Camera Framing: Shot Composition & Cinematography Techniques Explained [The Shot List, Ep 2]

Summary by Krater

This video explains camera framing options in filmmaking, covering singles, two-shots, three-shots, four-shots, five-shots, crowd shots, over-the-shoulder shots, point-of-view shots, and insert shots, illustrated with numerous film examples.

From the video

Answers: What are the different camera framing options in filmmaking?

• Camera framing in filmmaking
• Single shots
• Two-shots
• Over-the-shoulder shots
• Point-of-view shots
• Insert shots

What it concludes

• A clean single is when no part of any other character is visible in the frame, best used for character isolation.
• A dirty single includes a limited presence from another character in the frame.
• A two-shot requires both character faces to be clearly visible to establish a visual relationship between two characters.
• An over-the-shoulder shot acts like a hybrid between a single and a two-shot, focusing on one character at a time while providing perspective from both sides.
• POV shots can cover a wide range of perspectives including a person, alien, camera, disembodied spirit, or shark, and are often paired with POV audio.
• Insert shots weigh the information framed as more important than how prominent it is on screen, and can be combined with POV shots.