VFX- Shot sizes and techniques

 Extreme long (wide) shot

These shots are generally used to open a film, at the start of a scene or to show a new location.

If a person was in the shot they would appear very small compared to the surroundings.

They are filmed from a considerable distance and are normally Exterior shots of city skylines or landscapes etc.

Used to showcase thrilling action sequences for example in war films or disaster movies when huge battles or explosions take place.

Long (wide) shot

focuses on an entire character from head to toe or subject from top to bottom, shown as being life size; though not necessarily filling the frame.

However there is still plenty of background detail still emerging which is a feast for the audiences eyes to showcase location, time and scale. The only real difference from an extreme wide shot is that the character within it has a larger presence in the frame.

Medium long shot/ medium shot

The medium long shot is somewhat between a long shot and a medium shot, it generally shows characters from the knees up. A popular shot in western films, which would frame the subject from the mid-thigh up to fit the gun holster into the shot.

The medium shot is normally used for dialogue scenes which aren't fuelled with too much emotion or intensity or to show some detail of action. The audience will be focusing on the characters rather than background.

Over the shoulder shot- Where the camera is positioned behind one character showing the back of their head and shoulders/back and focusing on another character in front of them.

Medium close up/close up

Shows characters chest up.

Shows detail e.g hand picking up a knife or going for a gun, where the knife or gun would fill the whole frame; very little background shown  and is normally blurry.

In close ups the director can show expressions or emotions in a character face it can also take us into the mind of a character.

Extreme close up

Used for dramatic intensity for example shots that are framed so closely as to show only a portion of a characters face, for instance only the mouth or eyes.