Marianne Martinez
Pan and scan is a film editing technique used to modify widescreen images for display on a fullscreen screen. It involves cropping the sides of the widescreen image and panning across it when the shot's focus changes. This technique was used to convert widescreen film or video footage into a conventional 4x3 aspect ratio, which was used by old-style television sets. During the pan and scan process, an editor selects the most important part of the frame and copies it, while discarding the other parts. This method can alter the director's original vision and deprive the audience of significant visual information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A film editing technique used to modify widescreen images for display on a fullscreen screen |
| Process | Involves cropping the sides of the original widescreen image and panning across it when the shot's focus changes |
| Aspect Ratio | Converts widescreen film or video footage into a conventional 4x3 aspect ratio |
| Image Width | Reduced to fit 4x3 screen dimensions |
| Alternative Method | Letterboxing, which maintains the original aspect ratio by adding black space above and below the image |
| Common Usage | Used for VHS tapes and early DVDs when most consumers owned 4:3 televisions |
| Impact | Can alter the director's original vision and the intended field of view by removing significant visual information |
| Example | The full-screen version of Star Wars Episode II cropped out Padmé, with only Anakin and Obi-Wan appearing in the scene |
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What You'll Learn
The purpose of pan and scan
During the pan and scan process, an editor selects the parts of the original filmed composition that appear to be the focus of the shot and ensures that these are copied ("scanned"). When the important action shifts to a new position in the frame, the operator moves the scanner to follow it, creating the effect of panning. This method preserves the maximum resolution of the image since it uses all the available vertical video scan lines, which is especially important for NTSC televisions, which have fewer lines than other standards.
Pan and scan was often used with VHS tapes before widescreen home media formats such as LaserDisc, DVD, and Blu-ray became common. It was also used to adapt older films for widescreen formats. For example, the film Cinderella (1950) was modified using the vertical equivalent of pan and scan, known as "tilt and scan" or "reverse pan and scan."
However, the use of pan and scan has been widely criticized since its inception. Critics often disapprove of the cropping that occurs in the process, which can remove substantial portions of the original image. This can alter the director's or cinematographer's original vision, as well as the intended field of view for specific scenes or an entire film, by depriving the audience of significant visual information.
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How to select the focus of a shot
Panning is a creative photography technique that conveys a sense of movement in action photos. It involves capturing a moving subject sharply while blurring the background. Here are some tips on how to select the focus of a shot when using the panning technique:
Select a suitable subject:
Choose a subject that is in motion, such as a runner, a vehicle, or an animal. Sports events or wildlife photography are ideal for practising panning techniques.
Position yourself appropriately:
Get into a position where the subject will move perpendicular to you. This will allow you to capture the motion effectively as the subject moves across the scene in front of you.
Choose the right equipment:
Consider using a mid-range zoom lens, also known as a travel zoom, with a focal length of around 105mm, which is ideal for panning photography. If you are at a sports event, you may need a longer zoom lens to capture the action from a distance. Additionally, certain lenses come with image stabilization specifically designed for panning, so look out for this feature.
Set up your camera settings:
Set your camera to Shutter Priority Mode, which allows you to select the shutter speed and ISO while letting the camera choose the aperture. Choose a slow shutter speed relative to the speed of your subject. For example, start with 1/4 for a slow subject like a jogger, 1/20 for a medium-speed subject like a skier, and 1/50 for a fast subject like a race car.
Focus on your subject:
Look at your subject through the viewfinder and focus by lightly pressing the shutter button. If using manual focus, predict where the moving subject will pass and set your focus on that area. You can also use autofocus if you are a beginner or cannot anticipate the subject's distance.
Capture the shot:
As the subject moves, pan the camera to follow its movement, maintaining a smooth and stable motion. Keep your elbows close to your body and swivel on your hips to reduce residual movement and blur. Take a series of photos, using burst mode or continuous shooting to capture multiple shots per second.
Remember that panning photography requires practice to master. Experiment with different settings and review your results to refine your technique.
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How to crop widescreen images
The process of cropping widescreen images is known as "pan and scan". This technique is used to modify widescreen images or videos to fit a fullscreen screen or a 4:3 aspect ratio, which was the standard for television screens before the advent of widescreen televisions.
