In fact, it’s having a resurgence like most of us could have never imagined.ġ.33:1 was the standard format for early motion pictures, and remained the dominant television format until roughly twenty years ago. The original academy ratio is still going strong today. With that in mind, let’s dive in – 1.33:1 (4:3) – Academy Ratio / Classic Television Keep in mind these are just my opinions, and it’s ultimately up to you to determine which format is right for your project. So that’s what I will help you do.īelow, I’ve broken down a few of the most popular aspect ratios, along with a brief summary of where they may be best suited. If you’ve landed on this article, chances are you are a filmmaker trying to determine which format/aspect ratio would be best for your next film. If anything, their unique visual styles have only bolstered their appeal.
#HDTV ASPECT RATIO CALCULATOR TV#
Unconventional formats haven’t stopped TV shows like Homecoming or movies like The Lighthouse from finding incredible success, even while breaking away from traditional norms. Not only are today’s filmmakers more open-minded in aspect ratio choice, but audiences are too. We’ve seen older formats like 1.66:1 and 2.76:1 re-emerge, only now they are being used in different ways. Recently though, many filmmakers ( myself included) have been getting more experimental with aspect ratio choice. For decades TV was broadcast exclusively in 1.33:1 (later becoming 1.77:1 with HDTV), and the vast majority of feature films were shot in either 1.85:1 or 2.39:1. Up until somewhat recently, aspect ratios were fairly standardized.
But with so many available to you, it’s critical to understand how and when to use each available format. One of the greatest stylistic tools that filmmakers have at their disposal is undoubtably the aspect ratio.