You’ve Been Framed. How to Frame Yourself for Your Online Videos.
“You’ve Been Framed”
How to Frame Yourself for Your Online Videos
How you “frame” yourself on camera – has a powerful subconscious impact on your audience, so it is worth knowing some of the basics. In terms of online video presentations, framing has exactly the same meaning as a picture frame on the wall, i.e. it is the rectangular border that frames the image inside it.
How you “frame” yourself on camera – has a powerful subconscious impact on your audience
Headroom
Headroom is the amount of space between the top of your head and the top of the frame. Ideally, you don’t want to cut the top of your head off (many people make this mistake). The exception is if you are filming an extreme close-up shot or full close-up (where cropping is unavoidable). If so, then crop the frame at the top of the forehead; keeping all of your face (the expressive features) fully in the frame – as well as your neck. Do not cut your chin off.
Another common mistake is to show far too much headroom, which wastes frame space and can make you appear swamped by your environment.
What Will Your Viewer see?
Everything in your frame is important. Check if there is anything in the background or foreground that the viewer can see which is going to distract them (remember this guy)? Also, pay attention to what the viewer can see at the edges of your frame. Avoid cutting things off, i.e. don’t show half of an object or half of a person (showing half of someone’s face is very unflattering).
Also, try not to cut people of at the joints – the bottom of the frame can cut across a person’s stomach or waist, but not their knees. It just doesn’t look right.
You’ve Been Framed. Now you are Going to get Shot!
There are three broad categories of camera shots: close-up shots, medium shots, and long/full shots.
- Close-up shots convey intimacy
- Medium shots are social
- Long/full shots are impersonal (generally used in films to set the scene, and not really relevant to these articles).
There are several sub-categories but I will keep things as simple as possible for the purposes of this article.
How Close Should you be?
Extreme close-up shots focus the viewer’s attention on a person’s feelings or reactions. For example, during interview shows like 60 Minutes, the camera will often zoom up close, making the interviewee’s face occupy the full frame. This creates tension for the viewer – and can imply that a person is lying or guilty (whether they are or not) its a subtle way to emotionally manipulate the viewer too. Check out this sweaty interview of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Extreme close-ups are rarely used when filming important public figures however (that’s you right?). In western cultures the space within about 24 inches (60 cm) is felt to be an intimate zone. Getting too close can feel invasive or claustrophobic for the viewer – until they become familiar with you.
Getting too close with a shot size can feel invasive or claustrophobic for the viewer
If you are going to film yourself standing, the medium shot is usually recommended. The lower frame passes through your waist; so there is space for your hand gestures to be seen. This is how you normally see a person “in the flesh” when you are having a casual conversation. You don’t normally pay attention to their lower body, so that part of the picture is unnecessary. My personal preference when I film myself standing is a medium close shot.
If you are going to film yourself sitting (e.g. at a desk), I recommend the frame passes through your waist. If you cut yourself off at the chest, it focuses the viewer’s attention on your chest (women please note)! In general, I do not recommend my clients film themselves sitting – the reasons for which I will discuss in future articles.
Off-center
Rather than placing yourself in the dead center of the frame, the visual appearance is better if you appear slightly off to one side (often called “the rule of thirds”). Artists, photographers, and filmmakers use this technique for composing their shots.
Start paying attention to TV and movies with these concepts in mind and you will begin to see clear examples of how the pros adhere to these rules.
In my next article I will talk about camera angles and the psychological effect these can have on the viewer – key things to understand if you are appearing on video and want to look good online.
In the comments below – share with me your biggest challenges when it comes to presenting on video – or with creating your own Video Presentations? If this is all new for you, let me know what you found most helpful with this article and how you will implement it in your next video?
Remember, you can always suggest a topic or ask a question (below) and the TakeTwo Team will endevour to answer it in future “TakeTwo Video Presentation Coaching” episodes. If you enjoyed this content remember to sign-up to receive our email updates.
Always listening and cheering you on with your online video presentations!
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