Original subtitles

When discussing compensation, we will often refer

to the three different axes of a frame.

The horizontal direction in our frame is called the x axis,

and our vertical direction is called the y axis.

You probably are familiar with these terms from coordinate geometry.

The rule of thirds we introduced in the previous chapter deals with the X and Y.

But what about the third?

Well, the third axis is called the Z axis

and the nodes, the depth of a frame.

It is possible to create an image without a z-axis,

which we refer to as a flat frame.

So how do we create a sense of depth in an image?

Most often, a director will choose to emphasize

the Z axis of an image to overcome the inherent

two dimensional nature of the frame and create a more dynamic composition.

Here we see a girl running

for her life through the woods by shooting down the forest path.

We are able to create the illusion of depth

and we are able to accomplish this through the use

of depth cues

and depth.

Cue is established by the principle that when we see two objects

of similar size, scale in one appears to be smaller than the other,

we assume that the smaller one is further away.

Alternately, you can position objects in the foreground of your shot

to partially conceal your subject.

This can create the perception of distance between the subject and the viewer.

Because this technique is so effective, you will often notice that directors

choose to shoot through an object in the foreground of the image,

whether it is the shoulder of a character or an object.

That is one of the main resources we can use to create dynamic imagery.

We will be exploring this theme throughout the course.