Ready to make your next video project stand out?
Mastering a few key shots can level up your storytelling. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 5 key shots types—shots that are simple to execute and can make your content more engaging.
We also have a free shot list template at the bottom of this page that you can use to help plan your next brand video shoot.
1. Establishing Shot
Description:
This shot sets the scene and gives context to the viewer. It’s typically used at the beginning of a sequence.
Why It Works:
The establishing shot grounds the audience, giving them a sense of place and setting the tone for the scene. It’s important for transitions between locations or scenes.
Example in Action:
In this case, we show the editor walking up and sitting down at the table, letting the viewer know that the work session is about to begin.
2. Shadow Side
Description:
This shot captures the subject with the camera positioned on the shadow side, where the light falls off. It’s a technique used in Hollywood to create depth and drama.
Why It Works:
Shooting into the shadow side adds shape and dimension to your subject, giving your video a cinematic feel. It’s a simple way to elevate your visuals and create a more professional look.
Example in Action:
In this video, we show the editor opening the laptop with the light hitting one side of their face, leaving the other side in shadow. This creates a sense of mood and makes a simple action seem more interesting.
3. Over-the- Shoulder
Description:
This angle shows the viewer what the subject is seeing or doing from behind them.
Why It Works:
The over-the-shoulder shot puts the audience in the subject’s shoes, giving a feeling of intimacy and engagement. It’s great for drawing attention to the work being done.
Example in Action:
We use this to show the editor working on their screen, giving the audience a sense of involvement and focus on the editing process.
4. Top-Down
Description:
This shot gives a bird’s-eye view, capturing everything from above. It’s great for showing actions in full detail.
Why It Works:
A top-down shot creates clarity. It allows viewers to see everything clearly, like when the editor opens the laptop in the video, which demonstrates the beginning of the editing session.
Example in Action:
The audience gets a clean, clear view of the action — in this case, the editor opening the laptop. It’s perfect for focusing on detail.
5. Point of View (POV)
Description:
This shot shows what the subject sees directly through their eyes. It creates a first-person perspective.
Why It Works:
POV shots help the audience feel connected to the action. It’s a way to bring them into the moment, especially for things that require precision, like exporting the video.
Example in Action:
The audience experiences the editor’s perspective while they export the video file, giving a sense of real-time action.
Use this free shot list template to plan your next video shoot
We’ve set up a very simple shot list template you can use for your next video shoot. We built it in Google docs to make it as simple as possible for you to get started.
You can click here, or click the button that says “Download Your Free Shot List Template”.