Camerawork and storyboarding

Classification of camera shots by size (multilingual)

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Guide to Camera Shots - types of camera shots based on field size

This was inspired by the previous monthly tips theme on camerawork. I thought it’d be a good addition to my previous work since it's a logical continuation of the topic.

If you're working with animation, it's important to get familiar with the types of camera shots that exist.

For each camera shot, you'll be deciding where the emphasis lies. Knowing how to classify the shot types will also help you in production planning.

It teaches how to communicate one's vision to other people.

Let's start:

Your Cheat Sheet

I made a blank template file that shows you 8/10 camera shots that are mentioned in this guide. You can download it below. Print it and annotate it to your liking.

Share it, edit it, give it to others - you're free to use this template however you want.

WARNING - terminology available for other languages

The following text was originally written in English. The terminology used for the classification of camera shots may not correspond to the established terminology used in your language. So, I have spent some time looking up the translations and matching English terminology to other languages.

Please,

!!! Find the terminology in your language at the end of this guide !!!

You can use it and add it to your Cheat Sheet - the blank template that I made for you.

If you see mistakes, please point them out in the comments. I will correct this guide then.

CLASSIFICATION OF CAMERA SHOTS

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10. Extreme wide shot (EWS) or Extreme long shot (ELS)

The emphasis of the shot is on the location. Feels epic or panoramic. The character may or may not be present. If present, then the character is small compared to the location.

Can be used:

to establish the setting of the story, and to show the world where the story will take place.
to make the character feel distant or estranged from the audience
to overwhelm either you (the viewer) or the character by the environment

9. Wide Shot (WS) or Long Shot (LS)

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(P.S. These pictures are from ClipStudio's default materials)

8. Full Shot (FS)

The character fills the frame. You can see their full body. Focus on the character, but some scenery is still present. Sort of introduces your character.

7. Medium Full (MFS) or Medium Long (MLS)

The frame ends near the knees, and the character is shown knees up. This is also called the ¾ shot. Sometimes it's grouped with the Cowboy Shot.

6. Cowboy Shot (CS) or the American Shot

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In a cowboy shot, the frame ends at mid-thigh. The character is shown mid-thighs up.

The origins of this camera shot stem from old westerner movies, that’s why it’s also referred to as the American shot.

The shot was used in cowboy scenes, so that the holster that’s hanging on the hip of the character is included in the shot. Today it’s also seen in scenes that have nothing to do with cowboys.

Sometimes classified as a subtype of MS - the next type of camera shot.

5. Medium Shot (MS)

Character is shown from waist up (either just above the waist or just below the waist)

Surroundings are still visible, but the focal point is the character. Reveals more information about the character.

This one is often used for dialogue scenes. One of the standard shots.

4. Medium Close-up (MCU)

Subject is shown either from the shoulders-up or from the chest-up.

Reveals more expressions and emotions of the character. Often the focal point is the face.

However, keeps the character distant.

3. Close-up Shot (CU)

The frame is filled with a part of your character. Shoulder line is still visible.

It often puts the emphasis on the character’s face. Emotions are visible in the eyes. [Yes, can't you see the vividness of those eyes: (o_o) ]

feels intimate
stresses the importance of a moment

Used for when you want to highlight the reactions of the character or reveal their emotions.

2. Extreme Close-up Shot (ECU)

Your subject (the character) fills the frame. The frame stops at the chin and the forehead.

The focus is on a small detail, a specific part of your subject. Often the emphasis is on the eyes or mouths.

Can be used for objects (example, camera view is on a hand, or on a notebook left on the table). This type of camera shot is also referred to as the "Detail Shot".

very intimate
somewhat uncomfortable

Used to show intensity of the moment and to deepen the dramatic effect.

[The dramatic realization that his left eye is messed up. That's why you should mirror your image when you're sketching... ]

1. Italian Shot

Only the eyes are visible in the frame. The name derives from a genre of Italian westerns. You will see many guides classifying Italian Shot as ECU.

Generally, they are used for the same purpose, but the Italian Shot gives even more emotional clues in the eyes than ECU.

[Although I drew only one eye, two eyes are actually a better representation of the Italian shot, now that I think about it]

The Italian Shot is basically an ECU of the eyes.

[ ! Remark for French readers - this "Italian Shot" is not "le Plan Italien" that you might’ve heard of. In French, "Plan Italien" had been used to denote what is now known as the "Cowboy Shot" (aka Plan Americaine). However, that's no longer the case. I found this out when trying to match French and English terminologies. Please read below. ]

TERMINOLOGY

Please appreciate this T_T

I really had a hard time matching the terminology. Sorry that some are missing. Please, if you know the missing terminology, point it out in the comments!