The angle that you choose for each shot can affect the way the audience feels about the characters. Camera angles help to create the mood of the film.

Eye-level
The most common angle in film is the eye-level angle. This is angle helps the audience identify with the subject.

Low angle
When the camera is filming from a low angle it can emphasize size which may make the character or subject appear more threatening or emphasize the speed of moving things.

High angle This angle is also called an aerial perspective or a ‘birds eye view’. Using a high angle can give the audience a feeling of power or control.

A point of view shot (POV) This type of shot shows the audience what the character is seeing. It’s like the camera becomes the eye of the character. It helps the audience relate to how the character feels or what they see during the action. POV shots are often used in horror films to help the audience feel the fear of the characters.

The camera can move around during a shot. There are names for each of the types of movements the camera can make. These are zoom, pan, tilt, track, dolly.

Zoom - using the zoom switch (usually on the top of the camera) you can make your subject appear closer (T) or further away (W). For a more professional video, limit the use of the zoom to slow zooms in or out. The zoom switch is touch-sensitive so press softly for slow zooming.

Pan - moving the camera side to side usually to follow the action or explore the scene.

Tilt- tilting the camera up or down usually to reveal something.

Dolly -when the whole camera and camera operator moves back or forward from the subject. The effect is like zooming.

Track or Crab -when the whole camera and the camera operator moves in a side-to-side movement. Used often in professional films where they lay down special tracks to achieve a very smooth camera movement.

	Tips for successful camera movements
	Try an activity from the Learning Federation L2844-"Lights, camera, action: camera" Close the window to return to this page