Camera Shots
How to use the camera to convey EMOTION on your film & video production!
Distance
In order to convey mood and emotion to an audience- you have to think about the distance that you place- between the subject and the camera itself. So for example: Close-ups are used to commonly illustrate to show a character expressing emotion- with this it helps to allow, the audience to form a special connection and close attachment to the subject.
Wide Shot
Wide shots are commonly used to help define and establish the space- as well as they can also be used to allow the audience to have a sense of the where abouts of the character, within the scene- which stands relative to that space. In a wide shot- the subject would take up the full frame- as the subject doesn’t take up the full height and width- the room around the subject- allows of being thought as safety room.
Mid Shot
Mid shots are commonly used to help tell the audience that there is something about your characters or to help convey their relationships. The medium shot within itself is very good for displaying how it would look in the flesh or how you would see a person in real life- through your eyes in casual conversation. It also appropriate for when the subject is talking- without the use of expressing too much emotion/intense concentration. With lastly being able to deliver information and for your subject to be comfortable, emotionally neutral with the allowed room for hand gestures and movement.
‘Creative Shots’
Reaction Shots
A Reaction shot displays a person’s face listening or reacting to something. This shot is a shot that cuts away from the main scene in order to show the reaction of a character to it. A reaction shot can also help to advance a story- add to performance and show feeling- as well as it gives editors a choice and flexibility.
Over the Shoulder Shot
The Over the Shoulder shot is filmed from behind the subject- so usually to display this shot they tend to show the back of a person’s head- which is often cutting of the frame just behind the ear- or shot from behind the one shoulder. So generally it gives us the point of view of a character- which would obliviously include the characters shoulder or side of the head.
Point of View Shot
The Point of View shot is shot to make it look like it’s from the subject’s perspective. But you can tell from the way it’s shot, that it’s obvious where the point of view actually is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSxOjBIjyhI
Even though my project isn’t a commerical- I was inspired by the use of camera angles shown in this John Lewis advert. They used a simple story line of introducting- then a happy montage to then have conflict and resolution- to then top it off with different location, angles and number of actors to make it really effective!
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