Research: Camera Shots & Techniques

Throughout teaser trailers, they tend to have many scenes that contain many different camera shots in a short amount of time. This is effective as the producer is able to advertise more of the movie to an audience in a more efficient way yet again giving us more scenes but is still able to not give away too much. Below is an example of this.

G.I. Joe

This teaser trailer of G.I. Joe is 33 seconds long, which is a very small amount of time, yet the pace is fast throughout, all main protagonists are shown, it seems very action orientated and gets the storyline though to the audience. This trailer consists of 27 different scenes, in which every camera angle is different to the next. This is effective as it shows different aspects of the action and the situation the protagonists find themselves in. 

Camera Shots

Mid Shot - Subject is shown in detail but surrounding area is also still shown in detail.

Medium Close Up - This is a shot between a Mid Shot and a closeup. This enables a better detailed view of the subject.

Close Up - This is the best view for capturing the expression of a subject e.g. an emotional expression on a persons face.

Cut In - This gives the viewer the ability to look at another part of the subject in better detail e.g. a better look at a gun in a killers hand.

Over the shoulder shot - Looking from behind a person at the subject. e.g. The hero watching the villain.

Point of view shot (POV) - This shows the view from the subjects perspective e.g. Protagonist focusing on enemy. 

Dutch Tilt - A camera shot that is purposely slanted to one side. This is usually used for dramatic effect such as disorientation, unease, frantic and high paced action. 

Arc - the camera moves around the subject in a semi circle. 

Tracking shot - Following the subject or action is any direction (usually parallel) with the camera. 

Pedestal shot - The camera moves vertically in regard to the subject. The movements of the camera are up and down. 

Match Cut - Two shots that are in different places or compositions.

Match on action - Two views of the same action that are edited into one scene so that it appears as if the action has continuously flowed even though the shot has changed.

Techniques


Fade Out - Gradual transformation to a black image.

Fade In - Black image gradually becomes a picture or scene.

Flashback - A scene where a past event is shown (usually through the protagonists eyes).

Cross Cutting - Two different actions, in two different locations while appearing to the audience that the actions are occurring at the same time.