To crop a widescreen image, you must first select the most important part of the frame that you want to keep. This is usually the focal point of the image or the area where the action is taking place. Once you have identified this, you can then proceed to crop the sides of the image to fit the desired aspect ratio or screen size.
During the pan and scan process, an editor follows the action on the screen by creating a viewing window within the original frame and then cutting and "panning" this window back and forth. This results in a large portion of the original frame being "sliced off" or cropped out. The amount of cropping can vary, but it can be up to 50-60% of the original image, which can significantly alter the director's original vision and composition.
When cropping widescreen images, it is important to consider the final output format and the desired aspect ratio. For example, if you are cropping a widescreen image to fit a 4:3 aspect ratio, you will need to crop the sides of the image accordingly. Additionally, if you are cropping for a specific output format, such as a DVD or VHS tape, you may need to consider the standard aspect ratio and screen size for that format.
It is also worth noting that cropped parts of an image are not always permanently removed and may still be accessible within the image file. Therefore, if sensitive information is being cropped out, it is important to delete these cropped areas to prevent them from being potentially viewed or accessed by others.
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The impact of pan and scan on the original vision
Pan and scan is a film editing technique used to modify widescreen images for display on a fullscreen screen. It involves cropping the sides of the widescreen image and panning across it when the shot's focus changes. This technique was commonly used to convert widescreen films into a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio for viewing on older television sets.
One of the main impacts of pan and scan on the original vision of a film is the loss of key visual elements. The cropping involved in the pan and scan process can remove up to 50-60% of the original image, resulting in the loss of important details or ambiance that the director or cinematographer intended. This can alter the pacing, atmosphere, and suspense of the film, as it deprives the audience of significant visual information.
For example, in the film Oliver!, a murder scene that was originally shot mostly off-screen with the camera stationary, becomes a panning shot in the pan and scan version, changing the timing and impact of the scene for the audience.
Another impact of pan and scan is the introduction of frequent cuts or changes in camera movement that were not present in the original film. This can be jarring for viewers and detract from the original vision of the director.
In response to the limitations and drawbacks of pan and scan, filmmakers adopted the practice of shooting movies in an "Open Matte" format, which allowed for widescreen presentation in theaters while also accommodating 4:3 TV broadcasts and home media releases without the need for pan and scan. Additionally, the advent of widescreen televisions and DVDs with anamorphic presentation has reduced the reliance on pan and scan, as widescreen formats can now be presented without cropping or distortion.
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Alternatives to pan and scan
The most popular alternative to pan and scan is the letterbox format, in which the original composition is retained at the expense of placing black bars above and below the picture. This method was used by the Voyager Company in 1986, which made it company policy to release widescreen films on LaserDisc in their original aspect ratio rather than in pan and scan formats.
Another alternative is to shoot movies in "Open Matte" format, in which a film is shot in a full-frame aspect ratio but designed to be cropped to a widescreen format in the theater. Movies can then be screened to audiences in an intended widescreen format, but un-cropped for 4:3 on TV broadcasts and home media releases without needing to be given the pan and scan treatment.
A third alternative is to adjust the source material directly. For example, the BBC suggested programme makers recording in 16:9 frame their shots in a 14:9 aspect ratio, which was then broadcast on analogue services with small black bars at the top and bottom of the picture. Owners of widescreen TV sets receiving digital broadcasts would see the full 16:9 picture (this is known as Shoot and protect).
A final alternative is to pillar box the image by adding black bars on either side of the image, which maintains the full picture height.
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Frequently asked questions
Pan and scan is a film editing technique used to modify widescreen images for display on a fullscreen screen. It involves cropping the sides of the widescreen image and panning across it when the shot's focus changes.
The aspect ratio of television sets and films differ. While television sets have an aspect ratio of 4:3, films have a wider aspect ratio. Pan and scan is a technique used to convert widescreen film or video footage into a conventional 4x3 aspect ratio.
An editor selects the most important part of the original filmed composition and ensures that it is copied or "scanned". When the important action shifts to a new position in the frame, the operator moves the scanner to follow it, creating the effect of panning.
