Where do you draw inspiration from for tips on framing? Are there movies you feel every operator should see? Art?
There is such a plethora of incredible films to draw cinematic inspiration from; listing just a few would be quite an endeavor. Therefore, I'll approach this question differently. Rather than pointing to specific cinematic masterpieces, I would recommend that every aspiring cameraperson get in the habit of tuning their mind to study every frame in every movie, TV show, photograph, painting, or even social media post you see. Transform into a connoisseur of composition, observing it in every visual encounter.
It's not merely about admiration; it's about actively scrutinizing these visuals. Pose questions about each image: Why was it framed that way? Is it a good, balanced composition? If not, why not? What improvements could be made? How should it have been framed? Is there an element that could have enhanced its dynamism, interest, or story emphasis? By consistently posing these questions while watching on-screen content, you'll naturally carry this critical thinking to the sets when crafting your own compositions.
For me, the cardinal rule in deciding how to compose a shot revolves around the narrative. What story am I telling in this shot? How does it connect with and play against the other shots? What are the pivotal elements to convey this story, and how can they be presented in the most compelling, evocative, interesting, and cinematic way? How can we elevate this shot—make it more powerful, richer, more intriguing, more layered—all in service of the narrative?
In conclusion, condition your mind to perpetually study composition, relentlessly posing these hard-hitting questions whether you're dissecting someone else's frame or creating your own.
It’s always a job by job homework assignment. New wave weather? Rewatch the classics and the spaghetti westerns with Eastwood. Sci-Fi action watch Kubrick and early Spielberg. But I also think seeing modern art/photography exhibits as often as possible to keep up with what the zeitgeist wants to see is one way to stand out. Bringing fresh, well thought out and meaningful compositions will always be recognized and appreciated. Commit to your frame and wait for notes….and learn from those they’ll get you far.
I think it is important to have a wide variety of reference points, be it film, TV, or other forms of art. No project is ever the same, and framing requests will change from show to show, even if the same creative team is involved. There are shows like Mr. Robot with a bold aesthetic framing-wise that work perfectly for the world they inhabit, but which wouldn’t translate to traditional episodic television.
Over the course of a career, an operator will be asked to deliver many different varieties of framing beyond the usual differences in headroom, over the shoulder shots, and where the character should fall within the frame. Some will require a perfectly still frame that the actors move within, while others will be wildly frenetic, with whip pans, snap-zooms, dutch angles, and ping-ponging between characters on their dialogue.
The best advice I can give is to watch a wide variety of film and television projects, both from those regarded as masters, and those from new filmmakers with a fresh perspective and way of thinking. Recognize how the film was shot, why it may have been shot that way, and why it works (or doesn’t) for that project. How does the framing add to or take away from the film – does it build suspense, make you uncomfortable, draw attention to itself, make you seasick, or seamlessly work with the story so that you don’t notice it at all? Understanding why different styles of shooting or specific shots make you feel a certain way will help you become a more informed operator (or DP/director).
