Closeup Shot

A Close-Up Shot (CU) is a type of shot that tightly frames a subject, focusing on its details and expressions. It is commonly used in film, photography, and television to emphasize emotion, texture, or important visual elements.

Types of CloseUp Shots

1. Medium Close-Up (MCU) – Frames the subject from the chest or shoulders up.
2. Close-Up (CU) – Focuses primarily on the face or an object, capturing finer details.
3. Extreme Close-Up (ECU/XCU) – Zooms in on specific facial features (eyes, lips, hands) or tiny details for dramatic effect.

Uses of CloseUp Shots in Filmmaking

1. Express Emotions – Captures subtle facial expressions and emotions of characters.
2. Highlight Details – Focuses on objects, actions, or symbols that are key to the story.
3. Increase Intensity – Enhances dramatic moments by drawing the audience closer to the subject.

Examples of CloseUp Shots in Films

1. Extreme Close-Up of an eye (Psycho, 1960 – Shower Scene)
2. Close-Up of hands writing (Se7en, 1995 – Opening Credits)
3. Emotional Close-Up of a character (The Godfather, 1972 – Michael’s transformation)

Additional Readings

• Wikipedia – Closeup Shot