Media Glossary : Shots...

There are fourteen key camera shots, that are used through the creation of a film :

Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) = This shot can be taken up to a quarter of a mile away from a subject, this is seen as the establishing shot as it is used as a scene-setting shot. This shot tends to show the exterior. This shot is meant to give a general impression rather than specific information because little visible detail is shown in set.

Very Wide Shot (VWS) = this too can be seen as an establishing shot, however in this shot the subject is just visible but the emphasis of the shot is still on the environment, rather than the subject







Wide Shot (WS) = This is shot where the the subject takes up the full frame (or at least as much as possible). This shot can be also called the long shot. While the focus is on the character, plenty of background detail still emerges.

Medium Shot (MS) = This shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, but still gives an impression of the whole subject. It is a shot that is usally used in dialogue scenes.

Medium Close Up Shot (MCUS) = This is the shot that is halfway between the medium shot and close up shot, it focuses more in on the subject and tends to cut off just below the subjects shoulders.

Close Up Shot (CUS) = this is when a certain feature of part of the subject takes up the whole frame, it tends to be the face and there is little background shown. This shot is used to show the importance of things, it also helps take us into the mind of the character as it is a very intimate shot. It is a shot that can be used to make the audience either feel very comfortable or very uncomfortable with a character.

Extreme Close Up Shot (ECUS) = this is the shot that shows extreme detail. It is a very artificial shot and is used to create dramatic effect. This shot is also one of the hardest as even the slightest error is this shot is very noticeable

Cut Away Shot (CAS) = This is the shot taken for something other than the current action that is going on in the scene

Cut In Shot (CIS) = this shot shows us some part of the subject in detail, this shot is used usually for another part to the face, such as the hands

Two Shot = This is a medium shot that involves two characters in the shot (this shot can also be done with three people, but any more than three then the shot becomes a long shot)

Over The Shoulder Shot (OTSS) = this is a shot that is taken from behind one character so shows the back of their head slightly, it shows this character looking at the main subject. This shot is commonly used in documentaries.

Noddy Shot (NS) = This is shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject. It is often used in documentaries but it can also be sued in dramas and other situation films.

Point Of View Shot (POVS) = This is a shot that shows a view from the subjects perspective. This is the one shot that is used in channel 4 peep show

Weather Shot (WS) = this is when the subject is the weather, it usually focuses on the sky but can be used for other purposes