Unit 16 Shot Variation

Shot Variation

close-up

A close up is a shot which fills up most of the frame to show specific detail e.g. facial expressions.

This scene from psycho shows the shower scene where she is dead on the floor and moves from an extreme close up to a close up shot

mid-shot, (or medium shot)

Mid shot (medium shot) is where the body is framed from the knees or waist to show specific body language.

Ghostbusters (1984)

The part where Venkman says “Come in Ray”

long shot

Long shot (full shot) is where the camera is at a long distance from the object/subject. The standing person is however fully visible.

Forrest Gump – Life is like a box of chocolates scene

Wide shot

Wide shot is where the camera places large areas of space within the frame. Extreme wide shots become ‘fisheye’ images.

  Ghostbusters – First Call at the Sedgewick hotel (1:11)

Ghostbusters 2 – Zapping Yanosh (0:53)

Two-shot

Two shot (American shot/Plan American) is where there are two people within the shot to show conversation or interaction with each other.

Ghostbusters – Ray and Winston talk about passages from the bible

The Dark Knight Rises – Bane Introduction (0:37)

Aerial shot

Aerial shot is where a shot is taken from a plane or helicopter to give a distant perspective.

Ghostbusters – Releasing the ghosts

The Shining – Intro