This is my convoluted way of saying I’m gonna talk about high camera angles today.
High angles
What they are good for:
Establishing shots: Usually the first shot in a scene that shows the area the scene will take place, also usually a wide shot. This lets the viewer see and understand the world they are in.
Vertigo: High angles are great to give the audience a good case of vertigo. Think of our superhero standing on a ledge about to jump off. We go to a high angle above him showing the depth of the drop before him. The audience holds onto their seat a bit more.
Little Lost Riding Hood in woods effect: A high angle shot used to make the character feel small, weak and helpless. This is also usually a wide shot since it will make the character look that much smaller in the broader background. Most people will also feel sympathetic towards this character since is it human nature to feel that way towards anyone who is helpless.
Monster’s POV: Our lost hero is running through a maze and finally bumps into the maze’s Minotaur. Oh no! Cut to the Minotaur’s view; a high angle shot (or down angle shot as some will call it) of our hero. This is a closer shot than was of Little Lost Ridding Hood, but our hero still feels small and helpless. This sets up our hero as the underdog for the upcoming fight against the big, scary Minotaur.
These are just a few of the reasons to use a high angle shot, there are countless others. When trying to decide what angle your camera should be at, always think about raising it a bit and seeing how that changes the feeling of the shot. Who knows, you might discover another reason to use a high angle!
