Video Composition

Video Composition (Framing the shot)

Placement of subjects and objects in the video frame

Rule of Thirds

Basic rule for placement of a person or object in the frame.

Divide the screen into thirds with imaginary lines.

Rule of Thirds

People or the main object (eg. buildings) should be placed on one of the vertical lines in the Rule of Thirds.

A persons eyes should fall on one of the horizontal lines.

The horizon in the video should usually appear along one of the 2 imaginary horizontal lines.
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Headroom

The space above a subjects head and the edge of the TV frame. When framing a person in a CU, MCU or
MS, there should be a small amount of hearoom.

Too much headroom and the subject will look like they are falling out of the frame.

Too little headroom makes the subject look like they are glued to the top of the frame.

Note: Headroom "naturally" increases as shots becomes wider

Lead Room

The space that is in front or "leading" the subject in the direction they are travelling OR LOOKING.

Gives the viewer a sense of where the subject is going.

In a video we already know where the subject came from. Help to visually move the story along.
To Little Lead Room
Lead Room

The space that is in front or "leading" the subject in the direction they are travelling OR LOOKING.

Gives the viewer a sense of where the subject is going.

In a video we already know where the subject came from. Help to visually move the story along.
Proper Lead Room
Foreground, Middle ground
and Background (FG/MG/BG)

Foreground is the area immediately in front of you that sets the stage for the main part of the landscape.

Middle ground is everything in between.

Background is that part of the landscape that is the most distant from you.
What are the important visuals in this photo?

Which "framing" do you prefer and why?
Composition Considerations:

Medium Shot with proper headroom

Use of "Rule of Thirds"

Viewers focus is now on subject and accented by the background building - not
visually split

Pay close attention to both your subject and the background. The background
provides important time and space information. We have a sense of where our
subject is located (Pantheon in Rome Italy)
Why is shot composition
Important?
Exercise
Draw a picture of a person showing proper:

Shot size - 1. Medium Close Up (MCU) and 2. :

Rule of Thirds - include grid, proper subject framing, and horizon line

Headroom - show proper headroom for this shot size

Lead room - show the direction that the subject would be looking
Sources

Instructor: Mr. Snyder - TGM 3-4M - Lesson: Composition, Rule of Thirds, Headroom, Lead Room and
Foreground, Middleground and Background

http://www.crockwellphotography.com/blog/files/00a9-crockwell-landscape-rule-of-thirds.jpg

http://static.videomaker.com/sites/videomaker.com/files/videonews/2012/09/Hands_directing.jpg

http://filmsforchange.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/rule-of-thirds-2.jpg

http://www.pxleyes.com/images/contests/rule-of-thirds-portrait/fullsize/rule-of-thirds-
portrait-5295c4df43e4f_hires.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzQRDPGfGME/T1WLOmM7fXI/AAAAAAAAAFg/9uEFy2s7WLc/
s1600/9325.jpg

http://www.crockwellphotography.com/blog/files/00a9-crockwell-landscape-rule-of-thirds.jpg

http://www.reeftology.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DOF.jpg
Short Video Example
Danny MacAskill: Way Back Home