THE TWO-SHOT. What is Two-Shot ?

This is a medium shot that shows two characters within the frame. Pretty straight-forward but can be pivotal in establishing relationships between the characters.

A two shot is a type of shot in which the frame encompasses a view of two people (the subjects). The subjects do not have to be next to each other, and there are many common two-shots which have one subject in the foreground and the other subject in the background. It is very useful if the film is about two people.

The shots are also used to show the emotional reactions between the subjects. For instance, in the movie Stand By Me, this shot is used multiple times to show these emotions.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) shooting Marvin in Pulp Fiction (1994). Yep, a two-shot of a two shots.

THE HIGH ANGLE SHOT. What is high angle shot ?

In contrast with the low angle shot, this one films from a higher point and looks down on the character or subject, often isolating them in the frame. Basically the direct opposite of the low angle, it aims to portray the subject as submissive, inferior or weak in some way.


In cinematography, a low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up.Sometimes, it is even directly below the subject's feet. Psychologically, the effect of the low-angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: Matilda walking up to the librarian for the first time in Matilda (1996).

THE LOW ANGLE SHOT. What is low angle shot?

This shot films from a lower point and shoots up at a character or subject, making them appear larger so as to convey them as heroic, dominant or intimidating. It’s also another way of making cities look empty.

In cinematography, a low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up. Sometimes, it is even directly below the subject's feet. Psychologically, the effect of the low-angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: Basically every time a superhero (and villain) first appears in costume in every superhero film. But another noteworthy one I can’t pass up is the shot of Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) and Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth) during the trunk scene in Inglourious Basterds (2009).

THE OVER-THE-SHOULDER SHOT. What is Over the shoulder shot?

This is where the camera is positioned behind a subject’s shoulder and is usually used for filming conversations between two actors. This popular method helps the audience to really be drawn into the conversation and helps to focus in on one speaker at a time. Seeing as the non-speaking actor is seen only from behind, it’s common for major production sets to substitute actors with stand-ins or doubles for these shots.

In film or video, an over the shoulder shot (also over shoulder, ab tu, OTS, or third-person shot) is a shot of someone or something taken from the perspective or camera angle from the shoulder of another person

ICONIC EXAMPLE: Conversation between Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) about calling up the help of his ancestors in Amistad (1997).

THE DOLLY ZOOM. What is Dolly Zoom ?

This shot sees the camera track forward from the actor whilst simultaneously zooming out, or vice-versa. So the foreground generally stays the same while the background increases or decreases across the frame. First invented by Alfred Hitchcock in Vertigo to create a dizzying, vertiginous effect, it’s become quite the filming technique among the industry’s top filmmakers. However, as it’s a tough shot to get right, actors really need to be on their A-game when filming and a little patience goes a long way.

The dolly zoom, also referred to as the Vertigo effect or a Zolly shot, is a technique wherein the camera is dollied either forward or backward while the zoom on the lens is pulled in the opposite direction.

The visual appearance for the viewer is that either the background suddenly grows in size and detail and overwhelms the foreground, or the foreground becomes immense and dominates its previous setting, depending on which way the dolly zoom is executed. As the human visual system uses both size and perspective cues to judge the relative sizes of objects, seeing a perspective change without a size change is a highly unsettling effect, often with strong emotional impact.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: The moment Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) realizes his worst fears have come true when first seeing Jaws. Jaws (1975).

THE MEDIUM SHOT (MS). What is Medium Shot (MS) ?

Also referred to as a ‘semi-close shot’ or ‘mid-shot’, this generally shoots the actor(s) from the waist up and is typically used in dialogue scenes. It aims to capture subtle facial expressions combined with their body language or surrounding environment that may be necessary to provide context.

In film, a medium shot, mid shot (MS), or waist shot is a camera angle shot from a medium distance.

Mid Shot

The mid shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. In fact, this is an approximation of how you would see a person "in the flesh" if you were having a casual conversation. You wouldn't be paying any attention to their lower body, so that part of the picture is unnecessary.

The MS is appropriate when the subject is speaking without too much emotion or intense concentration. It also works well when the intent is to deliver information, which is why it is frequently used by television news presenters. You will often see a story begin with a MS of the reporter (providing information), followed by closer shots of interview subjects (providing reactions and emotion).


