ASPECT RATIO - A Guide for Editors & Filmmakers

00:00 Preview
00:23 Introduction
01:25 Part 1 - Getting Started
05:32 Part 2 - Things Get Wide
14:09 Part 3 - Beyond Scope
20:15 Part 4 - Your Move
24:03 Final Thoughts
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The seemingly random dimensions of 35mm motion picture film not only determined the shape of the first motion picture aspect ratio, but its legacy still influences cinema today. Learn how the changing shape of cinema has shaped the way films are made, considering topics such as composition, blocking, staging storytelling and editing.
Video Essay - Written, Recorded and Animated by Leon Barnard
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[@javadsani4490]

On of the best educational videos about filmmaking that I've seen on youtube. HUGE Thanks!

[@pankazkaladhar7531]

Thank you so very much for being kind to all the independent filmmakers in the world.

[@midnighttornado22]

Oh man, if only you were able to include Marvel's WandaVision series. Aspect ratio flexing on that one! Excellent video, by the way!

[@DitishetNieuwsOMB]

I'm surprised this video doesn't have more views. It's one of the best breakdowns of AR on KZbin

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you! We are too 😂

[@DitishetNieuwsOMB]

@@FilmEditingPro Haha... Slow and steady! In the future, this might blow up. Thanks for creating it🔥

[@agilelabs]

This is just outstanding... It speaks to how to film using cinemascope

[@abymathew575]

I purchased your "Art of Trailer Editing" course. That's totally changed my way of approach editing. Now I'm trying to purchase your music editing course. This is the best editing channel I've ever seen on the Internet. Thanks from India for your effort behind this

[@FilmEditingPro]

Awesome, thank you, Aby! Its great to have you with us :)

[@MrSceneNine]

An absolutely fantastic video. I've enrolled into a couple of your courses over the last couple of years and I can't believe you're giving these high quality videos away for free on top of how good the paid stuff is. Amazing. Interestingly that little tidbit about 70mm being cut in half to create 35mm seems to always be missing from any other video I've watched about aspect ratios. I don't know why, because it's such a fascinating decision that they made and it became such an important one as well. It's so important to understand that history if you want to get a real grasp on these things, I think.

[@FilmEditingPro]

So glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! It’s definitely surprising how interesting a seemingly dry topic like aspect ratios can actually be when you dig into it.

[@mikekaye3874]

I have been preaching ratio. 70mm for years. Explaining for years. Since way before it was known. I have been filming video and editing in the 70mm ratio of video when I was told it was not proper and people won't get use to it since the early 80's. Then a few years later Music Video's started doing the same things, and the editing studio I was working for considered me a prodigy. BUT THIS IS THE BEST Documentation I have ever seen on the subject. Beyond Excellent Job. SUPER 70 MM BEYOND EXCELLENT JOB! Thanks. - Toronto, Canada. PS: I would love for TV Manufactures to create a constant height TV so we can watch all films the way they were shot. Without having any unused pixels. Doing a constant height home theatre with your projector is great. And when I build my next home theatre with a projector. I am going for constant height. I miss the days of the travelling matte that use to be used in the theatres in the old days, as well as the curtains. But now a days it just a big screen with a floating image within the white screen. PPS: I only felt that IMAX back to 70 mm worked really well in Guardians Of The Galaxy 3D, and it actually felt like a character and well used tool in Batman V Superman. Although I really appreciated the moments when Nolan used it in Batman. Those two films I mentioned are my favourite uses of it. I didn't notice it as I was watching Batman V Superman. I felt it. I felt it in the scene and story. Then realized what they had done. When and why. Excellent job. I will subscribe and watching all your videos, thanks.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Great to have you with us and thank you for the very kind words!

[@malcolmclarkson1503]

It's funny that they showed The Wire when discussing 1.77 (16:9), because the show was originally framed for 1.33. HBO had to do a lot of work to paint out crew and equipment on the sides of the frame when they remastered the show in HD.

[@SICRoosterKido]

This has to be the best video about aspect ratios on KZbin! * amazed *

[@techy3382]

Masterpiece knowledge .

[@richardkronenberg1580]

Beautifully done. Very informative and really creative visuals.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks, Rich!

[@ShaneBaker]

Thank you! I'm not a film maker - I'm an "enthusiast" photographer (ie: I make no money from it) but I found this absolutely fascinating. Please keep these videos coming.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Great to have you with us, Shane! We’ll keep them coming.

