Grammar of the Shot, 2nd Edition

The Direct to Camera Two-Shot

Whenever two people stand side by side and face the camera, you generate a more subjective shot. Their attention is toward the lens and not necessarily toward one another. An example of a truly subjective direct to camera two-shot would be two news anchors or sportscasters sitting side by side, addressing the viewing audience directly. A less subjective example would be two characters walking side by side down a city sidewalk approaching the camera (Figure 2.32) or perhaps two characters sitting in the front seats of a motor vehicle (Figure 2.33). These players have their bodies and faces opened up to the camera but, thanks to the conventions of fictional narrative objective shooting styles, they are not directly ...