Editing technique · used in 1 film

Pillow Shot

Cutting away from the action to a still shot of an object or place, such as a vase or a street. The pause gives you room to feel what the scene left unsaid.

Examples

Where you can see it

  1. Late Spring (1949) poster

    Late Spring

    Yasujiro Ozu · 1949

    Ozu cuts to quiet images between scenes, and the best known is a vase in a Kyoto inn. The shot holds still on an object while the people are out of the frame. It gives you time to feel what the characters leave unsaid.

    Where to see it: The Kyoto inn. Noriko and her father lie on their futons and talk about Onodera's remarriage, and the film holds on a vase.

Questions

Quick answers

What is pillow shot in film?
Cutting away from the action to a still shot of an object or place, such as a vase or a street. The pause gives you room to feel what the scene left unsaid.
Which films use pillow shot?
Late Spring (1949).
What kind of technique is pillow shot?
It is a editing technique. Related editing techniques include Kinetic Set Piece Architecture, Animation as Emotional Amplifier, Callback Editing.

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