What is single camera?
Single camera production (used in shows such as The Office and Modern
Family) is a method of filmmaking in which various shots/angles are taken
with the same camera(s), which are then moved and reset with each shot. For
example, if a scene cuts back and forth between two actors, the director will
point the camera at character 1, run some or all of the scene from this angle,
then move to character 2 and run the scene from that angle.
Shot types & the effect they have in film
Extreme Close-up: This shot usually shows only one body part, such as eyes,
mouth etc. This shot is effective when showing how the character is deeply
feeling. For example, in Clockwork Orange, the extreme close up of the
character’s eye pinned open, we can see the fear in his eyes. This shot would
be good for showing emotions in a character’s eyes.
Film example Auto camera Manual camera
Close-up: This shot is used to show a character’s entire face/head. Used in
films like The Shining (Here’s Johnny scene) to show details of the character’s
face & allow the viewer to understand emotions on the entire face, rather than
just focusing on one detail. The framing in this shot allows the viewer to focus
on his face, and focussing on his facial expression. This shot would be good
for showing a character’s emotions on their entire face.
Film example Auto camera Manual camera
Medium Close-up: This shot is from just below the shoulders and up, and is
used to show the character’s facial expressions, and also part of the
background. For example, in Inception, this shot is used to focus on the
character’s conversation, as well as their body language in the shoulders and
also the background behind them. This shot would be good to show
something behind a character without them knowing.
Film example Auto camera Manual camera
Medium Shot: This shot is from the waist up, similar to a medium close-up but
we can see more of the background. For example, In Jurassic Park, this shot
is used to show the characters being lost in the jungle. This shot would also
be good to show something that is behind the character that they can’t see,
but the audience can.
Film example Auto camera Manual camera
Medium Full Shot: This shot is also referred to as a ‘standard shot size’, very
similar to a medium shot, but frames from the knees up. For example, in Zero
Dark Thirty, you can see the expression the character is feeling through the
body language, as well as being able to see what’s happening in the
background. This shot would also be good to show something behind a
character.
Film example Auto camera Manual camera
Full Shot: This shot is the whole subject being in frame, with some of the
background visible. This shot is effective, similar to medium full shot, to show
the character as well as the scenery. For example, in The Avengers, this shot
shows the two characters in front of the destruction of the city. This shot
would be good to show the scenery behind a character.
Film example Auto camera Manual camera
Long/Wide Shot: This
shot is used to show the character and the scenery around them. For
example, it is used in 1917, where the scene around the character in the
middle is empty and all the detail is in the middle, showing us we need to
focus on the character in the middle. This shot would be good to describe
what is happening behind a character.
Film example Auto camera
Manual camera