Composition in Film

1. Placement of Objects within the Frame

2. WHY?
•To make the frame visually interesting
•Aesthetically pleasing
•To express ideas/ meaning without
the need for words

3. RULE OF THIRDS

6. Top or Bottom
•Something place at the top of the Rule
of thirds is often made to look strong
and dominate, esp if they take up two
thirds of the space
•Something placed at the bottom looks
weak and vulnerable.

8. Left or Right
•Object placed on the left hand side
are often more important, strong,
dominate and in control. Our eye is
drawn to the left first
•Also look carefully at whether or not
one object is closer to the front of the
frame (foreground) = more important

10. But we can be tricked…

11. MINIMALISM
Composition
•Removing clutter
•Prominent subject
•Eye catching as our eyes are naturally
draw to the focal point

16. LEVEL HORIZONTAL
LINES
•Adds stability
•Can create a sense of peace and rest
•Can be used to draw attention to
something or frame something

19. Binary Composition
• Suggest the object are equal but
often we have to look at how close or
far apart they are to work out
relationships

20. This shot has a binary composition. The two characters
are facing each other, standing in almost the same
position. Their standing also gives the shot a strong
vertical sense.
This shot has a binary composition. The two characters
are standing in almost the same position, side by
side and close together. They have equal power and
a close relationship .

22. Triangular Composition
• Triadic compositions stress the
dynamic interplay among the three
elements or the strength of an
individual who is normally centered in
the frame and the apex of the triangle

24. Circle Composition
• Suggest security, collectiveness,
enclosure

26. RULES ARE MEANT TO
BE BROKEN?