Different Shot Types

Films and television programmes are made up of a series of shots.

Establishing Shot (EST)
This establishes where the action takes place and sets the secne. This shot is often an exterior shot and usually a wide shot (WS).

Wide Shot (WS)

Often, but not always, used as an establishing shot. The point of this shot is to show the subjects surroundings.

Long Shot (LS)

This shot shows all or most of a farily large subject e.g. a person, and usually much of the surroundings.

Medium Long Shot (MLS)

A knees to head shot with some background.

Medium Shot (MS)

A wasit to head shot.

Medium Two Shot (M2S)

This shot is similar to a medium shot but with 2 people.

Medium Close Up (MCU)
A shot showing head and shoulders.

Close Up Shot (CU)
This shot is used to show emotion so shows a character's face.

Big Close Up Shot (BCU)
A forehead to chin shot, used to show extreme emotion.

 Extreme Close Up Shot (ECU)
A very tight shot, for example someone's eye or a door handle.

Over the Shoulder Shot (OTS)
This shot is used during a conversation. It will be a MCU of the person talking and then the back of the other person's shoulder and head.

Overhead Shot (OH)
The camera will be directly over the objects/actors.

High Angle Shot (H/A)
This shot could be used to make the object/person look powerless.

Low Angle Shot (L/A)
This shot is used to make the object/person look powerful.

Deep Shot (DS)
This is a shot where there is something in the background and something in the foreground.