Social:Medium shot
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In a movie a medium shot,[1] mid shot (MS),[2] or waist shot[3] is a camera angle shot from a medium distance.[4]
Use
Medium shots are favored in sequences where dialogues or a small group of people are acting, as they give the viewer a partial view of the background, such as when the shot is 'cutting the person in half'[4] and also show the subjects' facial expressions in the context of their body language.[5] Medium shots are also used when the subject in the shot is delivering information, such as news presenters.[2] It is also used in interviews.[3] It is the most common shot in movies,[6][7] and it usually follows the first establishing shots of a new scene or location.[7]
A normal lens that sees what the human eye sees[8] is usually used for medium shots.[7]
Definition
The medium shot shows equality between subjects and background. The dividing line between what constitutes a long shot and medium shot is not definite, nor is the line between medium shot and close-up.[7] In some standard texts and professional references, a full-length view of a human subject is called a medium shot;[6] in this terminology, a shot of the person from the knees up or the waist up is a close-up shot. In other texts, these partial views are called medium shots.[9] In principle, the medium shot is what can be seen with the human eye in a single quick glance and convey all the action taking place in that field of view.[6][2]
Types
Medium shots are divided into singles (a waist-high shot of one actor), group shots, over-the shoulders or two-shots (featuring two people).[6] A medium wide shot, or American shot, shows a bit more of the background but is still close enough for facial expressions to be seen, although these facial expressions would be better seen in a waist-high shot.[10]
See also
- Camera angle
- Camera operator
- Close-up
- Dutch angle
- Establishing shot
- High-angle shot
- Long shot
- Low-angle shot
- Mise-en-scène
- Over the shoulder shot
- Two shot
- Video production
- Videographer
References
- ↑ Brown, Blain (2012). Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors. Burlington, Massachusetts: Focal Press. p. 20. ISBN 9781136047381. https://books.google.com/books?id=uyMYMbjheqgC&pg=PA20. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Mid Shot (MS)". Wavelength Media. http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/mid-shot.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Basics of video shooting". Arizona State University. https://www.asu.edu/alti/ltlab/tutorials/video/basics/type4_ms.htm.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "medium shot". Dictionary.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/medium-shot.
- ↑ Ablan, Dan. "Medium Shots". Peachpit. http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=31096&seqNum=2.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Alexander, Victor. "Long shot, medium shot, close-up". Releasing.net. http://www.releasing.net/filmmaker/long_medium_close-up_shots.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Moura, Gabe (3 June 2014). "SHOT SIZES: Telling What They See". Gabriel Moura. http://www.elementsofcinema.com/cinematography/framing-shot-sizes/.
- ↑ Moura, Gabe (3 June 2014). "Types of Lenses". Gabriel Moura. http://www.elementsofcinema.com/cinematography/types-of-lenses/.
- ↑ "Film Glossary". Rice University. http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~engl377/film.html.
- ↑ "Elements of Cinematography: Camera". University of Texas at Dallas. http://www.utdallas.edu/atec/midori/Handouts/camera.htm#ms.
Further reading
- Ablan, Dan (2002). Digital Cinematography & Directing. Peachpit. ISBN 0-7357-1258-1. http://www.peachpit.com/store/digital-cinematography-directing-9780735712584?w_ptgrevartcl=%5bdigital%5d+Directing+-+Types+of+Shots_31096.
- Alexander, Victor (29 May 2008). Filmmaking A to Z: The Guide to 35 Millimeter Filmmaking. Victor Alexander. ISBN 978-1-4382-0963-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=_1wL-ii1mDcC&q=Filmmaking+A+To+Z:+35Mm+Film-Making.
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