Camera Work
Basic Framing
• a shot taken from a close distance in which the subject is magnified to appear relatively large and fill the entire frame to focus attention
• close-up shot
• a shot taken from an extremely close distance in which the subject is magnified to appear very large to vividly emphasize its importance
• extreme close-up shot
• a shot in which the subject is framed from a medium distance, e.g. the waist up
• medium shot
• a shot in which the subject is framed completely from head to toe or top to bottom
• long shot
• a shot filmed from a far-away location relative to the subject; often used for an establishing shot
• extreme long shot
Camera Angles
• a shot in which the figure is framed at eye level, the most common angle
• straight-on angle
• shifts the camera head on the diagonal either right or left, symbolizing confusion or danger
• canted frame
• a shot in which the camera is operated from beneath the figure with the viewer’s perspective looking up at the figure, often implying strength or triumph
• low angle
• a shot in which the camera is operated from above the figure with the viewer’s perspective looking down on the figure, often implying weakness or defeat
• high angle
• a shot that is taken from an aircraft or extremely high crane and implies the observer’s omniscience; also known as “aerial view”
• bird’s eye view
• a pole-like device for holding the microphone in the air, out of camera range
• boom
Visual Orientation
• a rule that camera operators must follow – an imaginary line on one side of the axis of action which the camera must not cross
• 180-degree rule
• a medium or close-up shot of two people, often in dialogue with each other, to provide contrast between the two characters
• two-shot
• a shot in which the subject is photographed by an encircling or moving camera
• arc shot
Focus
• a depth of composition of a shot where there are several planes -- foreground, middle-ground, and background -- in focus. Also called “deep focus.”
• depth of field
• A lens of variable focal length
• zoom
• to adjust the lens during a shot so that the subject is in focus
• rack focus
• a day’s shooting on film which is quickly developed in the lab and viewed to determine if retakes are necessary
• rushes or dailies
Special Cameras
• a hand-held camera with a special mechanical harness that allows the operator to take steady shots while moving with the action
• steadicam
• a specialized big-screen format about ten times larger than the traditional 35mm cinema format
• IMAX
Axis Movement
• the horizontal movement of a camera head on the axis of its tripod
• pan
• the vertical movement of the camera head on the axis of its tripod
• tilt
Camera Movement
• a trolley on which a camera can be horizontally moved about on tracks
• dolly
• the movement of a camera on a dolly: forward, backwards, or to one side. Also called a “dolly shot.”
• tracking or trucking shot
• a shot in which a moving camera keeps pace with a moving subject
• running shot