Camera Angles with Zach King

This lesson will cover various camera angles, from common shots like wide, medium, and close-up, to artistic ones like Dutch and aerial angles. The key message is that story comes first, and shots should always help advance the narrative.

The wide shot is an establishing shot, usually at the beginning of a scene, providing context and perspective. A long shot typically includes enough headroom and foot room to show a full body.

A cutaway shot shows something other than the main subject. A pan involves following a subject left or right, while a tilt involves moving the camera up or down.

A medium shot usually frames from the waist up, allowing for some headroom. A close-up shot focuses on the subject from the shoulders up, emphasizing the face. An extreme close-up focuses on specific details of the face, like eyes or mouth.

Camera angles have the power to move the story forward or convey emotion. It's important to only film shots that serve the story. A short film is presented to demonstrate how simple camera angles can make a story more powerful, not necessarily focusing on the story itself, but on the impact of the angles.

A handheld shot is shaky, often used for a realistic or frantic feel. A steady cam provides smooth shots, even while running. An arc shot, achievable with a steady cam or dolly, involves moving the camera 360 degrees around the actor.