Shot Types

The medium long shot

Good for showing character and location. 

Very useful if character is on the move or going through a door.

The mid shot

Close enough to see facial expressions but far enough away to capture bodily gestures.

The medium close up

The 'talking head'.

Tightly frames a person or an object.

Display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene.

A medium close up of 2 or 3 characters can indicate; a coming together, an intimacy or a certain solidarity.

The close up

Delivers emotion from people and impact from objects.

The big close up

This is the equivalent to staring someone in the eyes.

The extreme close-up

Unusual shot, especially as you don't often get this close to someone in real life.

Used to shock the viewer.

Can bring a new perspective to the story.