Composition Techniques

While filming there are many different composition techniques that can make your video eye-catching. These techniques include, rule of thirds, framing, unusual angles, leading lines, emotion, action, close up, reaction, contrast in content, repetition of shapes, group shot, parts of a whole, horizontal, and vertical. But the main four composition techniques are, rule of thirds, framing, unusual angles, and leading lines. So... what are these techniques? 

Rule Of Thirds
The rule of thirds makes an image or a subject look well balanced and makes it interesting. Also the rule of thirds breaks the subject into three equal parts, both vertically and horizontally. When the subject is in three parts, the subject's eyes are at one of the intersecting lines.

Framing 
Framing is a technique that is used to draw the attention of the viewer to a certain subject. Also, while framing it's essential to pick a great place with many fascinating "frame" like objects.

Unusual Angles
Unusual Angles is when you take a picture from an angle that is strange or unique. By creating a picture with unusual angles it adds many different effects to your image.

Leading Lines
Leading Lines are lines within a picture that focuses the viewer's eye to a specific object. Some examples of leading lines are, train tracks, a road, etc.

All of these techniques are a great way to make any photo or video phenomenal!

P4T5 Composition from Kapaa Middle School MEDIA on Vimeo.

Three Shot Sequences

In great video stories, sequencing usually consists of 3 short clips from interesting angles and different perspectives. Most shots that occur in sequencing are, wide, medium, and close-up shots. These shots are a way to unfold an action but in a fascinating way. When using this method in visual storytelling all shots should be different and be focused on one object. Also, before filming different shots the camera operator should think of what angles will be eye-catching to an audience. Always remember, sequencing is a great way to add interest in any video!

After researching about sequencing all G.T. students had to construct a short video with a sequence. My groups topic was "Surprise!". While filming we had to plan ahead of time to think of interesting angles that would compliment our video and catch our audience's eye. 

A great sequence would first start with a wide shot that captures the main subject, then it would cut to a medium shot that shows what particular thing the subject it doing, and lastly it would cut to a close-up or even an extreme close-up. Within these shots, you should also use composition techniques.

Below is my groups example of sequencing.

Practice Profile Story

Before filming our Profile Story my group and I had to create a Practice Story. Our Practice Story had to include a subject (student from G.T. class), the actual interview, voice-overs, and b-roll. My group and I (Lilio Masi, Loren Weiner, and Hershel Weiner) decided to interview me because they thought the topic that I was going to share would be fascinating. My story was based on how I love to sing and how my life revolves around singing.

A couple of things that we struggled with was, finding b-roll that matched what I was stating due to filming b-roll before the interview. We had to film our b-roll first because there wasn't enough lavalier microphones, so in the end our b-roll didn't really match what I was saying in the interview. Also we didn't get to rehearse our voice-overs so you could hear the unsure pauses, but over-all I believe our video had good quality.

Since it was our first time creating a Profile Story we had some trouble creating our finished product but I believe my group and I worked very well together and did great. After being critiqued my group and I knew what we had to create to make our videos go from good to GREAT.

Profile Project Progress

G.T.'s new project assignment is, "Elder Words Of Wisdom". During the pass couple of weeks we have thought of an individual that has an inspiring story, and one who can influence young children. So my group and I decided to interview a man named, Dave Stewart. Dave tells us about his life and his risk-taking. He explains that, though at times you will come face-to-face with some hardships, if you have motivation and work hard one day you will live up to your dream. At a very young age he took a risk, and now knows it was the right decision because he owns successful business's, Kayak Hanalei, and Hanalei Wave Riders. After school my group and I checked out cameras, and first interviewed, then we filmed our B-rolls and voice-overs.

What are B-rolls and voice-overs? Well, B-Roll adds visual interest that assists and compliments a story. When it is placed over an interview the addition of fascinating imagery can help the viewer relate to the story. B-Roll can also be used to hide any cuts in an interview and classify what is being said through similar visual details. When used correctly, Voice-overs help narrate a certain story by first grabbing the audience’s attention, filling any gaps with great transitions between any mistakes, and lastly summing up the overall message of a story. But if used incorrectly, voice-overs can make a story hard to follow or dull.

My team and I have been working great together, we have made great progress with our editing in Final Cut Pro-X and Production Plan. One thing that the whole team could work better on is communicating. Communicating is key if you want to finish anything successfully with others. The thing that was hard was, our whole team meeting after school to film and having some team mates not coming to help edit when given extra time to.

After turning in our interview's rough-cut my group and I were critiqued. While reading through my classmates comments, I've noticed that our interview would be much better if we gathered more B-Roll. My group will go from good to great by filming more B-roll that goes along with what the interviewee is stating and also use our knowledge of composition techniques and sequencing and apply that to our "Profile Project."