Types of Angles

Camera Angles:

In the study of film, the Angle in which the shot is filmed also has a purpose. There are four camera angles that are often used by directors and filmmakers which actually convey a subtle message about the shot or the action that is happening in the shot.

The Frame: This refers to the filmed Square of screen in which the film or shot is shown. By adjusting the frame, you adjust the angle of the picture. The square of the screen stays the same, but the action inside it is shown in a different angle.

Straight-on:

The straight-on Angle conveys the message of normality. This is the normal world, and everything is in place. What may happen later may be strange, but for now, this is all normal and plain.



Overhead or High Angle:

This angle is used when the camera is placed above a subject or area. Most often there is a crane involved, but the angle usually conveys the subject as small, insignificant or weak. Many times the High Angle shot can represent weakness, or terror. Imagine the number of times in movies when a monster rises up, and our heroes are immediately shown as small of in terror. id afraid. A regular use of the High Angle on a person can also convey guilt, depending on how high the angle is and what is shown. Usually Hitchcock will show the very top of a person's head, which is a formula for showing guilt.


Low or Underneath Angle:

This angle is used when the camera is placed near the ground of sometimes literally below the figures. In a Famous example, in Citizen Kane, Orson Welles tore out the floor so that he could shoot his figures in the lowest angle possible. This angle provides the idea of strength, power, fierceness and dominance.



In the following example by my student Mr. M Osuji, he demonstrates how a Low or Angle works:

Link

Canted Angle:

The Canted Angle is sometimes also called the Dutch Angle. The Canted angle shows everything in the frame as askewed, acute, or titled to the left. Because of the canted angle's off or askew quality it represents a form of abnormality or strangeness. The Canted Angle usually represents one of three things:

1. Something bad is about to happen.
2. Something is wrong mentally
3. Something is wrong with the universe.




The following is a small film I made talking about the Canted Angle:

Link