[@Cineinsaner]

this is best editing channel in whole univers.. i love this you guys so much... i learn and bcom good editor bcoz of you .. tysm for great videos.. love from india.. tysm again.. please keep it up guys

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you!

[@robinbaldrian3352]

Fantastic Video and explanation. Better than film school.

[@SoNowWhat]

Exceptional and educational! Very well done. Bravo!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@stuntmansupreme]

This channel is the best editing channel by far. Loved the video.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks, Rory!!

[@garima2473]

So useful and informative🔶

[@desmanage]

That was a blast - an educational video based on a timeline to make it a story. Congratulations on putting that together, very informative and entertaining at the same time - anyone might think you know what you are doing! Thanks for putting it together I shall now be telling people in the pub why 1920x1080 (1.78) is the omnipresent HD aspect ratio - and it is not what they might have thought. Tremendous stuff - and anyone thinking this video may be a bit dry - just press the play button and sit back and be surprised. KP

[@kevinbillington9773]

I have been influenced to shoot in 2:40, but after this excellent educational video, I have realized my big mistake and will now shoot my feature in 1:85. Thank You

[@FilmEditingPro]

Very glad it was helpful!

[@toonboy7]

I couldn't have said it better myself - a delightful explanation and reasoning!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you so much - very glad you enjoyed!

[@filmkids1846]

I think the best tutorial on aspect ratio that I have seen... thank you!

[@weltfisch]

Excellent...

[@sreevighnesh243]

beautifully explained

[@lung325]

This is the best video I've ever seen on aspect ratio and I've seen some great ones.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks so much, Lung!

[@janhelge67]

This is a great treatment of this topic - the best I have ever seen here on KZbin!

[@KrolikPudding]

Beautifully done and very informative! Thank you!

[@Cert116]

This is hands down the best video on the subject of aspect ratios ever.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank-you so much! glad you enjoyed it.

[@karanodedara3128]

Another great content.

[@storyteller6204]

Perfectly done, amazing content.

[@Thibster]

Brilliant!

[@synbios2009]

Amazing video. Congratulations guys.

[@katendeman340]

Awesome course

[@pranaykhara]

Such a comprehensive video.. Loved it !!

[@Chips-Lab]

Amazing content thank you so much

[@Hardjaxl]

Awesome presentation

[@GORILLAmation]

Very informative and educational, exceptional execution! Thank you.

[@Ammax7]

Great video I have ever seen ❤

[@PitiYindee]

The best video about aspect ratio to date!

[@helmet212]

Excellent! I just can't appreciate it enough your effort and knowledge. Brilliant.

[@willtobias5280]

This was excellent and very helpful, thank you

[@mohithebbar9178]

Thank you very much

[@RaoulEnoiu]

Love the breakdown! As much as I love 2.40 there are merits to all ratios!

[@BenDurham]

Wow this was INCREDIBLE! Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this.

[@MichaelEdo_]

Thank you ❤

[@HotMuffinMedia]

Very well done! Great information!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you kindly!

[@darkvader7231]

Excellent video on a subject that most normal people do not think about or notice when sat in the cinema or watching tv at home, thank you!!

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

I am impressed. This is beautifully made and and so clear. I have already visited the page. Thanks!

[@martifingers]

Wide ranging, thorough, well informed and artistically aware. Exemplary, I would say.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank-you :) That's the perfect compliment.

[@jornkux9033]

just excellent!!! Thank you so much for making this!

[@FilmEditingPro]

You’re welcome - very glad you liked it!!

[@dreammediafilm]

Outstanding video!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you! 👍🎞✂️

[@ryanwatkins8369]

so good!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks, Ryan!

[@catoarce]

Thenk you very much for all the work you guys put in your videos. Inspiring.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank you too!

[@vansh_ahluwalia]

The views doesn't do justice to the amount of work that has been put into this video. Truly amazing. lots of love❤

[@plantsrealm]

Simply splendid! Thank you so much for this wonderful lesson in the power of knowing your frame. Nailed it!

[@FilmEditingPro]

You’re very welcome, Yadira!

[@efhurtado]

Wow! What an excellent piece of information. I learned, I reinforced the little I knew, and you gave me a voice about the new vertical viewing tendencies. We, humans, have a natural angle of view in landscape format. Thanks a lot!

[@FilmEditingPro]

You’re very welcome! Our trainer Leon is the wizard being this lesson. I think he nailed it too! -Chris

[@Pedr4m]

Well done. This video deserves way more views than it currently has.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank-you Pedram! Spread the word please :)

[@ShowCat1]

Fantastic information, well done.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thank-you.

