Master Shot
Definition
A Master Shot (or "master") is a continuous shot that covers the entire action of a scene from a single camera position, typically a wide or medium-wide angle that captures all the actors and the full geography of the set. The master shot is usually filmed first, before the production moves in for closer coverage. It serves as the editorial "safety net" — the editor can always cut back to the master if the coverage is insufficient or if there are continuity problems in the closer shots.
Contextual Usage
The First AD announces the plan for the day: "We're going to start with the master shot — a wide two-shot that covers the entire scene from beginning to end. Once we have a clean master, we'll move in for coverage. The master is our safety net, so let's make sure we have at least three clean takes before we move on."
About this section
Production — or "principal photography" — is the phase in which the film or video is actually shot. It is the most visible and, typically, the most expensive phase of the entire process. Every day on ...
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