CAMERA SHOT FRAMING

Types of Camera Shot Framing

WORKING WITH SUBJECTS IN THE FRAME

Single Shot

Two Shot

Three Shot

Over-the-Shoulder Shot (OTS)

Point-of-View Shot (POV)

For filmmakers and videographers, a major consideration for framing is the number of subjects you
feature in your shots, and their physical relationship to each other and the camera.

CAMERA SHOT FRAMING DEFINITION

What is camera shot framing?

Camera shot framing is the art and science of placing subjects in your shots. Camera shots are all about
composition. Rather than pointing the camera at the subject, you need to compose an image.

Based on how you plan to position your subjects, you'll need to adjust your camerawork. You'll want to
capture your framing details on a shot list well before you arrive on set. That way you have a clear idea
for the scene and can communicate your vision with ease.

That's not to say that things may not change the day of the shoot. But, having a shot list at the ready
showcases that the director and DP have done their homework and are well prepared.

This video is a quick rundown of all the types of shot framing, how they work, and when you might
consider using them in your next project.

Ultimate Guide to Shot Framing • Subscribe on YouTube

Here is a shot list showcasing all the types of shot framing that you can download and use as a reference
the next time you sit down to shot list:

The Ultimate Guide of-Different-Types-of-Shot Framing-in-Fim-and-Tv-Shot Framing - Storyboard-

StudioBinder-Shot-List-Software

Types of Camera Shot Framing • Shot Listed in StudioBinder

TYPES OF CAMERA SHOT FRAMING IN FILM

Single Shot

When your shot captures one subject it’s known as a single shot:

Ultimate Guide To Camera Shots - Single Shot

Type of camera shots example: Single Shot in Iron Man

Single shots can be set and framed in any shot size you like, just as long as there is only one character
featured within the frame.

Now, why did I say featured rather than simply in the frame?
The reason is because you can have an over-the-shoulder single, also known as a "dirty single" that
technically has more than one person in the frame, but the character in the foreground isn't featured:

A-Filmmakers-Guide-to-Michael-Bay-Armageddon-OTS-Shot-2-StudioBinder-Online-Shot-List-Software

Type of camera shots example: Over-The-Shoulder Shot in Armageddon

TYPES OF FRAMING

Two Shot or 2-Shot

A two-shot is a camera shot with two characters featured in the frame:

Ultimate Guide To Camera Shots - A Two Shot For Two Agent Smiths

Type of shot example: 2-Shot in The Matrix Reloaded

Two shots are often really useful for allowing performances to play out in a single take, which can be
especially useful for comedy.

CAMERA SHOT FRAMING IN MOVIES

Three Shot or 3-Shot

A three-shot features three characters in the frame:

Ultimate Guide To Camera Shots - A Three Shot Of Characters In A Frame

Type of shot example: 3-Shot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

Three shots are really important in adventure films, or really any film that has a group of characters,
because it is an enormous time drain to shoot 3 singles just to show every character, not to mention
jarring.

RELATED POSTS

How to Make a Shot List →

Two Shots Camera Shot Guide →

FREE Shot List Template for Creatives →

TYPES OF CAMERA SHOT FRAMING

Over-The-Shoulder Shot (OTS)

Another element of camera shots to consider is the perspective of the shot. An over-the-shoulder shot
shows your subject from behind the shoulder of another character. Because it emulates perspective, it’s
common in conversation scenes.

Over the Shoulder - Westworld - OTS Shot of Dr Ford - StudioBinder Production Management
Software.jpg

(OTS) Over-The-Shoulder Shot Example in Westworld

Over-the-shoulder shots can help to provide orientation, and connect the characters on an emotional
level. Here's our breakdown of the Westworld scene and how OTS shots work so effortlessly.

The Over The Shoulder Shot Example in Film • Subscribe on YouTube

TYPES OF SHOTS BY FRAMING

Over-The-Hip Shot (OTH)

An over-the-hip shot is similar to over-the-shoulder in that the camera is placed with a character's hip in
the foreground, and the focus subject in the plane of acceptable focus.

Here's an example of an over-the-hip shot from one of the best Steven Spielberg movies Minority
Report:

Camera Shot Guide - Over The Hip Shot - Minority Report - StudioBinder

Over-The-Hip Shot Example in Film: Minority Report

You'll gain a similar effect from an over-the-hip shot as you would an OTS, but if you have one character
standing, and the other sitting, kneeling, or any other configuration that places the subjects on "uneven
terrain" it will often suggest a power imbalance. This is the benefit of blocking and staging your actors
and camera.

TYPES OF CAMERA FRAMING

Point of View Shot (POV)

Now let's talk about choosing camera shots that show the point-of-view (or POV) of one of your
characters.
A POV shot is a camera shot that shows the viewer exactly what that character sees. This transports the
audience into that character and there is no more literal example of this than Being John Malkovich:

Point of View Shot Example in Being John Malkovich

POV shots can also invoke horror, as seen in one of the best horror movies Halloween but that's just the
beginning. In this video, watch how many ways in various genres the point of view shot can be used.

Type of shot example: POV shot • Subscribe on YouTube

A point of view shot (POV) is generally sandwiched between two other shots, a technique called shot-
reverse shot:

A camera shot of a character looking at something

Cut to your (POV) point of view camera shot

A camera shot showing the character's reaction

A point of view shot shows us exactly what the character sees, and we get to understand what's
generating the character's reaction.