1 Video Composition
Sep 06, 2014
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Video Composition
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CompositionUniversal units of composition
Long Shot Medium Shot Close up
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Types of Shots EWS (Extreme Wide Shot)
The view is so far from the subject that she isn't even visible. This is often used as an establishing shot.
VWS (Very Wide Shot)The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing her in her environment.
WS (Wide Shot)The subject takes up the full frame, or at least as much as possible.
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Types of Shots MS (Mid Shot)
Shows some part of the subject in more detail whilst still giving an impression of the whole subject.
MCU (Medium Close Up)Half way between a MS and a CU.
CU (Close Up)A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.
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Types of ShotsECU (Extreme Close Up)
The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail.
CA (Cutaway)A shot of something other than the current action.
Cut-InShows some part of the subject in detail.
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Types of Shots Two-Shot
A comfortable shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid shot.
(OSS) Over-the-Shoulder ShotLooking from behind a person at the subject.
Point of View Close-upLooking the perspective of the other person.
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Framing: HeadroomToo muchToo littleJUST RIGHT!!!
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Framing: Lead RoomGiving space ahead of
your moving target
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Framing: Law of Thirds
Divide the screen into 3rds Horizontally Vertically
Try to place main elements within the 3rds boundary lines
Gives a balanced look to your shot
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Framing: Law of ThirdsWorks nicely for
stand-ups Allows viewer to see
the environment Gives room for
gestures & propsAn nice overview
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Framing: Face Shots Camera set to same height as your
target Need to see both eyes Interview
Head and shoulders Looking slightly away from lens
towards interviewer Stand-up
Medium-wide shot – below waist or head-to-toe
Looking directly at camera
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Framing: BackgroundsWatch out for distracting
backgroundsDistracts the viewerExamples:
Tree braches Power lines Kids Antlers!!
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Action
Action
Photographer
Framing: Line of Action Shoot from one side of the action only Cannot cross line or action reverses
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Framing: Horizon LinesTry to keep the
horizon line at the lower or upper third of your shot
Horizon at the middle of your shot tends to divide your picture
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Sequences:Telling a story by
shot selection This means more
than one shot…How is it done?
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Sequences:Establish your location with a wide shotThen get a series of close-ups that was
within that wide shot: Activity / Action Areas of interest
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Close-ups: Intensifies the actionHolds viewer interest
Will actually listen more closely
Viewer will relate better to the story
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Pans, Tilts, and Zooms:Camera movement
MUST have a motivation Why are you moving
the camera?Example:
Follow something Students walking Car driving Football pass
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Pans, Tilts, and Zooms:Many shots are stills
Set it, shoot it, leave it alone
Editing motion Motion must end
before going to next shot
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Action:Action catches the eye
Zooming in usually intensifies action
Object only vs. people involved with the object Courthouse vs. people
walking up steps to courthouse
Art vs. people admiring the art
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Balance:Arrangement of objects
within the frame Does it look heavy on one
side or the other?Color balance
Arrangement of light and dark that compliment each other
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Angles:Look at object from different
angles and see what looks the best Shooting up makes things look
bigger Shooting down makes things
look smaller Lowering the camera often will
give more interesting shots
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Natural Framing:For an added creative
dimension, compose your pictures with an interesting foreground frame Example - tree, leafy branch,
windowCreates depth & directs
attention to the center of interest
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Getting Your Shots Plan, plan, plan! (storyboards)Shoot 5 seconds before and after you
shot Allows for editing
Take the same shot several times, or 2-3 times longer than you need Ensures you get enough footage