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Composition

NOTES FROM JASON

New Modules for February
We're excited to announce a series of new modules at FilmSkills - for starters, be sure to check out the new modules, The Protagonist and The Antagonist, the first in a series of new modules on screenwriting we're producing.  Also, we produced brand new videos for Story Structure, The Three Act Structure, From Title to Outline, The First Draft, The Frame, and Rule of 180. We've got some exciting plans in the future, we're sure you're going to enjoy!
 
 

New modules for September
What an incredible month - we've been working all summer on two brand new FilmSkills series - Audio Production and Documentary Production.  Be sure to check out all 20 new modules by clicking on the "Modules" tab at the top of the page.
 

New Modules for August
It's time to improve the audio on your production. Check out our new audio production modules - learn about the different types of microphones, boom operating technques, recording tips and how to manage challenging locations. Look under the category AUDIO RECORDING.
 

New Modules for May
We're proud to release the next series of modules for May. Continuing with helping your distribution your movie, be sure to check out Internet Distribution and Film Festivals, both modules feature insights and guidance from industry insiders. We also added the final module to the DIRECTING series, The Visual Story, which helps you determine the visual look for your movie.
 

New Modules for April
We are continuing our series on the business of filmmaking by bringing you inside the distibution process with three new modules: Intro to Distribution, Domestic Distribution and Foreign Distribution.  We take you to the American Film Market and give you inside information from Hollywood about how you can navigate the distribution process.
 

New Modules for March
You may have noticed a new category called DEVELOPMENT where FilmSkills is now taking you into the business of Hollywood. Be sure to check out the new modules, The Studio System, Working for a Studio, Making a Business Plan, Packaging Your Movie and Agents and Managers.
 

Did You Know?
If you would like to ask a question or discuss the information in a module, post a question or comment in the "Insight" tab in any module.
 

New For January
I hope you had a fantastic holiday and that your new year is off to a great start.  We're kicking off the new year with several exciting features on FilmSkills. The first is the 14-module Safety Training Series. Patterned after the industry-standard Safety Pass program in California, these modules take you into the world of everything from gun safety to working on location. You have access to training formerly only available to union members in California. We're also launching a new testing and grade book feature for instructors.  If you teach filmmaking, congratulations... your job just got a lot easier!  Just go to your home page to check it out.
 

New Modules for December
It's been an incredibly busy month here at FilmSkills.  This month, we are launching beta versions of the first seven modules in a fourteen-module series that adapts the standard Hollywood safety training course for film schools and independent filmmakers.  Check out the new SAFETY TRAINING category in the MODULES link.  Also, we vastly updated and expanded both the videos and text in several modules on Cinematography Technique: Composition, Framing People, Eyelines, and Creating Depth.
 

New Modules for November
This month, we're putting the heart and soul of filmmaking into FilmSkills with the release of five new modules on the Director's Craft: Blocking the Actors, Basic Coverage, Advanced Coverage, Creating a Shotlist and Storyboards and Pre-Vis. You can find these new modules in the DIRECTING section.
 

Related Modules

The Frame

Shot Types

Framing People

Eyelines

Creating Depth

Rule of 180

Learn about screen direction and how you can maintain it correctly with the rule of 180

Composition

ABOUT THIS MODULE

As the old adage goes, the audience only sees what you point the camera at.  More accurately, the audience only sees what’s within the frame. The more attention you pay to how elements are composed, the more you can use framing as a compelling dramatic tool.  In this module, we’re going to show you several compositional guidelines, how to break them and how they can impact your story.
 

IN THIS MODULE

  • 21:08 video on techniques for composing your subject in the frame
  • Complete resource guide
  • Extensive Framing Guide

LEARN

  • Frame division and placement of subjects in the frame
  • Important compositional guidelines and their importance when framing a shot
  • The rule of thirds and how it can be used and broken as a powerful storytelling tool
  • The Golden Ratio and the Golden Rectangle
  • Composing for lines and area
  • How to adapt framing guidelines for different aspect ratios
  • How to frame a subject using:
    • Pictoral balance
    • Unity
    • Visual patterns
    • Leading lines
    • Scale
    • Subject prominence
    • Impressions of the subject
    • Composition and color
    • Composition and motion
    • Dynamic composition

From Our Users

 "Jason proves that top-notch production values are within the reach of anyone who has ever dreamt of making his own movie. You’ll learn far more about filmmaking with this practical, thorough and meticulously organized site than you ever will watching "Project Greenlight." Jason knows what he’s talking about, because he’s actually done it!"
 
   - Steve Skrovan, Executive Producer,
         Everybody Loves Raymond
 
super21admin

FEATURED IN THIS MODULE

Bruce Block
Producer, Author "The Visual Story"
David Stump, ASC
Academy-Award winning cinematographer
Lance Fisher S.O.C.
Camera Operator, "Jonas," "House M.D.," "The Shield"
Laura Beth Love
Los Angeles-based Cinematographer