Visual Storytelling 101
TLDRIn this video, filmmaker Philip Bloom provides an in-depth look at visual storytelling techniques used in cinematography. He covers core concepts like the rule of thirds for framing shots, leading lines to guide the viewer's eye, depth of field to denote importance, and light and contrast to draw focus. Bloom also explains the impact of different lenses and shot types, from wide angles that establish a scene to close-ups that connect emotionally. He shares how lens choice affects facial distortion. Overall, Bloom aims to help viewers understand established cinematic language so they can apply it purposefully to strengthen visual narratives.
Takeaways
- 😀 The video focuses on visual storytelling techniques used in filmmaking
- 👁️ Rule of thirds is a key composition technique to create pleasing images
- 🎥 Different shot types like wide shots and close ups serve different purposes
- 🌆 Leading lines draw the viewer's attention across the frame
- 👀 Eyes draw attention, so place them carefully on intersection points
- 🔎 Depth of field and light/dark contrasts guide the viewer's eye
- 🏞️ Lens choice impacts the scene by changing field of view and perspective
- 😮 Wide angle lenses can distort people's faces in close ups
- 🎬 Central framing works well for fast paced editing
- 📐 Symmetry and frames within frames add interest and dimension
Q & A
What are some key elements that make a great shot in filmmaking?
-Some key elements are thoughtful composition and framing, use of lines and shapes to guide the viewer's eye, thoughtful placement of the subject using things like the rule of thirds, use of contrast and lighting, depth of field, and leading the viewer's eye where you want it to go.
What is the 'rule of thirds' in filming composition?
-The rule of thirds is a guideline for composition where you mentally divide the frame into thirds vertically and horizontally. Placing compositional elements along these lines or at the intersection points creates a more pleasing, balanced frame.
How do leading lines contribute to good composition?
-Leading lines use lines in the frame to direct the viewer's eyes towards the main subject or point of interest. This helps guide the viewer to look where you want them to.
How can depth of field contribute to visual storytelling?
-Shallow depth of field can denote importance of a subject while deep depth of field provides more context. Depth of field helps create a 3D look and direct attention.
What's the difference between a wide angle and a telephoto lens?
-A wide angle lens has a wider field of view, allowing more of a scene into the frame. A telephoto lens has a narrower field of view, magnifying distant objects to appear closer.
How do lenses impact the look of a human face?
-Telephoto lenses flatten facial features while wide angle lenses can distort them, making noses and faces look wider. The 50-90mm range gives the most accurate, natural look.
What is meant by lead space in composition?
-Lead space refers to the space in front of a subject that is looking or moving. Placing that space in front of them makes the shot feel more natural.
What are some standard types of shots in filming?
-Standard shots include wide shots, full shots, cowboy shots, medium shots, medium close ups, close ups, extreme close ups, and macro shots.
What's the purpose of an establishing shot?
-An establishing shot using a wide angle lens sets up the location, giving viewers a sense of the space characters are in.
How can you use composition to denote power and importance?
-Filling more frame space, using low angles, and shallow depth of field can make subjects seem more powerful and important.
Outlines
🎥 Understanding composition and framing
This paragraph explains composition and framing techniques in cinematography. It discusses the rule of thirds for placing subjects, leading lines to guide the viewer's eye, depth of field to denote importance, central framing for symmetry and pace, using light and contrast to draw attention, and framing within the frame using doors/windows.
😁 Explaining different shot types and focal lengths
This paragraph describes different shot types like wide, full, medium, close-up shots etc. and how they impact storytelling. It also explains how focal length impacts a shot's field of view, bringing background closer to the subject or changing facial proportions.
🔭 Lenses impact facial distortion and background
This final paragraph elaborates how telephoto and wide-angle lenses impact a person's facial proportions and the background. It gives the example of kids on a beach shot with a 400mm lens, making them seem closer to waves than they actually are.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡composition
💡framing
💡lenses
💡depth of field
💡light
💡leading lines
💡central framing
💡negative space
💡aspect ratio
💡perspective
Highlights
Framing or composition is as relevant in film as it is in paintings, illustration, or graphic design.
The golden rule for composition is the rule of thirds - dividing the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically and placing key objects at the intersection points.
Leading lines in a shot direct the viewer's eyes to where you want them to look.
Using shallow depth of field denotes the importance of a subject or character.
Contrasts and light naturally draw our eyes to brighter objects in a frame.
If a character is looking left, they should be placed on the right side following the rule of lead space.
A wide angle shot establishes space and location. A full shot shows the full body. A medium shot shows from knees to head.
The cowboy shot frames from the crotch up. The medium shot is around a 50mm lens on full frame.
The close-up is the tightest face shot before cutting off the top of the head.
An extreme closeup keeps the eyes and mouth in frame for heightened connection.
Longer focal lengths compress background and pull it closer to the subject.
Around 50-90mm is the most natural portrait focal length. Wider angles distort the face.
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This clip shows a small part of a full 9.5 hour filmmaking course by Philip Bloom.
Transcripts
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