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.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Understanding Different Camera Shots

In this segment, the host, Justus McRainey, introduces the audience to various types of camera shots used in filmmaking. He explains that these shots are not about camera movement or angles, but rather the different framings one can achieve with a camera. The discussion starts with the most distant shot, the extreme wide shot, which is used to establish a location, such as a battlefield. The host then progresses through a series of shots, each closer than the last: the wide shot, the full shot, the medium full shot, the medium shot, the medium close-up, the close-up, and finally the extreme close-up, which focuses on a specific detail of a character's face. The host emphasizes the importance of knowing these terms for scriptwriting and storyboarding, as they help communicate the desired framing to the production team.

05:00

🤝 Camera Shots Involving Two People

This paragraph delves into camera shots that involve two people, starting with the 'double' shot, which shows both individuals in the frame, allowing viewers to understand their spatial relationship. The host then discusses the over-the-shoulder shot, which is used to depict a conversation by showing one person's face over the shoulder of another. A 'single' shot follows, focusing on one character during a conversation without showing the other's shoulder. The close over-the-shoulder shot is a tighter version of the over-the-shoulder shot, often used to heighten suspense. The host also introduces the concept of cut-ins and cutaways, with cut-ins moving closer to what a subject is looking at, and cutaways showing what a subject is looking at when they look away from the camera. The paragraph concludes with the POV (point of view) shot, which places the viewer in the character's perspective, seeing what the character sees.

10:01

🏞 Establishing and Master Shots for Scene Context

The final paragraph focuses on two crucial shots that provide context to a scene: the establishing shot and the master shot. An establishing shot sets the scene by showing where the characters are or where they are going, giving the audience a sense of location. It can feature people or just a significant location, such as a building or a carnival. On the other hand, a master shot provides a comprehensive view of the scene, showing the positions of all characters in relation to each other, which is essential before cutting to closer shots. The master shot is likened to a 'double' shot and is used to avoid confusion by showing the audience the spatial dynamics between characters before moving in for more intimate shots. The host encourages viewers to practice these shots to enhance their storytelling capabilities.

Keywords

💡Extreme Wide Shot

An 'Extreme Wide Shot' is a camera shot that is taken from a great distance, capturing a vast area and providing a broad context for the scene. It is used to establish a location or setting, such as a battlefield or a cityscape, and to show the character's position within that environment. In the video, this shot is mentioned as the starting point when discussing how to move from far away to very close in a scene, illustrating the scale and environment before focusing on the characters.

💡Wide Shot

A 'Wide Shot' is a camera angle that is closer than an extreme wide shot but still captures a broad view. It typically includes the full body of the subject and more of the surrounding environment, providing context and setting for the scene. The video script uses this term to describe the next level of closeness after an extreme wide shot, still maintaining a broad perspective but focusing more on the subject.

💡Full Shot

A 'Full Shot' captures the entire body of the subject from head to toe. It is used to show the character's full form and actions in relation to the environment. In the video, this shot is described as a transition from the wide shots to closer shots, allowing the audience to see the subject in its entirety before moving to more focused views.

💡Medium Full Shot

A 'Medium Full Shot' is slightly closer than a full shot, typically showing the subject from the knees up. This shot is used to provide a more intimate view of the character while still maintaining some context of the surroundings. The video explains this as a step closer to the subject after a full shot, allowing for a more detailed view of the character's actions and expressions.

💡Medium Shot

A 'Medium Shot' is a camera angle that captures the subject from the waist up. This shot is used to focus on the character's upper body and facial expressions, which are crucial for conveying emotions and reactions. The video script mentions this as a way to get closer to the subject after a medium full shot, emphasizing the importance of the character's upper body in storytelling.

💡Medium Close-Up

A 'Medium Close-Up' is a shot that is closer than a medium shot, typically framing the subject from the chest up. This shot is used to focus on the character's face and upper body, highlighting expressions and details that are important for the narrative. The video describes this as an intermediate step between a medium shot and a close-up, providing a balance between context and detail.

💡Close-Up

A 'Close-Up' is a camera shot that tightly frames the subject, usually capturing just the head and shoulders. This shot is used to emphasize facial expressions and emotions, drawing the audience's attention to细微的表情和反应. The video script uses this term to illustrate how to focus on the character's face for intense emotional scenes or to highlight important details.

💡Extreme Close-Up

An 'Extreme Close-Up' is an even tighter shot than a close-up, focusing on a specific part of the subject's face or an object. This shot is used to draw attention to a particular detail, such as an eye, a hand gesture, or a significant object. The video explains this as a way to 'punch in' and focus on a specific aspect of the character or scene, creating a sense of intimacy or highlighting a crucial element.

💡Cut-In

A 'Cut-In' is a shot that moves closer to what the subject is looking at or interacting with. It is used to reveal details or objects that are important to the narrative. In the video, this term is used to describe a shot that transitions from a character's face to an object of interest, such as a phone or a document, to provide additional context or information.