As well as being a comfortable, emotionally neutral shot, the mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a bit of movement.

• Also known as a three-quarters shot.
• Frames the whole subject from the knees up.
• An intermediate shot between the long shot and the medium shot.
• Shows the subject in relation to the surroundings.
• May be used when you have 2 or 3 persons in the frame.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: When Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and Delbert Grady (Philip Stone) converse in the bathroom in The Shining (1980)

THE EXTREME CLOSE-UP (XCU). What is Extreme Close-up ?

This shot is traditionally used in films and focuses on a small part of the actor’s face or body, like a twitching eye or the licking of lips in order to convey intense and intimate emotions. This unnaturally close view is used sparingly as the multiplication of the subtlest movements or details need to be justified in the dramatization and boldness of that particular scene.

Extreme Close Up (ECU, XCU) The ECU (also known as XCU) gets right in and shows extreme detail. You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes. A variation of this shot is the choker

6 Reasons to Get an Extreme Closeup Shot

An extreme closeup is exciting, mysterious, dramatic, intimate, detailed, perspective-changing, and disorienting. OK, so maybe your closeup is one or none of those, but that's the beauty of getting a good tight shot - you decide what to express. What's even more exciting is that just about any camera can get an effective extreme closeup (sometimes found as ECU and  (link is external)XCU (link is external)). Have your best director's eye because extreme closeups are very obvious, so make sure that what you're trying to capture is clear. With the notion of clearly capturing what you want, perhaps you think "I'll do every shot as an extreme closeup" - this is not recommended, because while it can provide a unique perspective, it is unnatural and repeated use will likely make it hard to follow, and your audience will lose its bearings. For a more technical explanation of getting extreme closeups watch Videomaker's Macro Videography: The Art of the Extreme Close-Up.

Now if you don't know what makes an extreme closeup, you'll need to first understand a closeup (link is external), which is generally a headshot, when you've framed your subject for part of its form. For instance, a closeup on feet would be framed with both feet visible, a little beyond the toes, and just above the ankles. But an extreme closeup can put the frame at the edge of the big toe and possibly cut off the pinky toe.

1. You didn't get enough head room

Some sets are very tight to work in, so you might not have the option of getting a wider composition on your subject. Out of necessity, your extreme closeup can cut off the hair of a person and put the person's chin below the frame, your audience will get an up close and personal look with your subject. Perhaps you're fortunate to be getting video of an elephant, shoot more close shots since you won't want to rent a helicopter all morning.

2. Tears and emotion

You've got a happy or sad moment, let that moment sink in by getting the audience to notice the tears falling from a subject's eyes. Actually, getting an extreme closeup of the eyes is going to be a very good way of showing emotion in nearly any situation.

3. Timers and pacing

Your story line is nearing the end of its climbing action: your cuts are getting quicker, the camera is getting closer and the action is ramping up - great time for a close shot. You can increase the intensity by getting extreme closeups that highlight the crucial story points. Let's say you've got a sports or time bomb scene, an extreme closeup on the clock and a sweeping second hand or counting down digits, these will bring the focus to the time, and probably cause your viewers to urge the characters to stop worrying about time and do what must be done. Sound can be a great compliment in this situation, a ticking clock with overbearing sound as the extreme closeup comes up, can really set the pace for the moment.

4. Cut the blue wire and other such details

It may not be the blue wire, but an extreme closeup can sure show the detail that you want people to notice, perhaps you've got the key that the character is looking for or a flashdrive that holds a government's secrets. If you're doing a documentary, you might get great B-roll that is an extreme closeup of an artifact or tool that your subject has or any other appropriate objects you'll have the freedom to shoot.

5. A bird's eye view - other animals and small beings with eyes work too

Not that bird's eye view, but the perspective of a perched bird. Chances are birds will have great extreme closeups of branches, worms for breakfast and babies in a nest. There are many perspectives that require such shots in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (link is external). Extreme closeups can be great ways to view subjects that are incredibly small, such as insects.

6. Surprise

Perhaps you'll start off with an extreme closeup and track the camera back to reveal the bigger picture. A cut from one shot to a wide shot can also provide a surprise, as a random example you might show a bright red apple, then your next shot has that same apple, but now we see that it is in the mouth of a pig being hoisted about at a feast. Make it a murder mystery with an ECU of a smoking gun, and after a detective's microscopic search, show the true events by repeating the ECU and following it with a medium shot of the same gun, held by the killer.

