Iris shot
An iris shot is a technique frequently used in silent film in which a black circle closes to end a scene.[1]
The iris shot is divided into two types depending on their use. An iris out is used at the end of a scene, and an iris in is used at the start of a scene, often after a previous iris out. Iris shots are used to put emphasis on a particular aspect of film, usually something of importance.
Some non-silent era slapstick comedy—such as that of Red Skelton, Benny Hill, and Warner Bros. Road Runner cartoons—employ the iris shot as an homage to the silent film era. In Walt Disney cartoons, after the title card, they usually begin with an iris in and end with an iris out.
In some cartoons and live-action films (and certain television shows like The King of Queens and Mike & Molly), iris shots are used as a way to break the fourth wall, usually for comedic purposes or to allow characters to interact with the audience (as opposed to a simple fade out or cut to black). Examples of this include characters trying to escape through the closing iris, addressing the audience with a one liner before the iris closes, or holding the iris open to try and continue a monologue. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood uses this technique at the beginning and end of the Neighborhood of Make Believe segments, usually when the Trolley goes through the tunnel on the left side of the Castle, and through the right side of Mister Rogers' house.
In rare cases, iris shots can also can be used, not as a transitions, but are zoomed into the iris shot for the entire shot. This technique was done often in films such as The Truman Show as the cameras in the film are presented as hidden cameras positioned in small objects such as buttons on shirts. This is mostly used to make the audience feel like they are in the film watching them, or hiding watching something that they probably shouldn't.
References
- Konigsberg, Ira (1989). The Complete Film Dictionary. New York: The Penguin Group. pp. 174–5. ISBN 0-452-00980-4.