- RULE OF THIRDS:
The rule of thirds is a very popularly used technique in regards to the framing and placement of a shot in film. In regards to what it looks like, the rule of thirds is when the frame is divided in a 3 by 3 imaginary grid, where the focal points of the image should be where the lines intersect. These four intersection points are the preferred place to place the most interesting aspect of your shot. - LINES:
In film, lines can have a drastic effect on how a frame resonates with the audience. Different types of lines can signify how a filmmaker wishes to make an viewer feel when experiencing the film. For example, horizontal lines can be a symbol for peacefulness or placidity, while vertical lines can symbolize strength and power. Diagonal lines are meant to be dynamic and disorienting. Diagonal lines are commonly used in horror and suspense films, to help give the viewer a feeling of uneasiness and irrationalism. - SHAPES:
Shapes have a very similar effect that lines do, for they also can create an allusion for the audience. An example of this could be how a circles in film can create a sense of enclosure - CONTRAST:
With regards to composition, contrast has nothing to do with the lighting of the frame. In fact, contrast has to do with where your eye travels first in any frame. The dominant contrast of the frame could be considered the focal point. The subsidiary contrast of a frame would be the point directly after the dominant contrast. The subsidiary contrast is the second point in which the eye is drawn to in a frame. - STAGING POSITIONS:
The full front position is when the character is directly facing the camera. This creates the most intimacy out of any of the other positions because the subject is looking into the audience. The quarter-turn position is when the subject is turned a quarter of a 360° angle. This position is favored by most filmmakers and offers high intimacy. However, it isn’t as emotionally impacting as the full-front position. The profile position is when the subject is facing away from the camera and off the frame. This makes the character look unaware that they are being observed. The three-quarter turn position is when a character is facing about 270° away from the camera. This presents low intimacy and suggests the character is rather antisocial. Finally, the back-to-camera position is when the character has his or her back turned on the camera. This suggests the subject’s alienation from the world and can create a sense of mystery and concealment. - DENSITY, FORM, AND FRAMING:
Density relates to how much visual information is being compressed into the frame. Frames with high density tend to have a lot of things going on in the frame, while frames with low density do not. Form refers to whether or not a character can physically expand upon a frame. A frame with open form, for example, would perhaps be a massive landscape. This kind of frame is one that can be expanded upon. On the contrary, a frame with closed form could be a room with closed doors. Similar to form, framing refers to whether or not a character can freely move in the frame. An example of tight framing could be a crowded room or area, and an example of loose framing could be a lonesome farm. - CHARACTER PLACEMENT:
Characters placed around the left or right edge of the frame may signify the insignificance of them. Maybe characters placed around the top of the frame may be more important than those placed at the bottom. - CHARACTER PROXEMICS:
Character proxemics refers to the distance between other characters. Intimate distance is incredibly close and often more emotionally investing. Personal distance is less emotionally investing but still rather intimate. Social distance is more casual and rather distant. Public distance is the most isolated proxemic form.
Composition
