Cinematographer
Die Supertotale ist meine epischste Einstellung. Sie zeigt die Welt in ihrer Größe – und die Figuren als Teil davon. Technisch braucht sie Weitwinkel, gutes Licht und oft erhöhte Positionen.
The widest camera angle—shows landscapes, cities, or locations in their entirety. Characters are tiny or invisible. For epic establishing shots and existential moments.
What is an Extreme Long Shot?
The Extreme Long Shot (English: Extreme Long Shot, Extreme Wide Shot, or ELS/EWS) is the widest of all shot sizes. It shows landscapes, cities, or locations in their entirety – people are tiny or not visible at all. It establishes places and conveys scale and mood.
Technical Definition
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Image Content | Landscape, cityscape, expanse |
| Figure Size | Tiny to invisible |
| Focal Length | Wide-angle (14–35mm) |
| Typical Duration | 3–10 seconds |
Shot Sizes in Comparison
| Shot | German | Figure Size | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme Long Shot | Supertotale | Tiny/invisible | Show location |
| Long Shot | Totale | Full figure + space | Context |
| Full Shot | Halbtotale | Full figure | Action |
| Medium Shot | Halbnahe | Waist up | Dialogue |
| Close-Up | Nahe | Face | Emotion |
| Extreme Close-Up | Detail | Eye/detail | Intensity |
Effect of the Extreme Long Shot
Psychological Effects
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Awe | Size of the world |
| Loneliness | Human vs. expanse |
| Freedom | Open horizons |
| Threat | Overwhelming environment |
| Transition | Time jump, location change |
Narrative Functions
| Function | Application |
|---|---|
| Establishing | Where are we? |
| Time Jump | New scene/location |
| Existential | Human vs. universe |
| Journey | Being on the move |
| Conclusion | Leaving the location |
Significant Film Examples
| Film | Director | Scene | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence of Arabia | Lean | Desert | Genre definition |
| Lord of the Rings | Jackson | New Zealand | Epic journey |
| The Revenant | Iñárritu | Wilderness | Survival |
| Blade Runner 2049 | Villeneuve | Cityscapes | Dystopia |
| Mad Max: Fury Road | Miller | Desert | Isolation |
| 2001: A Space Odyssey | Kubrick | Spaceship/planets | Existential |
Types of Extreme Long Shots
Landscape Extreme Long Shot
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Content | Pure nature |
| Effect | Awe, expanse |
| Examples | Westerns, adventures |
City Extreme Long Shot
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Content | Skyline, streets |
| Effect | Urban, bustling |
| Examples | Thrillers, dramas |
Space Extreme Long Shot
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Content | Outer space, planets |
| Effect | Existential, small |
| Examples | Sci-fi |
Technical Implementation
Equipment
| System | Application | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Wide-angle lens | Standard | Width |
| Drone | Aerial | Flexible |
| Helicopter | Cinema-aerial | Stability |
| Crane/Jib | Elevated position | Controlled |
Focal Lengths
| Focal Length | Effect |
|---|---|
| 14–20mm | Extremely wide, distorted |
| 24–35mm | Wide, natural |
| 50mm | Telephoto extreme long shot, compressed |
Location Requirements
| Aspect | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Vantage point | Is an elevated position needed? |
| Light | Golden/blue hour ideal |
| Weather | Clouds, atmosphere |
| Permits | Drone flight, helicopter |
Extreme Long Shot as an Establishing Shot
Classic Sequence
| Step | Shot | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extreme Long Shot (City) | Where are we? |
| 2 | Long Shot (Building) | Which place? |
| 3 | Medium Long Shot (Room) | Inside |
| 4 | Medium/Close-up | The scene begins |
TV vs. Film
| Medium | Usage |
|---|---|
| Film | Elaborate, expensive, selective |
| TV | Stock footage, more frequent |
Variations
The "Ant" Extreme Long Shot
- People as tiny dots
- Existential effect
- Example: Lawrence on the camel
The "Arrival" Extreme Long Shot
- Character enters location
- New world, new rules
- Example: Frodo sees Mordor
The "Departure" Extreme Long Shot
- Character disappears into the distance
- Emotional conclusion
- Example: Western endings
The "Lean" Legacy
David Lean perfected the extreme long shot:
| Film | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Lawrence of Arabia | Desert as a character |
| Doctor Zhivago | Vastness of Russia |
| Bridge on the River Kwai | Jungle epic |
His Influence
The "Lean Extreme Long Shot" defined epic cinema – 70mm, vast landscapes, humans as dots against nature.
The Legacy
In Film History
- Silent film: Limited by technology
- Golden Age: CinemaScope enabled width
- Lean Era: Perfection of the format
- Digital: Drones democratized it
Influence
The extreme long shot is the tool for epic cinema – it shows the world larger than us and makes the film a visual experience.
Today
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Frequent (establishing) |
| Equipment | Drone, wide-angle lens |
| Cost | Variable (drone inexpensive, heli expensive) |
| Trend | More drone shots |
Modern Development
Drones have democratized the extreme long shot – what used to require a helicopter can now be done by any production.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Die Supertotale sagt: 'Schau, wo wir sind.' Sie ist der visuelle Ausrufepunkt für Ankunft, Abschied oder existentielle Momente – wenn die Weite die Geschichte erzählt.
Producer
Supertotalen brauchen oft Locations, Drohnen oder Hubschrauber. Sie definieren den Production Value eines Films – das Geld sieht man auf der Leinwand.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Supertotale"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?