Grammar of the Shot, 2nd Edition

The Rule of Thirds

We moved the actor’s head off toward frame left in our MCU example in order to generate a more balanced frame of weighted objects. Notice that we did not choose framing like the examples shown in Figure 2.7 and 2.8.

We could create frames like this for particular reasons, but for the most part we are going to be following the accepted grammar, and the rule of thirds is definitely one of those points to follow. The rule of thirds is very easy to remember and very simple to execute. Take your frame and divide it up into thirds, both vertically and horizontally (Figure 2.9).

Figure 2.7 Back of talent’s head is too close to frame ...