Cinematic Elements: Shots
Shots
Camera shots are used to give viewers certain details like: general vs. specific information; object size; significance of a character or object; physical or psychological information. See the examples below for more details. Also feel free to check the Nashville Film Institute’s Cinematic Shots Website for more information
EXTREME LONG SHOT
- Taken from far away
- Helps establish location or context
- Can show distance between objects
- Can show size and relationships
LONG SHOT
- Taken from a short distance from character
- Shows full body with some setting above and below
- Physicality is important
- Setting is also significant
MEDIUM SHOT
- Taken from waist or chest up
- Can see nuance of character’s face as well as some setting/action–context
- Mimics human experience: proximity without intimacy
CLOSE-UP (NFI’s website has more info!)
- Taken at close range
- Shows Head, sometimes shoulders
- Can see details of character/object
- Highlights important detail
- Provides view of character’s emotions or state of mind
EXTREME CLOSE-UP (NFI’s website has more info)
- Taken at very close range, usually showing part of a larger object/character
- Highlights something important
- Can answer or create questions
- Can create tension (only see part of bigger picture)
