From the course: Creating a Short Film: 07 Cinematography

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Understanding the hierarchy of importance

Understanding the hierarchy of importance

From the course: Creating a Short Film: 07 Cinematography

Understanding the hierarchy of importance

- As you're setting up your shot, it's important to be aware of the most important elements in the frame. There are some things that just have a stronger impact than others. In most shots, the most important elements are any people that we see. As beautiful as sunsets or landscapes are, or as adorable as animals are, people are the most fascinating and interesting subjects in the world. That's what we respond strongest to. This is why human beings are typically the most important elements in most frames. The most important part of a person is usually the face. This is where the bulk of the emotion and connection comes from. The most important part of the face is the eyes. So the hierarchy of importance in most shots, from least engaging to most engaging, goes from things to people, faces, eyes. Understanding the most important parts of shots can help you know how to frame them. So many amateur films I see have characters with their backs turned to the camera while important moments…

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