Single shot definition
What is a single shot?
A single shot focuses the frame entirely on one character or subject, isolating them from others in the scene. This concentrated perspective breaks away from group or over-the-shoulder compositions, creating a more intimate composition. It draws attention to a single presence, highlighting emotion, detail, and internal experience.
Using single shots
Single shot examples
Get a sense of how single shots function by exploring this selection of examples. Watching them in context shows how isolating one subject in the frame can subtly (or dramatically) alter the viewer’s engagement with a scene:
Centers emotional nuance
Highlights physical detail
Amplifies a character’s internal state
Creates intimacy or psychological tension
Uses
What does a single shot in film do?
Unlike group compositions or shared frames, single shots zero in on just one individual, carving out space for a uniquely personal visual moment. This approach doesn’t just highlight a character: it immerses us in their emotional or psychological state. The act of isolating a subject transforms the image into something more introspective or revealing. Below are a few ways this focused technique can shift tone and storytelling:
Psychological Depth
Locking the frame on one character allows their emotions to unfold without interference. The longer we hold on that shot, the more information we gather.
Control and Emphasis
A solo frame gives the director total control over what we see—drawing focus to a glance, a hesitation. Here, the flame directs us even more to the face.
Rhythmic Disruption
Breaking from shared shots or group compositions, a single shot can interrupt the visual rhythm, heightening a specific moment and pushing all else to the side.
Emotional Exposure
With no one else in the frame, a character can appear raw or isolated. For moments of vulnerability, there's nothing better than a single shot.
Differences
Single vs close up shot
While single shots and close-ups can sometimes be one and the same, they aren't always interchangeable. A single refers to a shot that frames just one character, regardless of distance. It could be a wide shot, medium shot, or close-up. The defining feature is that the subject is alone in the frame. A close-up, on the other hand, describes the framing itself, typically a tight shot on a character’s face or a specific detail.
You can have a wide single or a close-up with two people in it, depending on the composition. Singles tend to emphasize isolation, focus, or interiority by keeping attention solely on one figure, while close-ups are more about intensifying visual or emotional detail. A close-up single can be especially powerful, but directors often choose between them based on narrative needs.
Case Study
Shot listing a single shot
Singles are everywhere, and they are the backbone of a filmmaker’s cinematic language. This scene from Zodiac shows how smartly executed singles can heighten a scene's subtext and suspense.
Click the shot list below to see the sequence.
Single shots are as frequently used as over-the-shoulder or group framings, and they offer a focused way to shape a moment.
Let’s explore how isolating one character in the frame can shift perspective and deepen your storytelling impact.
New combinations
How should you combine a single shot with other camera techniques?
How to pair a single shot
When used strategically, single shots can heighten emotional clarity and narrative focus, especially when combined with other cinematic techniques. By isolating one character within the frame, directors can shape how we perceive their presence, state of mind, or role in a scene. Here’s how single shots interact with other tools to deepen visual storytelling:
- Wide Shot: A single framed wide pulls one character into a vast environment, emphasizing solitude or insignificance.
- Dolly In: Slowly moving the camera toward a lone character creates a creeping sense of intensity.
- Shallow Depth of Field: This keeps the lone figure sharp while the world around them blurs, highlighting detachment or inner focus.
- Crash Zoom: A sudden push onto a single character can be startling, spotlighting a realization or turning point.
- Pan: Panning across a space to land on one figure introduces them with deliberate weight.
- Lighting Shift: Altering lighting mid-shot can dramatize a character’s psychological state or turning point.
Frequently asked questions about the eye level shot
A single shot features one character or subject framed on their own. It doesn’t refer to how close or far the camera is, but rather to who’s included in the frame, just one person, no others. This kind of shot creates visual focus and often draws attention to a character’s emotional state or physical presence.
Single shots isolate a subject, which can subtly shift how the audience interprets the moment. They’re effective when you want to:
- Highlight a character’s inner world or reaction
- Create a sense of emotional vulnerability
- Emphasize solitude
Simple: frame your shot so only one character appears on screen. This can be done in a wide, medium, or close-up composition. Pay attention to headroom, eye-line, and background so the focus stays firmly on your subject.
Single shots are great for moments of decision, reflection, confrontation, or isolation: essentially, anytime you want the audience fully keyed into one character without outside interference. They work best when emotional clarity or narrative emphasis is needed.
