Camera Framing: Shot Composition & Cinematography Techniques Explained [The Shot List, Ep 2]

Summary

In 'The Shot List' episode 2, the focus shifts to framing techniques in filmmaking. The video explores various framing conventions like singles, two-shots, over-the-shoulder, point of view, and insert shots, explaining their impact on character relationships and audience perception. It also demonstrates how these techniques are applied in Bong Joon-Ho's 'Parasite' to illustrate connections between characters, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful framing in directing a scene.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The script discusses various framing techniques used in filmmaking to compose subjects within a frame effectively.
• 📏 'Singles' are shots featuring one character, with 'clean singles' showing no other characters and 'dirty singles' including a limited presence of another character.
• 🔍 'Clean singles' are used to convey a character's isolation, while 'dirty singles' suggest a subtle presence or interaction with another character.
• 👥 'Two-shots' show two characters in the frame, emphasizing the visual relationship between them, which can be affectionate, contentious, or imaginary.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 As more characters are added, the terminology evolves to 'three-shot', 'four-shot', and so on, with no official limit, often referred to as a 'crowd shot'.
• 🗨️ 'Over-the-shoulder' (OTS) shots are a hybrid between a single and a two-shot, providing perspectives from both sides of a conversation and making the audience feel included.
• 👁️ 'Point of View' (POV) shots allow the audience to experience the perspective of a character, which can vary widely from a person to a shark.
• 🔊 POV shots are often paired with POV audio to immerse the audience in the character's sensory experience.
• 🔍 'Insert' shots focus on details, with the framing of the information being as important as its prominence on screen.
• 🎨 The script uses Bong Joon-Ho's 'Parasite' as an example to illustrate how framing decisions can tie characters together and convey connections.
• 📝 Planning shots in detail before production is recommended, and tools like shot-listing with StudioBinder can be beneficial for filmmakers.

Q & A

What is the main focus of episode 2 of 'The Shot List'?

Episode 2 of 'The Shot List' focuses on framing, discussing how to compose subjects in each frame once the camera shot size is determined.

What are the two types of single shots discussed in the script?

The two types of single shots are clean singles and dirty singles. A clean single shows only one character with no part of any other character visible, while a dirty single includes a limited presence from another character.

What is the purpose of a clean single shot?

A clean single shot is used to convey a character's isolation, focusing solely on one individual character without any visible presence of others.

How does a dirty single differ from a clean single?

A dirty single includes a limited presence from another character in the frame, unlike a clean single which shows only one character without any visible part of others.

What is a two-shot and what does it aim to create?

A two-shot is a framing convention where two characters are visible together in the frame. It aims to create a visual relationship between the two characters, which can be affectionate, contentious, or even imaginary.

What is an over-the-shoulder (OTS) shot and how does it function in a scene?

An over-the-shoulder shot is a hybrid between a single and a two-shot, often used to cover a conversation. It provides perspectives from both sides and gives a sense of inclusion in the moment.

What is the purpose of a point of view (POV) shot?

A point of view shot is used to allow the audience to experience the perspective of a character, covering a wide range of perspectives such as a person, an alien, a camera, a disembodied spirit, or even a shark.

How can an insert shot be used effectively in a scene?

An insert shot is not just about focusing on a detail but also about how the information is framed. It can be combined with POV shots to provide a first-person perspective or viewed from a third-person perspective.

What is the significance of the framing decisions in Bong Joon-Ho's 'Parasite' as discussed in the script?

In 'Parasite', framing decisions are used to tie together the physical and ideological connections between family members, showcasing how the director uses various framing techniques to convey relationships and dynamics.

What advice is given for planning shots in the script?

The script advises planning out shots in detail before production and suggests using tools like StudioBinder for shot-listing and collaboration.

What is the next topic to be explored in the 'The Shot List' series?

The next episode of 'The Shot List' will explore every camera angle, providing further insights into filmmaking techniques.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to Framing Techniques

This paragraph introduces the second episode of 'The Shot List', focusing on framing techniques in filmmaking. It discusses how to compose subjects within the frame after determining the shot size. The paragraph outlines various framing options such as singles (clean or dirty), two-shots, over-the-shoulder shots, point of view (POV) shots, and inserts. It emphasizes the importance of these techniques in conveying character relationships and emotions, and how they can be combined with different shot sizes.

