Meanings
plural cowboy shots
- broadcastingA shot framed to include a region from the actor's head to mid-thigh.
In Europe, the term plán americain or plano americano refers to a shot framed from mid-leg up, basically a cowboy shot. Beyond this we are into the realm of close-ups.
2002, Blain Brown, Cinematography, page 121 more example
One drawback to following an actor on stairs is that you are looking at the actor's back (and worse, emphasizing his or her behind if you are climbing the stairs in a cowboy shot).
2009, Jerry Holway, Laurie Hayball, The Steadicam Operator's Handbook, page 148
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
From the framing of cinema shots in Westerns, where the holster and gun needed to be in view along with the actor's face.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Italian piano americano
- piano americanoshot framed from head to mid-thigh
Polish plan amerykański
- plan amerykańskishot framed from head to mid-thigh
Cite this entry
cowboy shot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cowboy%20shot
“cowboy shot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cowboy%20shot. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cowboy shot,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cowboy%20shot.
Source: cowboy shot on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.