What are the different types of camera shots and angles?
Example of camera angles:
Why use a selection of shots and angles? How does this aid the storytelling?
Perhaps one of the main reasons why film maker's use a range of shots is to add another level of diversity and gain a new perspective; it assists the storytelling of the film or programme and progress the scene significantly. This is effective as it can alter the mood and increase tension dramatically as opposed to just one solid shot that does not change.
Examples of 3 film openings where a specific camera shot/angle has been used to excellent effect:
The very first shot is a "very long shot". This is used for effect to show the audience more of the setting and allow us to gain an insight into what the characters are actually seeing. This shot also hints on the type of environment in which the scene is taking place; in this case the scene is rather desolate and empty giving us the impression that no one could know where bond was.
The next scene is a medium close-up of the two main characters. This shot has been used to focus our attention on the dialogue but also the sorts of body language and gestures the characters are doing. This seen is slightly more intimidating and in with the action, which is a contrast to the very distant "long shot" that was filmed prior to this.
Here we can see an effective use of the "over the shoulder" angle that notify's to the audience the characters positioning in relation to one another. This shot is most commonly used through intermittent dialogue or conversation as we can see above. Similarly, this shot intensifies the entire scene, as we are closer to the villain than James bond who is seen further away (slightly blurred to draw our attention away) making the girl feel more vulnerable and perhaps hinting on events that follow.
Again, we are presented with a "big close up" shot that is somewhat intimidating and dramatic. The angle of the gun has obviously been chosen especially as to give the shot more form and allow for the audience to guide our thoughts as to what might happen. Furthermore, the end of the gun is in focus which draws our attention and prepares us for the shot but the area of blurring is there to tell us that Bond and the villain are of a lesser importance than the gun as all tension relies on whether James can shoot the target instead of the women. However, the level of blurring is such that we can still make out the facial features of the characters which is important when considering the line of events that ate taking place.
This close-up shot is rather unfocused as we can vaguely make out details as each clip is held on stage for quicker than a second. The producer here has done this because he wants us to concentrate more on what's happening as opposed to the smaller details at this moment in time. Also, the subject, James Bond, is seen mid-combat as he tries to escape from being held at gun point. The reason that the camera is rather blurred here is to make the impression that the scene is happening quite quickly, making the entire mood feel more energetic and fast paced. This is definitely more effective than a static shot which wouldn't be as effective.
The very final shot is an "extreme long shot" (ELS) which puts into perspective the sheer size of the setting and tells us more about the location in which the scene was meant to be taking place. This also gives an insight as to how empty and remote the island is, hinting on the distance the place is from society and normal living. This scene however is more of a relief to the audience as we know that the villain is about to captured via the helicopters. This shot is also very suitable for allowing us to see these helicopters to scale instead of a closer shot which might not have been able to do this.
Here we can see medium close up shot which is used to bring the character to the foreground, making him the main focus on screen for a brief while before he quickly turns around and the gang become centre of attention. The fact they are blurred to begin with suggests that the film wants us to be aware of the bullies, just like George Mcfly is aware of them. This also makes the scene more intimidating and we invest emotional concern for this character by his facial expression (he is nervous) as the medium close up allows us to see.
The camera then moves to an over the shoulder shot where Biff is seen gradually rising over Marty which is very intimidating and urges us to feel concern for the main character. The effect of this angle is that we can adopt the viewpoint of what the character is seeing, placing us into the action on a more personal level.
The shot used here is a long shot where we can see more of what's going on in the scene. This is important as we can follow the chase easier this way and it gives an impression as to the contrast between the action and normal life. Here we see Biff's car driving over the grass, lasting only a few seconds before the next angle shot which is a close-up shot of the gang which gives an insight to character moods and facial expressions. The camera was most likely mounted on the car bonnet for this part of the film perhaps assisted by a stabilizing tripod.
The very first scene is of an umbrella being blown about by the wind. From this we get an understanding of the strong and dangerous weather conditions, it also makes the scene more interesting and majestic which urges us to watch on. Shots like an extreme closeup are used to almost intimidate the viewer, (it usually gives an insight into the expression on the face) and a wider shot as it drifts further away to establish it is of little importance and merely a subject matter to hint on the setting and mood.
The camera then pans across to show us more detail such as the sheer scale of the arena. It then sweeps down in a smooth single shot to a wider angle, trying to show how many people are in the crowd suggesting a very claustrophobic atmosphere. Furthermore, the shot could also be described as a cut away shot; where the camera is focusing on something other than the main subject (Harry Potter).
This shot is called the cut in shot where the subject is being filmed as a visible object. At this point the snitch darts in and out of the frame to create more tension and suggest just how fast and quick paced the action is taking place. The camera effectively zooms in on the subject matter, simultaneously focusing on it which catches our attention and ultimately the viewer to feel on edge and exhausted.
The next scene happens rather quickly and an over the shoulder shot is used to briefly focus our attention on Harry. However, this quickly changes to the long shot where the there the scene takes up more space than the character on screen. The effects of this is that it gives a more immersive feel to the audience but it also gives an insight as to what the character is seeing. For example, Harry turns to see the wolf in the sky which a close up shot would not have been able to achieve. This shot is similar to that of a cut-away or weather shot but it is different because we can still see the object.
The camera then moves to a side and then medium close up (MCU) shot of Harry's face. This allows the viewer to see the facial expression or emotion on his face that a shot further way would not have been able to achieve. This shot also immerses the viewer and the clip seems all the more believable, having the audience see small details such as the badge on harry's jacket and the goggles he is wearing.
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