05:04

🔎 Analyzing Framing in 'Parasite'

This paragraph delves into an analysis of framing techniques using Bong Joon-Ho's film 'Parasite' as an example. It discusses how different framing styles, such as ultra-wide shots, insert shots, medium shots, and various combinations of over-the-shoulder and point of view shots, are used to establish connections between family members. The paragraph illustrates how these framing decisions can guide the narrative and emphasize relationships, and it concludes with a call to action for filmmakers to plan their shots in detail, mentioning the use of StudioBinder for shot-listing.

Keywords

💡Framing

Framing in film refers to the way a scene is composed within the camera's viewfinder. It is a fundamental aspect of cinematography that influences how the audience perceives the story and characters. In the video, framing is the central theme, with various types of framing techniques discussed to demonstrate how they can be used to guide the narrative and create relationships between characters, as seen in the analysis of Bong Joon-Ho's 'Parasite'.

💡Single

A single shot in film features one character alone in the frame, making them the primary focus. The term 'single' is used to describe two types of framing: a clean single, which excludes any part of another character, and a dirty single, which includes a limited presence of another character. The video explains that singles can be combined with different shot sizes to convey isolation or a subtle connection between characters.

💡Two-shot

A two-shot is a framing technique where two characters are both visible in the frame, allowing for the creation of a visual relationship between them. This can range from affectionate to contentious. The video emphasizes that for a shot to be considered a two-shot, both characters must be clearly visible, and it is a common way to cover a conversation between two characters.

💡Over-the-shoulder (OTS)

An over-the-shoulder shot is a type of framing that acts as a hybrid between a single and a two-shot, often used to cover conversations. It provides a perspective from one character's point of view, looking past their shoulder to see the person they are interacting with. The video script uses OTS shots as an example of how to include the audience in the moment and provide perspectives from both sides of a conversation.

💡Point of View (POV)

A point of view shot is a framing technique that places the audience in the perspective of a character, allowing them to see what the character sees. The video mentions that POV can cover a wide range of perspectives, not limited to human characters but also including aliens, cameras, or even a shark. The script illustrates the effectiveness of POV shots by discussing how they can be paired with POV audio to fully immerse the audience.

💡Insert

An insert shot is a close-up of a specific detail that is meant to convey important information or draw attention to a particular object or element within the scene. The video explains that the framing of the insert shot is often more important than its prominence on screen, and it can be combined with POV shots to provide a first-person or third-person perspective.

💡Crowd Shot

A crowd shot refers to a frame that includes a large number of characters, typically more than two. While there is no official limit to how many characters can be included, the video suggests that beyond a certain number, it's best to refer to the shot as a crowd shot. This type of framing is used to establish the presence of a group and their relationships with one another.

💡Shot Size

Shot size in film refers to the amount of the scene that is visible within the camera's frame, such as a close-up, medium shot, or wide shot. The video script mentions that shot sizes can be combined with different framing options like singles, two-shots, and OTS shots to create various effects and convey different emotions or relationships.

💡Dirty Single

A dirty single is a specific type of single shot where a part of another character is included in the frame, suggesting a limited presence or connection to the main character. The video uses the term to illustrate how a single shot can be used to convey a sense of isolation or subtle interaction between characters.

💡Clean Single

A clean single is a framing technique where the character is the sole focus of the frame, with no part of any other character visible. The video explains that this type of framing is best used to convey a character's isolation or to emphasize their individuality within the narrative.

💡Shot-listing

Shot-listing is the process of planning out each shot in a film or video production, detailing the framing, camera movement, and other technical aspects. The video mentions using StudioBinder for shot-listing, which is a way to organize and collaborate on the planning of shots to achieve a desired visual outcome in the final production.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of framing in filmmaking.

Explaining the importance of shot size determination in framing.

Introduction of the most commonly used framing options.

Definition and explanation of the 'Single' shot, including clean and dirty singles.

Use of clean singles to convey character isolation.

Use of dirty singles to include limited presence of another character.

Flexibility of combining singles with different shot sizes.

Explanation of the 'Two-shot' and its focus on creating visual relationships.

Variation in character orientation in a two-shot.

Introduction of 'Three-shot', 'Four-shot', and the concept of a 'crowd shot'.

Emphasis on creating relationships between characters in a crowd shot.

Description of the 'Over-the-shoulder' shot and its role in covering conversations.

Explanation of the 'Point of View' (POV) shot and its wide range of perspectives.

Combining POV shots with POV audio for immersive experience.

Importance of framing in the insert shot, beyond just focusing on details.

Combining insert shots with POV for a hybrid framing technique.

Analysis of Bong Joon-Ho's 'Parasite' to illustrate framing decisions.

