Medium-long shot Definition & Meaning A medium-long shot, also called medium full shot (MFS) or ¾ shot, frames a subject from approximately the knees up. It allows us to see the character’s body language and facial expressions while maintaining some environmental context. Why use a medium-long shot? Think of a medium-long shot as the perfect… Continue reading What is a Medium-Long Shot? Definition & Film Examples
camera shots
What is a Full Shot? Definition & Examples from Film
Full shot Definition & Meaning A full shot (FS) shows the entire human body from head to toe within the frame. The frame typically has some headroom and a bit of space below the feet—just enough to let the character breathe in the composition. Directors often use full shots to establish a character’s relationship to… Continue reading What is a Full Shot? Definition & Examples from Film
What is a Wide Shot in Film? Definition & Examples
wide shot Definition & Meaning A wide shot (WS), also known as a long shot, shows your entire subject and their surroundings. Think of it as taking a step back to see the complete picture – not just the actors but the world they inhabit. Wide shots are often used as establishing shots and combined… Continue reading What is a Wide Shot in Film? Definition & Examples
What is a Bridging Shot in Film? Definition & Examples
bridging shot Definition & Meaning A bridging shot is a transitional shot that connects two disconnected moments in a film’s story. It creates a smooth visual connection between scenes separated by time, location, or both. While viewers might not consciously notice these shots, they help the audience understand when and where they are in the… Continue reading What is a Bridging Shot in Film? Definition & Examples
What is an Extreme Close-Up Shot? Definition & Examples from Film
extreme close-up (ECU) Definition & Meaning An extreme close-up (ECU) is a framing technique that focuses on a tiny subject detail, isolating a specific feature, such as an eye, a hand, or part of an object. ECUs magnify the subject to the point where the surrounding context is minimal or absent, drawing our attention to… Continue reading What is an Extreme Close-Up Shot? Definition & Examples from Film
What is a Rack Focus Shot? Definition & Examples from Film
Rack focus Definition & Meaning Rack focus is a focus pull technique that shifts focus between subjects during a continuous shot. Rack focus shots are used to smoothly or subtly direct attention toward key narrative elements, moving seamlessly between different points in the frame. Read more about the difference between the terms rack focus and… Continue reading What is a Rack Focus Shot? Definition & Examples from Film
Guide to Camera Shots, Camera Angles & Camera Moves
Camera shot Definition & Meaning A “shot” is the placement and angle of the camera relative to what is being shown in the frame. It is the most fundamental part of visual storytelling. A shot captures a specific subject or scene and is defined by the distance from a subject, the angle from a subject,… Continue reading Guide to Camera Shots, Camera Angles & Camera Moves