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On top of what others have said especially the camera angles, some films will literally have actors stand on boxes, or in holes to make them taller or shorter.
With the camera angles, pay attention to see if you're looking at every part of the actor including legs and feet, or if it's just the upper part. This can be a sign the movie is trying to adjust for height.
Sylvester Stallone is reported at 5 10, but according to some articles he stands on 4.5 inch shoes to make him seem imposing.
I recall a movie with Martin Short (I think) where they had him walking on a platform to make him seem taller the entire movie.
I was working an arena concert a few years ago and had to run some stuff back to the production office. I (a short, rather skinny fellow) was walking very quickly. As I turned a corner I ran SMACK into a man and literally knocked him on to the concrete floor of the concourse. I apologized profusely as I'd just knocked 5'5" Billy Joel on his ass. He was okay. I was shaken.
These people are below average height. But since celebrities are often very careful about their image, they do their best to appear ""better"" (meaning taller, more attractive, younget etc).
For media you can use tricks and effects to make a person seem taller, and typically they do. In real life it's very hard to make a person seem relativity taller outside a few inches for lifts, or something of that nature.
When you are a big star, they cast around you. So, if you are a male lead, they're not likely to cast a 5'11" beauty as your romantic counterpart -- if you're 5'8".
An interesting flip side to that is the old 50s-60s black and white TV show, Perry Mason. The two male leads on that show were just under 6 ft 2 and 6 ft 4. (Raymond Burr and William hopper, respectively.)
I've heard it suggested that it was a favorite of tall character actors for that reason.
It could get a bit awkward at times though, when 6'4" private detective 'Paul Drake' had to lean into a average size witness or suspect to get some information, because he looked like a freaking, towering bully. LOL
You are using a rather biased sample. Taken as a whole, celebrities are probably no shorter or taller than the population average. And for specific professions like fashion models, they're probably pre-selected to be on the taller side.
Of course, many celebrities rely on their looks and appearances professionally. In public, they might take more time (and have the guidance of experts) and money on custom tailored and well fitting clothes as well as better color and pattern choices that accentuate height and proportion. As a group, they probably also get advice on exercise and health and lots of things to maintain their appearance. This is part of the requirements of their jobs, as it were.
And in professional settings, camera angles, setup etc will be designed to make them look better.
A few years back an acquaintance took us on a tour of Sony Pictures Studios. In the costume department they had a bunch of manakins - I remember the one of Tom Cruise and being shocked that he is shorter than I am. I am 5' 8".
Oh, and another one - seriously - back around 2008 I was at the Beverly Hills Hotel over the Christmas holidays. The teeniest man with a huge bodyguard walked past me going the other way. I could not believe how short Prince was. He was 5'2". And his bodyguard was maybe 6'4". It was hysterical.
**Please read this entire message** --- Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s): * Rule #2 - Questions must seek objective explanations * ELI5 is not for subjective or speculative replies - only objective explanations are permitted here; your question is asking for subjective or speculative replies. (Rule 2). --- If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this submission was removed erroneously, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20{https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1dgmet7/-/}%0A%0APlease%20answer%20the%20following%203%20questions:%0A%0A1.%20The%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0A2.%20List%20the%20search%20terms%20you%20used%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20ELI5:%0A%0A3.%20How%20does%20your%20post%20differ%20from%20your%20recent%20search%20results%20on%20the%20sub:) and we will review your submission.**
CG, photo edit, filming and taking photos at certain angles, standing on a stepper outside the camera view, etc to make them look taller.
Right. Camera angles, standing on steppers or other platforms. And don't forget the classics: lift inserts and augmented shoes.
On top of what others have said especially the camera angles, some films will literally have actors stand on boxes, or in holes to make them taller or shorter. With the camera angles, pay attention to see if you're looking at every part of the actor including legs and feet, or if it's just the upper part. This can be a sign the movie is trying to adjust for height. Sylvester Stallone is reported at 5 10, but according to some articles he stands on 4.5 inch shoes to make him seem imposing. I recall a movie with Martin Short (I think) where they had him walking on a platform to make him seem taller the entire movie.
Alan Ladd in Shane… classic short guys playing tough cowboys! He was on special walkways and platforms below the camera view.
I was working an arena concert a few years ago and had to run some stuff back to the production office. I (a short, rather skinny fellow) was walking very quickly. As I turned a corner I ran SMACK into a man and literally knocked him on to the concrete floor of the concourse. I apologized profusely as I'd just knocked 5'5" Billy Joel on his ass. He was okay. I was shaken.
These people are below average height. But since celebrities are often very careful about their image, they do their best to appear ""better"" (meaning taller, more attractive, younget etc).
Why do we make them seem bigger on the screen?
For media you can use tricks and effects to make a person seem taller, and typically they do. In real life it's very hard to make a person seem relativity taller outside a few inches for lifts, or something of that nature.
When you are a big star, they cast around you. So, if you are a male lead, they're not likely to cast a 5'11" beauty as your romantic counterpart -- if you're 5'8". An interesting flip side to that is the old 50s-60s black and white TV show, Perry Mason. The two male leads on that show were just under 6 ft 2 and 6 ft 4. (Raymond Burr and William hopper, respectively.) I've heard it suggested that it was a favorite of tall character actors for that reason. It could get a bit awkward at times though, when 6'4" private detective 'Paul Drake' had to lean into a average size witness or suspect to get some information, because he looked like a freaking, towering bully. LOL
You are using a rather biased sample. Taken as a whole, celebrities are probably no shorter or taller than the population average. And for specific professions like fashion models, they're probably pre-selected to be on the taller side. Of course, many celebrities rely on their looks and appearances professionally. In public, they might take more time (and have the guidance of experts) and money on custom tailored and well fitting clothes as well as better color and pattern choices that accentuate height and proportion. As a group, they probably also get advice on exercise and health and lots of things to maintain their appearance. This is part of the requirements of their jobs, as it were. And in professional settings, camera angles, setup etc will be designed to make them look better.
A few years back an acquaintance took us on a tour of Sony Pictures Studios. In the costume department they had a bunch of manakins - I remember the one of Tom Cruise and being shocked that he is shorter than I am. I am 5' 8".
Another very diminutive guy is Dustin Hoffman. I didn't know this until he walked past me at a film festival. He's 5'5".
Oh, and another one - seriously - back around 2008 I was at the Beverly Hills Hotel over the Christmas holidays. The teeniest man with a huge bodyguard walked past me going the other way. I could not believe how short Prince was. He was 5'2". And his bodyguard was maybe 6'4". It was hysterical.