Since you’ve landed on this page, you’re most likely looking for the best way to use video content in your marketing strategy, and what better way to start learning than to get acquainted with the different types of camera angles and shots?
Camera shots and angles are integral to the process of video editing, a fundamental element that gives viewers a piece so inviting to watch. Without the training needed to discern how the camera should be looking at a subject, the video could end up looking like a wreck.
So, we wrote this blog post for business owners who wish to hire or outsource video editors to amplify their marketing efforts with dynamic content. We guarantee that after reading it, you’ll have gained a better understanding of the different types of camera shots and angles and where you can best apply them.
Storyboarding: How You Determine the Types of Camera Shots & Angles to Use
Before we get into the types of camera angles used in various video marketing styles, let’s talk about how the creative team generally decides on these shots.
Storyboarding is a part of the planning stage in video production. According to The Pennsylvania State University’s multimedia initiative Media Commons, this process allows you to “choose and indicate the content, order, size and angle of your shots, as well as the camera movement.” It’s here you get to map out an entire scene and, ultimately, a full video.
Storyboarding gives the camera crew a clear direction during filming. It also saves time for the entire creative team; both the production crew and editing team are able to visualize the desired output clearly before jumping into production.
Our video editor says every business-related type of video content tends to use the same set of camera shots. However, they also noted a video will always need a storyboard, writer, or animatic to give animators and video editors an overview of the creative lead’s vision.
So here’s a brilliant tip. Before your video marketing team starts filming footage for your content, make sure you’ve made a storyboard first.
Now, onto the different types of camera shots and angles.
The Types of Camera Shots & Angles for Video Marketing Content
Mid Shot
In a mid shot or medium shot, the camera typically displays the subject until their waist and with enough headroom. It’s one of the most common shots creatives employ in many types of videos, according to one of NarraSoft’s expert video editors.
And that’s unsurprising, considering how compatible this shot is with dialogue scenes or with giving viewers a glimpse into the main subject of the video. There’s enough room for gestures and body language, actors’ expressions, and the space in which the scene takes place.
Mid shots are best used for interviews, educational video content, video explainers, demo videos, and even rewarded ad videos.
Close-up
As the name suggests, close-up shots zoom in on the subject either to highlight an object’s features or to emphasize a person’s or actor’s emotions. Close-up shots of objects can sometimes hint at their future relevance. Other times, it could signify in-the-moment relevance. Whatever the case, it depends on the creative team’s direction.
As for close-up shots of human subjects, these tend to convey a more dramatic effect. You may notice how in video ads, and even movies, the closer the camera is to the actor’s face, the more emotionally intense the scene becomes.
Granted, there are different types of close-up shots. But to put it simply, they’re generally much closer than the mid shot and are meant to place emphasis on emotion or a particular feature.
Use close-up shots for dramatic video ad types like narrative ads. You may even use this shot in demo videos and rewarded ads to show more details of your product, our editor says.
Wide Shot
Wide shots take a step back from the subject to let viewers watch a scene unfold from a distance. In some cases, this type of camera shot contextualizes what’s about to occur.
There are several types of this, such as the establishing shot, whose subject is the video’s setting. But the main thing to remember is if it shows more context and visual data from the perspective of an outsider, what you’re seeing is probably a wide shot.
When it comes to video marketing content, video explainers and narrative video ads benefit the most from the effect a wide shot gives. However, wide shots could also be used by other kinds of video content, including wedding videos and travel vlogs.
Tracking & Panning
As for camera movement, our video editor said there are two basic types — tracking and panning. Tracking is zooming in and out of the subject and done in between mid shots and close-up shots.
Panning, on the other hand, is the lateral movement of the camera. Our video editor said if the subject is too wide, panning could be the solution. Sometimes, though, creatives like to take these camera movement types to the next level.
A popular — and very creative — example of this would be the sixth episode in The Haunting of Hill House (2018), where a total of five scenes were shot with no cuts, relying on panning to move from one subject to another.
The kind of work the Hill House team did could be unnecessary for standard video marketing, but tracking and panning are still applicable to virtually any video marketing style — from product explainers to narrative ads. So why not use them? They’re a great way to amp up the energy of your content.
First-person POV Shot
This is probably the least popular in this list of standard camera shots & angles. But hear us out. There are certain types of content where immersing the audience is the best way to go.
Sure, you can make your audience feel involved by sprinkling the script with several you’s, a talking head that directly addresses the viewer, or some other technique. But what about adding an extra layer of immersion by having the camera move as though it were the viewer’s head?
Think your audience should disagree with what an actor in the video saying? Make the camera shake left and right. Need your audience to give an enthusiastic yes? Make the camera nod.
This type of camera shot might not have a ton of applications, but you could definitely have this on creative video ads, especially if your brand has a playful personality.
At the end of the day, the goal of the creative team — scriptwriters, animators, directors, editors, and the like — is to make the viewing experience of their ad enjoyable to their audience, our video editor said.
Communicate your brand’s story using a healthy mix of these types of camera shots and angles. Doing so will help your expert team of video editors piece together a moving masterpiece.
In Summary
After storyboarding, the creative team behind a brand’s video marketing content can begin filming for their content using the following types of camera shots and angles:
- Mid shot
- Close-up
- Wide shot
- Tracking & panning
- First-person POV shot
Get Quality Video Output with These Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and More
For extraordinary work at an affordable price, outsource video editing services editors to NarraSoft! By having our team on your side, you get seasoned video editors with at least four years of experience. You also get to partner with an entire management team that will see your project through.
If you want high-converting and engaging video content, don’t hesitate to message us on our chat box, contact form, or email at sales@narrasoft.com today for a free consultation.