1. Video Composition
A guide to creating better videos

2. Visual Composition Rules
Many centuries ago, artists developed rules to guide them
when painting or positioning objects in a rectangular frame.
They discovered that certain placements were more pleasing
and that the eye was drawn to some areas of the canvas more
readily.
Many of these rules can guide us when shooting film for a
video production.

3. The Rule of Thirds
When shooting a close-up of the face, the eyes are the center
of attention : divide the screen into thirds and try to compose
your shot so they're at one of the points where the lines
intersect.

4. The Rule of Thirds
When framing your subject, move the camera so that the
prominent subject element falls along one of the third lines,
preferably at a point where the lines intersect.

5. The Rule of Thirds
For more pleasing visual images, the rule of thirds is an
important guideline to consider when framing your scenes.

6. Visual Composition Rules
Distracting Backgrounds
Lead Space
Headroom

7. Notice what is behind
.
the subject. Sometimes this can distract a
viewer so they do not watch the subject.

8. Headroom
Headroom refers to the amount of
space between the top of a person’s
head and the top of your frame. Too
much headroom makes the person
appear to be shrinking.
Two guides to help with
Headroom. One: Put the persons
eyes at the upper horizontal rule
of third line. Two: Imagine
approximately half the height of
the persons forehead between
the top of their head and the top
edge of the screen.

9. Lead Room
Lead room (Lead space or nose room)
refers to the space in front of your
subject. Leave extra space in the
direction your subject is looking.
Lead room also is used by
aiming the camera so there is
more space ahead of a
moving subject.

10. Mergers
Mergers are objects or people in
the background that interfere or
distract from the subject.
Note the two headed giraffe.
The tree in the background
looks like this gentlemen has
antlers.

11. Video Review
To Review
Click in Black Area
But not on words

12. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography
Tips

13. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Fill the screen.
Provide detail.
Detail shots from
“How to Change a
Tire” student video

14. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Vantage Point a position or place that affords a wide or
advantageous perspective; viewpoint:
Source: to survey a valley from the vantage point of a high hill.
"vantage point." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 12 Sep. 2007. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vantage point>.
Create
your shot, then
record. 14

15. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Create your shot, then record.
To create a shot, walk to the
subject, don’t just stand in the
middle of the room and
“zoom.” This allows for a
greater field of view which is
more appealing.

16. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Find the proper level for your shot.
The lens of the camera should be at the same
height as the talents eyes.
incorrect correct

17. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Beware of backlighting.
This happens when the
background is brighter
than the subject, often
occurs when a window is
Backlighting
behind the subject.
Correct
Trust the viewfinder or
viewscreen. Learn about the
symbols and words. Record is
often red and pause is often
green.

18. Protocol for recording
Roll plenty of videotape
before and after the “action.”
Each clip should have a minimum of
six seconds before and after the
scene. (10 seconds recommended)
for Log and Capture using Final Cut
Pro.
This extra time will also allow time for transitions if you log and
capture an extra second or two of the clip.

19. Protocol for recording
Do not break time code.
When recording you must not leave any gaps in recordings
on your tape. If you review a recording in the field make sure
you start each recording before the six seconds end of the last
recorded clip.
Hours Frames
Minutes Seconds
The Camera Time Code often does not
have a frame counter

20. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Create depth (foreground, middle ground, background.)
Avoid scenes with a flat wall or similar situation directly
behind the subject.
No depth
Correct

21. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Videography Tips
Use a tripod as it is hard to hold a
camera steady without a tripod or
steady cam.
Act professionally and be polite.

22. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Camera
movements

23. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Tripod Camcorder Movements
Pan - Pivot
horizontal on
tripod.
“Pan left.”
“Pan right.”
Tilt – pivot
vertically on
tripod.
“Tilt up.”
“Tilt down.”
23

24. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Tripod Camcorder Movements
Truck – move
tripod side to side.
“Truck left.” “Truck
right.”
Dolly move tripod
in or towards and
out or away from set.
“Dolly in.”
“Dolly out.”
24

25. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Tripod Camcorder Movements
Raising and
lowering the
tripod
“Crank up.”
“Crank down.”