Framing and Composition - Capel Manor Shots

We used the rule of thirds when composing this shot. Typical of a performance video, we wanted the performer to be the focal point of the shot, and therefore, she appears along one of the 'thirds' lines. I like the balance created within this shot by the foliage emerging from the left-hand side of the frame, this also serves to accentuate the performer as she appears in the only open space in the shot. We felt that the structure of the window was grid-like so we used this to make the shot more interesting, by having the performer appear through a gap, a frame is created around her. This framing technique helps to draw the viewer's eye to the focal point - the performer.


In this shot, we wanted to centralise the performer to identify her as the focal point. The simple background also helps to draw attention to the focal point. We used the rule of thirds to calculate the composition of this shot so that we left a proportionate amount of headroom.





The interesting lines and angles within this shot help to lead the viewer's eye to the centre of the frame that contains the focal point - the performer. This was a hand-held tracking shot, these lines that 'draw you in' help to accentuate the camera movement.




We used the idea of 'leading space' in this shot. Whilst the subject is not facing sideways, as is typical of this type of framing, the large open space on the left-hand side adds openness and makes the performer seem smaller. This adds an element of vulnerability which is fitting for our narrative that explores the idea of feeling trapped.


We used the rule of thirds to draw more attention to the performer, as she appears along one of the dividing 'thirds' lines. I particularly like the balance within this shot, the dark green on the right-hand side contrasting the very pale, almost colourless performer. The idea of 'contrast' adds to our narrative as we wanted to present two contrasting sides of our protagonist.

Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before the Lights Come On

I found the music video for Arctic Monkeys' 'Leave Before the Lights Come On' very inspirational. The female character in the video has similar characteristics to the protagonist in our music video, particularly her feelings of desperation. She is shown running throughout the music video, this is an idea that we also want to include in our video as it portrays ideas of escapism, our key theme.

I like the way this music video has been filmed, especially the shots starting at 3:31 that show the woman running from different angles. The quick cuts that alternate between the front view and back view create a disorientating atmosphere, the fast pace also creating a frantic and desperate feel that help to capture the feelings of the character. I would like to incorporate similar shots in our music video as I think that this desperate, hurried energy is well suited to our fast paced song as well as our narrative of a girl trying to escape her normal life. This technique would be good to use in our Oxford Street car park location as it contains a staircase that will be featured towards the end of the song, which has a faster pace, so will suit the increasingly distressed atmosphere.

Below are stills from the video showing the different camera angles:

     

Framing and Composition - Brick Lane Shots

We framed our Brick Lane shots carefully so that our artist was the focus of each shot.



We thought about perspective and diagonal lines when framing this shot, the lines created where the walls meet the ground lead towards the focal point - the artist's face, emphasising their importance and reinforcing the 'star image'.





We centralised the focal point of this shot whilst also surrounding the subject, in this case with graffiti, this frames the subject and draws the viewer's eye whilst also balancing the empty space to create a more interesting shot.

Framing and Composition - Camden Shots

Whilst filming in Camden, we spent a lot of time framing each shot, ensuring that each had interesting visual elements that conform with framing and composition rules, such as the rule of thirds and diagonal lines.

We used the rule of thirds when composing this shot. The main focus is the clock so we made sure that it was at one of the intersecting points of the grid. I like the black space on the right-hand side that contrasts the bright orange and blue lights on the left, the clock in the centre of these two sections, I feel that this places more importance on the clock as the focal point. I also like the repetitive aspect of the vertical lights that draw the viewer's eye across the frame, again, leading to the focal point.



Perspective was the most important element of this shot. The high angle combined with the lines created by the edges of the walls lead the viewer's eye to the centre of the frame, where the focal point of the artist is.





We used the eyeline rule for this shot, my eyes are exactly 1/3 of the way down the shot. We also centralised the focal point to emphasise its importance.





We used leading space on the left-hand side of the subject (our artist) to add fluidity, the diagonal line created by the bottom of the wooden door also helps to add movement as the eye is drawn across the frame, from left to right, towards the focal point. We also used the idea of surrounding the subject as a way of drawing attention to it, the painted 'Jack Daniel's' image acts as a frame whilst also helping to balance the empty space around the subject.


I like the repeated diagonal lines within this shot, created by the lights on the tunnel ceiling. This adds movement and draws the eye across the frame, this element of movement is also supported by the ripples in the water and the off centre positioning of the focal point (the artist).





