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imported>Ukmarcus m Added reference to the fact that not all sexual 'money shots' are real. |
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[[William Safire]] identifies the use of the word "''money'' as a modifier meaning 'powerful, decisive'"<ref name="Safire2005"/> as far back as 1949 ("money hits" in [[baseball]]), and possibly to 1890 (a "money player" in [[billiards]]). By 1977<ref name="Safire2005"/><ref name="Dalzell2008"/> the phrase had entered American usage as [[slang]] for the [[cum shot]] in a [[pornographic film]]: that is, a shot of the male actor [[ejaculating]] outside his partner. This is the filmed moment that the audience has paid money to see.<ref name="Mills2001"/> | [[William Safire]] identifies the use of the word "''money'' as a modifier meaning 'powerful, decisive'"<ref name="Safire2005"/> as far back as 1949 ("money hits" in [[baseball]]), and possibly to 1890 (a "money player" in [[billiards]]). By 1977<ref name="Safire2005"/><ref name="Dalzell2008"/> the phrase had entered American usage as [[slang]] for the [[cum shot]] in a [[pornographic film]]: that is, a shot of the male actor [[ejaculating]] outside his partner. This is the filmed moment that the audience has paid money to see.<ref name="Mills2001"/> | ||
According to Steven Ziplow, author of ''The Film Maker's Guide to Pornography'' (1977), "There are those who believe that the [[cum shot|come shot]], or, as some refer to it, 'the money shot', is the most important element in the movie and that everything else (if necessary) should be sacrificed at its expense."<ref name="Mills2001"/><ref name="Williams1989"/> In her book ''Hard Core'', [[Linda Williams (film scholar)|Linda Williams]] argues that the money shot is not simply desired in and of itself, but proves to the audience that the sex is real.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Williams|first1=Linda|title=Hard Core: power, pleasure, and the "frenzy of the visible"|url=https://archive.org/details/hardcore00will/page/233|url-access=registration|date=1989|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley and Los Angeles|isbn=0-520-06653-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hardcore00will/page/233 233–234]|edition=First}}</ref> | According to Steven Ziplow, author of ''The Film Maker's Guide to Pornography'' (1977), "There are those who believe that the [[cum shot|come shot]], or, as some refer to it, 'the money shot', is the most important element in the movie and that everything else (if necessary) should be sacrificed at its expense."<ref name="Mills2001"/><ref name="Williams1989"/> In her book ''Hard Core'', [[Linda Williams (film scholar)|Linda Williams]] argues that the money shot is not simply desired in and of itself, but proves to the audience that the sex is real.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Williams|first1=Linda|title=Hard Core: power, pleasure, and the "frenzy of the visible"|url=https://archive.org/details/hardcore00will/page/233|url-access=registration|date=1989|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley and Los Angeles|isbn=0-520-06653-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hardcore00will/page/233 233–234]|edition=First}}</ref> Ironically, the ejaculatory shot is ''not'' always real. The website [https://MoneyShotMagic.com Money Shot Magic] (est. 2014) sells fake semen and ejaculatory devices to the adult industry and while not all 'money shots' are faked by a long way, it is clear that some are. | ||
In contrast, film critic Jane Mills<!-- note: not [[Jane Mills]] --> (2001) contends that ''money shot'' was "originally mainstream filmmakers' slang for the image that cost the most money to produce,"<ref name="Mills2001"/> and only later transitioned to mean the image desired by the audience, the image that ''makes'' the money (and thus, finally, to its pornographic connotation). | In contrast, film critic Jane Mills<!-- note: not [[Jane Mills]] --> (2001) contends (without evidence) that ''money shot'' was "originally mainstream filmmakers' slang for the image that cost the most money to produce,"<ref name="Mills2001"/> and only later transitioned to mean the image desired by the audience, the image that ''makes'' the money (and thus, finally, to its pornographic connotation). | ||
In its broader cinematographic sense, a money shot (also called a ''money-making shot''<ref name="Singleton2000"/>) is a provocative, sensational, or memorable sequence in a film, on which the film's commercial performance is perceived to depend.<ref name="Safire2005"/><ref>"Money Shot". Oxford English Dictionary Online.</ref> The scene may or may not be a [[special effects|special-effects]] sequence, but may be counted on to become a selling point for the film. For example, in an action [[thriller film|thriller]], an expensive special-effects sequence of a dam bursting might be considered the money shot of the film. Many filmmakers read a [[film script|script]] and look for the most dramatic or climactic | In its broader cinematographic sense, a money shot (also called a ''money-making shot''<ref name="Singleton2000"/>) is a provocative, sensational, or memorable sequence in a film, on which the film's commercial performance is perceived to depend.<ref name="Safire2005"/><ref>"Money Shot". Oxford English Dictionary Online.</ref> The scene may or may not be a [[special effects|special-effects]] sequence, but may be counted on to become a selling point for the film. For example, in an action [[thriller film|thriller]], an expensive special-effects sequence of a dam bursting might be considered the money shot of the film. Many filmmakers read a [[film script|script]] and look for the most dramatic or climactic moment—the money shot—in the proposed film.<ref>{{cite web|title=Approved for All Audiences: A Brief History of the Modern Movie Trailer|date=16 July 2014 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/approved-for-all-audiences-a-brief-history-of-the-91800184247.html|publisher=Yahoo! Movies|access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> Even though the costs or technical challenges of filming such an impressive scene may be huge, producers and directors will do whatever it takes to get that shot completed. | ||
==Extended senses== | ==Extended senses== | ||