[@peternavanac9310]

Super informative. Thanks!!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jsl151850b]

*William Castle's Fantasy/Comedy ZOTZ! was presented in 1.85:1.*

[@romanbruni]

thanks for the panoramic view of aspect ratios... absolutely enlightening ! cheers from Rio

[@FilmEditingPro]

So glad you enjoyed it.

[@jocehockings4192]

Fascinating history lesson. Thanks

[@FilmEditingPro]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Tarek_Abdelhafez]

Thanks a billion for the outstanding video. I felt I am attending a lecture in a film school with full concentration not to miss any part. What I wish to see more about how your gear can affect the choice for aspect ratio. Or, not affecting at all. Thanks again to the best editing channel.

[@FilmEditingPro]

It’s great to have you with us, Tarek, and thank you so much for the kind words!

[@Majestic784]

Best channel on KZbin..

[@newcinestarsproductionsure8227]

Nice to meet you.....

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks for coming

[@kkrish1723]

It's wonderful information for beginners like me. And the way of explaining is simple it's easy to understand. Thank you so much.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@johnwilcox7826]

ten out of ten amazing

[@WMCheerman]

Great video

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks! Really appreciate that. Check our What Drives the Cut Series too. Would love to know what you think.

[@BeaverOne]

Great video. That's all I can say !!

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks so much.

[@stevesvids]

Well.... thats gotta be one of the most informative videos I've ever had the pleasure to watch. It's most certainly earned you a big fat SUB. 😎📷👊 It was fascinating and taught me so many things including how little I know. 😄. I arrived here after searching vids on aspect ratio as I've been editing a lot of my photography to a final framed 1.85 ratio. Ive been doing this for a while as I view most of my work on my big TV and I enjoy the 1.85 ratio filling the screen. I find viewing other ratios quite annoying. I've been wondering why I feel this way about my viewing experiences and now it all makes more sense why I favour this aspect ratio, and why it doesn't always suit the images im producing. Every days a school day. 😄📷😎👊👋

[@FilmEditingPro]

Heya Steve! We are so glad you enjoyed the video. It was a labour of love and we wanted to make something considered and informative about. Check out our series 'What Drives the Cut' kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4GUlq2Hbsabjtk We'd love to know what you think of it.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Where scope fails is when it's not only used as "less" but when that less is also compounded by filling up less of the screen of EVERY movie's final destination. And that's a TV in someone's home. TVs are 16:9 and scope feels SMALL on them compared to 1.85, 2:1, or even as small a change as 2.2:1. Home projection is still pretty bad unless you drop 5k+ on laser or god knows how much on a professional-level projection system, and most people aren't going to do that. Future movies should all consider that at the end of the day, a 16:9 window is going to be displaying the movie, and they should block and frame all aspect ratios used in the film (yes, switching is allowed AND useful) with that regard in mind. It sucks how many movies are less than optimal to me because they appear so small on my TV, and on top of that, actors faces are too zoomed in on or there's too much negative space. Luckily, I have VLC media player, so I can custom crop to whatever I want at any time during the movie. Most movies in scope can be cropped to 2:1 and look better. ALL of them can be cropped to 2.2:1 and look better. And SOME of them can even be taken as far as 16:10 or even 3:2 in certain scenes and it still works, though once you get below 1.85:1 it starts to degrade, particularly when you perfectly match it to 16:9 as that feels more like "TV" or a Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks/etc. movie since there's no boxing at all, letter or otherwise.

[@imliljake]

Gooooooood no dislikes

[@Ammax7]

I am personally willing to buy your online courses about video editing. This video change my mind about your paid courses.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Looking forward to having you with us!

[@alextan1478]

Titanic & Skyfall were presented in an expanded aspect ratio in IMAX in 2012.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Titanic was shot on spherical lenses on super35, yet matted to 2.39. Skyfall was shot on spherical lenses on a 1.78 sensor and matted to 2.39. That means there is extra image available for blowing up to the taller IMAX aspect ratio.

[@thorstenjaspert9394]

I like 2:1 aspect ratio. It looks epic but not do much. The double square gives a good frame to compose movy shots. Netflix supports this ratio for its own productions. It looks nice on tv screens and cinema sreen as well.

[@johnlindsaygreen8547]

Glad that I found your video on motion picture aspect ratios. I'm currently seeking to locate someone or a company that specializes in formatting Digital Cinema Package (DCP). I have a Short film in post-production editing. Would you be able to provide any referrals? Thanks so much!

