3 Wide Shots That Every Filmmaker Needs to Know

Summary

This video script explores the evolution and significance of wide shots in filmmaking. It starts with the early use of close-ups in Hollywood, then introduces the wide shot as a tool to show characters in relation to their environment. From westerns of the 50s and 60s to modern films like 'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Bridesmaids,' the wide shot is shown to convey power, isolation, and scale. The script also references Charlie Chaplin's use of wide shots for humor and discusses how directors like Quentin Tarantino use wide shots for dramatic impact. Filmmakers are encouraged to consider the wide shot in their own work, using storyboarding tools for better planning.

Takeaways

• 😀 The wide shot frames the entirety of a character, showing their relation to the surrounding space.
• 😀 Wide shots are versatile, ranging from medium-wide to extremely wide, each serving different narrative purposes.
• 😀 The wide shot became popular in Western films of the 50s and 60s, symbolizing the American dream and Manifest Destiny.
• 😀 As Hollywood filmmaking matured, filmmakers moved away from Western ideals, using wide shots to convey more complex emotions and themes.
• 😀 In *Midnight Cowboy*, the wide shot of a blank drive-in screen symbolizes the emptiness of the American dream.
• 😀 Charlie Chaplin’s *The Great Dictator* uses wide shots to create comedic contrast, emphasizing the absurdity of Hitler’s megalomania.
• 😀 Modern comedies, like *Bridesmaids*, use the wide shot to highlight chaos and humor, often returning to the wide after closer reaction shots.
• 😀 Quentin Tarantino’s *The Hateful Eight* uses wide shots to emphasize isolation, with extreme wide shots intensifying the claustrophobic feel inside.
• 😀 Wide shots are not only about showing space, but also about conveying emotional and narrative depth in a scene.
• 😀 Filmmakers can plan and visualize wide shots effectively using tools like StudioBinder’s storyboard templates, ensuring clarity and precision in execution.

Q & A

What is a wide shot in filmmaking?

A wide shot frames the entirety of a character, showing them in relation to the space around them. It helps convey both the character's position in the environment and their emotional or thematic context within the scene.

How did the wide shot evolve in Hollywood cinema?

In the early days of Hollywood, filmmakers kept shots tight to emphasize human moments. As filmmakers sought broader storytelling, the wide shot became popular, allowing for more expansive framing and visual storytelling, especially in Western films.

Why did filmmakers in the 1950s and 60s prefer wide shots in Western films?

Wide shots in Western films reflected the themes of Manifest Destiny and the American Dream, where the vast landscapes and open spaces symbolized the freedom and idealism associated with America's westward expansion.

What was the significance of the wide shot in *Midnight Cowboy*?

In *Midnight Cowboy*, the opening wide shot of a blank drive-in movie screen symbolizes the fading ideal of the American Dream. The shot emphasizes the bleakness and disillusionment of the characters, rejecting the promises made in traditional Westerns.

What does Charlie Chaplin's quote about wide shots mean?

Charlie Chaplin's quote, 'Life is a tragedy in close-up, but a comedy in the wide shot,' means that close-ups capture the intensity of personal emotions, while wide shots can provide a broader, often more humorous perspective, emphasizing context and scale over intimacy.

How does Chaplin use the wide shot in *The Great Dictator*?

In *The Great Dictator*, Chaplin uses the wide shot to convey the scope of the world and highlight Hitler's megalomania. One iconic scene shows Chaplin juggling a globe in a wide shot, both poking fun at Hitler and making a statement about global power.

How is the wide shot used in *Bridesmaids*?

In *Bridesmaids*, director Paul Feig uses the wide shot in a bathroom scene to show the chaos and scattered reactions of the characters. The wide shot emphasizes the humor of the situation by capturing the entire scene, allowing the audience to see the characters' full range of emotions.

What is the role of wide shots in *The Hateful Eight*?

In *The Hateful Eight*, Quentin Tarantino uses extremely wide shots in 70mm to show the isolation of characters outside a cabin. The vastness of the landscape enhances the feeling of claustrophobia inside the cabin, adding tension and contrast to the story.

Why is it important to plan wide shots when filmmaking?

Planning wide shots is crucial because they require careful consideration of both the character and the environment. Wide shots are often used to establish context, show emotional contrast, or provide visual spectacle, making them an important tool in storytelling.

What tools can filmmakers use to plan wide shots effectively?

Filmmakers can use tools like StudioBinder's storyboard template to plan wide shots. These templates allow for precise visual planning, helping to ensure the shot achieves the intended emotional and thematic effect while fitting into the overall narrative.