Standbild

Standbild is a German term for a still image—a single frame within a sequence that is displayed without motion. In film, video and television, a standbild is often called a freeze frame: the playback is paused on one frame, or a digital image is held while audio continues. The device serves to pause time, emphasize a moment, or mark a transition.

In narrative cinema and video production, standbilder may be used to underscore memory, contemplation, or a dramatic turning point. They can be produced by stopping the camera on a frame, or by isolating a frame in editing and repeating it or holding it during playback. In postproduction, a still image may be adjusted, blended with sound, or overlaid with captions.

In broadcasting, a standbild can bridge scenes or cover gaps when a live feed is unavailable or when the program needs a moment of silence. News broadcasts may use a standbild with captions to accompany a voiceover or on-screen information.

In photography and media art, standbild describes a deliberate still image used within a sequence to create a particular effect or to focus attention on a single moment. The concept is closely related to the English term freeze frame, though practice and terminology can vary across contexts.