Shot types and editing techniques

Extreme long shot- the subject isn't clear but it gives a sense of establishing where in the world this is being filmed.

High Angle Shot - This shot is taken for above the subject, looking down at it.

Pan – The camera moves from right to left or left to right, following the subject as it moves.

Tracking Shot – The camera moves on a dolly to follow the subject’s movements.

Tilt – The camera pans vertically- up and down.

Canted/ Dutch Angle Shot – The camera is not straight toward the subject, it is at an angle.

Zoom in / out – Camera focuses zooming in or out on a key detail.

Steadicam / Handheld – The camera moves around with the action.

Crane Shot – The camera takes a high angle shot looking down on the subject; the crane can track, tilt and pan.

Aerial Shot – The camera is positioned in a plane or helicopter to get an ELS high angled shot.

Long shot – The subject takes up the full frame, feet are show at the bottom of the frame.

Mid shot – shows some part of the subject in closer detail but still shows his surroundings.

Medium close up – the medium close up is half way between a mid-shot and a close up.

Close up – a curtain feature on some part of the subject takes up most of the frame.

Extreme close up – this shot gets right in and shows the detail.

Cut away – usually a shot that’s something other than the current action.

Two shot – good for establishing a relationship between two subjects.

Over the shoulder shot – This shot is framed from behind the person looking over their shoulder. Good for showing emotions and reactions.

Noddy shot – common in interviews, a shot of someone listening and reacting to the subject.

Point of view shot – this shot shows the view from the subject’s perspective.

Low angle shot - this shot is taken from below the subject looking up at it, the opposite of a high angle shot.

Composition is what is where different items are placed in the frame.

Framing is what you leave out of the frame.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Transitions – this is where two shots are joined together.

Dissolve – a gradual transition from one shot to another.

Fade to black/ white – one shot fades in or out from black to white.

Fade in / out – a shot is faded out to black screen or in from black screen.

Cross-cutting – when action cuts between two sequences to create links.

Wipe - a line moves across the screen showing a transition from one shot to another.

Jump cut – an abrupt cut between shots.

Rules of thirds – points of interest occur where the lines cross.

The golden mean – points of interest are established by looking for an imaginary diagonal line across the frame.