Rule of Thirds

The most basic of all videography rules is the rule of thirds. Splitting the screen both horizontally and vertically into three equal pieces and putting your subject at the intersection of two of those lines is the best way to present that person/object to the audience. The rule is so universal both videographers and photographers adhere to it (most of the time).

What’s the most set up shot in all of television? You see it everyday. The local and national news of course and the set up for that hasn’t changed in decades and probably will never change precisely because of the rule of thirds. The anchor sits along one vertical line with their face smack dab at the intersection of the top horizontal line. The other top intersection is invariably filled with a title slide or B-roll. Tried and true rule.

The most common form of breaking this rule is a Dutch Angle. Tilting the camera so that the subject no longer traverses a vertical line but starts on the bottom edge of the frame and ends somewhere in the top middle of the frame. The other effect is that the horizon is now leaning one way or the other further subconsciously making the viewer feel uneasy. The technique is easy to use and over use. It gives the audience a feeling of uneasiness usually in a dramatic situation. So break the rules if you want but remember that the rules are there for a reason if all you do is break the rules your production will turn into a mess, but as an accent a Dutch Angle, a colored gel, or a host of other things can push a feeling, a mood, or allude to an upcoming event.