Grammar of the Shot, 2nd Edition

End of Chapter Three Review

1. Understand how to create the illusion of 3D on a 2D image.
2. Horizon line—keep it level and steady.
3. Dutch angle—skews horizontal and vertical lines to create imbalance.
4. Diagonal lines—force perspective to vanishing point and create depth.
5. The depth of film space—foreground/middle ground/background—zones where you stage action and that exist at varying distances from the lens.
6. Object size—large in frame means near and small means far.
7. Atmospherics—great distance is implied via water vapor obscuration.
8. Zoom lenses—wide angle or telephoto—focal lengths capture wide field of view or narrow field of view of the film space.
9. Focus—creatively shifting focus within your film’s depth will direct the viewer’s eye around your frame ...