Over the shoulder shot

An example of an over-the-shoulder shot from the public domain horror film The Driller Killer, putting the audience into the murderer's perspective.

In film or video, an over the shoulder shot (also over shoulder, ab tu, OTS, or third-person shot) is a shot of someone or something taken from the perspective or camera angle from the shoulder of another person. The back of the shoulder and head of this person is used to frame the image of whatever (or whomever) the camera is pointing toward.^[1] This type of shot is very common when two characters are having a discussion and will usually follow an establishing shot which helps the audience place the characters in their setting. It is an example of a camera angle.

See also

Bird's eye shot Bird's-eye view Camera angle Camera operator Dutch angle Establishing shot

High-angle shot Long shot Low-angle shot Mid shot Videographer

References

1. Van Sijll, Jennifer (2005). Cinematic storytelling: the 100 most powerful film conventions every filmmaker must know. Michael Wiese Productions. p. 154. ISBN 1-932907-05-X.