Video Composition Tips

Rule of thirds
❁ 90% of great composition comes from utilizing the rule of thirds
❁ Divide an image horizontally and vertically into thirds, with subjects or objects of interest placed at intersecting points

180 degree rule
❁ Place camera within 180 degrees on either side of two subjects, but maintain left/right relationship.

Interviews, pt. 1
❁ Conduct research on interviewers
❁ Anticipate questions; conduct pre-interview
❁ Write questions on paper beforehand
❁ Speak like a journalist: don't ask questions that could end easily with "yes" or "no", or continue the thought by asking for more detail
❁ Let subject speak to you, not the camera
❁ Camera should be allowed to move; don't block its view

Interviews, pt. 2
❁ Nose room: leave more space in front of the person's face than behind.
❁ Head room: don't leave excessive space above someone's head and place their eyes 2/3rds upwards in the frame. Don't crop their chin out of frame.
❁ Consider backgrounds and foregrounds; use fabric to create a background if desired.

Lighting, 3-point
❁ Turn off all lights except for studio; turn on key light first
❁ Fill light: not as powerful as key light but hits areas not reached by key light
❁ Back light: illuminates hair and back of subject, separating them from background

Lighting, Rembrandt
❁ Rembrandt: a lighting set up that creates a triangle shaped highlight on a subject's face
❁ Use 2 or 3 lights, starting with key light to the subject's right, then position fill light to the left with diffusion, and a backlight if desired.

Lighting, Eye lights
❁ Eye light: a light positioned to add highlights to a subject's eyes