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The Shooting Ratio in filmmaking and television production is the ratio between the total duration of its footage created for possible use in a project and that which appears in its final cut. In the Golden Age of Hollywood (1930-1959), it was normal to have a 10:1 ratio. A 90 minute feature film would have have shot roughly 25 hours of film. Certain directors like Alfred Hitchcock were known to have a 3:1 ratio so he could control the edit by leaving the studio no other options.
The shooting ratio has skyrocketed over the last 20 years. Due to the relative inexpensive nature of digital filmmaking, cameras often shoot for extended periods that cover several takes, resets and everything in-between. Film has always been associated with a more disciplined style of shooting with the camera rolling only between “Action” and “Cut”…well technically between “Speed” and “Cut”!
I have edited 11 feature films and can attest to the fact of getting more and more footage into the edit bay on every project. Here’s an infographic that compares 8 films shot over the last 35 years to give you an idea of the actual numbers and ratios.
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The highest shooting ratio:
It would take you 14 weeks watching 40 hours a week to see all the raw footage.
Until next time…
There are 2 comments
That shootiing ratio for Primer is quite incredible. Where do that number comes from ? Only 13 minutes ended up on the cutting room floor, that would mean it was done in only single takes that ended up being perfect every time.
Awesome post, thanks Vashi.
As you probably know, `Primer’ is one of the top 20 RoI movies.
https://storyality.wordpress.com/an-index-to-this-blog/
Cheers
JTV