Film making Tips 101: Frame Composition

It’s often said that the images shot for films and shows in general are shot with a purpose. Sometimes this is labeled as “selective vision” as the crew decide themselves what will and how the image will be captured. Elements which are included or excluded tend to have been done so with a purpose.

For example, the reason you see that man walking in the distance clearly (although maybe you’d expect him to be out of focus) could be that it’s the director wanting to make a cameo. Or, the reason only two of the five girls are caught in the frame when there’s a close up on the group is because they’re relevant to the story, whereas the other three around them aren’t.

Every decision with a shot is just that, a decision. The creative team have decided what they want seen.

It’s always important to analyze a location prior to filming within it. Unless members of your crew are extremely strict and won’t allow any leeway in terms of manipulating your area, adjust little things. Think what works in a frame and what doesn’t and then decide where you want to place the camera, what you want to be seen and what you don’t. The audience will only see what you allow, and that includes flaws or distracting elements.