Basic Camera Techniques

Camera Techniques within Film

Before starting to plan and film our project, our group decided that it would be best to research different camera angles and movement and how each of them is used for effect. We will research the overall effect each camera angle gives, and how we can use them to our advantage within our project.

Camera Angles

Aerial Shot

• Usually taken from a helicopter
• Used at the beginning of films to establish the setting

We will not be able to use this shot, as we will not have access to any of the equipment required.

Bird's Eye View Shot

• Sets the scene and can be used to show the overall setting of the film
• Very unnatural angle
• Familiar objects such as umbrellas may look entirely unrecognisable from this angle.
• Puts the audience in a god-like position where people in shot can appear very small and insignificant

In our horror film opening we could use a bird's eye shot to establish the setting in the first few seconds of the sequence. However, bird's eye view shots are very difficult to execute without specialist equipment, so it may be impossible for us to include on in our sequence as helicopters or drones are not readily available to us.

High Angle Shot

• Not as extreme as the bird’s eye view
• The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview
• High angles make the object photographed seem smaller and less significant

We could use this camera angle in our film opening to frame a victim from above, as though they are being watched from a villain above. This also is an uncomfortable viewing angle, so we could use it to add to the uneasiness. If we had a scene where the victim was unaware, a high angle shot will make the viewer feel external to the scene, building the tension.

Eye Level

• Probably the most commonly used shot
• Used for a sense of realism within the scene
• The camera will be placed roughly five to six feet from the ground

We could apply this camera frame to scenes with lots of action, as the viewer will feel as though they are actually there and involved in the scene.

Low Angle Shot

• These increase height (useful for short actors such as Tom Cruise) and give a sense of speeded motion
• Low angles give a sense of confusion to a viewer, and induce feelings of powerlessness within the action of a scene
• The background of a low angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling, which adds to the feeling of disorientation

We could use this camera angle to add height to our villain, to make him more fear-inducing. We could alternatively use this angle in a forest or outdoor setting, to make the trees/buildings seem more imposing and overpowering. This could be helpful to use in establishing shots

Oblique/canted angle

• The camera is tilted (not placed horizontally to floor level) to suggest imbalance, transition and instability (popular in horror movies)
• Indicates to the audience that the scene is unstable

We could apply this angle to a confrontation or scene to make the scene more ominous and unsettling.  We could alternatively use this technique in combination with the use of a handheld camera to increase the feeling of uneasiness.

Camera Framing

Extreme Long Shot

• Also referred to as an establishing shot
• Can be taken from as far as a quarter of a mile away
• Usually shows an exterior setting, for example a vast landscape or cityscape

In our horror film opening, we could start the sequence with an extreme long shot to establish the mood and setting of our piece. If we used this in combination with dark lighting (perhaps we could shoot in the evening) we could create an eerie effect.

Long Shot

• The long shot is typically used to give an 'actual size' effect when the film is viewed in a cinema. This means it can be quite difficult to use.
• The character on screen is fully shown, with their head near the top of the screen and their feet near to the bottom.
• The background is still visible at the sides of the screen

This shot is a very simple shot we could use to show our character walking or moving from one place to the other. In a scene where facial expressions and mode of address are key to the narrative, we will not use this shot.

Medium Shot

• Shows the character from the waist and upwards
• These shots are typically used during dialogue scenes, because you can see the character's expression and mode of address
• Very little setting is shown - the intention of this shot is to force the audience to concentrate mostly on the characters

If we use any medium shots in our sequence, we will priorly use a long shot to already establish the scene, to avoid any confusion surrounding the setting.

Over-the-Shoulder Shot

• Similar to the medium shot, except the camera is placed behind the shoulder of the character in then foreground
• Only the foreground character's head and shoulders are shown
• The camera is typically focused on the front-facing speaking character, so the foreground character often appears blurred

If we use any dialogue scenes within our sequence, we could use over-the-shoulder shots to show the continuous dialogue between the two characters.

Close Up Shot

• Concentrates on the face or another part of mise en scene
• Can be used to add emphasis to a particular facial expression 
• Often the background will be blurred to add further  emphasis to the item in shot, in a sense forcing the viewer to notice it

We could use this to show close ups of any stage makeup we do to emphasis its effect. We could also use a close up shot of any prominent mise en scene pieces, for example a letter.

Extreme Close Up Shot

• The purpose of an extreme close up shot is to magnify beyond the naked eye
• This adds a sense of uneasiness to the scene, as it is a very unfamiliar viewing angle
• Used for dramatic effect

In our own film sequence, we could add an extreme close up shot of a characters eye or mouth to emphasise their facial expression and mode of address. It could potentially be quite powerful to include a range of extreme close up shots in a montage.

Camera Movements

Pans

• Camera pans involve the camera scanning a setting horizontally
• Can be used to keep a moving object in the middle of the frame

We could use this to scan our scene, or keep up with any moving characters

Tilts

• Similar to a camera panning movement except it scans the scene vertically

We are unlikely to use this type of camera movement as it is typically used to show action that occurs across vast heights or depths. One opportunity to use this type of camera movement would include in our establishing shot - we could vertically scan the exterior of a tall building or forest.

Dolly Shot

• The camera is placed on a moving vehicle of some sort to show a fast moving subject
• The subject is able to be kept central in the frame

This is a difficult shot to execute, however with help we may be able to film a moving object or character.

Hand-Held Camera Shots

• The camera is moved and held by the cameraman\
• It rests on the shoulder for comfort and stability
• This technique makes the audience feel as though they are part of the action, seeing through the eyes of a character.

One possible use of this camera technique in our film opening could include a character being chased.  Someone could run after the person filming them, making it seem as though the viewer is watching through the eyes of the character. The jerky movements caused by the cameraman's footsteps would depict a sense of realism, adding uneasiness and terror.

Crane Shot

• Similar to a dolly shot except the camera is able to move in all directions, including up and down
• Used to ensure moving objects or characters are kept central in each shot

It is unlikely we will use this shot in our film opening as we won't have access to a crane. We may be able to create a makeshift crane using an extendable pole of some sort, however we will revisit this when planning our film opening.

Zoom Lens Shot

• Used to magnify a shot, even with the camera operator standing one or two metres away
• Used with a tripod and stabiliser
• Used to zoom into a character's face

We could use a zoom lens to zoom into a character's face to emphasise their facial expression. 

-Anna Humphreys