Film Lesson Plans

Camera Technique

This lesson provides a basic introduction to camera technique. In film-making the camera is used to create the visual building blocks of a film sequence. These are known as “shots”. How these shots are then cut or edited together is explored in the next lesson.

When using the camera to capture narrative action, a film-maker has to make a number of creative and technical decisions. These fall within the following two key areas:

  1. Camera Framing
  2. Camera Movement

Camera Technique and Technology

In this section we explore the technology of camera technique, including the Steadicam shot and the use of changing camera speeds.

1. Camera Framing

Introduction

Camera framing refers to three key areas:

  • Shot Type
  • Camera Positioning
  • Camera Angle
  

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2. Camera Movement

Introduction

The main types of camera movement that are used in film are:

  • Panning
  • Tilting
  • Crane
  • Tracking
  • Zooming
  

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3. Camera Technique and Technology

Introduction

  • The Steadicam Shot
  • Hand-held Camera Technique
  • Camera speed
  

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