Types of Shots | Tomorrow's Filmmakers

Summary

In this episode of 'Tomorrow's Filmmakers,' host Justus McRainey explores various camera shot types, essential for filmmakers when storyboarding or scripting. He explains the purpose of each shot, from extreme wide shots for establishing locations to extreme close-ups that focus on specific facial features. The video also covers cut-ins, cutaways, over-the-shoulder shots, and POV shots, emphasizing their roles in narrative storytelling. McRainey highlights the importance of establishing shots and master shots for setting scene context and character relationships. The episode aims to equip viewers with the knowledge to effectively utilize these shots in their filmmaking projects.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video discusses various types of camera shots used in filmmaking to help filmmakers storyboard and script more effectively.
• 🌏 'Extreme wide shot' is used to establish a location, showing a very broad view, such as a battlefield or a landscape.
• 📹 'Wide shot' is slightly closer than an extreme wide shot, capturing a broader scene but still showing a lot of the environment.
• 🚶‍♂️ 'Full shot' includes the entire body of a character from head to toe, providing a complete view of the character.
• 🦿 'Medium full shot' is closer, showing the character from the knees up, focusing more on the upper body.
• 👖 'Medium shot' captures the character from the hips up, showing half of the body and often used to convey emotion.
• 👥 'Medium close-up' is closer still, focusing on the character from the chest up, highlighting upper body and facial expressions.
• 👀 'Close-up' isolates the character's head, from the neck up, to emphasize facial expressions and details.
• 🔍 'Extreme close-up' focuses on a specific part of the face or an object to draw attention to a particular detail.
• 👁️ 'Cut in' is a shot that moves closer to what a subject is looking at, such as a phone or an object in their hand.
• 👀 'Cutaway' is used when the subject looks away from the camera, showing what they are looking at off-screen.
• 👓 'POV shot' or point of view shot, places the viewer in the character's perspective, seeing what the character sees.
• 👫 'Double' shows two characters in the frame, indicating their positions relative to each other.
• 👂 'Over-the-shoulder shot' is taken from behind one character's shoulder, focusing on the face of the other character.
• 🏠 'Establishing shot' sets the scene by showing the location or environment where the action is taking place.
• 🌐 'Master shot' displays the entire scene, showing the positions and interactions of all characters within the setting.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic discussed in the video is the different types of camera shots that filmmakers can use to tell a story effectively.

What is an extreme wide shot and when is it used?

An extreme wide shot is a very wide view that can be used to establish a location, such as showing a character on a battlefield or their relation to others.

How does a wide shot differ from an extreme wide shot?

A wide shot is closer than an extreme wide shot but still shows more than just the full body of a character, providing a broader view of the scene.

What is a full shot and what does it include?

A full shot includes the entire body of a character from their toes to the top of their head, showing the full body in the frame.

Can you explain the difference between a medium shot and a medium close-up?

A medium shot shows half of the subject from the hips up, while a medium close-up is closer, focusing on the subject from about the chest up, but not as close as a close-up.

What is a close-up shot and what part of the character does it focus on?

A close-up shot focuses on the character's head, from the neck to the top of the head, capturing facial expressions and details.

How is an extreme close-up different from a regular close-up?

An extreme close-up focuses on a specific aspect of the character's face, such as the eyes, mouth, or a particular feature, rather than showing the full head.

What is a cut-in shot and when might it be used?

A cut-in shot is used to show what the subject is looking at closely, such as a phone in their hand or an object on the ground.

What is the purpose of a cutaway shot in filmmaking?

A cutaway shot is used when the subject looks away from the camera, and it cuts to show what the subject is looking at, providing context to the scene.

Can you describe a POV shot and how it contributes to storytelling?

A POV (point of view) shot is taken from the perspective of a character, allowing the audience to see what the character sees, which can create immersion and empathy.

What is the significance of an establishing shot in a film?

An establishing shot is crucial for setting the scene by showing the location and context of where the characters are, helping the audience understand the setting.

How does a master shot help in storytelling compared to close-ups?

A master shot provides a comprehensive view of the scene, showing the geography and the relationship between characters, which is important before cutting to closer shots for more intimate moments.