Ultimate Guide to Film Composition & Framing - Key Elements Explained [Shot List Ep. 11]
In this episode of The Shot List, we break down of the elements of film composition and framing - how they work together to create depth, meaning, and aesthetics in cinematography.
FREE EBOOK! Elements of Shot Composition ►► bit.ly/composition-ebook
Ultimate Guide: Composition in Film ►► bit.ly/tsl-cm
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What is Chiaroscuro Lighting? ►► bit.ly/wi-cl
StudioBinder Blog ►► bit.ly/sb-bl
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro - Composition: Creative Ways to Build a Shot
00:52 - Composition Definition and History
01:29 - Aspect Ratio in Composition
01:59 - Points
03:28 - Lines
04:20 - Shapes
05:20 - Textures & Patterns
06:57 - Space
08:19 - Depth
09:48 - Balance
11:56 - Angles
12:56 - Color & Tone
15:02 - Combining Composition Elements
15:17 - Skyfall Exercise
17:01 - Takeaways
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Film Composition Explained
With their origins in fine art, the elements of composition in film provide a foundation for visual storytelling. In this video, the latest in our Shot List series, we’re going to explore cinematic composition and its seemingly endless possibilities.
What is Composition?
Composition is simply how you arrange the elements of your image. This includes your subject and the space surrounding them, the size and shapes, the color and contrast, the leading lines created to help guide the viewer’s eye, and so many more. By understanding the elements of composition in film, you can execute your visual storytelling on a whole new level.
Elements of Composition
There are many “rules” and guidelines when it comes to composition. But no matter which of these composition techniques you use, the goal is always to understand what you want the viewer to take away from a particular image. Creating focal points is a highly valuable skill so that you can guide the viewer’s attention where you want it. This can be done with “leading lines,” creating shapes, the rule of thirds, and even using color and contrast.
There are also framing and composition techniques like “frame within a frame” that helps isolate your main subject. Another technique is the Golden Ratio which uses a pattern we find everywhere in nature to create a sense of balance.
We can also look at how to use depth in the image, creating a sense of space using foreground, middle and background elements. And, of course, the angle of the camera creates its own bias and influence on how the audience perceives a composition.
Learning all of these elements of composition in film at once is certainly a daunting task. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to operate on a more intuitive level where film composition becomes second nature.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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♬ SONGS USED:
"Cyberpunk Sunrise" - Evgeny Bardyuzha
"Origin" - David A. Molina
"Cdhiddendir" - Out Of Flux
"Last But Not Least (Instrumental)" - Chelsea McGough
"Mercury" - Alon Ohana
"Time Warp" - Notize
"7th Heaven" - Larry And The Lamplighters
"War Paint" - Rhythm Scott
"Crush" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Hold On (Instrumental)" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Binary Love" - Stanley Gurvich
"Piano Trio in E flat, op. 100 (Second movement)" - Franz Schubert
"La Vie En Rose" - Louis Armstrong
"Double Espresso" - Francesco D'Andrea
"From a Distance (Theme From Hit TV)" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Kinotrope" - Luke Melville
"Opening" - Johnny Klimek & Tom Tykwer
"Choke" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Keep Moving" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"State Lines Instrumental Version" - Aaron Kellim
"Obituary" - Alexandre Desplat
"Surgery" - Trevor Gureckis
"A Glowing Light, a Promise" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Rock and Roll (Part 2)" - Gary Glitter
"Yumeji's Theme" - Shigeru Umebayashi
"Stuck Behind a Train (Instrumental)" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Showtime" - Samlight
"New Digs" - Thomas Newman
"That Night" - 2050
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FREE EBOOK! Elements of Shot Composition ►► bit.ly/composition-ebook Chapters: 00:00 - Intro - Composition: Creative Ways to Build a Shot 00:52 - Composition Definition and History 01:29 - Aspect Ratio in Composition 01:59 - Points 03:28 - Lines 04:20 - Shapes 05:20 - Textures & Patterns 06:57 - Space 08:19 - Depth 09:48 - Balance 11:56 - Angles 12:56 - Color & Tone 15:02 - Combining Composition Elements 15:17 - Skyfall Exercise 17:01 - Takeaways
Damnn good video
Hi. You should put a Thanks button on your videos and hopefully get a few dollars for your excellent presentations. Thanks for all the hard work.
