Cinematography

Rules
Rule of 3rds
180 Degree rule
Shot types&lighting

Rule of 3rds
The rule of 3rds is a
compositional technique. It is
when you imagine breaking an
image down into nine sections
(2 horizontal axis and 2 vertical
axis) so you have 9 squares.
It is used to help make shots
look more interesting and
inviting to the viewer.
If the subjects and objects in the
shot are balanced it will look
more natural for the viewer.
You should follow the rules of
thirds to know exactly what shot
you wish to achieve. If you plan
in advance it means better
results and spending less time
on re shooting.

This is an example of the rule of thirds in

a music video, as the girl is the main
focus in the shot, and her eyes are on
one of the intersects of the grid. It still
shows background behind her, which is
interesting for the viewer.

180 Degree Rule

The 180 Degree Rule is when you have

to consider camera positions and eye
line in shots. It is that two characters in
a scene should always have the same
right/left relationship with each other.
If film makers dont follow the 180
degree rule, or break it intentionally it
disrupts the scene and disorientates how
the viewers see the scene and people in
it.
It is known as Filming on the same side
of The line of Action which is making
sure that you always continue to film on
the same side of The Line of Action (an
invisible line).
It is done so that it looks natural to the
audience, and so that the actors look like
they are looking at each other while
their talking. It also helps make the
viewers understand everything in the
scene better.
The shots always begin with a
wide/establishing shot to give actors

This picture shows how the 180 Degree Rule

is used when two people are having a
conversation scene.

Establishing shots
An establishing shot is usually the
first shot of a new scene. It is used
to show the audience where the
action is taking place, and the
location. Usually it is a very wide
shot or an extreme wide shot.
There are three types of establishing
shots:
Time of day; when the viewers are
guided in understanding of the
action. For example, an exterior shot
of a building with people inside it.
Relationship; when viewers are
shown a relationship between
characters. For example a long shot
of a room with people in.
Establish a concept; when an
establishing shot is used to show a
concept, rather than a location.

Over the shoulder

shot

An over the shoulder shot is a shot

of someone or something taken
from the perspective or camera
angle from the shoulder of another
person in the shot.
This is sometimes used in dramas
to show someone facial expressions
close up, but is mostly used to
show when two people are having a
conversation. Used in lots of films.
It's common to cut between these
shots during a conversation,
alternating the view between the
different speakers.
This shot can be varied quite a bit
to include the shoulder or back of
the person facing the subject.

Birds eye view

Birds eye view is when you can
see a scene from directly
overhead. This is a completely
different and somewhat unnatural
point of view which can be used
for dramatic effect or for showing
a different spatial perspective.
Using this shot means that
viewers are put in a godlike
position, looking down on the
action.
People can be made to look
insignificant and ant-like when
you use a birds eye view shot.
This shot is used a lot in
establishing shots of films or
television programs.

High angle shot

A high angle shot is where the
camera looks down on the
subject form a high angle, and
the point of focus often gets
swallowed up.
These shots can make the
subject seem vulnerable or
powerless when applied with
the correct setting and
effects.
High angle shots are used in
films a lot, to show the
vulnerability of characters, or
to show the ones that have
power, on the other side of
the high angle shot.

Low angle shot

A low angle shot is a shot
from a camera angle
positioned anywhere below
the eye line, looking up.
It is the opposite to high angle
shots.
These shots can make the
subject look strong and
powerful if used with the right
setting and effects.
Low angle shots are often
used in films, to show that the
characters are strong and
have power over the subjects
or objects below them.

Pan/Tilt
A pan is a camera movement
with the camera body turning
to the right or left. On screen
it produces horizontal
movements. This shot is
used a lot in films and
television show openings.
A tilt is a camera movement
with the camera body
swiveling upward or
downward on a stationary
support. It produces a mobile
framing that scans the space
vertically. This shot is also
often used in a lot of films
and television shows.

Tracking
Tracking is a shot filmed in which the
camera is mounted on a cart which
travels along tracks.
However there are a few variations of
tracking. Tracking is often more
narrowly defined as movement
parallel to the action, or at least at a
constant distance (e.g. the camera
which travels alongside the race track
in track & field events). Dollying is
often defined as moving closer to or
further away from the action.
Some definitions specify that tracking
shots use physical tracks, others
consider tracking to include hand-held
walking shots, Steadicam shots, etc.
Other terms for the tracking shot
include trucking shot, and crabbing
shot.