Angles & Shots Decoded Created by Ms. Di Bernardo Film Terminology Angles & Shots Decoded Created by Ms. Di Bernardo

Shots & Angles Film directors and cinematographers make hundreds of choices in telling their stories. Have you ever stopped and noticed the choices of camera shots & angles? Let’s see what makes a film come alive!

Establishing Shot This long shot sets or ‘establishes’ the scene Often used for change of setting “The Wizard of Oz” What do these shots have in common? “Titanic”

What has the director accomplished Long Shot Shot from a distance Full body is shown What has the director accomplished with these long shots? “Psycho” “Edward Scissorhands”

Medium Shot Most common shot Shows person from waist up Purpose? To ground the story & establish relationships

What can these medium shots tell us about the relationships depicted? “Anchorman” “Black Swan” “The Lion King”

famous movie close-ups? What’s the benefit of filming a close up? Can you name these famous movie close-ups?

“Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock Extreme Close-up What is the benefit of an extreme close-up? “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock

Two Shot, Three Shot, Four etc. Two Shot is a scene between two people Guess what a Three Shot is? “Napoleon Dynamite”

What are these Shots? “Madea Goes to Jail” “Smoke Signals” “Suicide Squad”

Test Your Knowledge of Shots P.S. Sometimes there’s more than ONE correct answer

“Star Wars: Rogue One”

“The Silence of the Lambs”

“The Godfather”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     “The Matrix”

“Saving Private Ryan”

“Citizen Kane” See video

“The Godfather Part II”

“Star Wars”

“Elf”

Let’s identify angles and uncode their meanings. The director and the cinematographer make specific choices not only with the shots they choose but the angles at which they film the shots. These angles help to tell the story, convey emotion or manipulate the viewer’s perceptions. Let’s identify angles and uncode their meanings.

Camera Angles Decoded Eye level- Most shots are from this vantage point. High angle- Camera’s position is higher than subject. This makes the person or object seem smaller. Why do you think a director make this artistic choice? Low angle- Camera’s position is lower than the person or subject. What does this choice accomplish?

See video

Why film from a low level? “Godzilla” (1998) Why film from a low level?

“Son of Frankenstein”

“Big Buck Bunny” See video

Quick Review Eye level angle-Conveys equality,normality,realism, & eye to eye relationship. High level angle- Subject looks smaller than normal. Conveys being looked down upon, vulnerable & weak. Low level- Subject looks larger than normal. Conveys awe, intimidation, power & strength.

“Shadow of a Doubt”

“300” See video

“High Anxiety”

“The Birds”

“300” Videos to practice

about film shots and angles? What have you learned about film shots and angles?