Composition

Composition

What is Shot Composition?

In Film terms, shot composition refers to the organization of elements in a frame. Every image should have a single story to tell. The purpose of composition is to direct your viewer's eye to the central point or "story" in your scene. Regardless of the particular subject, composition of the frame is important. You want to present a picture to your audience that is unified, shows the relationship between the elements in the frame, and is aesthetically pleasing. Everything in a frame is important, not just the subject!

In this post, I aim to explain, give examples of different methods of shot composition and to explain and analyse why they have been used. 

Framing

The very broad term "framing" refers to the way a shot is composed, and the manner in which subjects and objects are surrounded ('framed') by the boundaries or perimeter of the film image, or by the use of a rectangle or enclosing shape (such as a door or hallway) within the film image; also, camera angles such as low-angle and high-angle shots contribute to the framing

Example:

In the 2011 masterpiece, Drive, one of my favourite scenes, the scene where Driver and Irene first meet, is framed incredibly well (especially around 1:05). Irene occupies the left hand side of the frame, while a mirror is on the right. In the mirror, we can see a photo of Standard and Benicio, while Driver is seen through the mirror. Through the clever framing, Winding-Refn is slowly revealing the plot and conflict that will soon emerge - Irene's battle between reality and her desires. The whole scene is beautiful, from the initial attraction the audience feels through the slow panning to Irene's pining for Driver via the shots that stay on for just one or two seconds more where no dialogue is uttered between the two. A masterclass in framing.

Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds dictates that if you were to divide a TV screen into thirds using lines, where these lines intersected are the points where the eyes are most naturally attracted to. Therefore, many filmmakers implement this rule into their films and place the most important things in the shot on these intersecting lines. 

Example:

In the Oscar winning 2010 film, The King's Speech, the Rule of Thirds is used. The microphone is the subject of the scene and so when we split the screen in accordance with the Rule of Thirds, it always occupies where the lines overlap, and so we are more drawn to it, almost engrossed by it.

Depth of Field 

In laymen’s terms, depth of field refers to the part of your shot that is in focus. If all or most of the shot is in focus, you have a deep depth of field (also called deep focus.) If only a part of your shot is in focus, you have a shallow depth of field (also called shallow focus.)


Example - Shallow Focus: 


In this still shot taken from Drive, a film you're probably well aware of in this blog, shallow focus is used. This is from the opening scene, where Driver is on a heist, waiting on his clients to return from a bank robbery.This is done so that the audience is focused on Driver, heightening the intensity of the scene that is created by time running short on the clients to get to the car. 

Example - Deep Focus:

How can you even mention deep focus without mentioning Citizen Kane in the same sentence? Welles employed the deep focus shot throughout Citizen Kane. In this shot, Kane is still a boy and under the custody of Mrs. Kane. We see Kane through a window pane throwing snowballs while Mr. Thatcher talks over a deal with the parents of Charles Kane. Normally,  the conversation would be the subject of the shot; however, by employing the deep focus shot, we are made to sympathise with Kane as he has become the subject of the conversation, which the deep focus shot helps to convey.

Focus Pulls 

The focus pull  is a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot. Usually this means adjusting the focus from one subject to another.

Example:

Camera Angles and Movement

High Angle

A high angle shot is a shot which is the audience is looking down upon the subject, with the camera positioned above them.

Example:

In the original 1954 Gojira, a high angle shot is used (from Godzilla's POV) while he is wrecking the city. This is used to illustrate to the audience how insignificant and tiny the city and buildings are to the sheer might and size of Godzilla.



Canted Angle/ Dutch Tilt

A Canted Angle shot is one in which the camera has been deliberately tilted for dramatic effect, for example, confusion, drunkenness, madness, uneasiness, dreaming etc.

Low Angle

A Low Angle Shot is a shot which shows the subject from below, making it seem bigger or more prominent on camera.

Example:

In the famous speech scene in Citizen Kane, Kane appears to literally grow bigger as his ego increases and increases until it reaches its peak. What is truly beautiful about this scene, however, is the high angle shot that immediately follows once he has left the podium. This conveys a sense that perhaps Charles Foster Kane is not as important as he once thought he was and that his fame and lifestyle would not last forever.

Panning Shot

+A pan is a horizontal camera movement in which the camera moves left and right, usually following a subject. John Carpenter is a huge fan of panning shots, as well as Paul Thomas Anderson and Akira Kurosawa who is largely deemed the "Master of Movement" due to his precise onscreen fluid and timed movement of his characters. 





Tilt

A Tilt is a technique in which the camera is placed on a stationery object and rotated in a vertical plane.

Tracking Shot

The Tracking Shot is used very often by Martin Scorcese. It is a shot that follows the subjects and the camera is mounted on wheels. It can be used for a multitude of effects, from creating a dreamlike tone with slow tracking movements or creating a wild, frantic tone with excessive, quick camera movements.

Example:



 Dolly

A dolly is a cart which travels along tracks. The camera is mounted on the dolly and records the shot as it moves. Dolly shots have a number of applications and can provide very dramatic footage and are very often used in war films. 

Crane Shot

A Crane Shot is a shot which is taken by a camera on a crane or jib. The most obvious uses are to view the actors from above or to move up and away from them, a common way of ending a movie. It adds a sense of completeness to the film and the characters. 

