Basic Camera

Techniques
By
MOE/ETD/TFL/PU
 General Outline
Shot Sizes
Composition & Framing
Continuity
 Shot Sizes
„ Very Long Shot (VLS) or
„ Extreme Long shot (ELS)

FOR SHOWING
place or setting
 Shot Sizes
„ Medium Shot (MS)

FOR SHOWING
person and gestures
 Shot Sizes
„ Close-up (CU)

FOR SHOWING
facial expression
 Shot Sizes
„ Extreme Close-up (ECU)

FOR SHOWING
detail
 Composition
One Third Rule – Tic-tac-toe diagram
 Composition
Diagonal Lines - Lines which dissect the
frame at an angle.
 Framing
„ Head Room

No head room Too much head room Good

 Framing
„ Breathing or Talking Room

Not enough Too much talking Preferred

talking space space
 Framing
„ Walking Room

Not enough Preferred

walking space
 Continuity

What Is Continuity?
Continuity is a series of shots that will fit together
to create a realistic impression of the action.
Continuity

A B
 Continuity
A B

Camera Position Camera Position

A B
 Continuity

Camera B Camera A
 Continuity

The Imaginary Line

 Continuity
A B

Imaginary Line

180 ° degree radius

Camera Position Camera Position

A B
 Continuity
A B
Camera Position A

Imaginary Line

180 ° degree radius

Camera Position
B
Continuity

A B
 Continuity

Camera B Camera A
 Continuity
The Imaginary Line
• Maintains continuity
• Shows action direction

• Camera placement guide

 Types of Shots
Establishing Shot
• Generally a LS
• Establishes a scene
• Includes information about the scene
taking place and who or what will be
involved in the action.
 Types of Shots
Re-establishing Shot
• Reminds the audience about the location.

•Introduces new elements into the scene.

•Serves as a transition to the next scene.

 Types of Shots
Over-The-Shoulder Shot
The camera is placed behind one subject and
looks over his shoulder at a second subject.

•Enables both subjects to remain in view.

•Useful to show the dominant subject’s

(facing the audience) reaction to what
the former is saying.
Types of Shots
Over-The-Shoulder Shot
 Types of Shots
Cut-Away
•Refers to a shot employed in the editing room
to shorten a Establishing Shot or Long Shot.
Cut-away shots are usually close-ups of
people’s reaction. It is also called Reaction
Shot or Noddy.
Types of Shots
Odd Juxtaposition Shot
Types of Shots
Odd Juxtaposition Shot
Types of Shots
Odd Juxtaposition Shot
 IMPORTANT!
„ Bring extra batteries and tapes.
„ Bring a fluid head tripod e.g. manfrotto
video tripod
„ Always plan what you want to record
before going to shoot.
„ Lighting if needed. e.g. 12volt 50watts
portable lighting pack
 Sound Recording
„ Get a mic, don’t rely on the camera mic.
„ Use HEADPHONES!
„ Record in a quiet place.
„ Observe proper handling of the mic.
 Microphone Handling
„ Point the mic towards the mouth
„ Don’t rub the mic while recording
„ Don’t blow into the mic
„ Don’t tap the mic
„ Keep the mic one clenched fist away
from the mouth
„ If in doubt record a few more times.