All language subtitles for 3. Depth of a shot

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.