Close-Up (CU)

Close-Up, CU

In plain words

Delivers emotion directly through the whole face.

When to use it

Emotional beats like realizing a problem or feeling satisfied, and reactions that sync with the narration.

One-click prompt

Close-up of a young baker face as she tastes her first croissant, shoulders cropped, eyes closing in delight, soft flour-dusted bokeh background, 85mm lens, warm morning light from the shop window, locked-off camera, gentle happy mood, 5-second shot.

Tell the AI like this

close-up of her face, shoulders cropped, soft background blur

Recommended for scenes like these

Techniques that pair well

Color Grading Insert Shot Center Framing / One-Point Perspective Motivated Lighting Low-Key Lighting

Example videos

Close Up Shots that POP | The Best Camera Angles in Film — Explainer: Compares close-ups that give information with close-ups that give emotion, using movie scenes.

Every Film Shot Size Explained — Explainer: From 6:28, it shows how a close-up that fills the frame with the whole face differs from a medium close-up.

20 Cinematic Camera Moves & Shots for Seedance and Kling | AI FIlmmaking Tutorial — AI: From 5:19, it shows a close-up made with AI, along with the prompt.

See it in real films and ads

StudioBinder — Close-Up Shot explained

AI-made examples

Veo prompt guide

← Extreme Close-Up (ECU)Medium Close-Up (MCU) →