Post 5: Different Shots/Cuts

Jump Cut, Over the Shoulder shots, Cutaways and Point of view shots are terms that are heard and used frequently in the film industry. Below are my own brief definitions of what each cut is, does and why it is effective. 

JUMP CUT

A Jump Cut is a cut where two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly, this type of edit causes the subject of the shots to appear to 'jump' position in a discontinuous way. I find this cut effective and useful as it helps save time for example if you have someone walking down stairs which would be quite boring to watch you could jump cut so that you only see quick shots of the person walking down, saving time.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT

Over the Shoulder shot is a shot of someone or something taken from perspective from the shoulder of another person, the back of the other persons shoulder and head is used to frame what the camera is pointing towards in my case the person there talking to. I find this shot effective as its helps to establish the position of each person and helps to get the feel of looking at one person from other's point of view. Here below I have taken photographs of a common example of two people during a conversation  as you can alternate the view between the different speakers.

CUTAWAYS 

A Cutaway Shot is the interruption of a continuously filmed action, by inserting a view of something else. It could be off a different subject, a close up of a different part of the subject or just about anything else, for example to show this I have taken photographs of someone walking down stairs and have cutaway to the persons hand on the banister. I find Cutaway Shots effective when used correctly as they can help add drama, tension and sometimes make films more interesting as it helps add more information and depth about whats going on. 

POINT OF VIEW SHOTS

Point of View Shots is a shot that shows what a character is looking at. It is the view from the subjects perspective, It is usually edited in such a way that it is obvious of whose point of view it is. I find this shot effective as it shows the audience where the character is and what there looking at, giving  them a better understanding of whats going on and what the character is thinking adding more detail to the scene/film.