Have you ever noticed that during a conversation between two (or more) people in a movie or a TV show, whenever you are looking at the person talking, you also see the shoulder of the person listening to the conversation at the edge of the frame? It makes you feel like you were right there, personally involved in the narrative. Well, this is a specific filmmaking technique called an over-the-shoulder shot (or OTS for short). Whether it's a quiet, intimate conversation or a tense interrogation, this type of shot can set the tone and pacing.
Today, we will explain everything you need to know about this filmmaking technique to help you understand what makes it so effective.
The Definition of an Over-the-Shoulder Shot
Definition
An over-the-shoulder shot is a framing technique in which the camera is just behind the subject, showing their shoulder and the back of their head in the foreground, with another character or object in focus in front.
Often used in dialogue scenes, interviews, or scenes where it's important that we see what the character is seeing, this shot places the viewer in the position of the listener and creates a subtle sense of intimacy.
Visual Traits of the Over-the-Shoulder Shot
Emphasizing Perspective
OTS shots are designed to mimic real-life conversations in which we see what the listener sees. This type of subjective angle builds a sense of empathy with the speaker, but it can also add tension. For instance, an over-the-shoulder shot of someone who cannot see us can feel very strange and uncomfortable, creating a different effect.
Creating Emotional Distance
We don't fully see the character facing the camera, as the view is obscured by the listener's shoulder, and that's intentional. Partial visibility can suggest some hidden emotions or unspoken thoughts, and it can add a sense of discomfort, especially during difficult exchanges that are packed with emotions.
Enhancing Dialogue Scenes
OTS shots strengthen the connection between the characters in the scene by showing both the speaker and the listener in one frame. While we cannot see the subject in the foreground completely, we can focus on the speaker, their micro-reactions, pauses, and emotional shifts.
Over-the-Shoulder Shot vs. POV Shot
Both OTS and POV shots tell us what the viewer is seeing, but they serve different emotional goals. A POV shot fully immerses the audience in the character's experience. It feels like you are seeing the world through their eyes. In contrast, an OTS shot keeps us close but not quite inside their head. We observe over their shoulder, maintaining a level of distance.
Contrasts
Over-the-Shoulder Shot
POV Shot
Viewer Perspective
Behind the character
Through the character's eyes
Emotional Impact
Semi-intimate, observational
Immersive, subjective
Use Case
Conversations, interviews
Action, tension, flashbacks
5 Famous OTS Scenes in Film and TV
Some of the most unforgettable exchanges in film and television rely on OTS shots to advance the story. Below, we will list five excellent film examples of the over-the-shoulder shot.
1. The Godfather (1972) - An Introduction to Don Corleone
In the opening sequence of one of the best movies of all time, we are introduced to the main character, Don Corleone, but we cannot see him. Instead, we see a man talking to him with fear and humility in his eyes. We see the back of Vito Corleone's head and subtle hand movements, and even though he doesn't say much in the scene, we instantly know that he is a well-respected crime boss, and we feel as intimidated as the speaker.
2. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Breaking Bad has some of the most intense conversations with over-the-shoulder shots throughout its runtime, but one of the most iconic scenes with this framing technique comes near the very end of the final episode. Here, there is no conversation. We see two characters looking at each other, realizing the horror they put each other through, but we can still see mutual respect.
3. The Office (2005-2013) - Any Dialogue Scene
The Office is a mockumentary-style sitcom, and it follows the workflow of a company that sells paper. If you've watched it, you know that it is one of the funniest shows on television of all time. Even though it stopped airing a long time ago, new generations are discovering it through streaming platforms. The over-the-shoulder shot is used multiple times in every episode during exchanges and character interviews, and it works to add a comedic effect.
4. True Detective (2014) - Detectives Interrogating a Detective
The first season of True Detective is a masterclass of how to use pacing and direction that is meant for movies and adapt them to the small screen. Here, we have a prime example of an over-the-shoulder shot with two listeners and one speaker. Two detectives interview another detective about a case that happened some time ago, and the speaker is put in the middle because his opinion and experience matter the most in this scene.
5. Fleabag (2016-2019)
Here we have a very unusual example of an over-the-shoulder shot. The main character (the listener) is looking at a person whom she is clearly falling in love with, but then she turns around and looks directly at the camera, breaking the fourth wall. Usually, in OTS shots, the listener is out of focus, and we cannot see their face, but this shot shows us that you can break principles to achieve the desired effect. In this British series, they do it a lot.
