Shot Types and Camera Movements within Film Clips

Batman - The Dark Knight Trailer
Batman The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan (2008)



This trailer includes a variety of different shot types, however, I have only selected a few to discuss.

At 0:05, we see a bird's eye view of the city at night, which then pans across to the left, to show Batman standing on the edge of a building. This shot helps establish the scene and introduces the audience to the main character and main setting in which the film takes place. We get to see Gotham from Batman's perspective, as it were, and entices the audience right from the start. The dark image we see sets the mood for the rest of the trailer.

At 0:07, we see a downward tilt of Gotham city. This technique shows us how far from the ground Batman is, and we feel like we are part of the shot, looking down with him as he jumps off the roof.

1:54 is a POV shot. It shows us Batman's point of view, as if we were driving the Bat mobile as it jumps over the cars in the chase sequence. The forward tracking movement of the camera places the audience at the scene of the chase, as if they are actually involved. This is highly effective as it enables the watcher to participate with the film, even if it is only for a short time.


The Shawshank Redemption - Escape Scene
The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont (1995)



This scene is from The Shawshank Redemption, where the main character finally escapes.

At 2:01, we see a slow back tracking shot of Andy as he crawls through a narrow, dark tunnel. This technique makes the audience feel very claustrophobic, and we are able to go through the exact pain-staking struggle he is going through to get to freedom.

Towards the end of the clip, at 3:04, we see a high-angled shot of Andy after he has escaped, standing in the rain. The camera then tracks outwards to show the extent to which he is free. We move from a very tight frame to a very large frame, emphasising the freedom, which the audience can almost taste. This emotive shooting creates a very close relationship between the audience and the character.

This sequence uses camera shots which are very effective in the film, as they emphasise the emotion in this particular part of the film.


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Trailer
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, directed by David Yates (2007)



At the beginning of this clip we see the Warner Bros. sign, which then leads into a forward-tracking shot of the city, which slightly arcs as it moves. This angle sets the scene of the clip, for the rest that follows.

0:20 shows a CU flash of Lord Voldemort. I chose this to analyse because i think it is a very effective technique to use; the quick shot suggests that he is an important character and he plays a key role in the film. The audience gets the feeling that he is also an evil character from the eerie atmosphere of the shot.

At 0:41 there is a fast forward-tracking shot, which zooms into the woman from behind. From this shot we get the impression that she is being chased by something, which leaves the audience intrigued to find out what is going to happen.


Matrix Fight Scene - Neo and Morpheus
The Matrix, directed by Andy & Larry Wachowski (1999)



I chose this fight sequence from The Matrix because it contains some very good camera techniques, which help to develop the continuity of the story.

There is a forward track and zoom on Neo at 0:04 as he prepares to fight, which then cuts to zoom out on Morpheus as he also gets ready. This signals the start of the fight for the audience and prepares them for action. The camera then cuts to a VLS at 0:11 before the fight begins.

At 0:18 a shot-reverse-shot occurs between Morpheus and Neo. The purpose of this motivated cut shows the audience the reactions of both the men to one another. The shot that follows is a LS master shot, 0:30, which shows both men in context to the setting, as the fight continues.

The director uses a series of a crab and arc at 0:33 as the men move around during the fight-this provides the participation of the audience with actual physical movement, as it makes them feel that they are moving with the characters. From this shot, the camera then pans around to show an OTS from Morpheus perspective.

There are a number of tilts and high angled shots used within the sequence to show the fight from a different perspective. At 1:08 the camera, currently at ground level, gradually tilts and arcs upwards as Neo gets up off the floor. This brings us back to eye level and makes us feel more comfortable as an observer.

At 1:34, probably the most interesting technique used, is that where the camera is facing Neo and it arcs and rotates a near full circle to show Morpheus standing in front of him. This is very effective because it makes it seem as if the audience are in the way of the fight, so we retreat behind Neo to watch from safety as they continue to battle.

Another technique used is a crash zoom. At 3:07 we crash zoom into Morpheus' fist, as he attempts to punch Neo. This is deliberately done to focus our attention on the punch, and to see just how close he gets.

Overall, this sequence uses highly-specialised shots and camera movements to create a fast moving, action packed sequence. The use of lots of cuts and a large varitey of different angles disorientates the audience and creates an unrealistic effect; which adds to the unrealistic view of the Matrix itself.