1. Shot Composition: How to Frame a Shot
A/V Production
Shot Composition:
How to Frame a Shot

2. The 5 Basic Shots Extreme Long Shot (ELS)
A shot that includes the talent and the surroundings
Generally used to help set the scene for the audience
Also known as an
Establishing Shot
IVCP: Shot Composition

3. The 5 Basic Shots Long Shot (LS)
A shot that includes the talent from head to toe
IVCP: Shot Composition

4. The 5 Basic Shots Medium Shot (MS)
A shot that includes the talent from around the waist to the top of the head.
News reporters are often seen reporting from an accident or crime scene with a medium shot.
Normally used in
dialogue scenes,
or to show some
detail of action
IVCP: Shot Composition

5. The 5 Basic Shots Close Up (CU)
A shot that includes just the head and shoulders of the talent
Notice in comedy shows that close ups are used to capture the expressions of the comedians and accentuate their craziness.
Magnifies the object and
shows the importance
IVCP: Shot Composition

6. The 5 Basic Shots Extreme Close Up (ECU) Full face or closer
An example of this would be in movies when they show only a person’s mouth while they are talking
IVCP: Shot Composition

7. Other Shots Designations
Bust Shot
A shot that includes the talent from the upper chest to the top of the head
Knee Shot
Framing of a person from the knees up.
IVCP: Shot Composition

8. Other Shots Designations
Two Shot –includes two people
Three Shot – includes three people
Over the Shoulder Shot ( OTS )
A shot in which the camera looks over a person’s shoulder at another person or an object
IVCP: Shot Composition

9. Shot Composition Background Mergers Should not distract the audience
Can add to depth, feeling, interest
Mergers
Background objects
that appear to be joined
to the people or a person
in the shot
IVCP: Shot Composition

10. Shot Composition Closure Natural Cut Off Lines
How our imaginations fill in spaces we can't actually see on the screen
Shot will look awkward if you don't supply enough visual information for your viewers to project what lies outside the frame.
Natural Cut Off Lines
Should be avoided
Shots should include the area slightly above or below these natural body joints.
IVCP: Shot Composition

11. Shot Composition Depth More appealing that flat images
Create depth by including objects in the foreground, middle ground and the background.
IVCP: Shot Composition

12. Shot Composition Rule of Thirds
Divide the screen vertically and horizontally into 3 equal parts.
Put the subjects on these lines where they cross
By locating your main subject at one of the four intersections you give the subject more emphasis than if it was in the middle of the picture.
IVCP: Shot Composition

13. Shot Composition
Rule of Thirds
IVCP: Shot Composition

14. Shot Composition
Rule of Thirds
IVCP: Shot Composition

15. Shot Composition
Leadroom- The space left in front of a person looking toward the edge of the screen
IVCP: Shot Composition

16. Shot Composition
Leadroom- The space left in front of a person looking toward the edge of the screen
IVCP: Shot Composition

17. Shot Composition Headroom
The space left between the top of the head and the upper screen edge
IVCP: Shot Composition

18. Shot Composition Perspectives Objective- The camera watches
the scene. The talent acts as if
they are not in front of the camera
IVCP: Shot Composition

19. Shot Composition Perspectives
Subjective: The camera is used as the eyes of the talent. It allows the audience to see what the talent is seeing. (Point-of-View Shot)
IVCP: Shot Composition

20. Shot Composition Angles
High Angle - The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview. High angles make the object photographed seem smaller, and less significant
IVCP: Shot Composition

21. Shot Composition Angles
Eye Level - A fairly neutral shot; the camera is positioned as though it is a human actually observing a scene, so that the actors' heads are on a level with the focus.
IVCP: Shot Composition

22. Shot Composition Angles
Low Angle -helps give a sense of powerlessness within the action of a scene.
Height of the dominating object helps to inspire fear or insecurity in the viewer.
IVCP: Shot Composition

23. Shot Composition Angles
Bird’s Eye View -directly overhead; higher than a high angle view
This shot can put the
audience in a godlike
position, looking down
on the action.
IVCP: Shot Composition