52 Grammar of the Shot

Wrapping up the Basics of Composition

So the basics of frame composition are relatively simple. We have demonstrated them
using several simple shot types covering one person placed properly within the frame.
The two-shot brings into the frame a second subject but still follows the same rules.
The basics of composition will apply to any of the wide variety of shot types and to
any objects that you need to record. A vase with owers should follow the same guide-
lines of compositionheadroom, look room, rule of thirds, camera angle, etc. Once you
know the shot types, the basics of framing, and the power behind camera angles, you
are well on your way to using good lm language and making well-balanced images for
your motion pictures.

End of Chapter Two Review

1. Provide appropriate headroom for each shot type.

2. Decide if a subjective (to camera) or objective (not to camera) shooting style is
more appropriate for your project.
3. Create ample look room for your subject to balance the weight of the frame.
4. Follow the rule of thirds and place important objects along the one-third lines
within the frame, both horizontally and vertically.
5. Choose a horizontal camera angle around your subject for more meaningful
coverage (the 3/4 prole being the most popular).
6. Shoot from a neutral, high, or low vertical camera angle to inform an audience
about a characters power dynamic.
7. Prole and direct to camera two-shots work best from long to medium shots, but
over-the-shoulder two-shots will work best from the medium close-up.