Research into Camera Shots and Angles

In our most recent lesson, we learnt about camera shots and how different shots portray emotions or empowerment of the character.

For example, an extreme close up shot would be used to engage the audience in the emotions of the character by focusing on the facial expression, mainly used in intense scenes.
     
 In addition, other shots, for example, a high angle shot, can be used to portray the character in a vulnerable way. A high angle shot means it is shot at an angle which is looking down on the character, to highlight their vulnerability and to enhance a possible sense of danger, most commonly used in horror films. In contrast, a low angle shot, looking up to a certain character, can be used to portray a sense of empowerment and to create an idea that the character is above everyone else and in control.

During this lesson, we watched and analysed a clip from Superman. We focused on all the different camera shots used in this particular clip, and analysed the reasons behind why they were used in the scene.

The camera shots we noticed in this clip were:

•  Close-Up (CU)
• High angle (HA)
• Low angle (LA)
• Extreme close-up (ECU)
• Big close-up (BCU)
• Eye Level (EL)
• Long shot (LS)

The variety of camera shots used in this clip ensured the characters were portrayed in a way the audience could understand their position. For example, the low angle was used for the villain when he shot at the policemen because he had the advantage, however it was then used again when Superman arrived to suggest he now had the power over the villain. 

Many different camera shots are used to portray such powerful scenes. In some cases, like the eye level shot, for example when the villain was at eye level with the camera and aiming the gun, the audience are made to feel vulnerable and scared as it looks like he is aiming towards the audience.

Not only are the camera shots used to portray the emotions of the characters or the settings, but they are used to engage the audience in the scene and ensure they are feeling the full emotions of the story. 

Other camera shots that can be used are:

• Medium close-up (MCU)
• Medium shot (MS)
• Medium long shot (MLS)
• Establishing shot (ES)
• Birds eye view (BEV)
• Dutch angle (DA)
• Reverse angle (RA)