Chapter Six Video Language Objectives: Explain the concept of camera angles Name the principal types of camera angles Vary shot types effectively

Chapter SixChapter SixVideo LanguageVideo Language

Objectives:Objectives:

Explain the concept of camera anglesExplain the concept of camera anglesName the principal types of camera anglesName the principal types of camera anglesVary shot types effectivelyVary shot types effectivelyCreate continuity of actionCreate continuity of actionSelect and use scene transitionsSelect and use scene transitions

Video Language TermsVideo Language Terms A A shotshot is a single, uninterrupted visual recording, a length of tape is a single, uninterrupted visual recording, a length of tape

during which the camera has operated continuously.during which the camera has operated continuously.

A A taketake is one attempt to record a shot. is one attempt to record a shot.

A A frameframe is like a unit of sound, an essential building block that is too is like a unit of sound, an essential building block that is too brief to deliver meaning by itself.brief to deliver meaning by itself.

An An imageimage (a more or less static segment of a shot that is perceived as (a more or less static segment of a shot that is perceived as a picture) is like a word.a picture) is like a word.

A A shotshot (a continuously recorded stream of evolving images) is like a (a continuously recorded stream of evolving images) is like a sentence. It is the shortest assemblage that conveys a complete piece sentence. It is the shortest assemblage that conveys a complete piece of information.of information.

A A scenescene is like a paragraph. Composed of several shots (visual is like a paragraph. Composed of several shots (visual sentences), it conveys meaning about a single topic.sentences), it conveys meaning about a single topic.

A A sequencesequence is like a chapter. It a assembles a number of scenes into a is like a chapter. It a assembles a number of scenes into a longer action that is also devoted to a single (though larger) part of the longer action that is also devoted to a single (though larger) part of the narrative.narrative.

Camera Angle NamesCamera Angle Names A A camera anglecamera angle is a is a

distinctive, identifiable way distinctive, identifiable way of framing subjects from a of framing subjects from a particular position at a particular position at a particular image size.particular image size.

Usually, angles are named Usually, angles are named for one of several different for one of several different sets of characteristics: sets of characteristics: subject distance, horizontal subject distance, horizontal position, vertical camera position, vertical camera position, lens perspective, position, lens perspective, shot purpose, and shot shot purpose, and shot population.population.

Subject DistanceSubject Distance

The most common angle names The most common angle names describe the apparent distance describe the apparent distance between the camera and a standing between the camera and a standing adult human.adult human.


Extreme long Extreme long shot:shot: The figure The figure is tiny and is tiny and indistinct in a indistinct in a very large area.very large area.

Subject DistanceSubject Distance Long shot:Long shot: The figure is small in The figure is small in

the frame (half the frame height the frame (half the frame height or less) and slightly indistinct.or less) and slightly indistinct.

Medium long shot:Medium long shot: The standing The standing human is distinct and somewhat human is distinct and somewhat closer, but with considerable head closer, but with considerable head and foot room.and foot room.

Full shot:Full shot: The standing figure fills The standing figure fills the screen from top to bottom, the screen from top to bottom, often with just a small amount of often with just a small amount of head room and foot room.head room and foot room.

Subject DistanceSubject Distance Three-quarter shot:Three-quarter shot: The shot shows The shot shows

the subject from about the knees to the top the subject from about the knees to the top of the head.of the head.

Medium shot: Medium shot: The shot shows the The shot shows the subject from the belt line to the top of the subject from the belt line to the top of the head.head.


Medium closeup:Medium closeup: the the shot shows the subject from shot shows the subject from about the solar plexus to the about the solar plexus to the top of the head.top of the head.

Closeup:Closeup: The shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head.

Subject DistanceSubject Distance Big closeup:Big closeup: The shot shows the subject The shot shows the subject

from below the chin to the forehead or from below the chin to the forehead or hairline.hairline.

Extreme closeup:Extreme closeup: The shot shows the The shot shows the subject from the base of the nose to the subject from the base of the nose to the eyebrows.eyebrows.


Although these Although these names all use a names all use a standing human for standing human for reference, they are reference, they are also employed with also employed with both smaller and both smaller and larger objects.larger objects.

A head shot is A head shot is always called a always called a close up.close up.

What’s in a Name?What’s in a Name?

