Shots, framing and meaningCamera basics 16:9

16

9

aspect ratio

Extreme long shot (XLS/WA)subject very small in frame. Male or female?

used to open a sequence - where are we?

neutralcameraheight

subjective

Very long shot (VLS)subject is about 3rd screen space

used to introduce a person but not identify them

neutralcameraheight

subjective

long shot (LS)subject fills the frame

used to introduce a someone often in motion

neutralcameraheight

subjective

medium long shot (MLS)subject is cut by the frame above/below knees

we recognise but lack detail esp. eyes

neutralcameraheight

subjective

medium shot (MS)frame cuts subject below waist & elbow

Direction of gaze draws attention

neutralcameraheight

subjective

medium close up (MCU)

neutralcameraheight

subjective

frame cuts subject below arm joint

facial expressions emphasised - not intrusive

close up (CU)frame cuts subject above arm joint - not neck!

emphasises intimacy, secrecy etc

neutralcameraheight

subjective

big close up (BCU)frame cuts subject above brow, above chin

extreme emotion

neutralcameraheight

subjective

intrusive and powerful

extreme close up (ECU)

neutralcameraheight

subjective

frame features just eyes or eyes and nose

interviews MCU - headroom

subject rotated slightly and not looking to camera

neutralcameraheight

objective

cameraright

3/4 profile

cameraleft

interviews - looking roomdefinite ‘eyeline’, framed camera left or right

neutralcameraheight

objective

3/4 profile

cameraright

cameraleft

these shots need to balance each other

interviews - matching MCUs

neutralcameraheight

objective

eyeline eyeline

More reading

‘The Grammar of the shot’. RoyThompson