What is the purpose of an over-the-shoulder shot?

The purpose of an over-the-shoulder shot is to place the head and shoulder of a person in the foreground, creating a perspective that allows viewers to see what the character is looking at or interacting with. This type of shot effectively establishes a connection between characters and encourages the audience to engage with the scene from that character's viewpoint. It often enhances storytelling by providing context for the character's emotions and reactions to the situation unfolding in the background. Through this angle, viewers can better understand the dynamics of the interaction, which adds depth to the narrative.

In contrast, showing a person's full body would serve a different narrative purpose, typically emphasizing their actions or setting rather than their perspective. Focusing solely on the subject's face limits the environmental context, while capturing a large crowd scene entirely shifts the focus from individual interaction to a broader view, which would not convey the intimate perspective that an over-the-shoulder shot does.