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What's an aspect ratio?
It's the ratio of a video's width to its height,
expressed as two numbers.
For example, pre HD TVs had an aspect ratio of 4:3.
Meaning they were four units wide
and three units tall.
Whereas modern HD TVs have 16:9 aspect ratio.
Meaning 16 units wide by 9 units tall.
In cinema, the most popular aspect ratios used are 1.85:1
and the wider 2.39:1
which is often interchanged with 2.35
or rounded up 2.4.
But recently a lesser-known ratio has started to take hold.
The 2:1 aspect ratio.
Today, we're gonna go over how filmmakers like David Fincher
are using this ratio to tell their stories
in unique and eye-catching ways.
So what's the deal with 2:1?
And why is it showing up more and more now?
This is what is 2:1.
But before we get started,
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Ready?
Three.
Two.
2:1.
Let's talk about Vittorio Storaro.
A three-time Oscar winner
Storaro has been the DP on some films you may have heard of.
In the late 90s,
it was deemed by the entertainment industry
that the 16:9 ratio of HD TVs
would be an ideal format
to contain both the narrowest aspect ratios, like 4:3
all the way through the very wide ratios, like 2.39.
Storaro's concern was that 1.85 and 2.39
on a 16:9 screen would appear too awkward
requiring letterboxing or cropping.
So he proposed the new universal film format.
Storaro dubbed it "Univisium"
which translates to unity of images.
To unify all theatrical and television projects.
2:1.
Meaning the aspect ratio is twice as wide as it is tall.
Wide enough to satisfy the cinematic desires of a theater audience
while nicely filling TV screens at home.
Storaro said, "Any movie, no matter how big or small,
successful or not will, after a very short life on the big screen
have a much longer life on an electronic screen."
So let's compare 2:1 with the ratios we already know and love.
1.85 is a taller aspect ratio.
It's great at featuring tall subjects.
Whereas 2.35 is a wider aspect ratio
and is often used in movies that feature epic landscapes.
With 2:1 being somewhere in the middle,
it provides us with similar grand landscapes you get with 2.35's width
without losing the benefits of 1.85's height.
As a result, it's proven itself to be a versatile
or safe option for almost any genre.
In both "Hereditary" and "Midsommar",
writer-director Ari Aster credits 2:1
with giving his films wide scope
without sacrificing headroom for his characters.
DP John Schwartzman
and director Colin Trevorrow
also used 2:1 for "Jurassic World" as a happy medium.
Spielberg knew that 1.85's tall aspect ratio
was best for framing its characters and dino friends.
But Schwartzman and Trevorrow still wanted
to keep the epic width of 2.39:1.
We can take in the vast expanse of the island
and surrounding jungle
while also featuring the film's taller subjects.
If there's one place you've noticed 2:1,
it's on your TV.
David Fincher was the executive producer
for the first Netflix original "House of Cards."
While they could have stuck with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio,
as seen on most TV shows,
the show utilizes 2:1 to emulate a cinematic look
featuring close-ups and wide shots in equal measure.
All without losing the height of 1.85
or the scope of 2.39.
"Stranger Things" has also taken advantage of 2:1.
Series DP Tim Ives have said that, he and the Duffer Brothers
wanted to make a show that was quote, "more cinematic
than what TV audiences normally watch".
This is all fueled by 2:1's wider frame.
Producing light letterboxing on 16:9 televisions.
Giving audiences the impression of what Ives calls "an event".
If you want to find that happy medium
between capturing drama and environment
the 2:1 aspect ratio just might be the ticket.
More movies are now keeping the height of a tall cinematic aspect ratio
with the scope of a wide one.
And TV shows are revoking the look, feel, and language of a theater experience.
The rise of 2:1 has proven just how forward-thinking
Vittorio Storaro really was.
As you approach the shot list for your next project,
would you consider using 2:1?
In StudioBinder, you can toggle between aspect ratios
so you can see the differences.
In the description, you'll find links below
to articles on the StudioBinder blog.
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our coverage of filmmaking techniques.
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We'll see you in the next one.
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