Types of Shots/Sizes

Aerial Shot-Plan/shot sizes

Aerial Shot-Plan/ is an elevated perspective of an object from above, with a view as though the observer were a bird, often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans and maps.It can be an aerial photograph, but also a drawing.

Wide/Long Shot

Long shots are used to emphasise a sweeping location around the subject. Long shot and wide shot are interchangeable terms.

Full Shot (FS

A full shot displays the character from head to toe, without showing much of his surroundings (or else it would be considered a long shot). These shots were very popular in the beginning of cinema before filmmakers had understood the power of medium shots and close-ups.

A full shot distances the character from the viewer both physically and psychologically. They carry less emotional weight, and therefore they are not the best choice during emotional scenes.

Whenever the director wants to convey someone’s anger, fear, or joy, close-ups are way more effective. A full shot would be more appropriate during a character’s entrance or a foot pursuit, for instance.

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium shots are the most typical types of shots in the movies. Showing a lot of the subject’s body, medium shots are halfway between long shots and close-ups; however, authors do not agree on the definition. While some writers say that the medium shot shows the character from a little above the knees to the top of his head, others explain that medium shots usually go as low as a little above the waist.  Also, composition guidelines suggest that frame lines shouldn’t cut the actors on the joints, so as long as operators avoid knees, waists, elbows, etc., the framing shouldn’t be a problem. Otherwise, just go a little higher or lower with the framing to avoid the joints.

The medium shot also includes two other famous shot types: The two-shot, with two actors facing the same screen direction, and the over-the-shoulder shot, showing a conversation in which the actors sit or stand across from each other.

Close-Up (CU)

In close-up shots, the subject occupies most of the frame, allowing very limited observation on the habitat. Close-ups are much more climactic than long or medium shots. They are favoured when previewing someone’s emotion.

Extreme Close-Up (ECU)

Usually known as a detail shot, extreme close-ups do exactly that: show a minor detail that would otherwise be not seen in a winder shot.