Glossary: Establishing / Re-establishing shot
A shot, usually involving a distant framing, that shows the spatial relations among the important figures, objects, and setting in a scene (establishing shot); a return to a view of an entire space after a series of closer shots (re-establishing shot). In the example below, the first shot establishes the spatial relationship between Marlowe and General Sternwood. During Marlowe's conversation with General Sternwood, the framings become progressively closer. When Marlowe gets up to fix a drink, the framing becomes more distant in order to re-establish their changed spatial relationship.
From The Big Sleep
Frame 1: Establishing shot Frame 2: Closer framingFrame 3: Closer framing
Frame 4: Closer framing Frame 5: Closer framing Frame 6: Re-establishing shot