{"id":80328,"date":"2021-12-13T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=80328"},"modified":"2022-03-29T10:26:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T15:26:35","slug":"filmmakers-guide-establishing-shot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/filmmakers-guide-establishing-shot\/","title":{"rendered":"The Filmmaker&#8217;s Guide to the Establishing Shot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-angles-geography-storyline-learn-how-to-set-every-scene-with-this-in-depth-look-at-the-establishing-shot\"><span id=\"angles-geography-storyline-learn-how-to-set-every-scene-with-this-in-depth-look-at-the-establishing-shot\">Angles, geography, storyline. Learn how to set every scene with this in-depth look at the establishing shot.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>establishing shot <\/strong>is&nbsp;one of the core shots in cinematography. Typically, a wide shot and the opener of a scene tell the audience where (and sometimes when) the next scene will occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this seems like simple information to convey, there are several ways to employ an establishing shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Axt0nETgEXo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-wide-shot\"><span id=\"the-wide-shot\">The Wide Shot<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, let&#8217;s look at the most basic establishing shot: a <strong>simple wide<\/strong>. In the establishing shot below from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0458339\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><em>Captain America: The First Avenger<\/em><\/a>, we see&nbsp;a sunny New York&nbsp;around midday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"755\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg\" alt=\"Captain America Establishing Shot\" class=\"wp-image-162313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg 755w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg?resize=300,159 300w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg?resize=277,147 277w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg?resize=359,190 359w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg?resize=543,288 543w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg?resize=560,297 560w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Captain-America-Establishing-Shot.jpg?resize=150,79 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Establishing shot of the 2011 film<\/em> Captain America<em>. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paramount.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Paramount Pictures<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;buildings in the background and the cars in the foreground reveal that this scene is not taking place in&nbsp;the present day. We can also see that the war effort has not yet reached&nbsp;New York, as no ships are waiting to take soldiers to Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an <em>establishing shot<\/em>. It establishes several fundamental principles relevant to the story. The shot then gradually moves up and toward the New York skyline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the filmmakers wanted to take this one step further, they could have tilted up or down, panned, or zoomed toward a particular building to highlight where the scene is occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-classic-shot\"><span id=\"the-classic-shot\">The Classic Shot<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many instances where it&#8217;s better&nbsp;to establish a particular&nbsp;building rather than an entire city. A simple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/how-to-frame-a-wide-shot-like-a-master-cinematographer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">wide shot<\/a> of the building that tilts up&nbsp;suggests the scene will occur&nbsp;on an upper floor, but what about taking it one step further?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the FX TV series <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2802850\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><em>Fargo<\/em><\/a>, Season 1, Episode 3 opens with an establishing shot of a skyscraper.&nbsp;We can assume from&nbsp;the camera placement that the scene will likely occur in the offices outlined in red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"755\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Establishing Shot of Fargo \" class=\"wp-image-162314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg 755w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg?resize=300,159 300w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg?resize=277,147 277w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg?resize=359,190 359w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg?resize=543,288 543w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg?resize=560,297 560w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-1.jpg?resize=150,79 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Establishing scene in Season 1, Episode 3 of the FX TV series<\/em> Fargo<em>. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fxnetworks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">FX Network<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, through a dissolve cut, we come closer to the building, indicating even further where the scene will occur in the skyscraper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"755\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg\" alt=\"Establishing Shot of Fargo\" class=\"wp-image-162315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg 755w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg?resize=300,159 300w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg?resize=277,147 277w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg?resize=359,190 359w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg?resize=543,288 543w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg?resize=560,297 560w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-2.jpg?resize=150,79 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>A dissolve cut of the same scene. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fxnetworks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">FX Network<\/a>. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, we come closer through a second <strong>dissolve transition<\/strong>, isolating a single&nbsp;window in&nbsp;the composition. This is our <strong>visual cue<\/strong> that the scene will occur&nbsp;in this office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"755\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg\" alt=\"Establishing Shot of Fargo\" class=\"wp-image-162316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg 755w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg?resize=300,159 300w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg?resize=277,147 277w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg?resize=359,190 359w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg?resize=543,288 543w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg?resize=560,297 560w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-3.jpg?resize=150,79 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>This closeup indicates that the scene will take place in this office space. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fxnetworks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">FX Network<\/a>.  <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many consider shots like this&nbsp;<em>classic<\/em>&nbsp;because they often appear in older films. They run the risk of slowing the visual pace, but in the case of <em>Fargo<\/em>, the progression of traditional shots works perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-incorporating-the-story\"><span id=\"incorporating-the-story\">Incorporating the Story<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A more modern version&nbsp;of the establishing shot incorporates the story within the establishing shot itself. After the progression of classic establishing shots in <em>Fargo<\/em>, the location cuts into the office of a worker who looks extremely worried,&nbsp;but we don&#8217;t yet know what&#8217;s causing him such stress. We&#8217;re in the story with him now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"755\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg\" alt=\"Establishing Shot of Fargo\" class=\"wp-image-162317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg 755w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg?resize=300,159 300w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg?resize=277,147 277w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg?resize=359,190 359w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg?resize=543,288 543w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg?resize=560,297 560w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Establishing-shot-Fargo-4.jpg?resize=150,79 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Building the storyline. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fxnetworks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">FX Network<\/a>.   <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, consider the&nbsp;following scene from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0468569\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><em>The Dark Knight<\/em><\/a>. We know we&#8217;re in a city&#8217;s downtown district. And, since this is a Batman film, it&#8217;s a safe bet that we&#8217;re in Gotham. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nonetheless, as we move forward, we close in on a building where two criminals burst through the window to reach the opposite rooftop. This combines the story with the establishing shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DTxCc1S3LcM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Increasingly,&nbsp;filmmakers are skipping the establishing shot entirely. After all, a six-second shot of a building&nbsp;will slow the pace. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/roger-deakins-new-cinematography-podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Cinematographer Roger Deakins<\/a>&nbsp;has the following to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The use of an establishing shot is all about context. Yes, it doesn&#8217;t always make sense to cut to a wide shot just for the sake of letting the audience know where they are. But sometimes, that is exactly what does make sense. I would suggest you watch some of your favorite films and see how wide shots are used in them.<\/p><cite>&#8211;  Cinematographer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0005683\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Roger Deakins<\/a> <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-not-to-establish-geography\"><span id=\"when-not-to-establish-geography\">When Not to Establish Geography<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The establishing shot is often quite plain and uninteresting\u2014it&#8217;s simply there to identify&nbsp;the location. However,&nbsp;it&#8217;s a staple that the audience relies on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2975590\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Batman vs. Superman<\/a><\/em>, for example, drew criticism&nbsp;for its&nbsp;lack of establishing shots and how it often didn&#8217;t identify&nbsp;the geography of a scene. Audiences became&nbsp;confused, and it pulled them out of the narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, sometimes you can break&nbsp;the film editing rules to significant effect. You can choose not to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/how-to-establish-a-location-by-using-color-grading\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">establish the location<\/a> to invoke a sense of confusion or misdirect your audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a classic approach in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/guide-to-basic-film-genres\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">crime dramas<\/a> that makes us think&nbsp;the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/rise-of-the-anti-anti-hero\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">villain<\/a> is in the room the police are about to enter\u2014only to find out they&#8217;re in a different location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This worked well in&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wally-pfister-cinematography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">The Dark Knight<\/a><\/em>. Batman has just learned that the Joker has kidnapped Rachel and Harvey Dent, and placed them in separate locations, both facing death by explosion. The Joker has given Batman the location for both hostages\u2014but he can only save one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The woman he loves, Rachel, is the person he races to save. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/shoot-like-christopher-nolan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Christopher Nolan<\/a> tells&nbsp;this part of the story without fully establishing their locations. So, we (like&nbsp;Batman) get misdirected into believing he&#8217;s rushing towards Rachel when, in fact, it&#8217;s Harvey he&#8217;s rushing to save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-gGbAA_-IC4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-establishing-time\"><span id=\"establishing-time\">Establishing Time<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The establishing shot can also&nbsp;convey time to the audience. Some filmmakers think it&#8217;s lazy to simply include text like &#8220;One year later.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An excellent way to establish the time instead is to return&nbsp;to a previous establishing shot&nbsp;and film in the same location,&nbsp;but at a different time in the day or later in the year. The audience will generally&nbsp;remember the earlier&nbsp;shot, and&nbsp;by reusing it in a different season, you can subtly indicate the passage of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the various shots below from <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0241527\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Harry Potter<\/a><\/em>. We know in each one that we&#8217;re back at Hogwart&#8217;s\u2014but at different times of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"755\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg\" alt=\"Harry Potter Establishing Shot\" class=\"wp-image-162318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg 755w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg?resize=300,81 300w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg?resize=277,75 277w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg?resize=359,97 359w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg?resize=543,147 543w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg?resize=560,152 560w, https:\/\/vip-go.premiumbeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Harry-Potter-Establishing-Shot-copy.jpg?resize=150,41 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>The same shot of Hogwart&#8217;s at different times of the year. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warnerbros.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Warner Bros<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If your story remains in the same location but shifts from day to night or vice versa, a clever technique is to show the time passing during&nbsp;the establishing shot itself. Cut from the scene inside to an outdoor view of the location, advance the time, then cut back into the scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2243973\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><em>Hannibal<\/em><\/a> made excellent use of this technique, which you can see below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Hannibal-Gif-1.gif\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Hannibal-Gif-1.gif\" alt=\"Hannibal Establishing Shot\" class=\"wp-image-162319\"\/><\/a><figcaption><em>Show the passing of time for your establishing shot. Image via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">NBC<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>For more tips on cinematography, check out these articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/kubrick-natural-light-full-metal-jacket\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">How Kubrick Used Mostly Natural Light on Full Metal Jacket<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/filmmaking-trends-shallow-focus-cinematography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Filmmaking Trends: Why Shallow Focus Cinematography Is Here to Stay<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/visually-dark-cold-films\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">The 5 Most Visually Dark and Cold Films Ever Made<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/symmetry-color-cinematography-blade-runner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">How Denis Villeneuve\u2019s Blade Runner 2049 Perfected the Art of Color Theory<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/youtubers-for-creative-cinematography-inspiration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">5 YouTubers to Follow for Creative Cinematography<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Cover image via&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warnerbros.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Warner Bros<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to set every scene with this in-depth look at the establishing shot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":162345,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4519,3843],"tags":[604,1093,536,5380,5322,472],"class_list":["post-class-post-80328","post-class-post","post-class-type-post","post-class-status-publish","post-class-format-standard","post-class-has-post-thumbnail","post-class-hentry","post-class-category-cinematography-2","post-class-category-filmmaking-2","post-class-tag-camera","post-class-tag-cinematography","post-class-tag-filmmaking","post-class-tag-inspiration","post-class-tag-shot-type","post-class-tag-video-production"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.5 (Yoast SEO v21.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Filmmaker&#039;s Guide to the Establishing Shot<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Angles, geography, storyline. 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