Shot Length in Modern Film
Approaching seven decades old, Hitchcock’s Rear Window is still regarded as a masterpiece in both the thriller genre and modern film as a whole. Overall, it has held up all this time; pinning you to the edge of your couch at its most tense parts. Yet, during its only 112 minute run time, it can occasionally seem to drag through the lens of a modern viewer. Though numerous changes have occurred in cinema since its release, one that often receives the most blame for the slower pace is shot length.
A shot is simply a series of frames that run for an uninterrupted amount of time. Films often contain thousands of shots; cutting between different camera angles within seconds to best communicate to the viewer. By taking the length of a film and dividing it by the number of shots, we can find out its average shot length. According to James Cutting, a psychologist at Cornell University, the average shot length in film has reduced dramatically over the last 90 years; from 12 seconds in 1930 to just 2.5 seconds in 2014. Some point to shortening attention spans as the culprit: shorter shots result in more motion which gives a film the sense of more action. The movies of action blockbuster director Michael Bay have an average shot length of just 3 seconds; a stark contrast to Rear Window’s 8.4 seconds.
Yet, there are examples that seem to contradict this theory. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2015 film Birdman only appears to contain a single cut during its run time; yet it features numerous action sequences and remains captivating throughout. The popular action series John Wick features numerous fight scenes with minute long shot lengths; yet you’d be hard pressed to find a bored viewer. Just as short shots can be used to portray action, it seems long take shots can be used to hold our interest as well. Waiting in anticipation for the end of a shot can create suspense when used correctly. Characters and objects entering and exiting a shot can be just as effective as a cut. Use of both long and short takes is a basic tenet of cinema; the tug and pull it creates is an essential tool in a filmmaker’s arsenal.
When comparing the differences in feeling and pace between classic and modern film, maybe focusing on shot length only isn’t completely correct. Based on larger action blockbusters alone, it may have a pretty large effect; in film overall though there seem to be a lot more factors at play. Shorter shot lengths may just be a result of rapidly advancing camera and editing technology, and not necessarily a stylistic choice to meet the attention span of viewers. While overall shot length is trending shorter, the long take is still as relevant as ever.
