Little secrets of big cinema: how operators achieve the desired effect

This little research was done on the basis of the most impressive footage from the trailer for the new movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. When building them, factors such as lighting, camera movement direction, color gamut, depth of field of a spatial image, and lens selection were taken into account.

(Total 7 photos)

Source: mixstuff.ru

Those who have ever been fond of photography are probably aware of the existence of the so-called "rule of thirds" (or the rule of the golden ratio).

For the rest, let's explain: the frame is divided into three equal parts horizontally and three more vertically. When these lines intersect, four points are formed, which professionals call "nodes of attention." The human brain is arranged in such a way that it is more comfortable for us to see the main object of a photo or film frame exactly at one of these points - and not at all in the middle, as an amateur might think.

1. It was following the “rule of thirds” that managed to give this shot a sense of balance. In addition, the effect is enhanced by the lines of a long corridor striving to one point (marked with red arrows), which also direct the viewer's attention to the character.

2. Two large buildings taking up two thirds of the frame on the left and an open sky a third on the right give an amazing sense of balance. As a result, all the viewer's attention is focused on the tiny figure of Ben Stiller. This is also facilitated by the diagonal formed by the bridge (marked with a red arrow)

3. This shot uses the rule of thirds multiple times. The square on the left (marked red) and the shadow on the water bisects it exactly.

4. The atmosphere of this shot is created by backlighting, which makes the silhouettes of the characters look especially expressive. An important touch is dust clouds illuminated by the warm rays of the setting sun. Note that the sun itself is very close to one of the "nodes of attention".

5. The figure of Ben Stiller is shifted to the right, behind him is the open sky and the actor's head falls into one of the "nodes of attention". If the camera were positioned differently and the mountains were behind the actor, then such an impressive contrast would not arise and it would take the viewer more time to determine what to focus on here.

6. If several objects (or groups of objects) worthy of the viewer's attention appear in the frame, then their number should be odd - this way the viewer is more comfortable. An odd number creates a greater sense of balance than, say, if there were only two of these objects.

7. The horizon line is shifted upwards because the lower part is more interesting here than the sky and thus it is possible to create a feeling of isolation of the three heroes.