What does Master Shot mean?
Master Shot is a continuous camera take that covers an entire scene or a significant portion of it from a wide framing, capturing all the action and dialogue from beginning to end. The master shot serves as the editorial foundation for a scene — the editor can always cut back to it for orientation. After completing the master shot, the director then films coverage — closer angles, reaction shots, inserts, and two-shots — that will be cut together with the master in the editing room to create the final scene.
Example:The director called for a master shot first, filming the entire dinner table argument from a wide angle that captured all four actors simultaneously. Once the master was complete, he moved in for close-ups of each performer.
Example: The child actor’s acting teacher had told her that master shots matter because the director is watching the full scene — not just your close-up moments — so your performance needs to be consistent and truthful from the first word to the last, even when the camera seems far away.
Did you know?
The master shot approach to filming — shoot wide first, then get coverage — is sometimes called the ‘Hollywood method’ or ‘classical continuity style.’ Some directors, most notably Stanley Kubrick and Paul Thomas Anderson, have moved away from traditional master shots in favor of planning each setup individually, only filming what they know they will use rather than building a safety net of coverage.
