Shot Techniques

On this page, I cover some of the various shot and angle techniques used in modern day filmmaking.

# 1 – Extreme Close Up Shot with Motives and Maps

The close up shot is used to effectively capture someone’s whole face. However, an extreme close up focuses solely on a single part of the face, or anything for that matter, but very close up. In this video we use close ups of the face and an extreme close up of a bead of sweat running down his face.

# 2 – Medium Close Up & Medium Shots with Light & Learning

The medium shot typically catches a person from the waist up in the frame, while a medium close up is more like from the elbows up. We use both in this conversational piece.

# 3 – Long & Extreme Long Shot with Scale & Esteem

The long shot is used to capture a subjects entire body in the frame, while an extreme long shot is used to not only capture the subjects bodies but much more as well. You can see in this video we use this technique when showing two characters about to duel. We went bananas with this one.

# 4 – Over the Shoulder Shot with Conversation & Comfort

It’s all in the name on this one. In an over the shoulder shot, the camera is placed right behind the shoulder of a person during a conversation. Watch the video for an example.

# 5 – Two Shot with Dichotomy & Dynamics

Two shot consists of catching two people appropriately in the frame. This is what Kelly and I did at the gym!

# 6 – Establish Shot with Avidity & Sanguine

This is an establish shot. It is meant to be used for setting a place or location in a story or timeline. Establish shots can also be used for transitions if done properly.

# 7 – Emblematic Shot with Intention & Identity

I feel that this was an emblematic shot because the video makes a statement. It points out that this person is chasing junk food. They are working out just so they can eat a cheese burger. What kind of life is that?

# 8 – Abstract Shot with Exploration & Andragogy

An abstract shot is an extreme close up of something in the environment associated with the scene. In this case, it was an extreme close up of some wood chips from the big pile of them nearby.