Shot Zero
@shotzero.bsky.social
We talk shot design - because shot design isn’t just how it looks and feels, it’s how it works. www.shot-zero.com
Produced by Stu Willis & Mel Killingsworth
Produced by Stu Willis & Mel Killingsworth
Pinned
Shot Zero
@shotzero.bsky.social
· Sep 10
#Andor FrameWithoutFrame 2/5
Through S1, Vel and Cinta had similar ideals, but polar opposite ideas of how they could work together within the Rebellion, and this frame reminds us of this visually.
I’m also interested in how we get *into* this frame, though:
Through S1, Vel and Cinta had similar ideals, but polar opposite ideas of how they could work together within the Rebellion, and this frame reminds us of this visually.
I’m also interested in how we get *into* this frame, though:
Happy New Year and all that jazz!
Check our website and Substack to see more shots we're looking forward to in the coming year.
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
Check our website and Substack to see more shots we're looking forward to in the coming year.
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
January 8, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Happy New Year and all that jazz!
Check our website and Substack to see more shots we're looking forward to in the coming year.
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
Check our website and Substack to see more shots we're looking forward to in the coming year.
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
Before #ThePitt's season 2 premiere, we look back at how the show sets up for events episodes in advance - this scene from Episode 9 had plenty of foreshadowing!
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
January 8, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Before #ThePitt's season 2 premiere, we look back at how the show sets up for events episodes in advance - this scene from Episode 9 had plenty of foreshadowing!
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
Full disclosure, this #MyLifeisMurder 1.05 “Feet of Clay” title card made our list mostly because I (Mel) have uttered some version of Alexa’s rant*.
I'm also amused they make use of the “don’t walk pants / walk skirt” signals, which actually grace several crossings in the Melbourne CBD.
1/2
I'm also amused they make use of the “don’t walk pants / walk skirt” signals, which actually grace several crossings in the Melbourne CBD.
1/2
January 7, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Full disclosure, this #MyLifeisMurder 1.05 “Feet of Clay” title card made our list mostly because I (Mel) have uttered some version of Alexa’s rant*.
I'm also amused they make use of the “don’t walk pants / walk skirt” signals, which actually grace several crossings in the Melbourne CBD.
1/2
I'm also amused they make use of the “don’t walk pants / walk skirt” signals, which actually grace several crossings in the Melbourne CBD.
1/2
Always love a good A Christmas Carol quote
January 7, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Always love a good A Christmas Carol quote
Reposted by Shot Zero
#Film89ShotOfTheDay
No.2980
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Director: Sergio Leone
Cinematographer: Tonino Delli Colli
No.2980
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Director: Sergio Leone
Cinematographer: Tonino Delli Colli
January 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM
#Film89ShotOfTheDay
No.2980
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Director: Sergio Leone
Cinematographer: Tonino Delli Colli
No.2980
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Director: Sergio Leone
Cinematographer: Tonino Delli Colli
Reposted by Shot Zero
"I've got passion, and for people who don't, I make them see how trite their lives are."
In memory of the trailblazing John Singleton, legendary Oscar/Emmy-nominated filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer on what should have been his 58th birthday.
He was #BOTD on 1/6/1968
In memory of the trailblazing John Singleton, legendary Oscar/Emmy-nominated filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer on what should have been his 58th birthday.
He was #BOTD on 1/6/1968
January 7, 2026 at 5:23 AM
"I've got passion, and for people who don't, I make them see how trite their lives are."
In memory of the trailblazing John Singleton, legendary Oscar/Emmy-nominated filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer on what should have been his 58th birthday.
He was #BOTD on 1/6/1968
In memory of the trailblazing John Singleton, legendary Oscar/Emmy-nominated filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer on what should have been his 58th birthday.
He was #BOTD on 1/6/1968
In the ‘setup’ shot (0:00-0:04), a doc draws attention to the monitor by pushing buttons; after the jolt, the camera cuts to that monitor in the foreground in focus and newly angled (for more drama!), before heartbeat lines draw in the title card.
#MyLifeisMurder 1.08
#MyLifeisMurder 1.08
January 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
In the ‘setup’ shot (0:00-0:04), a doc draws attention to the monitor by pushing buttons; after the jolt, the camera cuts to that monitor in the foreground in focus and newly angled (for more drama!), before heartbeat lines draw in the title card.
#MyLifeisMurder 1.08
#MyLifeisMurder 1.08
"My Life is Murder" pilot episode uses not one but two Melbourne icons — Flinders Street Station and a tram — to establish exactly where Alexa is doing her sleuthing!
January 5, 2026 at 11:02 PM
"My Life is Murder" pilot episode uses not one but two Melbourne icons — Flinders Street Station and a tram — to establish exactly where Alexa is doing her sleuthing!
Critic's Choice winner #ThePitt sure knows how to set up a punch.
