Over the Shoulder

Over the shoulder shot is used when two or more characters are talking to each other. This shot establishes the eyeline of where each character in the scene is looking and can bring the viewers to the level of the characters. Occasionally, this can provide new perspectives and give the audience a better understanding of this situation in front of them as they are pulled to the view of someone within the movie. This shot can also suggest to the viewer that a character in the film is seeing something the others can’t, whether it be in a tangible physical sense, or a metaphorical one. For example, when discussing a plan in the group, the camera may cut to a shot like this for someone who has a broader understanding of the problem, or can physically see something in front of them beyond the foreground and behind the characters being spoken to.