Over the Shoulder Shot
Created on : January 10, 2024 12:52
Denotation
The over-the-shoulder shot (OTS or short over) is a camera angle used in film and television, where the camera is placed above the back of the shoulder and head of a subject.This shot is most commonly used to present conversational back and forth-between two subjects. With the camera placed behind one character, the shot then frames the sequence from the perspective of that character.
Description
An "over-the-shoulder shot" in the film industry refers to a camera shot that is taken from behind the shoulder of one character and includes the back of their head and a portion of their shoulder in the frame. This type of shot is commonly used in dialogue scenes to show the perspective of one character while focusing on the character they are interacting with. The film shot provides a sense of the spatial relationship between the characters and often includes both the speaker and the listener in the frame.
The over-the-shoulder shot is a standard technique in filmmaking and is employed to establish the visual continuity of a conversation. It helps to maintain the flow of the scene while providing a dynamic perspective on the interaction between characters. The shot is particularly useful for capturing reactions and expressions of both characters during a conversation.