Camerawork is the way cameras are used in a film using elements like framing, composition, movement, and angles. Camerawork is crucial in film because it strengthens storytelling, establishes the mood, and helps engage the audience by complementing the narrative of a film. When planning the camera shots I considered:
- Shot size: establishing shot, master shot, wide shot, full shot, medium shot, medium close-up, and medium-full
- Camera angle: dutch angle, high angle, ground level, shoulder level, eye level, and low angle
- Framing: two-shot, point of view, single, and three-shot
- Composition: point, space, deep focus, shallow focus, lines, and balance.
Shot size is the amount of setting or subject given in a frame (for example: wide shot). Camera angle is the specific location where a camera is placed (for example: eye level). Framing is the placement and positing of subjects in a shot (for example: two shot). Composition is the way elements of a scene are arranged in a camera frame (for example: deep focus). The cinematographer is responsible for camerawork in film production. Matthew Libatique is the cinematographer for "Iron Man" and "Birds of Prey." He has been recognized in Academy Awards, the American Society of Cinematography, the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, and many others. Me and my teammates have to develop camerawork skills to create our film because they are essential for storytelling and influencing the mood and atmosphere to enhance the narrative.
Shot #1

A figure hiding in the shadows.
Shot Size: Establish shot
Camera angle: high angle
Framing: one shot
Composition: depth of feel
Tone: Unsettling
Shot #2
A student walking to class.
Shot Size: master shot
Camera angle: shoulder level
Framing: crowd shot
Composition: leading lines
Tone: Casual
Shot #3
Fans are early to a game, waiting for it to start.
Shot Size: wide shot
Camera angle: high angle
Framing: crowd shot
Composition: leading lines
Tone: calm
Shot #4
Students evacuate their building.
Shot Size: full shot
Camera angle: shoulder level
Framing: crowd shot
Composition: shallow focus
Tone: anxious
Shot #5
Cheerleaders practicing before a game.
Shot Size: master shot
Camera angle: shoulder level
Framing: three shot
Composition: Balance
Tone: Focused
Shot #6
A masked person challenging somebody.
Shot Size: medium shot
Camera angle: high level
Framing: single shot
Composition: color
Tone: Daring
Shot #7
A person looking at the aquatic life.
Shot Size: medium shot
Camera angle: close-up
Framing: single shot
Composition: depth of feel
Tone: Intriguing
Shot #8
Two students focusing on their camera.
Shot Size: medium-full shot
Camera angle: low angle
Framing: two shot
Composition: Balance
Tone: goofy
Reflection
My team created a suspenseful school mystery that involves the death of a student on school grounds. It was a little difficult to achieve because we had to create a story that included all the camerawork techniques in the picture. We accomplished the goal of learning camerawork techniques and practicing planning short stories and film frames. Each team member took turns capturing pictures with different camerawork techniques and taking a part in the story. We also assisted in gaining people to join in the shots. Me and my teammates worked with the resources by getting into the character of the shots and pretending it was in real life. We used our phones to take the pictures because we had easier access to them and they were easy to use. In this exercise, I learned how to apply these camerawork techniques in real life to take shots that reflect the feeling and the mood of a scene.
Work Cited
camerawork. (2023, December 20). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/camerawork
camerawork. (2023, December 20). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/camerawork
Lannom, S. (2023, September 7). Camera Angles Explained: The Different Types of Camera Shot Angles in Film. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/types-of-camera-shot-angles-in-film/