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CINEMATOGRAPHY DIRECTING
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e’ve all seen films that constantly use medium shots, but how often do you
W notice? Every shot and edit matters. Today we’re focusing on the medium Shares
shot. The visual glue of many scenes and films.
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The medium shot is a fine instrument. There are unexpected ways you can use this
shot to tell more of your story in a more visually effective manner. We’ll also go into a1.4K
few cool uses of this shot that will inspire your next shot list.
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
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2/27/2021 Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
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MEDIUM SHOT
The distance from the subject means you can frame up multiple actors at once, and
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Why use a medium shot?
The medium shot is super useful for movement, and comedic performances where we
need to see the body language of a character.
Medium shots also gain from having imagery both on, and off-screen which is also
useful for comedy because not seeing something is often just as funny. Medium shots
are often used to frame groups of people, as well as background imagery and sets that
are relevant to the scene.
Before go further, let's take a look at the spectrum of shot sizes to see how the
medium shot fits in. From establishing shots to extreme close-ups, the various shot
sizes all have their purpose.
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2/27/2021 Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
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All shot sizes explained • Subscribe on YouTube
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The medium shot doesn’t really play favorites. Everything is on the same plane and
allows you to focus on the whole instead of the individual. 1.4K
As you can see the medium shot does a lot of heavy lifting. It gives you character, 0
performance, setting, and sometimes action.
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Here is an example from The Hunger Games.
Let's use our shot list software to map it out. Check out the scene below:
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You can see how the filmmakers used the medium shot to show a bit of confusion
while still keeping both actors in the frame so that the viewer understands the stakes.
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Medium two shot - Hunger Games
This scene is all about the Capitol attempting to turn Katniss and Peeta against one
another, so by framing them together we are reminded of their bond and personal
relationship. Then the filmmakers moves to a close-up.
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Medium shot to close-up
Because the filmmakers move to a close-up, we can see the emotions of the characters
as they register the new revelation that they must fight one another.
But the close up is way more effective because of the previous medium shot.
Remember that your medium shots can feature multiple actors at different shot sizes
in different portions of your frame. Just because one actor is in a medium doesn't
mean someone else can't be in a close-up or a full shot.
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Medium Shot Example: Jurassic Park
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At first glance, it’s just to establish the characters as being lost in the jungle. They’re
surveying the scene in front of them from the waist up.
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But at second blush, we can see this medium shot is very effective at presenting where
these characters have been.
How?
Well, we can tell by their wounds and the state of their clothes that they’ve seen some
serious action. They are "worse for wear."
Their lives have been hard ever since they left the tour.
In a wide shot we'd see that they were lost in the jungle, but we'd lose some of the
detail on them. In a closer shot we'd see the details, but we'd lose the big picture. And
so instead we have some of each. In our friend, the medium shot!
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2/27/2021 Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
Ryan Coogler and D.P. Rachel Morrison work to make sure that Adonis is in fighting
position.
They don’t want us to be too close, because we need to see him in action, and it also
resembles a sports cast more because of the wide framing.
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Sometimes we move into a close up but for the most part the action stays in the
medium and this allow things to play out as they go.
Tonally, the Medium Shot does a lot to convey what’s going on.
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The cowboy shot is a shot framed from the face of an actor down to
just above the knee, which makes it so you can see both the holstered
gun of the cowboy as well a his face. The shot was commonly used in
westerns for this reason.
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The cowboy shot rose to fame because it was used to shoot cowboys. Particularly in
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scenes when they were about to shoot each other!
Westerns were one of the most popular genres in film and television for the first half 19
of the 20th century, and they left and indelible mark on the American psyche... AND
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the name of the medium shot!
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There are plenty of medium shots inside that clip but they chose to end it with the
classic hero pose, harkening back to the cowboys of old and showing us the team, now
united.
You also get to see the costumes, which are as much a character in themselves.
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Comedies thrive as medium shot films
Most comedies live in medium shots and MCUs, and this is because the performance
in comedies are almost more important than many dramas and action films which
rely more on the camera work and lighting.
R E L AT E D P O S T S
27 Best Cinematographers →
Generally, the medium long is a lot like the medium shot, just a tad wider. But not so
wide that it’s full on long shot.
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Confused?
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Let’s dig deeper.
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MEDIUM LONG SHOT DEFINITION
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What is the Medium Long Shot?
Another step back from the medium shot would be the medium long shot. 0
The medium long shot frames a subject from the knees up, it is an
intermediary between the long shot and the medium shot, it slightly
favors the background over the subjects and foreground.
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Did you
496know: The medium
1.4K long shot is also
0 know as the19three- 0
t h t?
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quarters shot?
Sometimes it's also called the medium wide shot and defined as the MLS on the page
or breakdown, the medium long shot is a technical definition.
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The main reason to use a medium long shot is to highlight the background but still
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stay in the social
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2/27/2021 Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
but really in the context of the location or setting.
Medium long shots help an audience feel like they’re actually there without also
making them feel uncomfortably close to the action.
Let’s dive deeper into some medium long shot examples to see how the masters use
this shot to tell their stories to perfection!
Check out how Kathryn Bigelow uses the Medium Long Shot to frame Jessica
Chastain’s character in Zero Dark Thirty.
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There’s obviously an emotional weight she’s carrying. She just took out the world’s
most dangerous terrorist. Look how Bigelow handles all this.
Ever been in love and felt like you and your significant other were the only people in
the world when you were together? Well, the medium long shot can help you recreate
that.
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Doug Liman added some sexual tension to Mr. and Mrs. Smith by framing how
enamored each of them are with one another in medium shot.
Two stars who both tend to fill the frame and catch our eye, were placed side by side
in the film but also in many medium shots. The tension was made visual.
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Medium shots are versatile enough to be used in any way you need, but the trick is to
surround them with thoughtful shot selections that help elevate your material and
drive home the tone, theme, and narrative of your story.
R E L AT E D P O S T S
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CAMERA SHOTS
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Close Up Shots
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Close Up (CU) 0
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Medium Shots
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Cowboy Shot (CS)
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Wide Shots
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Wide Shot (WS)
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Shot List Like a Pro
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So now you can define a medium shot, and medium long shot, and even a cowboy
shot. But more than that you know how versatile this type of shot is, and how to use it1.4K
in your shot list to forward your story.
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When is it important to rely on your plan? When is it important to be more flexible?
We’re going to help you navigate through this process because knowing how to use 19
your shot list is just as important as creating one.
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Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and
slideshows.
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