Now of course, there are different uses for extreme closeups, certainly beyond narrative video which just so happen to have the most fun examples. And of course there's moderation, unless you're playing the macro photography game, you don't want a closeup to fill the television, theater, tablet or monitor all day. Spice up the B-roll and reward your viewers with your skill and get the camera close. Just keep in mind that there is a point when you can be too close and the subject will lose focus, and on that note, make sure you're able to get a clean focus, but that sounds like another story for another day.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: Charles Foster Kane’s (Orson Welles) mouth as he utters the famous word “Rosebud” in Citizen Kane (1941).

THE CLOSE-UP (CU). What is close-up shot ?

This is perhaps the most crucial component in cinematic storytelling and is arguably an actor’s most important moment on camera. This shot is usually framed from above the shoulders and keeps only the actor’s face in full frame, capturing even the smallest facial variations. As it eliminates any surrounding elements that may be relevant to the scene’s narrative, it’s really up to the actor’s skill and focus to shape the story.



A close-up or closeup in filmmaking, television production, still photography and the comic strip medium is a type of shot, which tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots (cinematic techniques)

ICONIC EXAMPLE:

THE ESTABLISHING SHOT. What is Establishing Shot ?

Again, it’s in the name – this shot is at the head of the scene and establishes the location the action is set on, whilst also setting the tone of the scene(s) to come. It usually follows directly after an aerial shot in the opening of films and is beloved by TV directors.

An establishing shot is usually the first shot of a new scene, designed to show the audience where the action is taking place. It is usually a very wide shot or extreme wide shot

An establishing shot in filmmaking and television production sets up, or establishes the context for a scene by showing the relationship between its important figures and objects It is generally a long or extreme-long shot at the beginning of a scene indicating where, and sometimes when, the remainder of the scene takes place.

Establishing shots were more common during the classical era of filmmaking than they are now. Today's filmmakers tend to skip the establishing shot in order to move the scene along more quickly. In addition, the expositional nature of the shot (as described above) may be unsuitable to scenes in mysteries, where details are intentionally obscured or left out.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: The infamous New York City diner – Tom’s Restaurant in Seinfeld (1989-1998).

THE AERIAL SHOT - What is Aerial Shot ?

It’s all in the name – this shot is filmed from the air and is often used to establish a location (usually exotic and/or picturesque).

A shot taken from an airborne device, generally while moving. Backlighting (lighting design) The main source of light is behind the subject, silhouetting it, and directed toward the camera. ... High-angle shot (the camera is higher than its subject)


An aerial shot is a shot of a scene or photo taken from a higher vantage point than what is being filmed. This gives a greater understanding of what is happening in the scene as you get a virtual 360 degree view of what is going on rather than just the angle the camera is shooting.

Aerial shooting has been around for a long time. In fact, here is a 1919 short video of a fly over during WWI of a battle field. Technology has come a long way sense then. The use of drones during war has become common place and they are all equipped with video equipment. Aerial shooting isn't only used in war however. It is still used in film making today, and they have new technology for that as well.

Remote helicopters are one of the most widely used methods of filming aerial shots now days.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: The opening of The Sound Of Music (1965).

Two Shot - What is Two Shot ?

a cinema or television shot of two people together.

If there’s two of you in the frame, react to what the other actor is giving you as you listen carefully to them.


This is a medium shot that shows two characters within the frame. Pretty straight-forward but can be pivotal in establishing relationships between the characters.

ICONIC EXAMPLE: Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) shooting Marvin in Pulp Fiction (1994). Yep, a two-shot of a two shots.

Long Shot - What is long shot ?

Long shot is an attempt or guess that has only the slightest chance of succeeding or being accurate.

"it's a long shot, but well worth trying"

On a long or establishing shot, your face isn’t very visible - so your whole body comes your greatest form of expression. In a long shot, subtlety is out the window. So don’t bother with it. You can be much bigger than you would normally be.

In film, a view of a scene that is shot from a considerable distance, so that people appear as indistinct shapes. An extreme long shot is a view from an even greater distance, in which people appear as small dots in the landscape if at all (eg. a shot of New York's skyline).