Shot examples
Before we discuss shots, I want us to watch this short piece on storyboarding video essays here.
In thinking about how to organize your storyboard of photos, images, or videos, you may also want to think about the types of shots you are using. For example, even with a group photo, you might decide you want to crop and zoom in for a close up. These decisions should be based on the pacing of your video essay, as well as on what it is you are trying to convey to the viewer.
Here are six basic shots you can be thinking about when adding in your images/videos (with help from this article that details several other options).
1. Extreme long shot. This is view from a greater distance, such as a skyline or landscape to establish place.
Example: This is the opening shot from The Sound of Music.
2. Long shot. This is a shot from a distance. showing an overview of the location.
3. Medium shot. Also referred to as a ‘semi-close shot’ or ‘mid-shot’, this generally shoots the actor(s) from the waist up and is typically used in dialogue scenes. It aims to capture subtle facial expressions combined with their body language or surrounding environment that may be necessary to provide context.
Example: John Wayne in The Searchers.
4. Over-the-shoulder shot.
This is where the camera is positioned behind a subject’s shoulder and is usually used for filming conversations between two actors. This popular method helps the audience to really be drawn into the conversation and helps to focus in on one speaker at a time. Seeing as the non-speaking actor is seen only from behind, it’s common for major production sets to substitute actors with stand-ins or doubles for these shots.
Example: Conversation between Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) about calling up the help of his ancestors in Amistad (1997).
5. Point of view shot. A shot that depicts the point of view of a character so that we see exactly what she or he sees.
FIRST PERSON SHOOTING - POV IN MOVIES from Leigh Singer on Vimeo.
6. Close up. This is perhaps the most crucial component in cinematic storytelling and is arguably an actor’s most important moment on camera. This shot is usually framed from above the shoulders and keeps only the actor’s face in full frame, capturing even the smallest facial variations. As it eliminates any surrounding elements that may be relevant to the scene’s narrative, it’s really up to the actor’s skill and focus to shape the story.
It could also be a close up of an object or detail that is important to the story.
In thinking about how to organize your storyboard of photos, images, or videos, you may also want to think about the types of shots you are using. For example, even with a group photo, you might decide you want to crop and zoom in for a close up. These decisions should be based on the pacing of your video essay, as well as on what it is you are trying to convey to the viewer.
Here are six basic shots you can be thinking about when adding in your images/videos (with help from this article that details several other options).
1. Extreme long shot. This is view from a greater distance, such as a skyline or landscape to establish place.
Example: This is the opening shot from The Sound of Music.
This shot normally frames the subject from the top of their head to their feet whilst capturing their environment. It’s typically used to establish the setting of the particular scene – so similar to the establishing shot, but focused more on characters and actors and the contextual relationship with their surroundings.
Example: When Jim Stark (James Dean) and Plato (Sal Mineo) first meet in jail and Jim offers Plato his jacket (with Judy (Natalie Wood) strategically in the background). Rebel Without A Cause (1955).
Example: John Wayne in The Searchers.
4. Over-the-shoulder shot.
This is where the camera is positioned behind a subject’s shoulder and is usually used for filming conversations between two actors. This popular method helps the audience to really be drawn into the conversation and helps to focus in on one speaker at a time. Seeing as the non-speaking actor is seen only from behind, it’s common for major production sets to substitute actors with stand-ins or doubles for these shots.
Example: Conversation between Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) about calling up the help of his ancestors in Amistad (1997).
5. Point of view shot. A shot that depicts the point of view of a character so that we see exactly what she or he sees.
FIRST PERSON SHOOTING - POV IN MOVIES from Leigh Singer on Vimeo.
6. Close up. This is perhaps the most crucial component in cinematic storytelling and is arguably an actor’s most important moment on camera. This shot is usually framed from above the shoulders and keeps only the actor’s face in full frame, capturing even the smallest facial variations. As it eliminates any surrounding elements that may be relevant to the scene’s narrative, it’s really up to the actor’s skill and focus to shape the story.
It could also be a close up of an object or detail that is important to the story.
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