Camera Angles and Movement

 The angle at which a character is shot in a film can dramatically affect the way we perceive the character, film directors will often choose to shoot characters using a range of different. Angles determine where the camera is placed, for example;

Birds-eye view

The camera is usually positioned above the subject as it looks down toward them and the ground. This shot can sometimes seem disorienting as it is rarely the way the audiences see the world. This angle is often used to create dramatic effect.

High Angle

This angle tends to draw attention to the importance of the particular environment or setting of a scene, high angle shots make the character look small and are often used be directors to suggest insignificance or withering authority.

The Eye-Level

Most commonly seen in movies , the scenes are shot at the same level  as the observer would view the scene. The shots are not as dramatic as others although are used to photograph scenes that explain story development.

The Oblique Angle

This is shot by simply tilting the camera frame, it can be used to suggest a sense of “crookedness” and anxiety. However in the case of some television news shows and music videos programs a sence of playfulness.

Camera Movement

Cameras are moved around for many specific reasons in a range of complex combinations. Movement alters the viewer’s sense of time, speed and space, follow action or characters, reveal information that was previously off-screen, concentrate the audience’s attention on specific details and emphasise ad point of view shot.

Tripod

These particular movements are the equivalent of moving one’s head up and down and to the left and right, as a result they are considered to then be a point of view shot. 

The pan turns the camera to the left or right as it focuses attention on an object or subject being followed. The pan is often used to survey surroundings and reveals what is beyond the confines of the original frame.

The tilt pivots the camera upwards or downwards again to make the audience more aware of the surroundings , whilst it also frequently mimics the sight of the character in point of view shots.

Smaller tilts and pans keep the subject in the desired part of the frame as she/he makes equally small movements.The camera doesn’t have to do an awful lot of movement to zoom in and out as it simply enlrages of redues the proportion of the frame being taken up by the person or object.  The zoom allows the camera to focus on a particular detail, over use of this shot can be distracting.

Tracking

Also commonly known as trucking, this shot enables the camera to move from left to right and is often on a pre-laid track or a specially designed truck. These shots are conventionally used to follow movement across a frame and move parallel to the object/subject.

A Dolly

These are often used as point of view shots and give the audience the impression of approaching someone/something with the character. The Dolly creates a sense of moving towards an object

Crane or Helicopter

In these type of shots the camera is mounted above the ground, therefore making it easy to, manoeuvre precisely.  Crane and Helicopter shots can survey wide areas and create an extreme sense of movement.

Handheld

This is when the camera is carried by an operator and often creates and uneven movement. This shot allows the operator to follow the action more closely, creating a greater sense of immediacy foe the audience. A common visual metaphor in moves is also created by handheld cameras creating a shaking, trembling effect in horror films.