Filmmakers make hundreds of decisions when they point a camera at something. Movement, lens choice, framing, and use of color are just a few tools that tell the story, along with a team supporting the process and a director as the conductor. You don’t need to know how to play every instrument (or how to apply SFX make-up, to use filmmaking language). However, you should be aware of how visual choices affect the audience, and understand this “secret sauce” called “cinematic composition.” Let’s talk about some less obvious tips, tricks, and examples below! This article is based on Tal Lazar’s lesson from his MZed course “Cinematography for Directors.” Tal is an experienced filmmaker and educator with a deep knowledge of storytelling tools. Here, we will only be able to feature some of the cinematic composition secrets that he reveals. However, if you want to embark on this insightful journey with him from beginning to end, head over here. Cinematic composition creates a connection What terms and images come to mind when you hear the words “cinematic composition?” The rule of thirds? The golden ratio? Negative space? For me, the first intuitive responses feature specific techniques, like perfect symmetry in shots or headroom imbalance. In his course, Tal Lazar defines composition simply as: The intentional arrangement of elements within an image. Intention is really the keyword here. Nothing should be random. Even if something is random and a result of a mistake, the audience will assume it was placed there with a...
Published By: CineD - Yesterday