6 - Camera Shots and Their Meanings

In the movie, A Knight’s Tale, there are many different types of shots that are used to give meaning to a scene. In one particular scene, the director uses a variation of low angle and high angles shots, mixed in with close up and medium shots to reveal the relationships between the characters.

The scene goes back and forth between high angles (A) of William, Heath Ledger, and low angles (B) of Jocelyn, Shannyn Sossamon, and Count Adhemar, Rufus Sewell. A high angle is used to take away power and a low angle is used to give power. In this scene, the high angles of William and low angles of Jocelyn and Count Adhemar help to show the characters status in the movie. William is a born peasant, and even though the characters are not aware of this, Adhemar still views William as a “poor country [knight]” which are a “little better than peasants.” Because of this, William is shot with a high angle to show this inferiority.  In contrast, Jocelyn and Adhemar are shown with low angles because they are of noble birth and have a higher status that William does.

A        B

The scene also uses a variety of close up shots to better show the relationship between the characters. Close ups are used to show the feelings and emotions of the characters. When William (C) and Jocelyn (D) are conversing, their close ups show happy expressions of flirtation; however, when Adhemar starts to talk to William, his expression changes from flirtation to frustration and hatred. While William’s (E) close up shows that he is upset, Adhemar’s (F) shows arrogance and superiority. At the same time, Joceyln’s (G) close up shows pity and sorrow; she feels bad for William.

C D

E F

G

Finally, the scene shows a medium shot of Adhemar and Jocelyn at the end of the scene. Medium shots are used to show the relationship between the characters in the shot. In this medium shot (H), you can tell by their expressions and direction of vision that Adhemar wants to win over Jocelyn, but Jocelyn is not interested at all; she is giving him the cold shoulder.

H

Overall, the different types of shots in a particular scene are there to give meaning. In this scene, the director uses high and low angle shots along with close up and medium shots to show the relationships between the characters in the movie, A Knight’s Tale.