What does Establishing Shot mean?
Establishing Shot refers to a wide or long shot at the beginning of a scene that sets up the location, time, and context for the action that follows. Establishing shots are commonly used in film and television to orient the audience, providing a visual cue of where the scene takes place before moving into closer shots. They are often used to show cityscapes, landscapes, or buildings. Related terms include Wide Shot, which captures a broad view of the scene, and Master Shot, which records the entire action of a scene in one continuous take.
Example:The film opened with an establishing shot of the city skyline, giving the audience a sense of the urban setting before the action began.
Example: An establishing shot of a desert landscape introduced the isolated location where the next part of the story would unfold.
Did You Know?
Establishing shots are often used to transition between scenes, giving viewers visual context for new settings!
