Opening sequence conventions – camera shots

OPENING SEQUENCE CONVENTIONS – CAMERA

SHOTSANDRE

CAMERA SHOTS

• A CAMERA SHOT IS THE AMOUNT OF SPACE THAT IS SEEN IN ONE SHOT OR FRAME. CAMERA SHOTS ARE USED TO DEMONSTRATE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF A FILM'S SETTING, CHARACTERS AND THEMES. A CAMERA SHOT IS THE AMOUNT OF SPACE THAT IS SEEN IN ONE SHOT OR FRAME. CAMERA SHOTS ARE USED TO DEMONSTRATE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF A FILM'S SETTING, CHARACTERS AND THEMES.

EXTREME LONG SHOT

• AN EXTREME LONG SHOT IS USUALLY USED TO INTRODUCE A SETTING OR SHOW MOVEMENT FROM A DISTANCE. IF AN EXTREME LONG SHOT IS USED IN THE BEGINNING OF A SCENE IT’S KNOWN AS THE ESTABLISHING SHOT.

LONG SHOT

• A LONG SHOT CONTAINS A LARGE AMOUNT OF THE LANDSCAPE BUT GIVES THE VIEWER A MORE SPECIFIC IDEA OF THE SETTING.

FULL SHOT

• A FULL SHOT IS USED TO SHOW A COMPLETE VIEW OF ALL CHARACTERS. THIS HELPS THE VIEWER SEE THE COSTUMES AND ALSO HELPS TO DEMONSTRATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHARACTERS.

MID SHOT

• A MID SHOT CONTAINS THE CHARACTER FROM THE WAIST UP. THE VIEWER CAN SEE THE CHARACTER’S FACE CLEARLY AS WELL AS THE CHARACTER’S INTERACTION WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

CLOSE UP

• A CLOSE UP USUALLY CONTAINS ONCE CHARACTER’S FACE. THIS HELPS THE VIEWER SEE THE CHARACTER’S EMOTIONS AND MAKES THEM FEEL SYMPATHY FOR A CHARACTER. IN A HORROR MOVIE THIS COULD ALSO MAKE THE VIEWER FEEL INTIMIDATED OR SCARED OF A CHARACTER.

EXTREME CLOSE UP

• AN EXTREME CLOSE UP CONTAINS A PART OF THE CHARACTER’S FACE OR ANOTHER OBJECT. THIS IS COMMONLY USED IN HORROR FILMS. THIS CAN CREATE AND INTENSE MOOD AND PROVIDES INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CHARACTER AND THE VIEWER