Framing in Film! (Research)

Pre-Research

Before researching framing and compositions in filmmaking, I already knew some of the basics of it. However, I wanted to review information and go more in-depth (or specific). I want to further understand how different shot types, angles, and placements affect meaning, emotion and audience perception. 

This research would help me make more deliberate choices when planning and shooting my shots, rather than shooting them from what I think fits in that moment.  

What I learnte

Camera framing refers to how subjects are arranged inside the shot using the camera. Environmental framing (or the "frame-with in-a-frame") refers to objects inside the scene that surrounds the characters (doorways, windows, furniture). 

CAMERA POSITIONING 

• Center(ing) Frame: Suggests control, importance, or stability. Often use for leading characters.
• Off-Center/Rule of Thirds: Adds tension, imbalance. For example, a character being on the far most right side of the frame can show isolation from the others if any.
• Foreground/Background: Characters in the foreground usually dominate visually.

A still from Send Help using off-center/rule of thirds to show tension

My takeaways!

First is to always try to plan framing before shooting, not during. By using the "frame-within-a-frame" framing, I can showcase the male lead being trapped using cased openings! Honest moments will have the camera closer, while isolated moments will have the camera be further away! 

These are just some of the example I tend to use. In summary, I want (almost) each shot to reflect the character 's emotion and use framing as part of the narrative.