ASPECT RATIO
A Range of Three Consistent Sizes to Present Media to the Audience.
Aspects Ratios refer to the size of the film/sequence/scene/shot in terms of its width and height on the audience’s screen. The aspect ratio is important to the genre of the film. A common rule is in reference of what to capture: if there is horizontal discovery and information, such as wide scale environments or vehicular focus, then a wider aspect ratio will be suitable. If there is a lot more vertical discovery, such as high skyscrapers or a visual relationship with the sky, then a taller aspect ratio may be suitable.
2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)
This Aspect Ratio is one of the most popular cinematic aspect ratios alongside 1.85:1. It is very wide and very common in westerns, grand adventures and historical epics.
It is very effective when framing subjects as horizontally large: wide landscapes, worlds breathtakingly unfamiliar to the audience, etc. This aspect ratio is chosen for a variety of reasons. Since the screen is so wide, Close Ups on characters allow for a collective look at the landscapes around and behind them. Typically, the natural setting of the story plays a big part in the film’s overall narrative, like epics, adventures, and dynamic landscapes.
This aspect ratio is different from how we as humans view the world, so this aspect ratio is typically popular with fiction and fantasy films where the audience is meant to suspend their disbelief appropriately for their genre.
1.85:1 (Standard Widescreen)
This Aspect Ratio is one of the most popular cinematic aspect ratios alongside 2.35:1. It is a slightly narrower aspect ratio in comparison to the 2.35:1, but it is also taller in comparison. Although very popular in dramas and comedies, it can exist in a wide range of film genres.
It is very effective when framing subjects as vertically large: tall buildings, dinosaurs, imposing figures. This aspect ratio is chosen for a variety of reasons. First, they allow for wide shots without the audience feeling too far away from the characters. Since the screen is so much larger, Close Ups on characters feel more intimate and focused with little to no background distractions.
This aspect ratio is typically how we as humans view other people, so this aspect ratio is typically popular with non-fiction, dramas and comedy films where the audience is meant to be grounded in the narrative and ideas presented.
1.78:1 or 16:9 (Standard Video / Television)
This is the standard aspect ratio for modern television, as well as the defaults for most online videos since at least the mid-2000s due to HDTVs becoming exponentially popular. It can comfortably fit all four of the aspect ratios discussed, and is typically used when exploring with the Aspect Ratios.
Comments