When and Where to Use Over-the-Shoulder Shots
Over-the-shoulder framing works best when characters interact, like in a conversation or a confession, especially when there is emotional tension or subtle nuances in the narrative. Let's consider some genres where it is most common, other techniques that go well with an over-the-shoulder shot, and a couple of artistic considerations.
Genre-Based Applications of Over-the-Shoulder Framing
Interviews
An over-the-shoulder shot is the only way to frame an interview properly and professionally. It mimics the natural point of view when talking to someone and allows space for emotional authenticity. It works great for documentaries, testimonials, or brand storytelling.
Psychological Thrillers
OTS shots can effectively increase the tension between characters in the scene when one character dominates the frame and the other appears distant or vulnerable. Artists and directors use them to create a sense of claustrophobia or passive aggression.
Intimate Drama
From relationship breakdowns to personal family exchanges, the over-the-shoulder shot brings the viewer as close to the raw emotion as possible in such scenes. The interesting part is that we can only see one character, while the other character's expressions are hidden.
Combining OTS with Other Framing Techniques
Shot/Reverse Shot with Medium Shots
When you use two OTS shots of two characters in a conversation and switch between them, that technique is called the shot-reverse shot. When working with such sequences, you can use medium shot framing (from the waist up) to add a sense of realism. The constant back-and-forth mirrors real emotional exchanges, which is great for story pacing.
At the emotional peak, you can slowly start pushing the camera forward during an OTS shot to draw the viewer deeper into the moment. This type of creative combination of different framing and filmmaking techniques can suggest a growing intensity in the story. It can show a character's vulnerability or, in contrast, their emotional closeness to each other.
Depth of Field Control for Focus Switching
By shifting the camera's focus settings between the speaker and listener, you can create a visual representation of how power or emotional dynamics shift in real time during an exchange. This technique has proven especially powerful during intense confrontations where characters are arguing about an important story topic.
Artistic Considerations for Over-the-Shoulder Shots
Balance Intimacy and Distance Through Framing
The amount of space between characters matters. A tightly framed OTS suggests a sense of closeness or confrontation, while a wide OTS can create a sense of detachment and emotional distance.
Blur the Foreground for Cinematic Depth
The shoulder or head in the foreground should be slightly out of focus to divert the viewer's attention to the subject who is speaking. Keep the speaker in sharp focus, and consider a zoom-in effect to increase intensity.
How to Combine Two Over-the-Shoulder Shots to Create a Shot-Reverse Shot
If you have recorded two OTS shots with two characters speaking to one another, you need an easy tool to help you combine them into a cohesive story. The best tool for the job is Wondershare Filmora. It is a powerful video editor that provides straightforward, non-linear, magnetic timelines for cutting, trimming, and arranging clips.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Combining Over-the-Shoulder Shots into a Shot-Reverse Shot Interview
Download and install Filmora on your PC or laptop. Then, open Filmora, create a new project, import two clips that feature the over-the-shoulder framing technique, and drag them to the timeline.
Find the moment in the timeline where you want to cut, then click on the Scissors icon to divide the clip into two parts. Select and delete the clips you don’t need by clicking on them and pressing Delete on your keyboard.
Step 2
Hover over the beginning and end point of each clip until you see the Trim icon. Then, click and move to trim the clip to perfection.
Step 3
Finally, when the clips are properly cut and trimmed, you can click on any of them and move them next to one another.
Common Over-the-Shoulder Shot Mistakes and Fixes
Breaking the 180-Degree Rule
You are breaking the 180-degree rule by panning the camera too far to the side, which means that the audience can now see the side of the set that they shouldn't.
Fix: Use Markers to Outline Visible Areas
Use duct tape or other types of markers on the set to clearly outline what part of the set the audience can see. Then, position your characters in the frame so that the tape you placed on the floor or wall is not visible. Keep all camera setups consistent across takes.
Distracting Foreground
The foreground is too distracting, and the listener's shoulder obscures the view of the person talking, making the entire frame look unpolished and unprofessional.
Fix: Apply the Rule of Thirds
You need to consider the rule of thirds. Activate the framing grid in your camera's viewfinder, and make sure that the eyelines match the upper line in the grid. The shoulder should occupy the left or right third of the screen, leaving the middle for the speaker.
Secure Download
