Monday, 4 October 2010

Composition Rules

There are over 100 composition rules for film making. To use composition correctly the rules of emphasis need to be understood. These are:
1. Different type of shot size
2. Camera position and angle
3. Camera movements
4. Lighting
5. Rule of thirds
6. Leading to the eye
7. Colours
8. Shapes and lines
9. Detail arrangement
10. Editing Styles

1. Different Types of Shot Size
There are many different shot sizes and these all communicate different essential connotations to the audience.

Long Shot
This shot is used to create a first impression. It portray's action, atmosphere and character. It uses people at full length and create a sense of place and time.










Mid Shot
This shot is used to show the subject's facial expressions but far away enough to capture body gestures. The shot is comfortable to the subject and they can use their hands when taking in the shot.










Close Up
This shot is used to show the subject's detailed expression and delivers emotion from people and impact from emotions. A close up is also used to 'show off' a star in a film.










Wide Shot
A wide shot is used to set the context of what is yet to come and establish place and time. It creates an overall atmosphere, although subjects will be extremely small. It is most appropriate when there is action in the frame.










Extreme Close Up
This is an unusual shot that is used to shock the audience and bring a new perspective to the story.










2. Camera position and angle


Different camera angels are important to show certain perpectives of the subject, which may convey them in different ways. An low angle is used to seem as if someone is looking up at the subject. This can make the subject appear rebellious but if used for too long can give a sense of arrogance. A high angle is used to seem as if someone is looking down at the subject. This can make the subject seem inocent and intimidated. A straigh on shot is used to make the subject seems uninterwesting and boring. Therefore, the camera is always placed 30 degrees right or left of the subject to make them seem more animated.


High angle shot- makes 'Oliver' seem weak and vunerable










Low angle shot- makes 'Mr Bumble' seem strong and powerful








3. Camera Movements

Tracking Shot
A tracking shot is when the lens is kept at a fixed angle but the camera is moved towards or away from the action. A tracking shot can be executed on foot, with tripod wheels, in the car, in a wheelchair or on tracks.












Panning Shot
A panning shot is when the camera pans from right to left or from left to right. It allows for a subject that is too wide for a static shot eg. a landscape. However, it can also be used to follow a moving subject.











Tilting
This is when the camera starts at either the top of the bottom of the subject and tilts either up or down to reveal the complete subject.



















4. Lighting
This diagram shows the lighting set up needed to make sure the subject is lit properly. The key light should be positioned as high as possible without losing the eyes in shadows from the eyebrows. The keylight should not cast a nose shadow of the subjects cheeks in an interview. shadows across the eyes from spectacle frames should be avoided.
The two types of lighting that will be used in the shoot for the pop video are:
Redheads (400 watts)
Blondes (2k)








7. Colours
Different colours are used in images to connotes different ideologies. These coloures are seen in the foreground, the background and the wardrobe of the shot.

Red
Personality- Outgoing, active, physical
Positive Qualities- Motivating, warm, caring
Negative Qualities- Irritable, angry

Orange
Personality- Sociable, creative
Positive Qualities- Practical, joyful
Negative Qualities- Overpowering, angry

Yellow
Personality- Quick, alert mind, sunny/bright ideas
Positive Qualities- Bright, happy, communicative
Negative Qualities- Egocentric, fearful

Green
Personality- Caring, epathetic, natural, wholesome
Positive Qualities- Balance, in harmony, abundant
Negative Qualities- Indecisive, feeling trapped

Blue
Personality- Peaceful, quiet, introverted
Positive Qualities- Loyal, honest, cooling
Negative Qualities- Depressive, withdrawn

Purple
Personality- Creative, spritual, sensitive
Positive Qualities- Powerful, seeker of trut, inspirational
Negative Qualities- Misuse of power, Obessive

Black
Personality- Feminine energy, mysterious
Positive Qualities- Potential, powerful
Negative Qualities- Identity crisis, hides from the world

White
Personality- Masculine energy
Positive Qualities- Purity, cleansing
Negative Qualities- Cold, isolating

Brown
Personality- Earthy, physical
Positive Qualities- Secure, safe
Negative Qualities- Restrictive, Barren

Grey
Personality- Self-reliant, independant
Positive Qualities- Indervidual, self-sufficient
Negative Qualities- Rigid, critical, uncommunicative

Pink
Personality- Loving, nuturing, emotional
Positive Qualities- Understanding, sympathetic
Negative Qualities- Immature, needy, emotional, unstable

Turquoise
Personality- Fresh, sparkling new ideas
Positive Qualities- Uplifting, refreshing, communicative, cool
Negative Qualities- Cold, isolating

Pastels
Personality- Softer version of each colour
Positive Qualities- More sensitive, gentle
Negative Qualities- Easily led, impressive












The different colours in the picture conote contrasting ideas. The woman's red dress could either conveys her as caring or angry. However, the backdrop of the image is calming and carefree so anger would most probably not be conveyed.


8. Shapes and Lines
Different shapes in a shot connote different ideas to the audience and this is can be used in a positive or negative way towards the action or actors. shapes can also be refered to as 'form' and they can be symetrical, asymmetrical, shallow or have depth, compact, or diffused.

Symmetrical
A symmetric shape would connote formality, grace and rigidity.

Asymmetrical
This would connote flexibility, casualness and a lack of order. For example, circles are free, rounded and trustworthy.

The 'line' of a picture is determines by showing where the subjects and objects are in the shot. The different lines in the image express differnt emotions.

Horizontal lines
This creates a restful, calm but distant feeling. The viewer will feel stability, heaviness, restfulness and peacefulness. For example, a sunset has a horison to communicate peace and harmony.

Perpendicular lines
This is used to express hight, dignaty, being regal, impressiveness and aspirational qualities.

Diagonal lines
These forms of lines express a feel of movement, or an unreal, bizarre quality. These lines are often found at the climax of a media product.

Curved lines
this is used to express femininity, naturalness, intimacy and flexibility.

Straight Lines
A Straight line is used to express strength, simplicity, nearness and regularity.


The x and y axis is also an important factor to consider when shooting a sequence. These are lines than run through the screen. The y axis runs vertically through the screen and the x axins runs horizontally through the screen. If the action moves from left to right, this is comfertable for the audience's eye's movement and therefore conveys a sense of good. This means that usually the protagonist enters from left to right. However, if the actions moves from right to left, this is uncomferatble for the audience's eye's movement and therefore conveys a sense of bad. This means that usually the antagonist enters from right to left. The verticle line is also important for what is to happen in the rest of the film. If the subject travels up the line it will suggest that they will have some kind of difficulty in the futre. However, if the subject travels down the line then it suggests the subject will have an easy path in the futre.

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