10 Shot Types Examples

Extreme Close-Up

An extreme close-up is used to magnify the object in the shot. For example an extreme close-up of a face would show only the mouth or eyes. This shot is mostly used for a dramtic effect. An example of a extreme close up in a film would be in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes where there is a shot of Cesar the ape. In the film this shows how the build up to the big fight scene towards the end, it adds drama and tension.

Big Close-Up

A big close-up shows the main features of the oject in the shot, if it were a person then it would show all facial features. This helps to show strong emotions like sadness or can evn be used to make the person look scary. An example of a Big close up would be in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Big close-up is used in the shot to show the emotion of the person in more detail.



Close-Up
A close-up focuses on the face or a specific part object or paart of the set, little background is shown. It is usd to show the importance of whatever it is the close up is of. This could be the expression on a persons face or important writing on an object that the audience needs to see. This type of shot is used to help understand the character. Sometimes it can be used to make the audience feel comfotable or uncomfortable with a character. For example 
in The Dark Night the close-up of The Joker is 
used to unsettle the audience.


Medium Close-Up
A medium close-up shows the persons head and just below the shoulders. This types of shot helps to show a little bit about the surrounding but still focuses on the person or object in the shot. Like the other types of close up, it is also used to show facial expression or details in the oject which other shots don't show. An example of a medium close-up would be in Forrest Gump where he is sitting at the bus stop, as in this scene in the film there is little action and mostly dialogue it helps to show the audience how he feels and also shows helps the audience to know where he is.


Medium Shot
A medium shot shows a person from the waist up, or an object of similar proportion. It is mostly used in scenes where there is a lot of dialogue or is used to show action in detail. Like the medium close-up it shows little detail in the background as it is mainly used after a shot were the setting has already been established to the audience. This type of shot helps keep the audiences focus on the dialogue or action in the shot. An example of a medium shot would be in Titanic where Jack and Rose are at the end of the boat and rose is pretending fly. 


Medium Long Shot
A medium long shot shows the person from the knees up and some background aswell. This helps to show the audince where the character is and lets them get to know the surroundings of the set. An example of a medium long shot would be in The Walking Dead, in the shot you can see whats going on in the background aswell as what the charcter is doing.


Long Shot
A long shot shows the whole person\object in the scene, along with other characters and most of the background which takes up most of the shot. This shows the audience the relationship between the characters and the environment around them. An example of a long shot in a film would be in The Expendables 3, in this shot you can see 5 charcters. However the background takes over most of the screen, this gives the audience an idea of where they are and the kind of mood of this scene.

Very Long Shot
A very long shot shows the setting of the scene or can sometimes include a charcter who would be barly visable compared to the landscape. This type of shot is used to show the audience where the action is taking place. It is also used to show the atmosphere of the film. An example of a very long shot in a film would be in Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone where the audience see's hogwarts for the first time. This shows the audience where most of the rest of the film is set.

Two Shot
A two shot shows two people in a shot, this is used to establish links between characters or to simply show two people standing next to each other instead of standing opposite eachother. An example of a two shot would be in the elevator scene at the begining of Pulp Fiction, where two charcters are shown standing next to eachother in the lift.

Over The Shoulder Shot

An over the shoulder shot is where the camera is filming from behind one character's shoulder facing another character. This type of shot is mainly used for conversation scenes. This is because it shows a connection between the speakers, instead of just having individual shot of each character which can show distance. An example of an over the shoulder shot would be in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 where the camera shows Harry Potter over Voldermorts shoulders. This shows the audience the close connection between the two characters.

High Angle Shot

A high angle shot is a shot of a single person or object where the camera is looking down on them, this is used to isolate them from the frame. It  also shows vulnrability and weakness in a character. An example of a high angle shot would be in Matilda where she's standing looking up to someone out of the shot. The use of a high angle shot shows that she's scared and inferior to whoever shes standing in front of.

Low Angle Shot

A low angle shot is the complete oposite of a high angle shot. It show the person or object looking down on the camera, this makes them look bigger in the shot. This shot is mostly used to make the person look heroic or dominant. An example of a low angle shot would be in Spiderman where he's holding the costume, this type of shot shos the audience that the costume gives him power.

Tilted Shot

A tilted shot is where the camera  is tilted on its side when filming. This is used to show disorientation or create different effects, such as in horror films it can used to make the set more unsetteling as the angle makes it seem alot more dark and creepy. An example of a tilted shot would be in The Witches when there all sitting in the hall and they take there masks and wigs of to reveal that they are witches, this adds to he creepyness of the scene.