A Love Letter to the Establishing Shot
First impressions matter. And for video, that’s where an establishing shot comes into play. It’s the visual equivalent of a warm welcome: the "here we are!" moment.
It does exactly what it says on the tin: it establishes.
Think of your favourite sitcom. (mine is Seinfeld!)
Every time we cut to the main character’s home or workplace, what’s the first thing you see? An external wide shot of the building!
Just a single shot lets you know:
exactly where you are
what time of day it is
what vibe you’re in for
All without a single word of dialogue!
Now, this might seem like a very 1st year media studies topic to rattle on about, but trust me - establishing shots are crucial to any video, and it's often overlooked on a shoot day!
The establishing shot does some seriously heavy lifting.
It Sets the Scene in Seconds:
In just one shot, you can communicate the time, place, and setting. Whether it’s the entrance to a conference hall, a shopping centre storefront, or a cozy café, the audience is instantly clued in.
It Instantly Creates Tone:
What's the intended mood of the video? If it's fun and playful, your establishing shots can be fast paced, paired with some goofy music. For a reflective piece, the establishing shot can give ponderous music a moment of breathing room. Just 1 carefully selected shot sets the tone and emotion for everything that comes next.
It Saves Time:
Rather than explaining where we are with a long-winded intro, a talking head or god forbid - long sentences of text on screen, the establishing shot gives your audience all the context they need in a fraction of the time. It's simple stuff, but "Show, don't tell" is a cliché for a reason!
It's not Just for the Movies!
They’re just as important in other types of videos—like event reels for example.
Imagine you’ve only got 2 minutes to capture the excitement and energy of an event. Don't waste time setting up the context; drop in an establishing shot of the event space! That shot instantly tells your viewers where they are, so you can jump straight into the fun stuff!
Chaining Shots Together
Want to add even more detail? Try chaining a few establishing shots together to zoom in and further refine the context. Start with a wide shot of the building exterior, then move to the lobby, and finally into the heart of the action. Each shot builds on the last, giving the audience a sense of moving deeper into the world of your video.
We did a great video for Specsavers that riffed on the goofy vibes of The Office. you may notice an Establishing shot or three!
So, next time you’re on a shoot, don’t skip over the establishing shot! That one shot is your best friend for setting up the story, mood, and context in a flash.
First impressions only happen once—make it count!
And if this first impression worked for you, why not grab a same-day quote from Balloon Tree Productions! We'll establish why that's a great idea after an email or two!