Some camera angles:

High

The camera is placed above and looks down on the subject or object.

It is used to make the character look small and also indicate that the character is weak or inferior.

Eye

An eye angle places the audience on eye-level with the character.

It is used to indicate that the character is on equal footing with the audience. It suggests reality.

Low

The camera is placed looking up on the subject or object.

It is used to make the character look big and indicates that the character is powerful and dominant.

Overhead/ Bird's eye

The camera is placed overhead or directly above the object or scene.

Characters and objects are made to look small and vulnerable. A character or object could be followed at a different speed or pace.

Some camera shots:

Close-up

CU

This is a shot taken of a person’s head from just above the head to the top of the upper chest. It can also be used to film an object at close range. It contains little or no background.

This used to introduce a character and allows the character to show emotions. It can be used to heighten tension.

Medium close-up

MCU

This shows the upper half of the body. The shot is taken from the above the head to lower chest.

Good for conversation between two characters.

Medium shot

MS

This shows half of the body. The shot is taken from above the head to just below the waist.

This allows you to get to know the character more closely by viewing their facial expressions and body language.

Long shot

LS

This shows the whole person and other characters, but the background dominates the shot.

This allows the viewer to understand the relationship between the characters and their environment.

First level of realism means selecting the right:
- Actors
- Props
- Location


Second level of realism means how the drama is filmed:
- Lighting
- Use of camera
- Choice of shot
- Music (non diegetic sound)
- Editing


Third level of realism:
- The finished product on TV
- Actual TV drama viewed by the audience
- Audience opinions of drama, do they believe it?


Diegetic sound - natural sound
Non diegetic sound - Sound added for audience effect (music, voiceover)
Emphatic sound - Exaggerated sound effect, edited over diegetic sound.

180 degree rule:
Camera. positron and eye line, when you film a scene using separate shots, it is important that people understand where everything in that scene is.


Shot/reverse shot:
Film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.