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
Setting up a Punch Line: THE PITT
contains minor spoilers for The Pitt season 1, episode 9
shotzero.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Critic's Choice winner #ThePitt sure knows how to set up a punch.
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
shotzero.substack.com/p/setting-up...
In anticipation of #ThePitt's return, we look at a shocking moment from Season 1 . . . and how the preceding nine episodes set us up perfectly for the punch line.
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
January 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM
In anticipation of #ThePitt's return, we look at a shocking moment from Season 1 . . . and how the preceding nine episodes set us up perfectly for the punch line.
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
This shot from Spike Lee’s “Get on the Bus” shows several men who have spent the last many hours fighting, agreeing, and trying to see each others’ points of view, now having come nearly to their wits’ end.
1/2
1/2
January 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM
This shot from Spike Lee’s “Get on the Bus” shows several men who have spent the last many hours fighting, agreeing, and trying to see each others’ points of view, now having come nearly to their wits’ end.
1/2
1/2
If you’ve got a giant Kaiju plushie who is going to hug a scaly creature into poof!oblivion, what better to compare it to than . . . a futuristic Christ-figure invading the physical manifestation of an AI murder agent?
Sure, why not!
Sure, why not!
January 2, 2026 at 11:02 PM
If you’ve got a giant Kaiju plushie who is going to hug a scaly creature into poof!oblivion, what better to compare it to than . . . a futuristic Christ-figure invading the physical manifestation of an AI murder agent?
Sure, why not!
Sure, why not!
How is the blocking in this #DoubleIndemnity scene practical, dramatic, and symbolic, all at once?
That's the subject of today's deep dive . . .
shotzero.substack.com/p/blocking-a...
That's the subject of today's deep dive . . .
shotzero.substack.com/p/blocking-a...
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 PM
How is the blocking in this #DoubleIndemnity scene practical, dramatic, and symbolic, all at once?
That's the subject of today's deep dive . . .
shotzero.substack.com/p/blocking-a...
That's the subject of today's deep dive . . .
shotzero.substack.com/p/blocking-a...
Reposted by Shot Zero
an FYI from your favorite vertical all about why and how film shots just *work*
If you missed any of our posts last week - about everything from shots of absurdly large shotgun shells, to camera movements to depict character emotions - we've rounded them all up for ya!
shotzero.substack.com/p/week-2552-...
shotzero.substack.com/p/week-2552-...
Week 25.52 - Socials Roundup
22 Dec - 28 Dec 2025: Happy Holidays call for SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS!
shotzero.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:16 AM
an FYI from your favorite vertical all about why and how film shots just *work*
Yesterday looked at single shots of overlapping faces, but some go further and 'shot-reverse-shot' the same!
Muriel’s Wedding (pic 1 & 2) and Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen’s “Like I Used To” music video (3 & 4) both riff on . . . [see next]
Muriel’s Wedding (pic 1 & 2) and Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen’s “Like I Used To” music video (3 & 4) both riff on . . . [see next]
December 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Yesterday looked at single shots of overlapping faces, but some go further and 'shot-reverse-shot' the same!
Muriel’s Wedding (pic 1 & 2) and Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen’s “Like I Used To” music video (3 & 4) both riff on . . . [see next]
Muriel’s Wedding (pic 1 & 2) and Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen’s “Like I Used To” music video (3 & 4) both riff on . . . [see next]
If you missed any of our posts last week - about everything from shots of absurdly large shotgun shells, to camera movements to depict character emotions - we've rounded them all up for ya!
shotzero.substack.com/p/week-2552-...
shotzero.substack.com/p/week-2552-...
Week 25.52 - Socials Roundup
22 Dec - 28 Dec 2025: Happy Holidays call for SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS!
shotzero.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:14 AM
If you missed any of our posts last week - about everything from shots of absurdly large shotgun shells, to camera movements to depict character emotions - we've rounded them all up for ya!
shotzero.substack.com/p/week-2552-...
shotzero.substack.com/p/week-2552-...
One of the more famous examples of the 'overlapping faces' shot is from Persona, but La Pointe Courte (pic1) set it a template ten years earlier.
Countless movies, shows, music videos, and promo shots have riffed on this type of shot since, including Arcane (pic2) and The Princess Bride (pic3).
Countless movies, shows, music videos, and promo shots have riffed on this type of shot since, including Arcane (pic2) and The Princess Bride (pic3).
December 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM
One of the more famous examples of the 'overlapping faces' shot is from Persona, but La Pointe Courte (pic1) set it a template ten years earlier.
Countless movies, shows, music videos, and promo shots have riffed on this type of shot since, including Arcane (pic2) and The Princess Bride (pic3).
Countless movies, shows, music videos, and promo shots have riffed on this type of shot since, including Arcane (pic2) and The Princess Bride (pic3).
