Over-the-shoulder shot

For the video game perspective, see Third-person shooter.

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. 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