Framing

Framing and Camera Angle

Our concept of what an interview should look like is shaped largely by Evening News stories. The camera height is typically straight on and at eye level to the Anchor. The idea is to make you feel comfortable with the Newscaster, and hear the information as though it was coming from a member of your peer group.
Armed with this information, Filmmakers will often position the camera slightly above eye level to make the subject seem younger or pitiful, and below eye level to make the subject seem more heroic or wise.
You don’t want to overdo this and ruin the purity of your video, but you should be aware of the common mindset to avoid filming your client counter to your intention.

Also consider that Evening News stories are most often filmed with the “Rule of Thirds” principle of framing. Interviews usually show the interviewer and interviewee on opposite sides of the frame. The idea is that if you were to fold the image three times like a letter from top to bottom AND from Left to right, you would get an image like this.
Your subject should be on the axis of one of the folds, with their eyes aligned with the perpendicular line.
This method will also allow you to present graphic illustrations over the shoulder of your subject without the need to cut away.
In contrast to the formal, “straight on” camera angle of the news anchor, this offset frame feels less formal and less staged. The story feels more like a slice of life and honest.
Finally, your clients are much less likely to freeze up in the interview if they are actually talking to a person rather than a camera lens.


	Home Who We are What we do Forensic Video Day in the life Shooting Tips What to wear Getting the most from your experts Lighting Framing From Our Clients... Contact Us Framing and Camera Angle Our concept of what an interview should look like is shaped largely by Evening News stories. The camera height is typically straight on and at eye level to the Anchor. The idea is to make you feel comfortable with the Newscaster, and hear the information as though it was coming from a member of your peer group. Armed with this information, Filmmakers will often position the camera slightly above eye level to make the subject seem younger or pitiful, and below eye level to make the subject seem more heroic or wise. You don’t want to overdo this and ruin the purity of your video, but you should be aware of the common mindset to avoid filming your client counter to your intention. Also consider that Evening News stories are most often filmed with the “Rule of Thirds” principle of framing. Interviews usually show the interviewer and interviewee on opposite sides of the frame. The idea is that if you were to fold the image three times like a letter from top to bottom AND from Left to right, you would get an image like this. Your subject should be on the axis of one of the folds, with their eyes aligned with the perpendicular line. This method will also allow you to present graphic illustrations over the shoulder of your subject without the need to cut away. In contrast to the formal, “straight on” camera angle of the news anchor, this offset frame feels less formal and less staged. The story feels more like a slice of life and honest. Finally, your clients are much less likely to freeze up in the interview if they are actually talking to a person rather than a camera lens.