Ultimate Guide to Camera Angles: Every Camera Shot Explained [Shot List, Ep. 3]

[Music] films are made up of sequences sequences are made of scenes and scenes are made up of shot [Music] in the previous episode of this series we went over how to frame your subjects to isolate individuals or create relationships but a shot size and framing are decided you'll need to consider camera height specifically the angle of the camera [Music] this is episode 3 of the shot list camera angles if short size and framing are used to isolate what we are looking at camera angles are all about how we are meant to perceive them that adds yet another layer of meaning to every camera shot we'll be looking at nine different types of camera angles as we cover each camera angle and technique we'll be filling out a shot list using studio binder that you can download in reference now let's begin with our first camera angle but though angle any shot that finds itself below a subjects eyeline looking up at them is a low angle shot low angle shots are typically used to make a subject look more powerful perfect for heroes and villains alike the degree can be subtle or Hauk extreme no angles are not confined to human subjects like in 2001 but the effect is the same let's look at the scene I hate lions pushing and Harry Oh scars just you consider this low angle shot of scar everything about this shot spells villainy the color the smoke the darkness the expression but it is the low angle that brings it all together for more on the low angle shot check the description for our video where we break down how to use a low angle in more detail up next a complementary angle often paired with the low angle the high angle shot [Music] while no angle shots can plump a character up high angle shots can beat them down high and low angle shots are often paired in the same scene to heighten the imbalance of power between subjects high angles are typically used to diminish a character making them appear weak or vulnerable an extreme variation of the high angle is the aerial shot typically used to establish environments cities landscapes or to present characters moving through a larger world what did you suffer drive through for a rather extreme example of a high angle shot we look to the Avengers a powerful hero needs a powerful villain and what better way to challenge our muscle-bound protagonists than a threat that Dwarfs them in the description you'll find a link to our high angle video essay where we break down how to use this towering shot to convey narrative or character details and elicit a viewers emotional response when high angles approach 90 degrees above the subject they become the overhead shot an overhead shot also known as a bird's-eye view or a God's eye view finds the camera directly above the subject shooting straight down overhead shots are great for showcasing complex movements and they could suggest a connection to the divine or to capture the horrific details of a crime scene consider this moment from the master Fredi lays above his fellow sailors most likely drunk and unconscious but the shot is presented without context all we see is a character who is disconnected in more ways than one and now an angle that puts us off balance the Dutch angle the Dutch angle shot skews the horizontal axis of the frame for an off-kilter image that produces a variety of effects a Dutch angle can create a sense of unease mania back Jim if you don't buy things door paper new cards computerized and electrically operated sexual devices serial systems your brain terror over will Dermot you're worried about me why a Dutch angle can also be used to magnify tension in do the right thing director Spike Lee uses Dutch angles to intensify the vitriol between embittered characters as the racial tensions rise to a boiling point so does the angle of the tilt but there are nuances to properly set up a Dutch angle from maximum impact check the description to our video essay where we break down Brian DePalma's Dutch angle from this scene in Mission Impossible you want to shake hands with the devil that's fine with me I just want to make sure that you do it in the hell moving on the eye level shot [Music] shooting an eye-level as perhaps the most commonly used camera height for the audience it is the most natural height to regard a character and eye level shot doesn't impose judgment on a character in the way a high or low angle shot does but that doesn't mean it can't be engaging or dynamic and IPO is an initial public offering it's the first time a stock is off the for sale to the general population in the wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort delivers this monologue straight into the camera at eye level no you're not following what I'm saying anyway right that's that's okay that doesn't matter the real question is this was all this legal absolutely not the eye level shot along with breaking the fourth wall creates an instant connection to Jordan and his scheme Oh for more on the fourth wall check the description for a video essay on how it can be used to create an instant rapport with your characters now if we drop just a little below the eyes we land at our next camera height the shoulder level shot if I level is the most common and neutral shot height then shoulder level is the runner-up the lower position gives the illusion of a slightly low angle shot without its heavier connotations shoulder level shots are often used during conversations and frequently become an over-the-shoulder shot or OTS they can also emphasize a height difference which translates visually to a power difference in a romantic situation the barely upturned eyeline can enhance an affectionate glance in our OTS video we break down this scene from Westworld in the beginning I imagine things would be perfectly balanced to illustrate how camera placement can connect or disconnect your characters onto our next camera angle the hip level shot the hip level shot can be found in every genre but it makes its home in the Western often in conjunction with a cowboy shot which we covered in Episode one shot sighs the principal reason for this is because gun holsters rest at hip height let's look at Sergio Leone's the good the bad and the ugly [Music] Leoni jumps between various hip level holster shots and eye level extreme close-ups to create an iconic sequence that is as exciting as it is tense [Music] just below the hips is our next camera height the knee level shot the knee level shot of course sees the camera placed at a subjects knee height knee high shots often find themselves doubling as low ankles but this one is a madman a knee level shot can be a great way to track through an environment following a character and can be a good way to showcase character details that might be missed in a wider shot like in this moment from Forrest Gump [Music] this perfectly chosen knee level shot gives us a front-row seat to his personal triumph run Forrest run [Music] now our final category the ground-level shot a ground-level shaft finds a camera placed all the way down on the ground or sometimes even slightly below ground [Music] ground level shots often double as low angles if there is any degree of upward tilt shooting from ground level can be a stylish way to track a character's movement through a scene or to capture details within the setting the shining features one of the most iconic ground-level shots of all time the shot is full of dynamic movement as we track behind Danny's tricycle the iconic carpet pattern and engrossing sound design keep us intrigued by this lengthy shot it's haunting even before we get to room 237 so when you sit down to create your shot list consider how the camera angle or height affects the messaging be creative with your choices don't just settle for what's expected and don't worry about remembering all of these camera angles if you're using our shot listing software all of these options are built-in mix and match try different combinations of shot sizes framing and angles get creative you can find a link to studio binder in the description it's free to get started you also find a link to this full shot list and storyboard use it as inspiration for your next shoot in the next episode of the shot list we'll turn attention to camera focus or depth of field and how they can be used to draw the audience in that's it for now it's time to take your shots to new heights [Music]

Channel: StudioBinder

Views: 920,923

Keywords: Film theory, movie review, video essay, filmmaker, cinematography, filmmaking, parker walbeck, camera basics, cinematography techniques, camera angles, visual storytelling, wolfcrow, no film school, film maker, film analysis, aerial footage, birds eye view, overhead shot, camera angles and techniques, camera techniques, dutch tilt, camera angles in filmmaking, camera shots, camera shot, directing, high angle shot, low angle shot, eye level shot example, dutch angle, ots shot

Id: wLfZL9PZI9k

Length: 13min 32sec (812 seconds)

Published: Mon Jun 29 2020

Reddit Comments

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