The name of this shot really does speak for itself, the Over-the-Shoulder shot, a shot taken over the shoulder of another subject. This may sound limiting and boring in some ways but there are in fact a number of ways an over-the-shoulder shot can be used.
Generally in an Over-the-Shoulder shot (OS or OTS) the back of a person’s head and their shoulder are used to frame the action or the other subject(s) in the scene. However, they can be used in different ways. You could use the front of a person’s face and shoot something over their shoulder to show the audience something that is happen behind the subject without them knowing.
Can’t think of any great uses? Hopefully the following few examples will help you out in creating that perfect over-the-shoulder shot.
This OTS shot is perfect. It is different. It has flare. It tells a story. Well, now a sound more like an artiste than a movie maker but you understand what I mean. The shot hides the faces of both subjects in the shot which means that all facial emotions are concealed however, because we are looking over the shoulder of the person at the front, it is clear that this is the leader of the two. The one in charge. Also, because the subject at the back is wiping his or her visor, it is understandable that they have pulled over to stop for this subject… Maybe an inexperienced biker?
The use of depth in this OTS shot also means that it is clear that these two bikers have traveled a long distance and they will probably will continue to go on for an even further distance.
This OTS shot is nothing all too special, lets be honest. It is simply the audience looking over the shoulder of the subject onto a race track. However, this is a prime example of a raw OTS shot and how it can be used. Putting the foreground only in focus means that we are left with some mystery. We also cannot see the face of the subject which also means that he is a secret. Sorry to say that I can’t rant on this time, but there is not a lot I can say about this shot. Camera, points over shoulder, shoots. Simple.
Like the second example shot, this shot is pretty straight forward, we look over the subject’s shoulder at the target. However, unlike the second example, this shot adds a few more framing techniques. Lines lines lines. Audiences love lines in shots. The eye loves lines in shots. Giving people a line to follow means that they are given guidance of where to look. In this shot, the subject’s arms are used a line for the audience. They can follow the arms to find themselves at the target.
Also, by using an OTS shot in this situation, it helps the audience to determine the distance from the subject to the target. Because you can clearly see that the target is in the distance, you know that the target is quite a way away.
Hopefully, you now know how you could implement an OTS shot in your movies. The examples are hard to show but hopefully you know what is meant by them and hopefully you know what you’re doing now. Remember, if you are still stuck, ask by posting a comment or visit the forum.
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