Glossary Of Shots

Glossary of shots

ES (Establishing shot or extreme long shot)

This type of shot is used to show the audience where they are. It will show a large area so the characters will usually be somewhere in this area. They would take these shots in a plane, helicopter or on a crane. But they are sometimes taken on the ground.

VLS (Very long Shot)
The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing him in his environment.

LS (Long Shot)
The subject takes up the full frame, or at least as much as comfortably possible.
AKA: Wide shot, full shot.

MS (Mid Shot)
Shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject.

MCU (Medium Close Up)
Half way between a MS and a CU. This is mainly to show what his expression is in his upper body and face.

CU (Close Up)
A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.

ECU (Extreme Close Up)
The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail.

Cut-In
Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

CA (Cutaway)

A shot of something other than the subject.

 (OSS) Over-the-Shoulder Shot
Looking from behind a person at the subject.

Noddy Shot
Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.

Point-of-View Shot (POV)
Shows a view from the subject's perspective.

Weather Shot
The subject is the weather. Can be used for other purposes, e.g. background for graphics.

Two shot

A shot of two people next to each other, often used to show both of their reactions.