Single shot of a person without foreground obstructions, typically 50–135mm focal length, face positioned in frame thirds.
The focal length typically ranges from 50mm to 135mm (35mm equivalent) to ensure natural facial proportions. The framing follows the Rule of Thirds: the face is positioned in the right or left third of the frame, with the gaze directed into the empty third. Standard framings include Medium Close-Up (chest up), Close-Up (shoulders up), and Big Close-Up (face only). The depth of field at f/2.8 to f/4.0 is approximately 30-60cm to keep the background intentionally blurred. Modern productions often use 85mm lenses for flattering compression.
Orson Welles and Gregg Toland perfected the Clean Single in 1941 in "Citizen Kane" through deep focus experiments with 25mm wide-angle lenses. The classic Hollywood era (1930-1960) standardized the shot-reverse-shot rhythm with alternating Clean Singles. Vilmos Zsigmond revolutionized the aesthetic in 1974 with "The Conversation" using 200mm telephoto lenses, which created extreme image compression. Digital cameras from 2005 onwards enabled extended depth of field control in Clean Singles due to larger sensors (Super35, Full Frame).
Christopher Nolan uses Clean Singles with 65mm IMAX cameras in "The Dark Knight" (2008) for Joker interrogation scenes to enhance psychological intensity. The workflow follows the A/B camera system: Camera A shoots Clean Single Person 1, Camera B Clean Single Person 2, both simultaneously with identical focal lengths. "Her" (2013) exclusively uses Clean Singles on Joaquin Phoenix to visualize emotional isolation. The editing pace averages 3-8 seconds per Clean Single in dialogue scenes.
Over-the-Shoulder Shots show spatial relationships, while Clean Singles eliminate context in favor of emotional focus. Two-Shots maintain group dynamics, whereas Clean Singles isolate individual reactions. Dirty Singles with cropped foreground elements create spatial continuity – Clean Singles deliberately break this. Modern split-screen techniques replace classic Clean Single montages with simultaneous depiction. Steadicam moves between Clean Singles create fluid transitions without hard cuts.
Ich bevorzuge Clean Singles mit 85mm bei f/2.8, weil die Kompression Hautunreinheiten minimiert und die Augen natürlich betont. Die 180-Grad-Regel muss präzise eingehalten werden – bereits 10 Grad Abweichung zerstören die räumliche Logik im Schnitt. Bei Available Light arbeite ich mit ISO 800-1600, um die nötige Schärfentiefe ohne Überlichtung zu erreichen.
Clean Singles nutze ich gezielt für Wendepunkte – wenn Charaktere emotionale Entscheidungen treffen, isoliere ich sie visuell vom Rest der Welt. In "Breaking Bad" verstärken Clean Singles Walters psychologische Transformation, weil sie seine zunehmende Entfremdung spiegeln. Der Rhythmus zwischen Clean Single und Two-Shot kontrolliert das emotionale Tempo der Szene.
Clean Singles bedeuten doppelten Zeitaufwand, weil jede Dialogszene mindestens zwei Kamera-Setups erfordert – das sind zusätzliche 45-90 Minuten pro Szene. Allerdings reduzieren sie Schnittkosten, da weniger Coverage nötig ist als bei komplexen Kamerafahrten. Bei Low-Budget-Produktionen plane ich 60% Clean Singles, um teure Steadicam-Tage zu vermeiden.
1. Was beschreibt „Saubere Einzelne" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Saubere Einzelne"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
The Lexikon is part of the Filmfarm ecosystem — alongside budgeting (FilmBalance), an industry magazine (FilmCircus) and crew networking (FilmCall, CrewMesh). One shared vocabulary for the whole production.