ABSTRACT
The frame is fundamentally two-dimensional design (3-D films notwithstanding). Two-dimensional design is about guiding the eye and directing the attention of the viewer in an organized manner that conveys the meaning that the viewer wish to impart. Certain basic principles pertain to all types of visual design, whether in film, photography, painting, or drawing. These techniques of basic design work interactively in various combinations to add depth, movement, and visual force to the elements of the frame. Standard practice is to keep the top of the head fairly close to the top of the frame without cutting them off. However, giving them a haircut is fine for close-ups. With the advent of television, film producers wanted theaters to show the public what they couldn’t get at home, which inspired them to make the frame wider and wider, from 1.66:1 to even wider aspect ratios, with 1.85:1 becoming a widely used frame shape for some time.
