# Framing shots in movie scenes

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-shots-in-movie-scenes/761783>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 4, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-shots-in-movie-scenes/761783 "2016-08-04T23:14:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-shots-in-movie-scenes/761783/1 "2016-08-04T23:14:50Z")

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Equally applies to composing a still shot.

This guy uses a special app to illustrate how they famous movie scenes were composed.  
Standard techniques that create symmetry.

I see the Rule of Thirds used in several of these. A very well known technique used in photography and before that, painting.

> **[Rule of thirds](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds)**
>
> The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" for composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs.
> The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents\[who?\] of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, en The p...

Anyone can learn a lot by studying how the pros do it. I plan to shamelessly borrow a few of these myself. 😉

> **[Composition Cam (@comp\_cam) • Instagram photos and videos](https://www.instagram.com/comp_cam/)**
>
> 93K Followers, 420 Posts - ⭕️ Geometric Shots | Hidden Lines 🌐
> ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
> 👇 Download the free iOS photography app 👇

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/framing-shots-in-movie-scenes/761783/2 "2016-08-04T23:28:05Z")

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Several of these shots use the golden triangles. Here is a good list of composition techniques.  
[http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3372/18-composition-rules-for-photos-that-shine/](http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3372/18-composition-rules-for-photos-that-shine/)

I got very involved in photography in my mid twenties. Took a couple classes through my community college. Composition can be so satisfying when it turns out right, I love taking my time and really thinking about framing a shot. Thats why I don’t do as well with a camcorder. I find moving shots very hard to compose.

It will make it so much easier with an app that draws the perspective lines for you.