❤ thank you so much ❤
can we appreciate the effort that goes into these videos
Completely, my friend.
As an aspiring director, this is incredibly helpful on my journey. I’m so grateful for this series
We appreciate it :)
This is what it means to get spoilt. My heart smiles when I see studiobinder post a video. Hard work and efforts have not gone unnoticed.
It is insane. This channel is pure gold.
Cannot stress this enough on how informative and high quality these episodes and videos are! Thank you so much!
Glad you like it!
Probably my favourite video of the shot list so far. Connects every little bit of the frame and then finishes it off with a great example
Glad you liked it!
You guys are killing it. No nonsense educational and entertaining videos.
The two E's, essential for every video!
Ever since the first episode of "The Shot List", I have been populating my own storyboards with meticulous shot specs. Love this new video!
You need to show me sometime.
@Joaquin Hernandez Are you an illustrator , like I wanna know how u design shot pieces ? Like I think one needs to know illustration basics or painting basics in order to design shot pieces.
@@siddharthasen439 Nah. I am just a student working towards a filmmaking degree. I just draw what I can with my own colored pencils and pens.
@@joaquinhernandez6940 cool , I feel like doing it but back up when i think am too bad at illustrating it in terms of painting
@@joaquinhernandez6940 bro you need to share with us, would you please?
Thank you for the education you provide. It’s especially important for those of us that never went to film school
Our vids are used in film schools too so you're in a similar class haha
Bro I am in Film School and even they don't teach all these things. It's more practical. Mostly shooting.
Man this channel should have millionssssss of Subs One of the most UNDERRATED CHANNELS on KZhead thanks for your high quality videos guys 🤩🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🤓🍤
We're not going anywhere :)
I've been trying to understand composition for years. A 17 min video taught me everything I wanted to know about composition.. thank you StudioBinder.
Happy filming!
this is not a channel this is an institution
When I win my Oscar I’m giving studiobinder a shoutout fr fr
Looking forward to it!
i love taking pictures and this is incredibly helpful as it shows all the elements of composition, explains the role of the certain element to the composition, and then provides examples ;)
That's the idea :)
I view movies with such a different perspective after watching these videos. Analysing camera movements and edits as story telling tools makes even familiar favorite films feel new.
That's great!
I believe this channel should be recommended in film schools and to all film makers. Love from Uganda East Africa.
Our videos have been used in classes!
I went through a course on composition in photography, and I've watched a bunch of other videos on that subject too, and I have to say, the cinema folks really get it. This material is way clearer than anything that you'd find on photography.
Cinema might have an advantage for making you understand what composition is doing because motion, dialogue, and actors portraying all the feelings that composition is supposed to support. If an actor is portraying feeling isolated, the dialogue and the composition are going to compliment and reflect that as well.
This video was such a need, thank you so much
Hope it helps!
I can't stress enough how premium the content on this channel is. Marvelous!
💯
I think this is one of the best videos from you, with fresh examples and great coverage 🙌
Appreciate the feedback!
Just wanted to say this series is amazing. Incredible for anything art related. I’d love to see Light List next.
Glad that somebody filled the space that Every Frame a Painting left behind with quality content.
Big shoes to fill :)
I am mind blown beyond mind blown. You guys are absolute geniuses. Thankyou for this video!
Enjoy!
this channel is heaven for people who dream of becoming future filmmakers. thank you so much, studiobinder.
Not just filmmakers but also illustrators. The principles here can also be very useful in picture making.
This has to be the Best brief of image. Wonderfull
Thanks for watching!
The intro alone is worth a like from me. Now onto the rest of the video...
