Moving Images, Understanding Media

Chapter 1 Motion Picture Language 7

are framing shots, and by those choices in framing, you are selecting what

viewers see and determining how they understand what is being shown. In

order to discuss shots in motion pictures, fi lmmakers use a variety of terms

for standard framings.

When you review the following terms for shots, keep in mind that use

of framing vocabulary varies in diff erent traditions, such as for feature fi lms,

television shows, or commercials. Th e terms used in this book have been selected

for functionality and the widest application across motion picture history. When

we discuss framing in motion pictures, our reference points are generally based

on the most typical subject of moving images, the human fi gure.

The Building Blocks of

Visual Communication

Th e most familiar framing term is the close-up, which

is understood to be a shot of a person or object that is

framed relatively close and shows a feature in detail, most

commonly a human face. An extreme close-up (ECU) is a

shot that displays a portion or detail of a subject or a small

object. An extreme close-up of a human face shows only

part of the face, such as an eye or the mouth. A medium

close-up (MCU) is a close-up in which the frame is generally

fi lled by the face, with the face framed at the forehead

or through the hair and below the mouth or chin. A full

close-up (FCU) roughly includes the entire head down to

around the shoulders.

Two other key terms aid us in explaining the placement

of the human fi gure in the frame: head room and lead

room. Head room indicates the amount of space between

Figure 1-5 Extreme close-up. (Courtesy of Carl

Casinghino).

Figure 1-6 Medium close-up in which the

wide screen allows for signifi cant amount of

background. (Courtesy of Carl Casinghino).

Figure 1-7 Full close-up. (Courtesy of Kendelyn

Ouellette).

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