Horizontal AngleHorizontal Angle

After subject distance, the most After subject distance, the most frequently used angle names are based frequently used angle names are based on horizontal camera positions.on horizontal camera positions.

In the previous examples, the subject In the previous examples, the subject was always facing the camera…but the was always facing the camera…but the camera can view its subjects from camera can view its subjects from other directions as well.other directions as well.


Front angle:Front angle: The The camera faces the front camera faces the front of the subject.of the subject.

Three-quarter Three-quarter angle:angle: The camera is The camera is placed between 15 placed between 15 and 45 degrees and 45 degrees around toward one around toward one side of the subject.side of the subject.


Profile angle:Profile angle: The camera is at a The camera is at a right angle to the original front right angle to the original front shot.shot.

Three-quarter rear angle:Three-quarter rear angle: The The camera is another 45 degrees camera is another 45 degrees around, so that the subject is now around, so that the subject is now facing away.facing away.

Rear angle:Rear angle: the camera is directly the camera is directly opposite its front position and fully opposite its front position and fully behind the subject.behind the subject.

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

Camera HeightCamera Height

Taken together, horizontal camera Taken together, horizontal camera angle and subject distance provide angle and subject distance provide the most typical shot descriptions: the most typical shot descriptions: for example, “three-quarter close-for example, “three-quarter close-up.” up.”

However, an equally important However, an equally important component of every angle is the component of every angle is the camera’s heightcamera’s height..


Shots can be labeled by Shots can be labeled by the vertical angle from the vertical angle from which the camera views which the camera views the action.the action.

The best way to describe The best way to describe standard camera heights standard camera heights is by pretending that the is by pretending that the camera is at the end of a camera is at the end of a clock hand and pointed clock hand and pointed at the center of the dial.at the center of the dial.


Bird’s-Eye Bird’s-Eye AngleAngle: : Extremely high Extremely high camera position camera position that simulates that simulates the view from a the view from a plane or high plane or high building.building.


High AngleHigh Angle: A shot in which the camera is evidently : A shot in which the camera is evidently higher than the eye level of a human subject.higher than the eye level of a human subject.

Neutral AngleNeutral Angle: A shot in which the camera is more : A shot in which the camera is more or less at the subject’s eye level.or less at the subject’s eye level.


Low AngleLow Angle: A shot in which the camera is : A shot in which the camera is evidently below eye level.evidently below eye level.

Worm’s-Eye AngleWorm’s-Eye Angle: An extremely low camera : An extremely low camera position, looking dramatically upward. position, looking dramatically upward.

Lens PerspectiveLens Perspective

Shot name based on the appearance Shot name based on the appearance created by a particular camera lens.created by a particular camera lens.

Directors will often call for a shot by Directors will often call for a shot by the type of lens to be used when the type of lens to be used when they want a stylized rendering of they want a stylized rendering of perspective.perspective.

Lens PerspectiveLens Perspective

Wide-AngleWide-Angle: A : A wide-angle lens wide-angle lens exaggerates exaggerates apparent depth and apparent depth and dramatizes dramatizes movement toward movement toward and away from the and away from the camera. Often camera. Often used in taping a used in taping a chase, a fight, or chase, a fight, or some other some other sequence full of sequence full of dynamic actiondynamic action

Lens PerspectiveLens Perspective Normal:Normal: A normal-angle A normal-angle

lens renders perspective lens renders perspective approximately the way approximately the way human vision perceives it, human vision perceives it, neither increasing nor neither increasing nor reducing the apparent reducing the apparent depth.depth.

TelephotoTelephoto: A telephoto : A telephoto lens compresses apparent lens compresses apparent depth and de-emphasizes depth and de-emphasizes movement toward and movement toward and way from the camera. way from the camera. Telephoto lenses are used Telephoto lenses are used to dramatize congestion to dramatize congestion and to intensify and to intensify composition on the two-composition on the two-dimensional screen.dimensional screen.

