* Purpose: To establish the location and setting of the scene.
* Example: In the episode "Stewie Kills Lois", the establishing shot is a long, wide shot of the Griffin house. This shot establishes that the scene is taking place in the Griffins' home.
* Other examples: Family Guy uses establishing shots to show the exterior of various buildings such as Quahog High School and Spooner Street to establish the location and setting of the scene.
Long shot
* Purpose: To show the entire body of a character or group of characters.
* Example: In the episode "The Splendid Source", a long shot is used to show Chris and Meg standing in the kitchen. This shot allows the viewer to see the entire bodies of both Chris and Meg.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses long shots to show the entire Griffin family sitting at the dinner table, the entire class in a classroom, and the entire crowd in a stadium.
Medium shot
* Purpose: To show the upper body and head of a character or group of characters.
* Example: In the episode "The Fat Guy Strangler", a medium shot is used to show Peter talking to Joe in a bar. This shot allows the viewer to see the facial expressions and body language of both Peter and Joe.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses medium shots to show two or three characters talking to each other, a character giving a speech, and a character performing a task.
Close-up
* Purpose: To show the face or a specific body part of a character.
* Example: In the episode "Da Boom", a close-up is used to show Stewie's face as he is about to blow up the world. This shot allows the viewer to see the intense emotion on Stewie's face.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses close-ups to show a character's eyes, a character's mouth, and a character's hands.
Wide-angle shot
* Purpose: To show a wide area or a large number of characters.
* Example: In the episode "Back to the Woods", a wide-angle shot is used to show the entire forest where the Griffins are camping. This shot allows the viewer to see the vastness of the forest and the smallness of the Griffins.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses wide-angle shots to show a large group of people, a crowded room, and a large space such as a stadium or an airport.
Tilt shot
* Purpose: To move the camera up or down to reveal more or less of a scene.
* Example: In the episode "Meet the Quagmires", a tilt shot is used to reveal Brian and Stewie hiding behind a bush. This shot allows the viewer to see Brian and Stewie's hiding place and the people they are hiding from.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses tilt shots to show a character's perspective, such as a character looking up at a tall building or a character looking down at a hole in the ground.
Pan shot
* Purpose: To move the camera horizontally to reveal more or less of a scene.
* Example: In the episode "The Dating Game", a pan shot is used to show Peter and Quagmire searching for women at a bar. This shot allows the viewer to see the entire bar and the different women that Peter and Quagmire are talking to.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses pan shots to show a character's journey, such as a character walking down a street or a character driving a car.
Zoom shot
* Purpose: To move the camera closer or further away from a subject.
* Example: In the episode "The Man with Two Brians", a zoom shot is used to show Stewie's shocked face as he sees Brian and his evil clone fighting. This shot allows the viewer to see Stewie's reaction and the intensity of the fight between Brian and his clone.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses zoom shots to show a character's reaction to something, a character's perspective of something, or a character's journey.
Cutaway shot
* Purpose: To cut away from the main action to show something else that is related.
* Example: In the episode "The Cleveland-Loretta Quagmire", a cutaway shot is used to show Peter and Quagmire in a bar talking about Cleveland's sex life. This shot allows the viewer to see Peter and Quagmire's reaction to Cleveland's sex life.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses cutaway shots to show flashbacks, flashforwards, and jokes that are unrelated to the main action of the scene.
Split screen
* Purpose: To show two or more different scenes at the same time.
* Example: In the episode "The Tale of the Dog's Tail", a split screen is used to show Stewie and Brian talking to each other on the phone while they are in different locations. This shot allows the viewer to see both Stewie and Brian and their reactions to each other's words.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses split screens to show two or more different characters talking to each other on the phone, two or more different characters in different locations, and two or more different scenes that are happening simultaneously.
Freeze frame
* Purpose: To pause the action and show a single frame for an extended period of time.
* Example: In the episode "The Griffin Family History", a freeze frame is used to show Peter and Lois kissing at their wedding. This shot allows the viewer to see the moment of their kiss and the happiness on their faces.
* Other examples: Family Guy also uses freeze frames to show a character's reaction to something, a character's perspective of something, or a character's journey.