Camera Tricks

Angles...
           Different angles and shots are always used in film to show specific parts of a scene, convey a meaning or create an effect either on the viewer or in the film.

Basic Camera Shots

These shots are the basic ones used in every film. Similar to High and Low angle shots, they each frame a certain character in a specific way. Different genre of film may prefer to use one shot over an other; for example, The Wild West Genre love the extreme close up shot during Mexican standoffs. Medium shot/Medium Close up are very common shots that are used very often because they don't have any effect on what the audience thinks about a character, whereas the rest show various aspects of how we should feel about the character. For example, similar to the High Angle shot, the Extreme wide shot makes the audience feel that the character is small and powerless. Or , more literally, far away. Whereas a close up would introduce a character and and Extreme close up would make the audience feel tense and uncomfortable, like someone is getting in their personal space.



Shot Reverse Shot

A Shot Reverse Shot (S-R-S) is a very common technique used in films when two characters are interacting. It is when in one shot, a character is shown to be looking at another character, and then in the next shot the other character is looking back at him. This is a very simple yet effective technique used in conversation.



High Angle Shot
In film, a High Angle Shot is a very explanatory term for when the camera shot is above the eyeline of a character. At this angle it is very common for the focus on the character/object to be lost due to it getting 'swallowed up' in the setting. This means that this shot makes the character/object seem small and powerless. It is often a very dramatic shot.

Low Angle Shot
A Low Angle Shot is a camera shot that is below the eyeline of a character. This shot implies a character is powerful, usually menacing. It is often used to first show the antagonist of a film. It is also used to show if one character is more powerful, plot wise, than that of another character.


Other Types of Camera Shot
There are a few other types of shot that are used in film far less often. Such as Point-of-View Shots and Establishing Shots. These types of shot explain themselves and when they should be used, if a