FilmEdu GCSE Film Language.doc
Camera Shots
Establishing Shot - ES - Establishes where, when and who of a sequence of film.
Long Shot - LS - The subject being filmed can be seen from head to foot in their surroundings.
Mid/medium Shot - MS - Classic newsreader shot. A person can be seen from the waist upwards. We can still see some of the setting.
Close Up - CU - The subject fills the screen. We cannot see much of the background.
Big/Extreme Close Up - BCU/ECU - A small detail fills the screen: an insect on a leaf, an eye
Point of View Shot - POV - The shot is from a character’s Point-of-view, as if you are seeing things through their eyes
Over the Shoulder Shot - The shot is from behind a character as if you are looking over their shoulder
Bird’s Eye View Shot - The camera is above the subject like a bird in the sky.
Camera Angles
High Angle - HA - The camera is placed higher up than the subject, looking down on them.
Eye Level - EL - The camera is at the same height as the eyes of the subject.
Low Angle - LA - The camera is placed lower than the subject, looking up at them.
Camera Movements
Pan - Camera stays in one place and moves horizontally from left to right or right to left.
Tilt - Camera stays in one place and moves vertically from high to low angle or low to high.
Zoom - Zoom in / out to make things seem larger or smaller.
Track - Camera moves along following the action, like it is on a track.
