Mba 509 Understanding Aspect Ratios

Slide 1: Understanding Aspect Ratios

Slide 2: History • Aspect ratio: the relationship between the width and height of a film image • Late 1890s—Early 1950s

Slide 3: History • As television became more popular, movie theater attendance began to decrease • The film industry introduced wider (more “epic” aspect ratios

Slide 4: Examples 1.85:1 (Academy Flat) 2.35:1 (Scope/Panavision)

Slide 5: Origin of the “Black Bars” • “Black bars” on the top and bottom of an image are the result of a mismatch between ▫ The aspect ratio of the media ▫ The aspect ratio of the viewing device

Slide 6: Origin of the “Black Bars” • Widescreen displays are not immune

Slide 7: Dealing with the discrepancy • Film studios regularly distribute two versions of a movie on DVD ▫ Widescreen (aspect ratio preserved, “black bars”)  Also called “Letterbox” or “Original Aspect Ratio” ▫ Full Screen (modified to fit a 4x3 screen)  Also called “Full Frame” or “Pan & Scan”

Slide 8: How to Tell the Difference

Slide 9: Summary • “Aspect ratio” defined ▫ 1.33:1 ▫ 1.85:1 ▫ 2.35:1 • “Black bars” described • Widescreen versus Full Screen