💡Cutaway

A 'Cutaway' is a shot that moves away from the main subject to show something else in the scene, such as another character's reaction or an environmental detail. This shot is used to provide additional information or to create a break in the action. The video script mentions this in contrast to a cut-in, explaining that while a cut-in focuses on the subject's point of interest, a cutaway shifts the focus to something outside of the subject's immediate view.

💡POV Shot

A 'POV Shot' or Point of View shot is taken from the perspective of a character, allowing the audience to see what the character sees. This shot is used to create immersion and empathy, as it places the viewer directly in the character's position. The video describes this shot as a way to look through the character's eyes, experiencing the scene from their perspective, which can be a powerful storytelling tool.

💡Establishing Shot

An 'Establishing Shot' is a wide shot that sets the scene by showing the location or environment where the action is taking place. It provides context and helps the audience understand the setting of the story. The video emphasizes the importance of this shot in orienting the audience to the characters' surroundings, whether it's an indoor setting or an outdoor location.

💡Master Shot

A 'Master Shot' captures the entire scene with all characters and elements in view. It is used to show the geography of the scene and the relationships between characters. The video script explains that this shot is crucial for providing an overview before cutting to closer shots, ensuring that the audience understands the spatial dynamics between characters before focusing on individual reactions or dialogues.

Highlights

Introduction to different types of camera shots for filmmakers

Extreme wide shot for establishing a location

Wide shot for showing more than just the full body

Full shot for capturing the entire character's body

Medium full shot for showing from knees up

Medium shot for showing half of the subject

Medium close-up for focusing on the subject's upper body

Close-up for focusing on the subject's head

Extreme close-up for focusing on a specific facial feature

Explanation of cut-in shots for focusing on what the subject is looking at

Cutaway shots for showing what the subject is looking at off-screen

Point of view (POV) shots for perspective through the character's eyes

Double shots for showing two people in the frame

Over-the-shoulder shots for capturing a conversation

Single shots for focusing on one character in a conversation

Close over the shoulder shots for a tighter focus in conversations

Establishing shots for setting the scene and location

Master shots for showing the geography and character positions

Practical demonstration of shots in a scene

Encouragement to practice different shots for storytelling

Conclusion and call to action for further learning on the website

Transcripts

today we talk about the different types

of shots that you can get with your

camera everybody welcome to another

episode of tomorrow's filmmakers my name

is Justus mcrainey and today we're going

to be talking about types of shots

this isn't camera movement this isn't

camera angles or anything like that this

is different types of shots that you can

get with your camera so that whenever

you guys are storyboarding writing a

script whatever and the scene calls for

a full shot or a medium close-up or a

master shot you guys will know what that

means so let's talk about all those

different types of shots and then also

how to put them into a scene so first

off let's just start by showing you the

different types of shots and what

they're called starting from really far

away and getting really close so the

first shot is called an extreme wide

shot and this isn't just kind of wide

this is really really wide this could be

used to establish a location you know

show that he's on a battlefield show

where our character is in relation to

somebody else it is a really really wide

shot and the next shot is just a wide

shot so we have extreme wide shot now

we're at a wide shot which is a little

bit closer than the extreme wide shot

but it's not just seeing his full body

you're seeing a lot more than that

because it's still really wide the next

shot is called a full shot and this is a

little bit closer but you can still see

our entire character's body you can see

from his toes all the way to his head

like a full body shot so why it's called

a full shot after the full shot we have

the medium full shot which is a little

bit closer you can see about knees up on

our subject then you have the medium

shot which is going to be one half of

our subjects there's going to be the

hips up you'll be able to see one half

of our subject then you're going to have

a medium close up to our subject and

that's going to be a little bit closer

than a medium shot but it's not going to

be a close-up it's going to be a medium

close-up so it's going to be in between

so it's going to be about chest up on

our subject

and after the medium close up we cut to

a close-up which is just going to be our

subjects head his entire head from the

neck to the top of his head and after

the close-up we punch an even farther to

have an extreme close-up and this is

going to be focusing on one aspect of

our characters face in this instance

we're focusing on his eyes that would be

an extreme close-up he wanted to focus

on his mouth or his hair or his nose or

a scratch on his face or whatever you

want to focus on that would be an

extreme close-up it's not showing his

full head you're punching an even more

to focus on one area of his face or an

object or a situation or a person or

something like that

that's what I did that I said look here

look here look here look here

yeah look here look here so just an

overview if your standing back really

far and looking at a person and you

start cutting in you're first gonna have

an extreme wide shot a wide shot a full

shot a medium full shot a medium shot a

medium close-up a close-up and then an

extreme close-up so know that it's

pretty simple and kind of just like okay

I got that but I want you guys to

understand what they're called

so if you're writing your script and you

say hey I want the camera to go from a

medium full shot to a close-up you'll

know exactly what that means that means

medium full shot that's going to be from

knees up to a close-up just his head and

to go along with that we also have a