Enjoy!
Your contents are full of information, and they are incredibly fluent. I feel lucky for discovered a channel like this. There aren't many videos on the internet that are high quality as yours. Thank you!
I dont remembered how much this channel is amazing. Thanks a lot!
You are the best channel about cinema. Thank you.
Composition is everything! The rule of thirds alone makes shots/photos look great, from there you can get technical.
Nice to see a lot of my favorite shots here in the video. Including Wong Kar Wai
Had to include Wong Kar Wai
I've binge watched all the episodes of the shot list. Very informative and amazingly done. Thank you ❤️
Great composition of topics in the video and example
Thanks for watching!
@@StudioBinder Thanks! Continue doing this great videos!
these are so good, basiclly free abridged uni courses
Class in session!
This is the 4th time I’ve watched this video and I must say this is a very useful framing and composition for every filmmaker. The fact that this channel does so much to pass on knowledge to aspiring and current filmmakers is God’s work. That’s all I can say right now. Cut!
Free engaging and informative content... this channel is a blessing!
Each beginner photographer should watch this one
Yes, let's get this video to all of them 😂
Y'all, this is incredible.
That's what we want to hear 💖
This episode couldn't have been better, just brilliant. Thanks so much.
This is unbelievable i never seen this kind of video production in my life
Another superb addition to the Shot List. This may well be the definitive summary guide to composition.
That was the goal!
This is such a great initiative, a great help for aspiring filmmakers who couldn't go to a film school or institute. Thank you so so much!!
This is a really good overview of composition. The way it is structured is very understandable thank you
Generally you do a very good job. But, this one, well done, it's masterful!
Awesome!
im really thankful for this hard work and the effort for making this whole list, thats just mind blowing 😱
One of the best studio binder videos and i havent even seen it yet. This is 2 years worth of studying combined.
By far one of my favorite videos and one of my most difficult things to do. SO simple and straight forward. Love this channel.
Enjoy!
I need more StudioBinder in my life.
More on the way!
Another instant classic from Studio Binder!
The return of the King
Shot List is back!
I love Skyfall and I have watched it countless of times because the cinematography is SO GOOD! Chef's kiss. I am so happy that you used the amazing intro of this film ❤️
this channel is a goldmine. i cant believe im only now finding it. thank you for the amazing videos and info
Please make the ultimate guide of storytelling. I love your videos!!
Believe me this is the best channel on KZhead that I found very effective to understand about lot of different things that I wanted to know and the explanation and the visual helps a lot to you know understand the thing better so I appreciate your video making skills and explanation.
This is the best channel of KZhead to learn FILM hands down.
Awesome :)
Absolutely incredible editing and sources of clips. Thank you!
Studio Binder- A free Film School. ❤
Remote too
OUTSTANDING video. Summarizes much of the best stuff I learned in an MFA in cinematography. (In fact, we watched some of your videos in that program.)
Thank you for including 'that shot' from "Do the Right Thing", considering recent discussions, I see that as a gentle nod from you, and a tip of the hat. Respect.
Can't explain how gold these guys are!❤
I am soooooo glad I found this channel 💯, pure gold
These videos are addicting and also so soothing because of Paul Gregorys voice. Please bring him back :) BTW, learn som much through these videos.
Interesting take, cinematic composition is the most difficult to achieve and yet it defines you as a filmmaker. Well explained
I just live this series "the shot list" i still font get how it is free given the quality it is so helpful for me and super entertaining
Such incredible videos. What a time to be alive 💛
Thank you so much for the time you must put into script, shots, ect. edit. All so beautifully done & the chestnuts of knowledge are so inspiring. These will create new videographer's then movies. Thank you so much for this information I love it so much. Only thing I don't like is this came along so late in my life. My life would have had a new course if saw this as a youth. This is so motivating & fascinating. 🌋
I’m starting a channel and trying to look at creating videos from a film composition point of view and this was incredibly informative, and interesting at that. Definitely subscribed, about to binge your videos now!
