Cowboy Shot Definition
What is a cowboy shot in film?
A cowboy shot is when the subject is framed from the top of their head to below their hips or down to their knees. This is also known as a medium full shot (MFS) or a medium wide shot (MWS). It is called a cowboy shot because of its association with shootout scenes in Westerns — the frame is low enough to see the guns.
For more, read our full breakdown of the cowboy shot, including examples that illustrate the various functions.
Meanings & Purpose
Cowboy shot examples
Before we dive in the cowboy shot and everything it can do, let's start with some examples to familiarize ourselves with this type of camera shot. Open this visual gallery of cowboy shots to see the variety and their functions firsthand.
Emphasizes weaponry
Prioritize the background
Slightly diminish the character
Enhance character movement
Usages
What does a cowboy shot convey?
Based on its name, you might think that a cowboy shot has a single function. But just like every other shot size, it can be used for a variety of purposes. Whether you call it a medium full shot, a medium wide shot, or a cowboy shot, here are just a few types of applications.
Confrontation
Because of their association with shootouts, the cowboy shot carries with it a confrontational connotation, whether the character has a weapon or not.
Action or movement
Whereas a full or wide shot might be too distant, the cowboy shot is an effective choice to capture character movement like dancing, fighting, running, etc.
Group shots
The cowboy shot allows for multiple characters in the same shot while keeping their physicality, costumes, and faces all close enough to be registered.
Bodies on display
For those moments when the body itself is the subject, the cowboy shot allows for a more comprehensive view without needing a full shot or wide shot.
Qualities
Cowboy shot vs medium shot
In some circumstances, there is very little distance between what we'd call a medium shot or a cowboy shot. Medium shots typically end at the waist and a cowboy shot might begin just below the waist, so there might merely be inches between them. Here's a trick to recognize the difference: imagine the character is wearing holsters and guns — if you would be able to see them in the shot, it's a cowboy shot; if not, it's a medium shot.
Cowboy shot vs full shot
On the wider end of the cowboy shot, we get closer to a full shot. But the cowboy shot (at its widest) will end around the knees. A full shot, on the other hand, shows the entire body, from head to toe.
Case Study
Shot listing a cowboy shot
To get a more filmmaker's understanding of how to use a cowboy shot, let's look at a specific example. In the scene below, the Wachowskis included many purposeful high angle shots.
Click the shot list below, to see the full scene broken down, and ask yourself what each medium full shot communicates to a viewer.
There is obviously more than one way to use a medium full shot. In fact, there are many.
Let's dive into the creative applications of a cowboy shot when paired with other directing and cinematography choices.
Unique Pairings
What is the effect of a cowboy shot when paired with another camera technique?
How to combine the cowboy shot
As you know, there are many camera techniques, each with their own unique properties and effects. In isolation, they work just fine. But in combination, these camera techniques can take on more nuanced and effective qualities. Let's see what happens when you combine the cowboy shot with the following camera techniques.
- Push: Combined with a push, a high angle shot can build tension or emphasize a character's reaction.
- Pedestal Up: As the camera moves upward, the high angle shot becomes more pronounced.
- Dutch Angle: A Dutch angle tends to put the world or the character's state of mind off balance, or add tension to a deadly shootout.
- Tracking: Tracking with a character, especially when they are running, keeps the action/frame active without overwhelming the viewer.
- Hip Level: Keeping the camera a hip level puts extra emphasis on the waist, especially if there is a weapon present.
- Low Angle: Character A standing over Character B in a low angle cowboy shot exhibits extreme power and dominance.
Frequently asked questions about the cowboy shot
A cowboy shot frames the subject from the top of the head down to the hips below the waist or to the knees. It is also referred to as a medium full shot, or a medium wide shot.
If you hear someone refer to a medium full shot, they are also describing a cowboy shot. The same goes for a medium wide shot, but that's used more rarely. Either way, all of these refer to the same shot size.
A high angle shot can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Showing a character at a low moment
- When a character is confronted
- Placing the subject in an inferior position
- When a character is in a horizontal position like laying down
- To show more horizontal actions like writing, cooking, etc.
- To capture the ground around the character
- To give who or what a character is looking up to more power, influence, size, etc.
There's not much to shooting a cowboy shot:
- Choose the distance between the subject and camera
- Choose the height of the camera
- If the camera is at hip level, the camera would be level
- If the camera is above or below the hips, you would need to either tilt up or down accordingly to get the proper framing
- With the character framed up, you're ready to shoot!