Steadicam Shot

Steadicam is a brand of image stabiliser used in the film industry, however it has become known over the years as a complete shot type. It is used very often by Kubrick and is very iconic in any of his films. However, Sukurov's Russian Ark is the only film to be filmed completely in one single Steadicam shot. (see below)


Handheld

A handheld shot is one taken from a handheld camera. Used often in horror, found footage films due to its cheapness and immersing nature. Has become overused as all hell, and I am fed up with found footage horror films *cough*BlumHouse*cough*

Example:

Below I have included the rare instance of a good, interesting, fresh found footage film. Creep (2015) really employed the found footage genre in an unnerving way that made an eerie amount of sense. Go see it if you haven't already.




Zoom

Zooming in film is used very rarely, e xcept in 70s films. Many filmmakers choose not to zoom in with the camera, instead preferring to go the more natural way of the dolly shot, simulating the viewer getting closer to the action, rather than "zooming" in with his eyes, which is unnatural and takes viewers out of the experience.

Example:

Limitless used the zoom technique in a fascinating and original way. Multiple locations were zoomed in on and edited together to make it look like  a "Limitless" zoom.


Reverse Zoom

Cam Shot - Redux

Mid Shot:

The Mid Shot shows some of the subject in more detail while still showing the audience enough for them to feel they are looking at the whole subject, for example, if you are having a conversation with someone, their lower half is unnecessary and so that is not in shot.

Example:

In Guy Ritchie's 2009 film, "Sherlock Holmes", a mid shot is combined with a slight low angle shot to show how Holmes has just taken control of the situation, but that he is not in the clear yet. 

Wide Shot:

A Shot in which the subject takes up the whole height of the shot, or at least as much as comfortably possible. Often used to establish a cast (see example) or create a sense of space within a shot.

Example:

Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" opening credits make use of a wide shot to comfortably and naturally (as well as stylishly) establish the main cast, before using close up shots to introduce each individual character.

Two-Shot:

A Two Shot is a shot which features two subjects. This shot type is often used in interviews.



Aerial Shot:

Aerial Shots are when the shot is taken from above the subject - often used to establish a location.

Example;

In the opening credits of one of my favourite films, Drive, the neon-bathed city of LA is established and introduced to the audience. This is where the viewer's experience begins and ends, and the city is almost a character in and of itself. This whole film is beautifully shot and I urge anyone reading to give it a watch, as it totally deserves your time.



POV Shot:

A POV shot is a shot in which it is shot from the character's perspective. Often used in horror films to show the victim running from the murderer, it can be used to build tension (in horror films) or to simply give the audience a closer, more personal look into a character's actions and life.

Example:

In Spielberg's classic "Jaws", a POV shot is used in a rather unorthodox way - shot from the point of view of a shark. This works incredibly well as as the "shark" approaches the lady swimming in the water, the audience knows the inevitable outcome of this shot is, while the swimmer is blissfully unaware of her impending doom. This POV shot, unlike a lot of slashers, employs dramatic irony to further fuel the sense of dread and tension that the audience feel. This iconic shot certainly cemented the film into the cinematic hall of fame.


Over The Shoulder Shot

This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame.This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.

Example:

In one of my favourite films from 2014, "The Guest", an Over The Shoulder Shot is used just before a fight breaks out. This is used effectively as it lets us know Luke's reaction to the unfolding situation, while building tension by keeping David in shot. 

Camera Shots

Extreme Long Shot

An extreme long shot is a shot which is taken for a great distance from the subject and is used to add context to a shot.

Example:

In one of my all time favourite films, David Lean's 1962 masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia, an extreme long shot is used to introduce Omar Sharif's character as he slowly approaches the well where Lawrence stands. This is used effectively as it creates a sense of mystery, intrigue and danger within the audience, mirroring how Lawrence feels in his situation.

Close Up

A close up is a shot which focusses tightly on the subject of the shot.

Example:

In the 1967 masterpiece (again, one of my favourite films), a close up shot is used at the end of the film, (SPOILERS) after Ben crashes Elaine's wedding and they run off together. This is a genius way to end the film, as the whole film focuses on rebellion against society and both characters being under pressure by their parents (and by extension, the society in which they live). At the end of the film, they have realised the gravity of their situation and how they are not truly happy, and that they are only together because of their desire to rebel - a point beautifully shown by the smiles fading from both characters' faces as the melancholy tune of Simon and Garfunkle's "Sound of Silence" begins to play. This shot is certainly one of cinema's truly iconic ones, and has cemented the film as one that will be remembered for years to come.

Medium Shot

A Medium Shot is a shot taken from a medium distance. The subject can be in full or partial detail.

Example:

In the classic Hitchcock film Psycho, a series of medium shots are used when Arbogast first approaches the House. This is done effectively as it gives us a complete overview of the situation that he is about to walk into, as well as creating distance between him and the audience, leading to a sense of dread, which combined with the haunting score, unnerves the audience.

Long Shot

A long shot is a shot taken from a greater distance than a medium shot but not as far away as an extreme long shot, so that people may appear as indistinct shapes.

Example:

In Jim Jarmusch’s 2013 gothic vampire film, Only Lovers Left Alive, a long shot is used here to show and establish to the audience the gothic ruins of Detroit. Detroit as a city, as well as a character, is explored and developed by Jarmusch and so it is important that the audience is well acquainted with the city and what it embodies and represents throughout the film.