#HomeAlone 2: Lost in New York builds on a lot of Home Alone’s gags.
Both times Kate (Catherine O'Hara) realizes Kevin is missing, the structure is the same: exchange with Peter (John Heard), cut to CU, Kate barrels the camera, screams KEVIN!, hard cut to an empty shot of the place Kevin is.
1/2
Both times Kate (Catherine O'Hara) realizes Kevin is missing, the structure is the same: exchange with Peter (John Heard), cut to CU, Kate barrels the camera, screams KEVIN!, hard cut to an empty shot of the place Kevin is.
1/2
December 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
#HomeAlone 2: Lost in New York builds on a lot of Home Alone’s gags.
Both times Kate (Catherine O'Hara) realizes Kevin is missing, the structure is the same: exchange with Peter (John Heard), cut to CU, Kate barrels the camera, screams KEVIN!, hard cut to an empty shot of the place Kevin is.
1/2
Both times Kate (Catherine O'Hara) realizes Kevin is missing, the structure is the same: exchange with Peter (John Heard), cut to CU, Kate barrels the camera, screams KEVIN!, hard cut to an empty shot of the place Kevin is.
1/2
What's in a Line Cross?
We look at this scene from #DoctorWho "Resolution" to discuss what happens when you cross the line (see diagram) and how you can make it work for you.
shotzero.substack.com/p/crossing-t...
We look at this scene from #DoctorWho "Resolution" to discuss what happens when you cross the line (see diagram) and how you can make it work for you.
shotzero.substack.com/p/crossing-t...
December 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
What's in a Line Cross?
We look at this scene from #DoctorWho "Resolution" to discuss what happens when you cross the line (see diagram) and how you can make it work for you.
shotzero.substack.com/p/crossing-t...
We look at this scene from #DoctorWho "Resolution" to discuss what happens when you cross the line (see diagram) and how you can make it work for you.
shotzero.substack.com/p/crossing-t...
This scene from Christmasy melodrama All That Heaven Allows is comprised of two moving shots, both achieving different goals to represent Cary's loneliness, then shock.
See our Substack next week for a full breakdown of how it works so effectively.
See our Substack next week for a full breakdown of how it works so effectively.
December 27, 2025 at 11:01 PM
This scene from Christmasy melodrama All That Heaven Allows is comprised of two moving shots, both achieving different goals to represent Cary's loneliness, then shock.
See our Substack next week for a full breakdown of how it works so effectively.
See our Substack next week for a full breakdown of how it works so effectively.
The first screwball comedy filmed in color, Nothing Sacred uses everything from elevators, pillars, doorways, and stark slashes of shadows to set its characters apart from their surroundings . . . and sometimes each other!
1/2
1/2
December 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The first screwball comedy filmed in color, Nothing Sacred uses everything from elevators, pillars, doorways, and stark slashes of shadows to set its characters apart from their surroundings . . . and sometimes each other!
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Shot Zero
December 24, 2025 at 5:39 AM
How do #oners serve as #exposition?
Stu looks at three #Jaws, #Thunderheart, and #MadMax to show and tell just that!
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
Stu looks at three #Jaws, #Thunderheart, and #MadMax to show and tell just that!
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
December 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
How do #oners serve as #exposition?
Stu looks at three #Jaws, #Thunderheart, and #MadMax to show and tell just that!
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
Stu looks at three #Jaws, #Thunderheart, and #MadMax to show and tell just that!
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
This #Brooklyn99 ‘cutting the turkey’ double-entendre-off is sold with its blocking and framing.
Once the table tableau has been established, shots all cut Roger and Victor (Bradley Whitford and Jimmy Smits) off mid-torso as their hands move furiously off-screen . . .
1/2
Once the table tableau has been established, shots all cut Roger and Victor (Bradley Whitford and Jimmy Smits) off mid-torso as their hands move furiously off-screen . . .
1/2
December 25, 2025 at 12:28 AM
This #Brooklyn99 ‘cutting the turkey’ double-entendre-off is sold with its blocking and framing.
Once the table tableau has been established, shots all cut Roger and Victor (Bradley Whitford and Jimmy Smits) off mid-torso as their hands move furiously off-screen . . .
1/2
Once the table tableau has been established, shots all cut Roger and Victor (Bradley Whitford and Jimmy Smits) off mid-torso as their hands move furiously off-screen . . .
1/2
#HeatedRivalry's Ep1 promo shot, Ep1 itself, and promo-shots-within-episode-one, ALL have Ilya and Shane making the shape of a heart
oh they KNOW what they are doing
oh they KNOW what they are doing
December 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#HeatedRivalry's Ep1 promo shot, Ep1 itself, and promo-shots-within-episode-one, ALL have Ilya and Shane making the shape of a heart
oh they KNOW what they are doing
oh they KNOW what they are doing