1. Using Shot Types

• This presentation will teach you the purposes of various shot types when filming a project. If this is all new to you, consider visiting the following link to find out more about commonly used shot types:

http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/ 2. Why do we change the shot?

The audience will get bored if you never move the camera or show them something from a new angle. Think about when you are taking a class. Do you stare in one spot for the entire period or do your eyes want to move around?

3. How do I plan my shots?

Use storyboarding. In this presentation, you will see a method of storyboarding that does not require any drawing skills at all. You will need:

A Camera

One or more figures (artist dummies, dolls or action figures)

Some props (I made mine out of paper)

4.

Description:Fade in on overhead shot of Boulder Meadows Golf Couse.

(V.O.) - It's a beautiful day heard at Boulder Meadows where... (continued)

Shot 1) Overhead Shot (bird's-eye-view) 2011 Google Map data 2011 Google 5.

Rationale:An overhead shot would be used here to communicate the size and luxury of the golf course. It is harder to communicate these things from an eye-level shot.

Shot 1) Overhead Shot (bird's-eye-view) 2011 Google Map data2011 Google 6.

Description:Establish of golf course sign.

(V.O.) - where two pros of golf square off ...

Shot 2) Establishing Shot 7.

Rationale:A shot here that establishes the location and event is a quick way to communicate this to the audience before beginning the action.

Shot 2) Establishing Shot 8.

Description:Golf pro Terry McCormack gets ready to take his shot.

(V.O.) - in the most lucrative long drive competition of the season.

Shot 3) Wide Shot 9.

Rationale:With our first view of Terry, we want to see as much as possible to maintain a picture of him when we cut in for closer shots.

Shot 3) Wide Shot 10.

Description:A shot of Terry's signature golfball.

(V.O.) - Terry's using his special golfball given to him by his family ...

Shot 4) Extreme Close-Up 11.

Rationale:The golfball given to him by his family is significant to the story so we draw attention to it with an extreme close-up.

Shot 4) Extreme Close-Up 12.

Description:Terry, motivated by thoughts of his family, concentrates on his shot.

(V.O.) - for good luck ...

Shot 5) Close-Up 13.

Rationale:If you want to show the emotion of a character and don't need any of the actions, use a close-up on their face.

Shot 5) Close-Up 14.

Description:Rival Barney Linden rubs hands in anticipation of win.

(V.O.) - as Barney Linden, with the shot to beat looks eager for his prize money.

Shot 6) Cutaway to Low Angle Medium Close-Up 15.

Rationale:Low angle shots make characters appear more sinister. We use the medium close-up as we need both his expression and hands in the shot.

Shot 6) Cutaway to Low Angle Medium Close-Up 16.

Description:Terry looks to his family for support.

(V.O.) - Terry's family is in the crowd today ...

Shot 7) Close-Up 17.

Rationale:We need the shot to be close enough to Terry's face so that we can see where he is looking as well as his expression.

Shot 7) Close-Up 18.

Description:Terry's family looks on in anticipation.

(V.O.) - hoping that he can add another trophy to their mantlepiece.

Shot 8) Cutaway to Two-Shot 19.

Rationale:You are really limited in your framing options when you need to show two people. This is like a medium shot.

Shot 8) Cutaway to Two-Shot 20.

Description:A bead of sweat rolls down Terry's head as he refocuses on his shot.

(V.O.) - Here is comes folks. I think that Terry's ...

Shot 9) Close-Up (choker) 21.

Rationale:We use this shot to push the camera into Terry's face closer than it was before to communicate the intensity of the moment.

Shot 9) Close-Up (choker) 22.

Description:Terry tightens grip on club. Sound of leather being gripped.

(V.O.) - ready to take his shot.

Shot 10) Cut-in to Extreme Close-Up 23.

Rationale:We want to dramatize the moment by showing Terry's hands in a close-up right before we pull back for the big action shot.

Shot 10) Cut-in to Extreme Close-Up 24.

Description:Terry hits the ball with everything he's got!

(V.O.) - WHOAH NELLIE!

Shot 11) Dutch Tilt Wide Shot 25.

Rationale:We need the wide shot distance to see the full swing and the ridiculous tilt underscores the intensity of the action.

Shot 11) Dutch Tilt Wide Shot 26.

Description:Barney throws his hands in the air in shock.

(V.O.) - BARNEY LINDEN CAN'T BELIEVE HIS EYES!

Shot 12) Cutaway to Eye-Level Medium Close-Up 27.

Rationale:We switch this shot of Barney to eye-level to contrast how the audience should feel about him now (weak) as opposed to the last shot in which we saw him.

Shot 12) Cutaway to Eye-Level Medium Close-Up 28.

Description:Terry points as the ball goes flying out of sight.

(V.O.) - TERRY MCCORMACK WINS THE TOURNAMENT!

Shot 13) Point of View 29.

Rationale:Using a point-of-view shot here gives us a good idea that the camera is the point-of-origin of the ball. It helps the audience with the geography of the scene.

Shot 13) Point-of-View 30.

Description:Terry speaks to interviewer:

I couldn't have done it without the support of my family.

Shot 14) Over the Shoulder Shot 31.

Rationale:We want to communicate efficiently that Terry is being interviewed as well as his emotion as he speaks.

Shot 14) Over the Shoulder Shot 32.

Description:Terry continues to talk about his family values.

Shot 15) Noddy Shot 33.

Rationale:We want to cut occasionally to the interviewer while Terry is talking to avoid eye-boredom from the audience.

Shot 15) Noddy Shot 34. The End

Obviously not every shot type was used in this storyboard, but it should give you a good idea aboutwhya cinematographer might use those shots.

35. Resources

Shot Types.MediaCollege.com . Web. 2 Jul, 2011.http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/

All photos taken by Murray Stardom