Shot Size

Question 1

What is shot size?

Answer 1

Shot size refers to how much of the setting or subject is displayed within a given frame of a video, photo, or animation.

Question 2

What do different types of camera shots communicate?

Answer 2

Different types of camera shots in film or video communicate different narrative value.

Question 3

How are shot sizes typically abbreviated?

Answer 3

Most filmmakers use standard names for shot sizes, often abbreviated into 2 or 3 letters on a shot list or storyboard.

Question 4

What is the abbreviation for a close-up shot?

Answer 4

A close-up shot is abbreviated as ‘CU’.

Question 5

What is the abbreviation for a wide shot?

Answer 5

A wide shot is abbreviated as ‘WS’.

Question 6

What is an establishing shot?

Answer 6

An establishing shot is a shot at the beginning of a scene that clearly shows us the location of the action.

Question 7

What are the rules for establishing shots?

Answer 7

Establishing shots have no rules other than helping to build tone and context.

Question 8

Are establishing shots required to be wide or from a drone?

Answer 8

No, establishing shots are not required to be wide or from a drone.

Question 9

Do establishing shots need to be accompanied by a title card?

Answer 9

No, establishing shots do not need to be accompanied by a screen-sized title card.

Question 10

What is an extreme wide shot (EWS)?

Answer 10

An extreme wide shot (also known as an extreme long shot) is a camera shot that makes your subject appear small against their location.

Question 11

When should you consider using an extreme wide shot?

Answer 11

Consider using an extreme wide shot when you need to emphasize the location and the relationship of the characters within it.

Question 12

What effect does an extreme wide shot have on the subject?

Answer 12

An extreme wide shot can make your subject feel distant or unfamiliar.

Question 13

What is a wide shot (WS) or long shot (LS)?

Answer 13

A wide shot, also known as a long shot, is a camera shot that balances both the subject and the surrounding imagery.

Question 14

What does a wide shot typically include?

Answer 14

A wide shot often keeps the entire subject in frame while giving context to the environment.

Question 15

What is important about the space in a wide shot?

Answer 15

A wide shot should keep a good deal of space both above and below your subject.

Question 16

What does a long shot help to convey?

Answer 16

A long shot gives a better idea of the scene setting and how the character fits into the area.

Question 17

How do wide shots affect narrative distance?

Answer 17

Wide shots create narrative distance with the subject, often dwarfing characters against an expansive terrain.

Question 18

What is a full shot (FS) in film?

Answer 18

A full shot is a camera shot that lets your subject fill the frame from head to toe while still allowing some features of the scenery.

Full shots can be used to feature multiple characters in a single shot.

Question 19

What effect do wide shots have in film?

Answer 19

Wide shots create narrative distance with the subject, often dwarfing characters against an expansive terrain.

Question 20

Can you name two films that utilize full shots?

Answer 20

North by Northwest (1959) and Thor (2011).

Question 21

What is a medium wide shot (MWS)?

Answer 21

A medium wide shot frames the subject from roughly the knees up. It splits the difference between a full shot and a medium shot.

Question 22

What is another name for a medium wide shot?

Answer 22

A medium wide shot is also known as a medium long shot (MLS).

Question 23

Can you frame medium wide shots from different angles?

Answer 23

Yes, you can always frame camera shots from any angle, so consider medium wide shots when behind a character.

Question 24

What is a medium shot (MS)?

Answer 24

The medium shot is a common camera shot that frames from roughly the waist up and through the torso.

Question 25

What does a medium shot emphasize?

Answer 25

It emphasizes more of your subject while keeping their surroundings visible.

Question 26

How is a medium shot used in dialogue scenes?

Answer 26

A medium shot can often be used as a buffer shot for dialogue scenes that have an important moment later that will be shown in a close-up shot.

Question 27

Why is shot size contrast important in film?

Answer 27

Every shot size you choose will have an effect on the viewer, signaling different emotions and moments.

Question 28

What is a medium close-up (MCU)?

Answer 28

The medium close-up frames your subject from roughly the chest up, favoring the face while keeping the subject somewhat distant.

Question 29

What does the medium close-up emphasize?

Answer 29

It emphasizes the subject while including the surrounding space around them.

Question 30

How does the medium close-up affect character distance?

Answer 30

The medium close-up keeps characters eerily distant even during their face-to-face conversation.

Question 31

What is a Close-Up in film (CU)?

Answer 31

A Close-Up is a camera shot size that captures important moments for the character, registering tiny emotions without losing visibility.

Question 32

What are Close-Ups great for?

Answer 32

Close-Ups are great for monologues, allowing the audience to see the character’s facial gestures in detail.

Question 33

What is an extreme close-up (ECU)?

Answer 33

An extreme close-up shot frames a subject very closely, often cutting off the outer portions of the subject by the edges of the frame.

Question 34

What is commonly shown in an extreme close-up of an actor?

Answer 34

Specific portions of the body, like the face or hip, but it can also show only an actor’s mouth or a single eye.

Question 35

Can inanimate objects be framed in an extreme close-up?

Answer 35

Yes, inanimate objects can also be framed in an extreme close-up shot, based on the scale and size of the object.

Question 36

What is an example of framing an inanimate object in an extreme close-up?

Answer 36

Framing a steaming tea-pot in an extreme close-up might focus on the spout or base.

This illustrates that you cannot see the entire subject, but focus on a particular portion.

Question 37

What is the desired effect of an extreme close-up?

Answer 37

The idea is to force the viewer to focus on a particular portion of the subject for the desired effect.