Shot types and their uses

Name of Shot (Abbreviation)Description of Shot in Relation to SubjectUse in Storytelling 
Extreme Close-up ( ECU ) Part of the face e.g. eyes takes up the frameGets inside the head of a character
Close up (CU)Whole face takes up the frameReveals character’s emotional state
Medium Close- up (MCU)Head and Shoulders in frameAllows the audience to see the characters face and body, it shows their emotional state and their behavior.  And also the background/setting
Low Angle Shot (LA)/ High Angle Shot (HA)LA – shows them above the audience HA – shows them below the audienceThe status of a character e.g if a character is vulnerable (HA) or if the character is powerful (LA)
Extreme Long Shot (ELS ) Only scenery visible can’t make out individual peopleUsed as an establishing shot
Medium Shot (MS)One or two subjects in frame from waist height sometimes taken from “over the shoulder” of one of the characters (OSS)Often used as a Master Shot/ Two Shot/Shot-Reverse for conversations
Pan/ TiltPan – the camera only moves horizontally (left/right) Tilt – the camera on moves vertical (up/down)Mimics a static character looking round a scene
Track (on a dolly, steadicam or handheld)Camera follows a subject by moving along with themUsed to make the audience feel as like they a following the characters

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