Original subtitles

If you want the seven most practical tips to finding the best camera angles, then watch

this video. I’ve condensed everything I’ve learned over the last few years making camera

analysis videos – into this one video; let’s call it the 10-step formula to finding the

best camera angles. Your secret weapon, something you can actually use for your film. Wait,

did I say 10 steps? Not seven? Keep watching.

If you think you’re ready for this formula then start by believing the camera can be

used like a paintbrush. By changing the camera angle or actor position you can greatly influence

the emotional response in the audience. Seriously, if you don’t believe that, you will always

be afraid of the camera.

I’m going to be referencing an experimental short film I made, called Fight Night. I’ll

put the link below to the entire short film so you can check it out. It was shot with

just basic equipment, a Panasonic GH5 and one lens, and cheap LED lights, all of which

I’ve reviewed already on this channel. So if I can do it you can, too. Ready?

Tip Number One. The single most important question you can ask, and you should ask is:

Whose point of view is the story from? Who are we identifying with during the scene?

That person gets the most shots. Why? When two people are talking in a dialogue scene,

by showing the reaction shot of one person more often, we identify with their feelings.

If you want to keep it equal, both characters will have the same number of shots.

Number Two. Ask: how many people should be in the shot? In a dialogue scene, do you want

to show just the person speaking, or the person he or she is talking to. The presence of the

second person in the shot makes a huge difference. By showing them, you are consciously or subconsciously

looking for their reaction to what is being said. This is most powerfully used in the

over the shoulder shot. Even the presence of a shoulder makes a difference. The dialogue

becomes confrontational.

Number Three. What is the right shot size? How big should a person be in the frame? I

don’t think there’s a better answer than Alfred Hitchcock’s advice – the most important

thing is the biggest. That’s why close ups are so powerful. If you only want to see their

emotional response, then there’s no better shot. However, if you want the body language

of the actor to be visible, then obviously you need a mid or long shot.

If you’re enjoying this video, you’ll love my next one. a new camera angles video,

but with a twist. More about it at the end. Let’s continue to:

Number Four. The vertical angle of the camera makes a person look more important or less

important. This has been used countless times in movies. A low angle is used to make somebody

look more menacing or larger. A higher angle makes them look weaker or smaller.

Number Five. Follow the eye, or the point of focus. This is one powerful technique to

get the audience to keep watching your film. Let’s say in one shot the focus point is

here. Now in the next shot, if you can maintain the same focus point, the audience will not

have to move their eyes. There’s a continuous flow to the action. However, you can also

break this rule and force the audience to jump around on screen, creating tension and

confusion.

Number Six. This could probably be the most important tip, and it comes from director

Emir Kusterica. Every time you look through the viewfinder at a shot, your heart should

race faster. You should get excited, and you should feel something. If you don’t, then

there’s something missing, and you should take a small break to figure out what that

is.

If you can’t figure out what that is, and you think you are guilty of making boring

shots, and you are afraid to bore your audience, then you’ll love this SEVENTH tip. Very

powerful stuff. Every shot should provide new information or advance the story. As long

as you do this, ruthlessly, the audience will stay glued to the film. When you compare boring

movies with good movies, you’ll find this is the most important distinction.

For tips eight, nine and ten, check out the link in the description below. It’s free,

but it’s only available for those who join my email list. I’ve condensed these ten

tips down to a PDF cheat sheet you can download on your phone or print and use in the field.

Doesn’t get more practical than that!

So far I’ve been analyzing scenes from great movies, but I keep getting requests to analyze

my own work. Well, that’s what I’m going to do. In a couple of days I’m going to

publish a new camera angles video. I’m going to explain my choices of camera angles for

Fight Night. Be sure to watch Fight Night first so you can follow along. If you have

any specific questions feel free to ask them in the comments below, and I’ll try to answer

them - and don’t forget to download the free cheat sheet. Links to everything below.

Bye now.