Shot Composition Notes

Shot Composition

Aspect Ratio

  • Definition: The ratio of width to height of a frame.
  • Common Aspect Ratios:
    • 4:3: Standard aspect ratio.
    • 1.33:1: Academy Ratio.
    • 1.85:1: Ratio used for U.S. theaters; Cinema Widescreen (JURASSIC PARK).
    • 5:3: Aspect ratio used for most European theatrical showings.
    • 2.39:1: Anamorphic aspect ratio (widescreen).
    • 16:9: Standard for High Definition.
    • 2.75:1: Ultra Panavision aspect ratio.
  • Multiple Aspect Ratios: Used in some films (iLL MAYHEM 1980s)
  • Changing Aspect Ratios: Aspect ratios can change within a film.

Rule of Thirds

  • The frame is divided into thirds along its width and height.
  • Provides a guide for important compositional elements.

Head Room

  • Space above the subject's head to the top of the frame.

Lead Room

  • The space within the frame where the character is looking or moving.
  • Negative Lead Room: The space within the frame behind where the character is looking or moving.

Main Shot Types

  • Extreme Long Shot (ELS):
    • Character is small in the frame.
    • Shows the environment the character is in.
    • Often an establishing shot.
  • Long Shot (LS):
    • From the character's head to their feet.
    • Establishes a character's relationship to their environment.
  • Medium Long Shot (MLS):
    • Shows from the knees to the head.
    • Also known as American Standard Shot, Cowboy.
  • Medium Shot (MS):
    • From the waist to the head.
    • Standard, most common shot.
    • Establishes neutrality.
  • Medium Close-up (MCU):
    • Shows from the mid-chest to the top of the head.
    • More personal than a MS; shows expression without too much emotion.
  • Close-up (CU):
    • Character’s face fills the frame (it’s OK to cut off a bit of the head).
    • The most emotional shot.
    • Also known as a choker.
  • Extreme Close-up (ECU):
    • Only a part of the character’s face or body is shown.
    • Can be used in conjunction with CUs for dramatic effect.

Prefixes

  • Over The Shoulder (OTS):
    • Shot of a subject with another person in the foreground.
  • Compliments: Mirrored images of two subjects engaged in interaction.
  • Two Shot (2S): A framing with 2 subjects.
  • Group Shot (GS): A framing with 3 or more subjects.
  • High Angle (HA): A high angle on a subject shows inferiority.
  • Low Angle (LA): A low angle on a subject shows dominance.

The Mobile Frame

  • Canted or “Dutch Angle”:
    • Camera tilted laterally.
    • Often used for imbalance, psychological instability, or drug-induced psychosis.
  • Zoom Shot:
    • Changes lens size during shot.
    • Maintains consistent perspective.
    • Used for concentration or exclusion.
  • Dolly Shot:
    • Camera changes position during shot.
    • Changes perspective.
    • Creates discovery or loss of power.
  • Handheld Shot:
    • Puts audience in the action.
    • Frenetic, Active.
    • More effective when contrasted with no movement.
  • Tracking Shot:
    • Camera follows the movement of the character.
    • Can be achieved with a dolly, Steadicam, or handheld.
  • Dolly-Zoom or Push-Pull:
    • Reserved for meaningful moments.
    • Used for sudden realization or extreme emotional state.
  • Crane or Jib Shot:
    • Utilized for establishing shots.
    • Moved vertically or horizontally.
  • Steadicam:
    • Fluid motion, stabilization.
    • Ability to move in and out of places.
  • POV (Point of View):
    • Character perspective.
    • Highly subjective, the POV makes the audience more involved in the moment.
    • Three types of POV presentation: Established, Reverse, Unestablished.