Cinematography Rules

Cinematography Rules
Christopher Haisell
The Rule of 3
rd
The rule of 3rd was an idea created by

artists/photographers. A picture is
sectioned into 9 segments and a picture is
usually located in one of the thirds, and
this feature is done for effect and better
look. Usually, its done by the segments
automatically appearing when using
cameras. They are often used in film,
photgraphy and art
Heres an example:
Here are two example from films

Pineapple Express and This is England
Here the man is located on the side of

the photo (rule of 3rd) and is shown
with space of the direction he is
looking in. This is called looking room.
It allows people to know where the
person is looking. Subjects are usually
positioned on the intersections (the
white lines). These are used as
guidelines
The rule of 3rd can be broken for

artistic reasons possibly to make the
audience feel uncomfortable
(possibly used in horrors). Heres an
example from The Ring.
180 degree rule

180 degree wall is used when a
subject is interacting with another
subject. It draws an imaginary line
(called the line of action) through the
middle of the two people in shot and
the rule is that cameras can only be
located on the same 180 degree axis
You can also 180 degree to show

travel. As its used in dialogue, an
imaginary line is drawn through the
subject and leads to the direction the
subject is moving in. It allows the
viewers to easily see what direction
the subject is moving in. If the
camera is changed from say the right
side of the road to the left, the car
would look like its going in the other
The 180 degree rule makes viewing

more natural and as its on the same
angle, the background remains
similar as the camera changes from
side to side. The rule can sometimes
be broken however, to show
disorientation or dramatic effect.
Establishing shots
Establishing shots are usually
extremely long shots that show the
audience or the whole setting within
the picture
Here is an example of an establishing shot in James

Bond Skyfall to show the helicopter shooting at the
house and to show the isolation of the house
Extreme & Very Wide

An extreme and very wide shot is a
mix between an establishing and
wide shot. It is very far away and
wide and is used to show a big
space. It is usually used to show a
setting
Wide shot
A widely shot view. If it includes a
person, there is usually space above,
below and either side of the person,
however the subject takes up nearly
the whole frame
Mid shot
A shot taken at medium distance. If it
is of a human, it is most probable just
the head and torso. Here is a mid
shot of Jason Statham from the film
Snatch
Two shot
A shot which clearly consists of two
people/subjects. Here is an image
from films (This is England and Bad
Neighbours) both with a shot
including 2 people
Over the shoulder shot

An over shoulder shot is usually done
when 2 people are having a
conversation. It shows both people
within the shot
Medium close up
A medium close up is halfway
between a mid shot and a close up.
On a person, it includes the top half
of the persons torso and their head.
Here is a medium close up used on
Morgan Freeman in Shawshank
Redemption
Close up
A close up is when the camera is
close to the subject, usually to
emphasise expression or add
significance to the character. Here is
a close up of Daniel Radcliffe in Harry
Potter
Extreme close up
An extreme close up is where the
camera is very close to the subject.
Its usually used to either show the
persons expression as it focuses on
one part of their face or to add a
sense of intensity
Dolly
A dolly is a camera on wheels so
when the camera moves around, its
smooth. They can be used for pan,
tilt and tracking shots
Tracking
Tracking shots are when a subject is
followed around by the camera. It
can be used to just show the
character in action, it could also be
used just to add a sense of intensity
however it can be used in horrors to
add a sense that the subject is being
followed.
Here is an example of a tracking shot

from the film The Shining as the
young child is followed through the
hallways riding his tricycle. This adds
an intensity to the scene, shortly
before he comes across 2 demonic
girls
Pan/tilt
Pan and tilt are types of camera
movement. The camera pivots on an
X or Y axis. The camera will pan
across or tilt up.
Low angle shot

A low angle shot is where the camera
is located below the subject and is
looking up at the camera. It is usually
used to show perspective (of
someone on the floor possibly) or to
add power and significance to the
subject above.
Heres an example of a low angle

shot from the film Snatch
High angle shot

High angle shots are the opposite to
low angle shots. They are when the
camera is above the subject looking
down on them. It is usually used to
belittle the character below. Heres
an example from the film Matilda
Birds eye view

A birds eye view is a shot high above
looking directly below. It is used to
show a large setting possible for these
reasons;
As a perspective of action (e.g. a
police chase)
To simply show the setting
To add emphasis to things such as
the population within the setting
Here is an example of a birds eye

view used in film
Dutch tilt
The dutch tilt is a camera shot which the
camera angle is deliberately slanted to
one side. This can be to show
disorientation possible led by unease,
intoxication, madness, etc. Here is an
example of Dutch tilt used in Snatch to
emphasise a moment of madness as
Vinnie Jones is presented holding someone
gunpoint
Crane shot
A crane shot is a shot taken by a
camera on a crane. It is very high up
and is good for showing the setting.
It is used at music concerts to
include the audience/performer, film
and video production.
Fly cam
Fly cams are cameras that are
attached to flying drones. They can
fly and be controlled around. An
example of one is an octocopter.
These are used to show settings from
high above and. An octocopter was
used in one of OK GOs music videos.

Cinematography Rules

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cinematography Rules

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cinematography Rules

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cinematography Rules

The rule of 3rd was an idea created by

Here are two example from films

Here the man is located on the side of

The rule of 3rd can be broken for

180 degree rule

You can also 180 degree to show

The 180 degree rule makes viewing

Here is an example of an establishing shot in James

Extreme & Very Wide

Over the shoulder shot

Here is an example of a tracking shot

Low angle shot

Heres an example of a low angle

High angle shot

Birds eye view

Here is an example of a birds eye

You might also like