[@thatRyzzle]

Here's my thing: I love the look and feel of images shot through an anamorphic lens, but I prefer the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. That particular combo doesn't exist, does it? I know you could just crop the resulting 2.35:1 image to 1.85:1, but that just throws away so much material-it feels like a waste.

[@PURESOULMEDIA]

From Where we can Get This Software ???? And What is The Price ?????? Is it Possible to use By Smartphone also ???????

[@Anandartistry]

Do you guys have a Sound effects pack which we could purchase or download? From an editor and a very big fan of FEP from India. 🙏

[@FilmEditingPro]

Hi Anand! We don’t specifically sell a standalone SFX pack but all of our paid courses include SFX as part of the whole package.

[@Met9171]

Are you saying that whatever the aspect ratio you use must be accompanied by the putting of aspect ratio?

[@FilmEditingPro]

Not sure what you mean! Sorry

[@iantheianthe3862]

Could you tell me how to buy a registration?

[@FilmEditingPro]

www.filmeditingpro.com/training

[@iantheianthe3862]

I want to sign up for music editing, but I never find a link to sign up

[@FilmEditingPro]

Hi there! We just got your message and email and will send over registration details shortly.

[@iantheianthe3862]

@@FilmEditingPro Thank you. Looking forward to it.

[@FilmEditingPro]

@@iantheianthe3862 just a heads up - we sent the email around 2 hours ago. If you don’t see it be sure to check your junk/spam folders

[@iantheianthe3862]

@@FilmEditingPro Does the tutorial have CC subtitles?

[@ArnoldTohtFan]

Why not make the size of the film cell identical to the aspect ratio? It also makes no sense to me why IMAX, the largest film format ever made, would go with the 4:3 ratio instead of the 1:85:1 ratio. Also, if they simply made the perforations larger, they wouldn't need to have so many.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Initially the film cell was identical to the aspect ratio. But as audiences demanded new aspect ratios it would have been impractical to design a new camera each time.

[@ArnoldTohtFan]

@@FilmEditingPro I see. Do you happen to know if it would be possible to create a positive film stock for large formats like IMAX, as opposed to the negative stock I believe is conventionally used?

[@MillerNj41]

It’s hit n miss for me I have both crt 4:3 n 16x9 flatscreen n I synced rocky4&5 and 4:3 was further away n showed top n bottom but wide screen cut it out for sides n is more zoomed in Star Wars is same I have vhs n dvd versions n dvd shows top bottom n more on sides down side is it’s cropped with black bars on every side like why not make it to fit 16x9 tv I guess to keep not only all sides of frame but also clarity

[@FilmEditingPro]

Not all 4:3 versions of movies are equal! Some are pan and scans of the original widescreen material. Others use the original open matte negative to reveal more image not seen in the original theatrical release. These are often more enjoyable than pan and scans as they yield more comfortable compositions.

[@mdturnerinoz]

The ONLY complaint here was that in numerous spots herein, the music was as LOUD or LOUDER (caps intended) as the narrator's voice. For me as a viewer, that was VERY distracting. Otherwise, way cool video! Thanks!

[@vince1000]

cine mahr

[@FilmEditingPro]

Thanks for watching.

[@michaelwyckoff7593]

If the screen is not filled up completely I use the zoom mode setting. I hate black bars top and bottom and the sides.

[@FilmEditingPro]

Yes, it's nice when the screen is filled. There's beautify for sure though in different aspect ratios! We need TVs that can change shape :)

[@michaelwyckoff7593]

@@FilmEditingPro yeah I wish there was a way to do that.

[@nathanpollard1223]

I'm pretty sure there's a TV out there that can move some speakers or whatnot to essentially change the aspect ratio.

[@Met9171]

Are you trying to say that whatever the aspect ratio you use must be accompanied by those black bars because it looks good?

[@FilmEditingPro]

No. Not at all.

[@mba2ceo]

2:1 is the BEST - Directors SUX or just lazy today ... 2:1 is the my favorite

[@And-vx6ry]

Tv Program or Movie 16:9 no black bars is legendary, directors should shoot at whatever resolutions they want but all important stuff should fit within 16:9 area. 1920x1080 16:9 full screen no black bars looks so cool on my old 50 inch tv.

[@FilmEditingPro]

This is already standard practice. It's called shoot and protect. Cinematographers will frame with multi aspect ratios in mind. It's also sometimes called safe framing.