couple more shots one is called a cut in

and this would be cutting into a closer

shot of what our subject is looking at

in this case it's his phone so we're at

his face he looks down then we cut in to

what he's looking at his phone if he has

something in his hand if he's looking at

something on the ground you're cutting

in closer to what our subject is looking

at that's called a cut in if he was

looking at something else we wouldn't

zoom out and look at that that would be

called a cutaway which is the neck shot

now this is if the actor looks over and

sees something we cut away to see what

our actor is looking at so a cut in is

whenever we come closer to what the

subject is looking at a cut away is when

the subject looks away from the screen

we cut away from our subject to see what

he's looking at

so the final shot is called a POV shot

or a point of view shot and this is a

really cool shot this is like looking

through the character's eyes and seeing

the scene from his perspective now this

doesn't mean it's like a GoPro fisheye

look you know where you can see

everything like peripheral vision no

that would just look really strange this

could be zoomed in it could be wide it

could be any way you want it to be but

it's just looking from our character's

perspective and through his eyes of what

he's seeing keep going

that's not usable so that's like the

different types of shots with one person

you know zooming in cut away cut in

point of view but also if there's two

people we first have something called a

double which means that this shows both

the people in the frame you know you can

see where they are you can kind of see

that they're looking at each other from

a double we might cut to an

over-the-shoulder shot which means it's

looking over the shoulder of one subject

onto the face of the other you know to

show that they're in a conversation to

show they're engaged in the conversation

with each other from an

over-the-shoulder shot we might cut to a

single which means it's still focusing

on one character and they're still in

that conversation but you're not seeing

the other characters shoulder on the

side of the frame maybe you want to cut

in closer because it's an intense moment

or something like that and from that we

could cut to a close over the shoulder

which means that it's the same shot it's

just a little bit tighter and a little

bit more zoomed in maybe to give an

effect of suspense or something's about

to happen so now that we understand the

different types of shots new with one

person with two people cut ins cutaways

over the shoulder all those different

types of shots there's two shots that

you definitely need to know because

they're very important to help your

audience understand the scene the first

shot is called an establishing shot now

it's establishing shot establishes where

your characters are where they're going

you know miss a wider shot of your two

characters talking so you know where

they're at now an establishing shot

doesn't actually have to show people it

can just show a building show a carnival

to show that they went to a carnival you

know if your character says hey let's go

to a carnival and the next scene is a

close-up of their face at a carnival

you're like where they had exactly

but you first show a wide shot of the

carnival to show that hey there at the

carnival now and then you can start

cutting in closer and the establishing

shot can show people to show where they

are in their location or it can just

show a house to show that hey the

characters are inside the house we're

about to go into the house and they can

start talking so an establishing shot

shows where your characters are where

they're going so it doesn't confuse your

audience then the next shot is called a

master shot and the master shot is very

important because it shows the geography

and where each character is in relation

to the other character is kind of like a

double like we talked about before it

shows where the two characters are in

relation to each other one might be

sitting down one might be standing one

might come around the corner one might

be in the kitchen while the others in

the living room you want to show where

they are before you start cutting in

close to their faces because if you

don't really know where they are

then one could be talking and the other

could be talking and it's just close-ups

but you don't realize that they're on

opposite ends of the house but first we

do a master shot to show where they are

in relation to each other

then we can start cutting in closer so

an establishing shot shows where the

characters are going where they're

headed what building they're in if

they're outside but then a master shot

shows where they are in relation to each

other then you can start cutting in

closer so before you start a scene

before you start a dialogue scene first

you want to establish where the

characters are okay they're in this huge

building then you want to cut to a

master shot to show okay they're sitting

here ones on this side ones on this side

then from then then from then then from

then that's not right then you can drop

the master shot and start cutting in to

over-the-shoulder shots

tight close-ups singles whatever way you

want to tell your story but first you

have to let the audience know where your

characters are so now that you guys

understand like the different types of

shots from one person to two people to

establishing shots to master shots I

want to show you guys what those shots

look like in an actual scene

you

so as you can see different types of

shots have different names they're used

for different purposes or used for

different reasons so I hope this video

has really helped you out on

understanding these types of shots so

whenever you're storyboarding writing a

script whatever it is you know what

they're called hey we're going to do an

establishing shot then we're going to

cut to a close-up then we're going to

cut to a medium full shot and you'll

know what those mean so go get your

brothers and sisters and friends and

start practicing all of these shots with

establishing shots master shots over the

shoulder shots try all these different

types of shots and see if you can create

a scene like we did so head on over to

tomorrow's filmmakers comm we have

videos just like this they were putting

out constantly to help further you as

you further God's kingdom through film

and I will see you guys there