There is a convention in the video, film and television industries which assigns names and guidelines to common types of shots, framing and picture composition. The list below briefly describes the most common shot types (click the images for more details).
Notes: The exact terminology varies between production environments but the basic principles are the same. Shots are usually described in relation to a particular subject EWS (Extreme Wide Shot) The view is so far from the subject that he isn’t even visible. Often used as an establishing shot.
Very Wide Shot VWS (Very Wide Shot) The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing him in his environment. Wide Shot WS (Wide Shot) The subject takes up the full frame, or at least as much as comfortably possible. AKA: long shot, full shot. Mid Shot MS (Mid Shot) Shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject. Medium Close Up MCU (Medium Close Up) Half way between a MS and a CU. Close Up CU (Close Up) A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame. Extreme Close Up ECU (Extreme Close Up)
The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail. Variation: Chokercut-in Cut-In Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail. Cutaway CA (Cutaway) A shot of something other than the subject. two-shot Two-Shot A shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid shot. over-the-shoulder shot (OSS) Over-the-Shoulder Shot Looking from behind a person at the subject. noddy Noddy Shot Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject. point of view (POV) Point-of-View Shot (POV) Shows a view from the subject’s perspective. weather shot Weather Shot
The Essay on Tracey Leonard Shot Segment Close
Tracey Leonard s Autobiography, The Full Catastrophe was chosen for this documentary, as it is a truly uplifting story. It is centred around her years as a nurse, working in missionaries throughout India and Northern Australia. Sadly her life is altered profoundly when she is involved in a severe accident, one which leaves her as a quadriplegic. I believe that her story should be shared with all, ...
The subject is the weather. Can be used for other purposes, e. g. background for graphics. Extreme close-upECUThis is a very close shot showing the detail of an object or the physical features of a person. To make the viewer aware of some specific detail in the film. It can be used to heighten tension. Very close-upVCUThis is a face shot taken from the mid-forehead to above the chin. This shows the close detail of the character’s eyes and mouth. It can be used to heighten tension. Big close-upBCUThis is full head height and the head takes up the entire screen.
It contains little or no background. This shows the detail of the character’s face. Close-upCUThis is a shot taken of a person’s head from just above the head to the top of the upper chest. It can also be used to film an object at close range. It contains little or no background. This used to introduce a character and allows the character to show emotions. It can be used to heighten tension. Medium close-upMCUThis shows the upper half of the body. The shot is taken from the above the head to lower chest. Good for conversation between two characters. Medium shotMSThis shows half of the body.
The shot is taken from above the head to just below the waist. This allows you to get to know the character more closely by viewing their facial expressions and body language. Medium long shotMLSThis shows the whole person as well as some of the background. Places the person in context. Long shotLSThis shows the whole person and other characters, but the background dominates the shot. This allows the viewer to understand the relationship between the characters and their environment. Extra long shotELSThis shows the landscape of the film or a barely visible character
The Essay on Head Shot!: Video Game Violence.
In a world run by the ease of an ever increasing, and easily accessible technology it is easier for more and more viewers to be exposed to the violence presented in today’s world. As Todd Gitlin Stated in Media Unlimited, violence and aggression are not enhanced through streams of media. Violence is simply human nature and can cause learning from its acts. If anything it helps people turn against ...