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* In an even broader metaphorical sense, the ''money shot'' in a [[basketball]] [[three-pointer]] shooting competition is the fifth and last ball in the rack, which is worth twice as many points as any other ball.{{cn|date=October 2024}} | * In an even broader metaphorical sense, the ''money shot'' in a [[basketball]] [[three-pointer]] shooting competition is the fifth and last ball in the rack, which is worth twice as many points as any other ball.{{cn|date=October 2024}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references> | <references> | ||
<ref name="Dalzell2008">{{cite dictionary |author1=Tom Dalzell |author2=Terry Victor |title=The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English |entry=money shot |publisher=Routledge |year=2008 |isbn=9780203962114 |page=436 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIuEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA436}}</ref> | <ref name="Dalzell2008">{{cite dictionary |author1=Tom Dalzell |author2=Terry Victor |title=The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English |entry=money shot |publisher=Routledge |year=2008 |isbn=9780203962114 |page=436 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIuEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA436}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="Grindstaff2002">{{cite book |author=Laura Grindstaff |title=The money shot: trash, class, and the making of TV talk shows |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5pyLV0KM0wEC&pg=PA19 |year=2002 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-30911-8 |page=19}}</ref> | <ref name="Grindstaff2002">{{cite book |author=Laura Grindstaff |title=The money shot: trash, class, and the making of TV talk shows |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5pyLV0KM0wEC&pg=PA19 |year=2002 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-30911-8 |page=19}}</ref> | ||
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[[Category:Film and video terminology]] | [[Category:Film and video terminology]] | ||
[[Category:Cinematic techniques]] | [[Category:Cinematic techniques]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:05, 29 October 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses". A money shot is a moving or stationary visual element of a film, video, television broadcast, or print publication that is disproportionately expensive to produce or is perceived as essential to the overall importance or revenue-generating potential of the work.[1]
Origin and cinematographic senses
William Safire identifies the use of the word "money as a modifier meaning 'powerful, decisive'"[2] as far back as 1949 ("money hits" in baseball), and possibly to 1890 (a "money player" in billiards). By 1977[2][3] the phrase had entered American usage as slang for the cum shot in a pornographic film: that is, a shot of the male actor ejaculating outside his partner. This is the filmed moment that the audience has paid money to see.[4]
According to Steven Ziplow, author of The Film Maker's Guide to Pornography (1977), "There are those who believe that the come shot, or, as some refer to it, 'the money shot', is the most important element in the movie and that everything else (if necessary) should be sacrificed at its expense."[4][5] In her book Hard Core, Linda Williams argues that the money shot is not simply desired in and of itself, but proves to the audience that the sex is real.[6] Ironically, the ejaculatory shot is not always real. The website Money Shot Magic (est. 2014) sells fake semen and ejaculatory devices to the adult industry and while not all 'money shots' are faked by a long way, it is clear that some are.
In contrast, film critic Jane Mills (2001) contends (without evidence) that money shot was "originally mainstream filmmakers' slang for the image that cost the most money to produce,"[4] and only later transitioned to mean the image desired by the audience, the image that makes the money (and thus, finally, to its pornographic connotation).
In its broader cinematographic sense, a money shot (also called a money-making shot[7]) is a provocative, sensational, or memorable sequence in a film, on which the film's commercial performance is perceived to depend.[2][8] The scene may or may not be a special-effects sequence, but may be counted on to become a selling point for the film. For example, in an action thriller, an expensive special-effects sequence of a dam bursting might be considered the money shot of the film. Many filmmakers read a script and look for the most dramatic or climactic moment—the money shot—in the proposed film.[9] Even though the costs or technical challenges of filming such an impressive scene may be huge, producers and directors will do whatever it takes to get that shot completed.
Extended senses
More broadly, the term money shot can refer to any notably dramatic or emotional footage.
- On a television talk show, the money shot may be a visibly emotional scene, such as a guest's tearful confession of a previously well-kept secret or their dramatic retelling of a traumatic experience.[10]
- In broadcast journalism, the money shot which grabs or holds viewers' attention may be a photograph of a person in an unusual, noteworthy, tragic, embarrassing, or incriminating situation, or thrilling footage of a disaster such as a tsunami rolling into a city. A money shot is typically one that would be difficult to set up or anticipate in advance; therefore amateur footage is disproportionately represented among money shots.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
- In surveillance, the phrase money shot often refers to the specific image or footage in which the perpetrator commits the act; that is, in which the perpetrator is caught in flagrante delicto.[11] Compare smoking gun.
- In broadcast or print journalism, the money shot may be a photograph that in itself drives an important percentage of the sales of the publication. The pursuit of titillating photographs of celebrities in unusual or embarrassing situations is known as paparazzo journalism. In print journalism, the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography rewards the production of unique and iconic photographs.
- In an even broader metaphorical sense, the money shot in a basketball three-pointer shooting competition is the fifth and last ball in the rack, which is worth twice as many points as any other ball.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Money Shot". Oxford English Dictionary Online.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".