Original subtitles

Beyond just setting up your sequence temporally and spatially.

Establishing shots can be used effectively to set the mood of the scene.

A series of quick establishing shots can be an extremely effective way

to set up the theme of a story or situation

in Guide the viewer into a more elaborated sequence.

For example, these short snapshots at a bazaar in Istanbul help

introduce the bustling nature of the city to the audience.

Although many of these shots are close ups as opposed to white

establishing shots, they still function to set up the scene.

Viewers of visual media are quite observant and expect details

to have some importance whether they are in the foreground or background.

In effect, every frame should pose a question

that is consequentially answered by other frames in the sequence.

So as a result of that, we don't want to pose

unintentional questions that we don't have answers for.

Here we see a girl sitting in front of a Buddha.

Although it provides an interesting compositional element,

it also carries a slew of symbolic undertones,

unless it is significant to the narrative arc.

It could be confusing for the viewer.

We want to direct the viewer's attention on what's important.

Subtle background clues can work to foreshadow thematic elements.

A good establishing shot can effectively prime

the audience for what they are about to see.