Camera Shots and Angles

Camera Shots and Angles Prezi

Within my Prezi I briefly looked at the definitions of each camera shot and angle and a brief overview of how they are effective. Once I had become familiar with each shot and angle I began to think about which specific ones would be the most effective for my chosen genre.

Camera shots and angles are used within media in order to create the desired effect, whether this be to create dominance, confrontation or even add a dramatic spin to the scene. In particular, camera shots and angles can be used within my chosen genre of horror to create different effects and be used in a number of ways in order for the genre to be effective. For example:

• High angle: These kinds of shots are used in horrors and thrillers to make the figure or object that is being looked down on seem completely powerless and vulnerable.

• Close up: Close ups in these types of genres are used to see reactions on the actors face closely. This is the shot that shows the most emotion from the characters. It is also used to capture detail in an important scene.

• Tracking/panning shot: These shots connotes movement. This is used very effectively in horror and thriller films to make out a character is being followed or watched. It also could establish a scene so the audience can see the full view. Another way it can be used is by the camera moving in order to build up suspense therefore, you don't know what could be shown next. This emphasises the idea of thrill and excitement that an audience is expected to get from a horror film.

• Extreme long shot/long shot: This is used within a scene to establish the shot - it could put into perspective how deserted a house or town is in order to create mystery and thrill

• Over the shoulder shot: This shot can be used to build tension. This is used in a lot of horrors and thrillers to add suspense, and is used especially around mirrors and reflections so the audience can see what is happening as soon as the character does. This is used a lot to show a figure stood behind a victim.

• Low angles: Low angle shots are very powerful in the way that they can emphasise just how feared or intimidating a villain is. This could make you as the audience as well as the actors in the film feel weak and insignificant.

• Hand held camera shot: This is used often in horror/thriller films to add a sense of reality - this creates further fear as it gets the audience involved and adds to the horror of the scene as you feel like you are there. It feels closer to reality which causes fear within the audience which therefore to excitement and thrill.