Camera Shots/angles

Mean Girls - camera shots and angles

Over the shoulder shot

A shot that gives us a characters perspective but includes part of the other characters shoulder or side of their head so the audience is aware of who's point of view we are looking at the shot from. 

The image above shows an example from the film 'Mean girls'. The example is an over the shoulder shot. The frame shows Regina's expressions from the point of view of Cady.

High angle shot

A high angle shot shows the characters and mise en scene from above. The camera is angled down having the effect of diminishing the subject making them appear less significant or submissive

This example from the film 'Mean girls' implies that the two characters shown are insignificant and less important than the point of view of the character. In this case, Janet and Damian are the less significant characters being looked down upon by 'the Plastics' who are regarded more socially significant than them. 

Low angle shot

 

A low angle shot will increase height and sometimes give a sense of motion. The angle creates confusion and disorientation. 

 Here, a low angle shot has been used to portray confusion. The shot is taken from the perspective of Cady who at the time is young and starting school. The shot is used to imply to the viewers that Cady is a little disorientated as she is 17 and its her first day at mainstream school.