I'm ready for my close-up... long shot and medium shot.

Within films there are many different strategies directors use to convey the emotion and feeling of a specific scene or event.  The use of long-shot, medium-shot, and close-up are techniques used to explain and elicit certain ideas and thoughts from the audience so, they become more involved in the scene.  Ridley Scott uses these techniques in his film Gladiator to achieve the desired experience.

 The type of shot that is used in filming is a unique and subtle technique used to draw out and stimulate thoughts from their audience.  The use of long-shot is usually used to give the audience a sense of what is going on in the scene.  It gives the viewer a basic idea/blueprint of the goings on.  Long-shot can start to evoke the viewers thoughts based on the vast amount of what they see or do not see.  In the case of Gladiator, long-shot is used to show off the Roman coliseum.  In doing this it not only give a place but to demonstrate Rome's power and prominence.  The audience can also see the gladiator games and the brutality which also foreshadows for the viewer of things to come. 

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/gladiator-2000-movie-review/

Then there is medium-shot which is used to bring in the viewer, to verify who and what.  It speaks to the standing of a character or characters and what role they play.  Looking back to Gladiator, there is a medium-shot of the main character Maximus coming out of a tunnel into the floor of the coliseum, where through the shot the viewer gets a feel of his might and power, which is attributed to by the use of low angle which gives the character more prominence and regard.  Maximus is also being showered by flower petals which show the admiration and favor the people have for him.  It is because of the medium-shot that makes this context available.  Finally is the use of close-up, which gives a very intimate view of a character or situation.  It is very detailed in its description of how the character is feeling; it lets you into their immediate state.  In Gladiator the close-up on Maximus after Ceasar provokes and taunts him about the death of his family, the horrific memory is written on his face, his sadness is easily seen and felt in the close-up.

Much can be said through the use of different shots.  The description of place, regard, feeling, etc. can be expressed through the shots set up.  In Gladiator the use of these shot techniques delivered much more than the script could do alone, it gave an in depth sense to the viewer so, it could connect deeper.  These tools, ticks, techniques or whatever one calls them are effective and important in making a truly great film.