Videography theory (and practical example)

This task was to learn and practice certain shot types to then later use in my tv advert.

Establishing shot + panning shot

The establishing shot is  a long/ wide shot used to establish the location/setting of the scene. It is the first shot that the viewers see of the scene and it is to tell them when and where everything is happening. In this shot, the characters are not (normally) shown as it normally is accompanied by an interior shot where the action takes place. The establishing shot is normally accompanied by a panning shot so the viewers can get a better feel of the location. 

Double/two wide shot

This is used to tell the audience who is in the scene and showing how they interact, giving a brief introduction to their character(s). A double shot is simply showing that there is two people in the scene in the same frame.

Tracking shot

A tracking shot is when the camera filming the scene is moving, following one or more subjects (hence the name "tracking shot"). They usually last longer than other shots, normally to build suspense (eg: the hall scene with Danny in The Shining). They are also sometimes called "dolly shots" as a lot of the times, the camera is placed on a dolly equipment which allows the camera to slide along whilst recording.  Tracking shots are also not to be confused with panning shots as the camera both moves, but only one follows the subject. 

Close up shot

A close up shot is mainly used on a actor's face but not all of the time as it can also be used on important animals, bugs and objects which have a meaning in the scene. It is a tightly framed shot and it is normally used to capture the actors emotions in a specific scene. There are also different levels of close up shots, for example: extreme close up shot.

Over the shoulder shot + dirty single

This shot is used to show a characters point of view but it includes part of their shoulder. This type of shot can also be accompanied by a dirty single to emphasise a key character in the scene that the other character is looking at. These two shots together also gives the impression of a frame within a frame.

This was done to practice and learn camera angles and shots. for the later, smile campaign tv advert which I will be creating.