Again, we used the eyeline rule for this shot, ensuring that my eyes were 1/3 of the way down the frame.








We used the rule of thirds to make this shot more interesting. The tunnel ceiling lying 1/3 of the way down the frame and the railing starting 1/3 from the bottom of the frame. We also ensured that the boat was roughly where the grid lines intersect. Diagonal lines were also used to add movement.




We contradicted the eyeline rule in this shot as we wanted the character to appear more vulnerable and lost, fitting with her mindset and the music video's theme of escaping.







We played on the perspective of this shot in order to create movement across the image. The diagonal lines help to emphasise the movement within this shot (the shot actually pans across the bridge).

Framing and Composition

In today's lesson we learnt about framing and composition and how it can be used to compliment the focal point of a shot. Using different techniques can make shots more interesting. We will be able to apply this knowledge whilst filming in order to make our music video stand out and look visually pleasing.

Eyeline Rule / Headroom:

When filming a close up of a person there is a general rule that the eyes should be kept 1/3 of the way down the frame and should almost never be allowed below this point. Below, on the left, is a still from Adele's 'Hello' adhering to this rule, on the right is a still from Beyoncé's 'Pretty Hurts' where her eyeline is lower than the halfway point. I think that deviating from this rule has made Beyoncé appear smaller and more vulnerable as opposed to Adele who is taking up a larger portion of the frame.



Leading Space:

Leading space is a term used when an object or person is on the very left or right-hand side of the frame, usually looking sideways. This allows room for movement and adds an element of fluidity and openness. In this particular example below from Taylor Swift's 'Blank Space', the leading space combined with her outstretched arm draws the viewer's eye across the frame.

Surrounding Subject:

Surrounding the subject with other objects helps to frame it, highlighting it as the focal point of the shot. This is evident is the shot below from Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House'.

Centralising Focus:

Centralising the focal point of the shot is a simple way of drawing attention to it. The empty space around the subject also helps to create balance whilst also making the shot appear quite formal yet authoritative. Below is a still from Lorde's music video for 'Team' that shows a central figure with empty space, this immediately draws the eye to the centre of the shot.

Diagonal Lines:

Diagonal lines help to draw the viewer's eye across a shot, usually to the focal point, this also adds an element of movement and makes a shot more exciting. They also emphasise perspective, adding more depth to the shot. Below is a shot from the music video for 'Lean On' by Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ that shows a diagonal line across the frame leading to the focal point (the artist).

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds describes the idea of splitting a shot into a 3x3 grid with the object of interest lying where the grid lines intersect. The off-centre focal point creates a more interesting shot. This rule can also be combined with other rules such as leading space and surrounding the subject, the empty space around the subject creates balance and can also serve as a frame, drawing more attention to the focal point. Below is an example of the rule of thirds, taken from the Arctic Monkey's 'The View from the Afternoon'.

Here is a very informative video that I found about the rule of thirds:

Ariana Grande - Focus

Today the group looked at Ariana Grande's 'Focus'. We were particularly inspired by the shot (shown in the extract below) that features the artist sat in multiple circular shapes as they rotate, creating a spiral effect. The idea of a 'spiral' is very fitting for our music video as we want to present the idea of 'hypnotism', spirals and circles being key images in order to convey this theme.

The bold contrast of the white circles and black background creates an eye-catching pattern which, again, has a hypnotic feel whilst also capturing the audience's interest. The artist's silhouette against the white also emphasises her as the focal point of the shot, building on the idea of the 'star image'.

I think that we could incorporate a similar shot in our music video. The idea of having multiple images of the artist being shown simultaneously could be achieved by layering shots in iMovie. We could also include similar patterns and shapes throughout the video - we have already planned to film a spiral staircase.

Battles - The Yabba

I found this music video, 'The Yabba' by Battles, on YouTube and really liked this particular shot. The high angle allows the circular shape to be seen, the spinning camera gives it a hypnotic feel. This idea would work well in our music video as we, too, want to achieve a hypnotic look through the inclusion of spiral shapes. I like the idea of having a similar shot of a maze or spiral staircase where the circular shape will be obvious. I think that if used with the staircase, it would look very effective if the camera is spinning in the opposite direction to the character's descent of the staircase as this would enhance the disorientating atmosphere and give the impression of a never ending staircase, reflecting the character's desperation to escape her mundane life.