The shooting ratio of a film is the ratio of the amount of footage that is shot to the amount of footage that is actually used in the final film. For example, if a film has a shooting ratio of 10:1, that means that for every 10 minutes of footage that was shot, only 1 minute made it into the final cut.
Common Shooting Ratios
The following are some common shooting ratios:
- 1:1 This means that for every minute of footage that is shot, one minute makes it into the final film. This is a very low shooting ratio and is typically only used for very short films or documentaries.
- 2:1 This is a common shooting ratio for feature films. It means that for every two minutes of footage that is shot, one minute makes it into the final film.
- 3:1 This is a relatively high shooting ratio and is typically only used for very large-scale films with a lot of action or special effects. It means that for every three minutes of footage that is shot, one minute makes it into the final film.
What Does the Shooting Ratio Mean to You?
The shooting ratio can tell you a lot about a film. For example, a film with a low shooting ratio may have been carefully planned and executed, while a film with a high shooting ratio may have been more experimental or improvisational.
Some Famous Shooting Ratios
- Psycho (1960): 1.5:1
- The Godfather (1972): 2.5:1
- Star Wars (1977): 6:1
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): 12:1
Conclusion
The shooting ratio is an important tool that can help you to understand a film. By knowing the shooting ratio, you can learn more about the filmmaker's intentions and the process of making the film.