WHAT’S IN THE FRAME – OLUYOMI OSOSANYA

FRAMING is the first element of composition and framing involves two choices. Picking a position from which to view the scene. Isolating some part of it to look at. – Blain Brown.

As cinema is a visual language; Directors use framing to focus our attention and tell us where to look. Its also used to show us how a character is feeling.

TILL DEATH DO US PART – DIR – TOPE OSHIN

It can be used to show us the situation a character has found themselves and how they feel about it. Such as the feeling of isolation.

MOTHER OF GEORGE- DIR – ANDREW DOSUNMU

Introducing a new character and showing them in relation to the other characters already in the frame.

BOLA’S DIRGE – ISHAYA BAKO

In genres like thriller and horror, good framing can be used to focus on the character, and reveal the other character at the time when the suspense will be maximized.

ERASED – DIR – BABA AGBA

When a director fills the frame with a characters face and pushes in , this is to focus the viewer’s attention on how they are feeling ,responding to information they are receiving or an emotion they are feeling.

UNSPOKEN – DIR – SUNNY KING

A director can intentionally frame out some part of the actor for various reasons , depending on what they want you to focus on or reveal something about the character.

HONEY – DIR – OLU YOMI OSOSANYA

Sometimes a director frame all of the action in a wide shot, allowing contrasting actions and emotions to unfold on the screen together , with good blocking this can lead to very interesting imagery.

NO GOOD TURN – Dir UDOKA OYEKA

You can watch a detailed video showing how good framing and composition works. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more illustrative videos on film making.

• Olu Yomi Ososanya