Filmmaking Guide – Various Filmmaking Shots Within a Frame

Just as the various job positions and individuals responsible for producing a film can be broken down and analyzed, so can the individual elements of the film itself. If you have ever looked at a filmmaking guide, you probably realized that filmmaking, like any other form of art, has its own language and vocabulary.

In order to be more knowledgeable about the art of making movies, you must understand the basic vocabulary and language used in film studies. However, many times, the different filmmaking terms are not clearly defined for the new filmmaker.

For example, in looking at the various filmmaking shots that can exist within a frame, the first thing that you would need to know is exactly what a frame is.

Frame: A frame is the rectangular box that contains the image to be projected onto the screen. The frame is one of the filmmaker’s most important tools…as it is the window through which the audience can see into the world of the film. Each shot is composed to fit within the frame and the edges of the frame allow the filmmaker to create a picture for the viewer to see.

Through the camera’s eye, the viewer is presented with the images that will convey the story of the film. Within each of the frames, the filmmaker is able to choose from several different types of camera shots to add details to the storyline.

These different shots are generally named and characterized by the relationship between the size of the elements in the frame to each other and to the frame itself.

Establishing shot: This shot shows the relationship among important figures, objects, and characters…as well as the setting of the scene from a distance. Once this shot has been established, the film then normally cuts to more detailed shots that bring the audience closer to the characters.

Long shot: A camera shot in which the object or character is shown from a distance so as to appear relatively small in the frame, such as a person standing in a crowd of people. In this example, the character’s body would generally appear nearly the height of the screen, and we would be seeing them from head to toe.

Medium shot: This term refers to a conventional shot that is filmed from a medium distance. Although the exact distance is not defined, it usually results in a character being shown from the waist (or knees) up.

Pan (or panning) shot: An abbreviation for a panorama shot in which there is a horizontal scan, movement, rotation or turning of the camera to the right or left. On the screen, this produces a mobile framing, which scans horizontally.

Panning shots can also be used to emphasize movement. In the swish pan, the camera is panned in either direction at a very fast pace…creating the impression of a fast-moving horizontal blurring of images across the screen.

Point of View (POV) shot: This is a shot made from the perspective of one of the film’s characters to show the audience the scene as it would look through the character’s eyes. The shot is accomplished by placing the camera where the character’s eyes would be…and has the effect of drawing the audience more into the film as they now get to see what the character sees.

The POV is usually combined with a before or after shot of the character looking at whatever object or scene the Point of View shot contains.

Question by : Where can cameras for professional filmmaking be bought?
I’m not looking for some rubbishy digital camera you use with your family, I’m talking about an actual camera for the purpose of professional filmmaking.

Best answer:

Answer by Jim A
Well if you have the $ 70,000 you’ll need just for the camera – no lens, no tripod, no lights, no crew to operate the equipment… Panaflex makes a fine line of cameras.

What do you think? Answer below!

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