Shot types in filming

In the first scene there will be two main shot types used, over the shoulder shot and a long shot.

Over the shoulder shot will be used when we see the character sending the enigmatic text message the camera will then use the movement of zooming out enabling the audience to see a long shot of the same character stood in the room with a sneak preview of the tied hands and feet.

Over the past few days I have taken videos and photos showing these shots in action. Some of the people used in these images and recordings are not the characters who will be involved in the actual filming.

Over the shoulder shot

This is when the shot is taken from behind the character that is looking at either another character or an object, although the shot can vary to show the shoulder or back of the person facing the object I and my group came to the decision that when filming we will only show about 1/3 of the characters head including his ear.

This allows the audience to have an insight as to what the character is seeing from their point of view.

Long shot

This is when the character is the main focus of the image even though the background mostly dominates. The character involved is shown from head to toe, in other words their head would be near enough at the top of the frame and their feet at the bottom of the frame.

This allows the audience to get a sense of where the character is (the environment) so in our case it would be in the small room where a body is being held hostage.

Furthermore it can also allow the audience to see the costume of the characters involved in the shot type, in our case the costume of the kidnapper would be all black, this would lead the audiences being able to create a judgement of them.  

Establishing shot

 

This can be also known as an extreme long shot and is when you are able to see the landscape of where the filming is taking place. In the case of my opening sequence it will be used in scene 2 when the four characters who receive the text arrive at the destination given.

This allows the audience to get a general impression of the environment and notify them where the action is taking place additionally it will let the audience know that a new scene has begun.

Close up

This is when one feature of the character or object takes up most of the frame, for example shot of someone face.  It exaggerates facial expressions therefore conveys detailed emotion. This shot type will be used when I and my group are filming the video the group of four will watch, in scene 3, as it will display to the audience the damage done to the victim, through make-up, making it look like he has bruising and ghastly cuts to areas of his face. At this moment the audiences will get a sincere emotion towards him and hopefully realise the situation is urgent.

                                

Medium close up

This when the character is shot from the chest up. I and my group will use this shot when filming the video that will be shown on the phone, we decided this because it allows the audience to see the emotion of the character therefore they will be able to identify the kidnapped person feels afraid and in danger realising the situation is serious.