Extreme close-up shots in Alice - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Screwy Wabbit · 11-12-2020, 10:13 PM

What is with the frequent, crazy close-up shots where they fill the entire screen top to bottom with an actor's head so you can see every wrinkle and pockmark on the actors' faces? Feels very claustrophobic when they do that. I can't think of any other sitcom that indulged in this kind of idiosyncratic camerawork. It's normal to at least include shoulders as well as some space above the head in the frame.

JR1 · 02-18-2021, 11:10 PM

One of tonight's episodes on Antenna TV had a big close-up of Flo. And not for any real good reason. I was kinda taken aback.

Mace Dolex · 02-18-2021, 11:33 PM

Yeah its very unusual especially in sitcoms for tight close ups on actors faces.

TheLittleFaerie · 02-19-2021, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwy Wabbit

What is with the frequent, crazy close-up shots where they fill the entire screen top to bottom with an actor's head so you can see every wrinkle and pockmark on the actors' faces? Feels very claustrophobic when they do that. I can't think of any other sitcom that indulged in this kind of idiosyncratic camerawork. It's normal to at least include shoulders as well as some space above the head in the frame.

If I remember right it seems like they did that quiet a bit with Jolene

TVFactFan · 02-19-2021, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR1

One of tonight's episodes on Antenna TV had a big close-up of Flo. And not for any real good reason. I was kinda taken aback.

I have it on now and have no clue what yall are talking about

JR1 · 02-19-2021, 11:02 PM

I had never thought about it prior, but the Jerry Reed episode, shown earlier tonight, also had some big close-ups of the faces.

Mood Ring · 07-29-2021, 03:21 PM

A lot of the earlier episodes were shot like this... the same way they do it in soap operas. I have no problem with it, gives the actor a chance to expound on the emotion of a scene through facial expression.

weldonballou · 07-25-2025, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mood Ring

A lot of the earlier episodes were shot like this... the same way they do it in soap operas. I have no problem with it, gives the actor a chance to expound on the emotion of a scene through facial expression.

I read that one of the producers of the first season was somehow related to Norman Lear (R.S. Allen) so that would explain why a lot of the first season episodes felt like one of Lear's issue oriented sitcoms. I recall most of these soap opera closeups from that season.

cloggedmind · 07-27-2025, 10:12 AM

Many people were still watching on sets with screens that were 24" and smaller. 19" was very common in color and b&w sets right into the 80's for weight and portability.

To make someone's face stand out in such a cramped space, tight close-ups were common and coveted! Actors loved one-upping others, often demanding a certain amount of those surgical closeups per show in their contracts. Not uncommon.

TJ · 07-27-2025, 12:38 PM

This is an interesting thread. I thought they only did extreme close-ups in Wayne's World.

cloggedmind · 07-27-2025, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

This is an interesting thread. I thought they only did extreme close-ups in Wayne's World.

Heh!!

Check out ITV's classic sitcom, Rising Damp. The whole 1st season was extreme closeups and on purpose. The idea was to make the viewer feel the cramped space of the drab, close quarters of the crumbling, old boarding house.

The muted wallpaper, sparse and aged decor including purposefully uncomfortable-looking chairs.. even the beds were nearly half the normal size to make everything seem closed-in.

11-12-2020, 10:13 PM	#1
Screwy Wabbit Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2017 Posts: 64	Extreme close-up shots in Alice What is with the frequent, crazy close-up shots where they fill the entire screen top to bottom with an actor's head so you can see every wrinkle and pockmark on the actors' faces? Feels very claustrophobic when they do that. I can't think of any other sitcom that indulged in this kind of idiosyncratic camerawork. It's normal to at least include shoulders as well as some space above the head in the frame.

02-18-2021, 11:10 PM	#2
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	One of tonight's episodes on Antenna TV had a big close-up of Flo. And not for any real good reason. I was kinda taken aback.

02-18-2021, 11:33 PM	#3
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,660	Yeah its very unusual especially in sitcoms for tight close ups on actors faces.

02-19-2021, 11:02 PM	#6
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	I had never thought about it prior, but the Jerry Reed episode, shown earlier tonight, also had some big close-ups of the faces.

07-29-2021, 03:21 PM	#7
Mood Ring Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 28, 2014 Location: East coast Posts: 468	A lot of the earlier episodes were shot like this... the same way they do it in soap operas. I have no problem with it, gives the actor a chance to expound on the emotion of a scene through facial expression.

07-27-2025, 10:12 AM	#9
cloggedmind Inactive Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Posts: 527	Many people were still watching on sets with screens that were 24" and smaller. 19" was very common in color and b&w sets right into the 80's for weight and portability. To make someone's face stand out in such a cramped space, tight close-ups were common and coveted! Actors loved one-upping others, often demanding a certain amount of those surgical closeups per show in their contracts. Not uncommon.

07-27-2025, 12:38 PM	#10
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,649	This is an interesting thread. I thought they only did extreme close-ups in Wayne's World.