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.[1][2][3] 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.[4] The over-the-shoulder shot is then utilised in a shot-reverse-shot sequence where both subject's OTS perspectives are edited consecutively to create a back and forth interplay, capturing dialogue and reactions.[2] This inclusion of the back of the shoulder allows audiences to understand the spatial relationships between two subjects, while still being able to capture a closer shot of each subject’s facial expression.[5] In film and television, the filmmaker or cinematographer’s choice of an OTS shot’s camera height, the use of focus and lenses affect the way audiences interpret subjects and their relationships to others and space.[3]
- ^ Brown, Blain (2012). Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors. Burlington, Massachusetts: Focal Press. p. 23. ISBN 9781136047381. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ a b Mercado, Gustavo (2013-05-20). The Filmmaker's Eye. doi:10.4324/9780080959344. ISBN 9780080959344.
- ^ a b Bordwell, David; Thompson, Kristin (2010). Film art : an introduction (9th ed.). New York : McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-122057-6.
- ^ Forsdale, J.R (1970). "Film literacy". Educational Technology Research and Development: 263–276.
- ^ Cutting, James E.; Candan, Ayse (2015-12-01). "Shot Durations, Shot Classes, and the Increased Pace of Popular Movies". Projections. 9 (2): 40–62. doi:10.3167/proj.2015.090204. ISSN 1934-9696.