A Guide to Shot Types

Shot Type Abbreviation Use Visibility

Extreme Long/Wide Shot XLS, ELS, XWS, or EWS - exterior shooting - wide and deep field of
- establishing shot view

Very Long/Very Wide VLS, VWS - exterior or interior - visible human figure,
Shot - establishing shot limited clothing detail

Long Shot LS, WS - “full body” shot - larger human figures

- interior or exterior

Medium Long Shot MLS - interior or exterior - human figure is

- cuts off just below or prominent
above the knee - details are visible

Medium Shot/Waist Shot MS - interior or exterior - most prominent human

- cuts at or just below the figure
waist - restricts freedom of
gesture

Medium Close-Up MCU - “bust shot” - provides much

- commonly used information about the
character

Close-Up CU - interior or exterior - very intimate full face

shooting shot, all detail in eyes
- “head shot”

Big Close-Up/Choker BCU - “tight close up” - key features of eyes,

- top of forehead and nose, and mouth at once
bottom of chin are cut off

Extreme Close-Up ECU or XCU - interior or exterior - detail shots

- focus on details