Shot PurposeShot Purpose

The 8 Kinds of Shot Purposes:• Master shot• Establishing shot• Reverse Shot• Over the shoulder shot• Cutaway shot• Insert shot • POV shot• Glance object shot


Master Shot

• Records a scene from beginning to end

• Considered “old fashioned”


Establishing Shot

• Shows the general scene

• Helpful to introduce something early in a sequence


Reverse Shot• Shows action from point of view nearly opposite

that of the main camera position


Over the Shoulder Shot• Includes part of

one performer while focusing on another performer

• Controls emphasis and enhances depth


Cutaway Shot• To show the audience something outside the

principal action• Also to reveal something from an on screen

person point of view


Insert Shot•Small detail of action, often from the

point of view of a person on screen


POV (Point of View) Shot•To show the audience what someone

on screen is seeing

Shot PopulationShot Population

Single: shows 1 personTwo-shot: shows 2 people

Three-shot: shows 3 people

Reasons for Shot Name ConfusionReasons for Shot Name Confusion

• Many shot names are synonymous Many shot names are synonymous with camera angles.with camera angles.

• Often given multiple names.Often given multiple names.• They might be identified by a They might be identified by a

different name.different name.• Shots have different names in Shots have different names in

different countries or production different countries or production centers. centers.

Creating ContinuityCreating Continuity In the language of video, scenes are compared to sentences, and shots are In the language of video, scenes are compared to sentences, and shots are

compared to words, added together to form a composition.compared to words, added together to form a composition. When a viewer watches a composition they are distracted by different When a viewer watches a composition they are distracted by different

angles, the goal is to make it appear a continuous flow.angles, the goal is to make it appear a continuous flow. Continuity is created by matching actions, this is achieved by making the Continuity is created by matching actions, this is achieved by making the

incoming shot appear to begin at precisely the point where the outgoing incoming shot appear to begin at precisely the point where the outgoing shot ends.shot ends.

Creating ContinuityCreating Continuity

• In creating video continuity, you stage In creating video continuity, you stage each shot so that it can be combined each shot so that it can be combined unobtrusively with the shots that unobtrusively with the shots that precede and follow it.precede and follow it.

Varying ShotsVarying Shots

• To make a smooth edit, the technique is to To make a smooth edit, the technique is to match the action closely, while decisively match the action closely, while decisively changing the camera angle.changing the camera angle.

Varying ShotsVarying Shots• Generally, this means changing at least two of Generally, this means changing at least two of

the angle’s three major characteristics: the angle’s three major characteristics: camera position, camera height, and subject camera position, camera height, and subject size.size.

Varying ShotsVarying Shots• Altering only a single trait still results in an Altering only a single trait still results in an

undesirable jump cut that calls attention to undesirable jump cut that calls attention to the edit.the edit.

Varying ShotsVarying Shots• Altering only a single trait still results in an Altering only a single trait still results in an

undesirable jump cut that calls attention to undesirable jump cut that calls attention to the edit.the edit.

Varying ShotsVarying Shots• To achieve a smooth edit, a new camera To achieve a smooth edit, a new camera

setup should change two angle traits…setup should change two angle traits…

Varying ShotsVarying Shots• ……most often the image size plus either most often the image size plus either

the camera position or height.the camera position or height.

Matching ActionMatching Action The angle should change from one shot The angle should change from one shot

to the next, however the action needs to to the next, however the action needs to begin exactly where it left off in the begin exactly where it left off in the preceding shot.preceding shot.

Matching ActionMatching Action

1.1. Have performer repeat part of the Have performer repeat part of the action in the second shot.action in the second shot.

2.2. To synchronize action is by To synchronize action is by concealing the match point.concealing the match point.

A A match pointmatch point in two shots that record the in two shots that record the same action is any point at which the same action is any point at which the editor can cut from one shot to the other editor can cut from one shot to the other continuing an action without an apparent continuing an action without an apparent break.break.

Matching ActionMatching Action

Though the shots could have been made Though the shots could have been made in completely different locations, the in completely different locations, the action appears continuous.action appears continuous.

Video Video Language Language in Actionin Action

But why?But why? Why are we learning about video Why are we learning about video

language, angles, perspectives, language, angles, perspectives, continuity and matching action?continuity and matching action?• This is a video class. It’s what we do.This is a video class. It’s what we do.• Shooting quality video teaches you what Shooting quality video teaches you what

looks good which will help you in looks good which will help you in creating presentations in and out of this creating presentations in and out of this class.class.

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Chapter Six Video Language Objectives: Explain the concept of camera angles Name the principal types of camera angles Vary shot types effectively