What is framing?
Framing is how you arrange things in a camera shot to help tell a story.
Framing guides the viewer's attention and creates mood and emotion through:
- Positioning - where in the frame performers or key objects are
- Composition - how different visual elements relate to each other
- Camera angles - how the camera relates to what is being filmed
Video - framing
Check out this video on framing in filmmaking!
Framing is what you include in the shot, and what you leave out.
The rule of thirds divides your frame into a three by three grid.
Placing key parts of your shot on the lines or joins draws the audience’s attention and looks balanced.
Centring (putting something in the middle of the frame) or symmetry (having your image look symmetrical) can make a shot feel controlled, direct or powerful.
Leading lines can guide the audience’s eye to what matters.
You can also hide part of the action and see how it changes what feels important.
Framing is a filmmaker's way of saying to the audience - look here. This is important”
Key points
- Rule of thirds - A technique based on dividing the frame into a 3x3 grid. Positioning a person or object on one of the lines of the grid, or where the lines meet, helps draw attention to them.
- Centring - Placing the subject right in the middle of the frame makes them the centre of attention and gives them a sense of drama and importance.
- Symmetry - Arranging objects in the frame symmetrically can feel calm and organised, Placing people symmetrically can suggest that they are equal, or that they are in conflict.
- Leading lines - Lines and edges of objects in the frame can lead the viewer's eye to where you want them to look.
On screen examples - framing
- Image source, Paramount Pictures / Scott Free Productions / Album / Alamy
Image caption, Rule of thirds
Many shots in 'Gladiator II' are composed using the rule of thirds. If the screen was divided into a 3x3 grid, actor Denzel Washington's eyes would be positioned near the upper-left intersection of the grid lines. This draws attention to his expression. Actor Paul Mescal is framed one third from the right of frame, helping balance the shot and showing the relationship between the two characters.
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Try this - framing
Watch this video and give this framing exercise a go!
How you frame your shot will change how it feels and where the audience looks.
Film the same moment three ways: arranging your shot using the rule of thirds, or centring or symmetry to focus attention in the middle of the shot, or using a leading line to draw the audience’s eye to a key detail.
Add foreground, middle ground and background to create depth.
Roles/Departments
- Director - Thinks about the visual style and the best framing choices for each shot, then work with the cinematographer to achieve them.
- Cinematographer - Works with the director to develop the visual style and then is responsible for framing up each shot when filming on-set.
- Camera department - Roles such as 1st AC (Assistant Camera), 2nd AC and grip work beneath the cinematographer, to set up and use camera equipment to achieve each desired shot.
Think about
- What kind of framing best suits this moment you are making?
- What effect does it have if you change the framing?
- Who or what do you want to be the focus for the audience in your shot?
Things to look for
- Use layers within the frame to create depth- think about what we see in the foreground, middle ground and background.
- Think about how the framing works with your chosen angle or shot size.
- Consider how the frame will change if you also use camera movement.
Things to consider
- Make sure everything you want to see is included in the frame.
- Can the audience see the people and objects that are important to telling the story and showing what is happening?
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