Below are the definitions and examples of some common angles used in the film industry to accent certain themes according to the scene.
High angle:
Lets start at the top... literally. This is a shot taken from an angle above the protagonist in an attempt to physically isolate them on the screen and in doing so, giving off a strong vibe of isolation.
Canted angle:
Most formally known as a "dutch tilt," this is when the camera is tilted on it's side to give a quirky theme in relation to disorientation, someone falling or a building falling down as chaos sets in.
Low Angle:
Last but not least, the low angle shot. It's normally taken from below the protagonist in order to show authority or heroism.
Movement
As well as angles, the movement of the camera is important too, because it ensures that thought is given to a particular theme and also, shows consistency and realism. Below are a select few of cinematographic movements explained...
Pan:
This is when the camera moves from left to right, focussing on one particular object. It can show movement and often, the background is skewed.
Tilt:
Also known as a 'dutch tilt,' this is when the camera is moved to obtain a tilted angle, giving a cookie affect. Often used as a triply, quirky technique, in action films or to show disorientation.
Track:
This is pretty much the same as a dolly shot. In film, we refer to a tracking shot when the camera is mounted on a dolly mount and put on tracks in order to follow the protagonist.
Crane:
A shot where the camera is placed on a crane or jib and moved up or down. Think a vertical tracking shot. Beloved by directors of musicals. Often used to highlight a character's loneliness or at the end of a movie, the camera moving away as if saying goodbye.
Steadicam:
Steadicam is a type of equipment, designed by Garrett brown in 1975, in order to ensure for a more steady shot.
Handheld:
This is where the protagonist holds the camera and it creates a jolty and unsteady motion. It annoys the majority of film buffs and some say that it's just cheap and requires little work, however, others would argue that it screams "REALLLITTTYYYYYYYYYY"
Zoom:
A shot deploying a lens with a variable focal length that allows the cinematographer to change the distance between camera and object without physically moving the camera. This can be used to give more focus on a particular theme or for dramatic effect. Often seen at concerts too. "look you're on the big TV" "OMG I'M ON THE BIG TV!"
This is an example of a dolly zoom:
Reverse zoom:
Funnily enough, it's a zoom... but reversed.....
Thanks for reading. Know what goes into your film.
-Ellie
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