming: Is used to focus on things from further away, or examine up closely.

I am going to use the technique of zooming in my film trailer in order to create atmosphere and tension, causing it to be more successful. I will do this by showing one part of an object, subject or person and slowly reveal more and more to create this tension.

180 Degree Rule: The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters or subjects in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. I could use this in my film trailer to allow the audience to see the same subject from different view points.

Camera Angles: The camera angle sets the specific location at which a camera is placed to take a shot. A scene may be shot from several camera angles and give a different experience to set the mood and importance.

Close Up Shot: In film, a close up shot tightly frames a person or an object. Close up shots are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots. Close up shots display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene. Moving in to a close up shot or away from a close up shot is a common type of zooming technique.

I am going to use a close up shot in our film trailer as they expand the characters facial expression, allowing the audience to see and feel their emotion and therefore creating a bigger impact on the audience as well as creating atmosphere and tension. This will cause my film trailer to be more dramatic and successful

Medium Shot: In film, a medium shot is a camera shot from a medium distance. A medium shot is usually a shot of a person from the knees up/waist up, however in some standard texts and professional references, a full length view of a human subject is called a medium shot.

I am going to use a medium shot in our film trailer as they are relatively good at showing both the characters facial expression, and their body language - depending on where the character is placed in the shot. This again will create atmosphere and tension for our film trailer once again creating a professional and successful out coming. Using a medium shot allows the audience to see where the character is and what they are doing at a specific time.

Long Shot: A long shot typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings. A long shot is very similar and sometimes referred to as a "wide shot" because it often requires the use of a wide angle lens. A long shot allows the surroundings and everything on set to be seen and shown to the audience creating a realistic atmosphere and allowing the audience to gain knowledge of the surroundings.

I will use a long shot in our film trailer so that high action shots are placed to create atmosphere and tension for our opening scene, again causing it to be more dramatic and successful. We are also going to use a long shot to establish different locations in our film trailer, which all have significant importance to the rest of the film. This will hopefully interest the audience because they will want to know why our character is in these specific places, keeping the audience interested and hooked on what will happen throughout the film from start to finish.

Two Shot: A Two shot is a type of shot employed in the film industry in which the frame encompasses a view of two people (the subjects). The subjects do not have to be next to each other, and there are many common two-shots which have one subject in the foreground and the other subject in the background.

I am going to use a two shot in our film trailer to introduce another character to my film storyline. A two shot also allows me to show the audience the relationship between the two characters and how their relationship will show great importance throughout the film.

High Angle Shot: In film, a high angle shot is usually when the camera is located above the eye line. With this type of angle, the camera looks down on and over the subject.

I will be using a high angle shot in the film trailer in order to show the main character to the audience and convey the characters presence that they have. Using this shot will enable this character to be seen as the main and most important character in which the film is based around; this could cause sympathy and emotional feelings towards this person.

Low Angle shot: a low-angle shot is a shot from a camera positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up on a subject.

I will be using a low angle shot in the film trailer in order to empathise on a happening or character in an important part of the trailer. The use of a low angle on the character will make them appear more dominant, powerful or, alive than the other creating affect and fulfilling its purpose.

Movement

The following are some examples of common camera movements and how they can be used to shape meaning in films.

A crane shot (animation on right) is often used by composers of films to signify the end of a film or scene. The effect is achieved by the camera being put on a crane that can move upwards

 

(A crane shot)

A tracking shot and a dolly shot (animation on right) have the same effect. A tracking shot moves on tracks and a dolly shot is mounted on a trolley to achieve the effect in the example above. This camera movement is used in a number of ways but is most commonly used to explore a room such as a restaurant. By using a tracking shot or a dolly shot the composer of a film gives the viewer a detailed tour of a situation. It can also be used to follow a character.

Panning (animation on right) is used to give the viewer a panoramic view of a set or setting. This can be used to establish a scene

(A Panning shot)