Use of ultra-wide, medium, and hybrid shots to show family connections in 'Parasite'.

Guidance on planning shots in detail before production.

Recommendation to use StudioBinder for shot-listing and collaboration.

Teaser for the next episode focusing on camera angles.

Encouragement to subscribe and engage with the filmmaking techniques series.

Transcripts

♪ ♪

In the previous episode of "The Shot List",

we broke down all the most commonly used shot sizes

in the filmmaker's toolbox.

But once the camera shot size is determined

the question becomes,

how should I compose the subjects in each frame?

"- And...

...action, Dirk."

♪ ♪

This is episode 2

of "The Shot List".

♪ ♪

Framing.

♪ ♪

Now, let's get into the proper frame of mine.

These are the most commonly used framing options

to cover action in a scene.

"- I've never seen anything like this."

Singles, which can be clean or dirty.

Two-shot.

Over the shoulder.

Point of view.

And finally the insert.

♪ ♪

Our first framing convention

the Single.

A single shot features one character

alone in the frame.

The individual character

is the primary focus.

But there are two ways to frame a single.

A clean single

is when no part of any other character

is visible in the frame.

It's best to use

when you want to convey a character's isolation.

Whereas a dirty single,

includes a limited presence from another character in the frame.

And don't forget that singles,

like all of the framing options

can be combined with any of the shot sizes

we covered in the last video.

Whether it's a close up,

a medium shot

or a wide shot.

The single still applies.

When two characters are visible together in frame

this is called the two-shot.

The orientation of the characters to one another can vary.

But to be considered two-shot

both phases must be clearly visible.

The two-shot is all about creating visual relationship

between two characters.

This relationship might be affectionate,

contentious

or even imaginary.

♪ ♪

When more characters are added to the frame

the terminology adjusts to

three shot.

Four shot.

And so on.

♪ ♪

There is no official limit

on how high this number can go.

"- One, two, three, four, five."

But numbering this would be overkill.

Best to just call it a crowd shot.

Remember that no matter

how many characters you include in a single frame.

You are creating a relationship between them.

The most common and useful way of covering a conversation

is the over-the-shoulder shot.

♪ ♪

And OTS shot acts like a hybrid

between a single and a two shot.

And similar to a single,

we're often only focusing on one character at a time.

From these OTS angles,

we get perspectives from both sides

and a sense that we are included in the moment.

"- Can I help you?

- I hope so.

- I'm an old friend of George's

thought I stop and say hello."

When you want the audience to experience the perspective of a character,

it can be effective to frame up a point of view

or POV shot.

♪ ♪

The idea of the POV can cover a wide range of perspectives.

A person.

An alien.

A camera.

A disembodied spirit.

Or even a shark.

In many cases, a POV shot is also paired with POV audio

so we can see what they see

and hear what they hear.

♪ ♪

The insert shot

is not just about going extremely tight on a detail.

♪ ♪

The way the information is framed

is often even more important

than how prominent it is on screen.

Inserts can also be combined with POV shots.

A first-person perspective.

Or are we looking at the insert shot

from a third-person perspective?

Or a hybrid frame like this.

Both an elegant insert

and an effective POV.

We've covered the most common types of camera framing

but now let's put it all together.

Let's look at Bong Joon-Ho's "Parasite".

This sequence of scenes

is about the physical and ideological connections

between family members.

Watch how the director ties them together

through framing decisions.

An ultra-wide four shot

of the Kim's in the Park family's backyard.

An insert shot of four whiskey glasses been filled.

A medium four shot of the Kim family.

A hybrid four shot. OTS. POV.

A close-up dirty single.

A dirty single.

A dirty two shot.

A dirty OTS shot.

A complimentary OTS.

A dirty single.

A full four shot.

A two shot.

Pans over to a different two shot.

The pan continues to a three shot.

A dirty single.

A dirty single.

And OTS shot.

A clean single.

Pans over to frame another clean single.

Lastly, a wide four shot.

♪ ♪

As we've seen

the way you frame a shot

helps guide the scene in the desired direction.

Once you understand what you want to achieve in the scene,

you can decide how best to frame your subjects.

Plan out your shots in detail before production.

We shot-listing using StudioBinder.

If you're looking to create and collaborate on a shot-list,

you can find a link in the description.

In the next episode of the shot-list,

we'll explore every camera angle.

Subscribe and click the bell to get notified

as we release our next filmmaking techniques video.

In the meantime,

happy framing.

♪ ♪