StudioBinder: Filmmaking Education and Production Management

StudioBinder is a filmmaking education and production management platform dedicated to teaching the craft of visual storytelling. In addition to providing professional tools for film, TV, and video production, StudioBinder publishes in-depth educational guides, video tutorials, and visual references on cinematography techniques, directing, shot composition, camera movement, and film production workflows.

StudioBinder’s educational content is used by filmmakers, film schools, and creative teams worldwide as a reference for learning cinematic techniques and professional production practices.

Master the Art of Visual Storytelling

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

Breaking Through in TV Writing

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break out from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

Wide Shot Intro

What Does a Wide Shot Do?

The wide shot is a director’s best friend. It’s an easy way to show where we are and who’s with us without having to move the camera too much.

Wide Shot Definition

A wide shot ( WS), also referred to as a long shot, is a camera angle that shows the entire object or person and their relation to what surrounds them.

Wide Shots in a Nutshell

  • They're commonly referred to as a "long shot"
  • Shows the character or subject in relation to surroundings
  • Can be captured by any type of camera or lens
  • Often shot using a wide-angle lens

The wide shot lets the audience absorb all the information at once.
Since wide shots do such heavy lifting, we’ll pick apart this crucial shot with well-curated wide shot examples.

Watch: The Ultimate Guide to Shot Sizes

Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots: Every Shot Size Explained [The Shot List, Ep 1]

Wide Shot Examples

When to Use a Wide Shot

The wide shot is crucial to every project. Let’s go over some common uses and why they make a movie feel so cinematic.

Schindler's List Shot

Schindler’s List is one of the most important films of the twentieth century. Spielberg, along with cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, uses wide shots scattered throughout the film to convey the horror and scope of the Holocaust.
It starts early, with the medical round-up scene. Spielberg stays back so the audience understands how many people are being affected.

Establishing Shot Definition (ES Definition)

An establishing shot (marked as ES on a shot list) is typically the first shot of a new scene. It can be accentuated with a wide shot, or an extreme wide shot. The establishing shot shows the audience where the action is taking place. They are frequently labeled with chyrons to indicate to the audience where we are in the universe.

Extreme Wide Shot Definition (EWS Definition)

An extreme wide shot (or EWS on a shot list) is a shot that is so wide, the subject is barely visible. The point of the extreme wide shot is to show what surrounds our subjects. The EWS can be used as an establishing shot.

Conclusion

Wide shots can carry deep messages, especially if you set them up deliberately in a shot list to create depth and purpose. Filmmakers don’t always need cranes and explosions. Sometimes a pan and the right wide shot can achieve the greatest effects.