This video is genius, not just for filmmakers but also artists of all kinds
This channel is gonna be a huge help for my project I'm filming soon
i love this channel so much, thank you for all of this
Everyday am learning new staff from this channel. Good work Studio Binder
"Sometimes you can make the audience uneasy with an unbalanced frame". Yorghos Lanthimus is a master of that!
He is a great director to study
Wow! New episode of the shot list! I have studied all the previous episodes of the shot list and you guys helped me to make my first music video. Thank you so much for your remarkable work. This channel is a treasure. 🙏
Congratulations on your success! May your next compelling project reach fruition.
@@joaquinhernandez6940 Thank you! ☺
Congrats on finishing the project!
@@StudioBinder Thank you!! 🙏
Thank you so so so much for uploading these for free. You deserve the best. Amazing work, always.
Appreciate the feedback!
The big fish shot in the daffodils is my favorite shot in a movie ever. It’s cool you included it!
It's a great shot ✔
Woah, getting these information for free!! And also love the background music.
Wow! It's amazing work! I love the way you broke down the opening scene from the Skyfall. Thank you for this guide, guys! And special thanks for the example scenes from my favorite movies!
Thanks for watching!
Gorgeous selection of images and precise instructions to master this technique. 👏👏👏👏
Hope it helps!
I love shot list videos so much! Thank you so much for uploading this.
Hope it helps :)
I absolutely love these videos!
Man, I love this channel so much. Every video is unique. Really helpful and informative.
Happy to help!
Wooaaah I didn't know there were more episodes. This series has been super useful
Yup it's back!
Thanks again
Thanks for watching!
Wow that's incredible While I'm re-watching old content, a notification comes with this video. Thank you very much for this great effort ♥️
Hope you like it!
Again, thank you so much! I really appreciate it! Great great explanation!
Guys at Studiobinder, I don’t even remember how many times (but I really appreciate) I said thank so much for best educational channel for filmmakers. A huge thanks 🙏!!! Now I have another regarding to your web site, there you upload scripts, is there any chance to upload Star Wars 6: Return of the Jedi in screenplay??? I have waiting for a long time!!! Any ways, have a nice day and stay safe!!!
We don't have plans for that yet, but we might acquire it in the future!
@@StudioBinder Thank you!!!
Could you do a comparative analysis of shots and directing composition from the past (Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, etc…) to the present (Tarantino, Nolan, etc…). Thanks! Love the team as always!
Not a bad idea!
Best video of the Shot list series so far. I did three whole courses(2 beginner,1 Advanced) on Composition through Linked learning and you've touched on all of the things they talked about there and presented the most relevant information in just 18 minutes.
Love it!
Your job is awesome, thank you for sharing all this information, you are a great person.
real great videos, thank you studiobinder.
This is the best channel i ve discovered ❤
I always look forward to seeing the amazing content you all put out
New content every week!
The shot list is my favorite playlist✨🤗
Ours too haha
its so good to be able to study cinema when everything is so expensive in ur country, im from Brazil and film school here is so damn expensive!! watching studio binder is my school!
Beautifully done.
WOW, absolutely brilliant, the way you explain it and the images. Thanks so much.
Cheers!
I truly believe its a natural talent to be able to compose an image at any given moment
What good have I done in this life to deserve a YT channel like you @studiobinder *sobs profusely*
Excellent video. In the Color & Tone chapter, you didn't outright say it, but contrast is the most important thing. Use desaturation to highlight a saturated character. Background actors usually wear dull colors while the leads where things that pop. Also, layered contrast is the best. layering dark on light, desaturated elements with pops of color, all in depth, makes for some of the most visually astounding compositions. All this to say, there are several ways to do this besides a bright light on the main focal point (though that is a classic).
amazing episode. thank you!
Awesome overview of the elements of composition. Well done.
Thanks StudioBinder... We are about to start shooting, and I was looking for interesting videos to do a mental review of what I need to do...