A technique used in various cartoons in which the camera zooms into a character's face revealing disgusting or grotesque features (ex. bloodshot eyes, nosehairs, pimples, etc.) that usually are not noticed when the camera is at a certain distance from the character. Commonly used in the show "Spongebob Squarepants".
Spongebob: Hey Squidward, has my Acne Cream worked yet?
Viewer 1: Get ready for a Spongebob Close-up, dude!
(T.V. zooms into a still frame revealing Spongbob's ghastly outbreak)
Viewer 2: Ughghgh!
Viewer 1: Get ready for a Spongebob Close-up, dude!
(T.V. zooms into a still frame revealing Spongbob's ghastly outbreak)
Viewer 2: Ughghgh!
by The Ball That Never Descended August 21, 2008