These are the most command a shot helps guides the scene in a desired direction. Below are the most common types of shots in filmmaking .
Single Shot
This feature allows only one character as its primary focus. There are two types of single shot.
A clean single, like the picture above , is when no patt of any other character is visible in the frame. Use it when you want to convey character isolation.
A dirty single is when a limited part of another character is in the frame. The picture below has a single character as its focus but you can see a limited presence of another character who is not very visible in the frame
2 Shot
When two persons are visible in a frame, this is called a 2 shot. Use it when you want to create a visual relationship between the two characters.
As more characters are added in the frame, the number changes depending on the characters eg 3 shot, 4 shot etc. There is no official limit on how high but when the numbers can’t be counted, it’s best to call it a CROWD SHOT.
Over The Shoulder ( OTS)
This is a crossbred between a single shot and a 2 shot. Like a single, we are only focusing on one character at a time but it can also pass for a two-shot as both characters are in the frame. Use it when you want the audience to get perspective from both sides and feel included in the moment.
Point of View (POV)
When you want to observe a scene through the eyes of a character, we use the POV. In most cases its paired with a POV audio, so we can see what they see and hear what they hear. Use it to connect emotionally with your character and only when the scene demands it.
Insert Shot.
It’s not just about going right on a detail. The way a shot is framed is more important. You can combine this with a POV shot to get first person perspective.
Decide what you want to achieve in a scene then pick the one that best tells your story.
Shalom
Rebel Films Academy 