Composition Techniques for Widescreen Aspect Ratios

[@Cloroqx]

I can't even imagine how much time and effort went into making these videos. Thank you for providing all of this for free, and I hope you live a long and awesome life.

[@Kris-vlogsquad]

DUDE, can't tell how thankful I am. Your passion in inspiring people to go out and make a movie is truly inspiring.

[@Themanintheredcoat]

This is by far the best filmmaking channel on KZbin

[@raremevprod]

2019 gang. Also you’re videos are timeless and they are the most informative for learning all the facts unbiased. The legend John P. Hess will always live on. I love your videos and I’ve learned most of the things I know from your channel. Thank you. -MEV

[@Scott_B1029]

No, I'm not working in some form of digital video. I just like John's voice and I enjoy learning how movies are made!

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Hollywood. It's not about national origin. Talent comes from everywhere but to work on a worldwide stage, Hollywood is the place. BTW, Hollywood is more of an industry than a physical place

[@juffan]

I've always heard about how technically groundbreaking Citizen Kane was, but never regarding what specifically about it was so unique. If you ever decide to do a film analysis John Hess, I would be interested in seeing you talk about that.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

+juffan We may look at it but start with Roger Ebert's commentary on Kane - it's got a lot of great stuff! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TEd2ScYt6abLc

[@spillow762]

how come this video does not have 100k+ views ? its so awesome ! thank you !

[@maximgehricke3768]

Everytime he says "Make something great" i smile :)

[@louiswishart1183]

The mise en scen part really helped me

[@bluenetmarketing]

You absolutely have the best filmmaker videos anywhere hands down. I notice your most recent video was 10 months ago. I hope everything is ok with all of you. If you ever open a filmmaking school, I will be there. Thanks for your great videos!

[@zakariaabed3593]

One of the best topics in the channel We r waiting for a new video !

[@lbarnard86]

John, I love your videos, please keep them coming. They are brilliant.

[@esfilms6357]

Do not use letterboxes! When someone has a 21:9 monitor or beamer they will have black bars around all. So when you creat your editing file enter the pixels: 2048x858 (2k Scope) 4096x1716 (4K Scope) 3440x1440 2560x1080 (Aspect ratio: 2.39)

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Only works for people with 21:9 monitors viewing on a computer - not a big market. All television standards are 16x9 including Bluy-Ray and DVD which require letterbox. DCP for theater projection allows for scope resolutions but if you know you're going that direction it shouldn't be hard to figure out the conversion - ultimately you're going to need a letterbox version somewhere for most traditional distribution.

[@TriforceStudiosVideo]

I have this issue on my 21:9 but that doesn't stop me from making it this way. Always shoot in 16:9. the odds of anyone watching on a 21 is so low, that's not a market you wanna shoot for. Plus we're using these monitors for space, not for viewing.

[@kimihyeon]

Standards change through time, and those letterboxed videos will be stuck in the timeline. Just like "letterboxed 16:9 videos on 4:3 screens" back in HD transition.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

not really. The point of standards is they DONT change. the 16x9 standard shows no movement. Yes SD to HD transition was a thing (it had to be done once in 40 year history up to that point) but everything on tv side going up to 8k is 16x9.

[@roflmatol]

​@@FilmmakerIQ This is actively harmful advice. For heaven's sake, don't bake the pillarbox/letterbox into the video! Because people do this, when I watch a 2.35:1 video on my 21:9 monitor, I get the baked-in letterbox, and then it's also pillarboxed by the OS. Now 50% of my screen is black when the image should have been basically filling the screen. Just edit in the correct aspect ratio! KZbin supports it. Most video formats support it. Just let the video player add pillarboxes or letterboxes as needed. Watch EposVox's video on this if you can

[@johnspooner1403]

Camera opping some corporate training stuff next week. Thanks for the new ideas and the reminders!

[@StormyHotwolf88]

... a book I read a while ago makes so much more sense now!

[@andysmith5012]

Love your work. Everything is fair in Rock and Roll, as long as it sounds good. I believe the same is true for image composition. Does it look good and is it interesting without being distracting.

[@Vincent_Error404]

Awesome video John.

[@truefilm1556]

Thanks a lot for the breakdown of screen composition for different aspect ratios. Imagine that: I'm all "old school", using a film camera converted to Super 16mm, with the original 1:1,37 viewfinder, hiding the right hand side of the widened gate. Still getting into it. Lots of testing and guesswork to do. I'll go for the widely accepted 16:9 (=1:1.777...) for the near future: IMHO a very good compromise between classic European (1:1.66) and American (1:1.85) non-anamorphic "flat" widescreen. One of the things I always thought (and you confirmed): I think we should always take into account how much "weight" the elements/subjects have, not just certain points or lines. Even with a grid of thirds: Easy for plain horizons or any horizontal division. Harder for vertical lines (IMHO). I guess one has to get the true feel for each screen format, the thirds (or the Fibonacci spiral) just being a good and important point of reference. I agree: a good composition makes all the difference. And as always, I'll apply: first know your rules, then break them with confidence ;-) You summed it up perfectly! Thanks again!

[@VariTimo]

You can also use a non permanent marker on gorilla glass screen to make framing guides.

[@rollyvisionproductions1291]

Love this channel❤️ Very educational. I've also heard of some people using blue painters tape instead of gaffers tape. It comes off easier and won't leave residue on the screen

[@anphux]

i love your videos! thank you for teaching us!

[@HerbertCSilva]

Dude! You're awesome, I'm learning a LOT! thanks thanks thanks!

[@agusmar08]

Love this channel !

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Interesting - good to know. Thank you!

[@DarrenNoFun]

Watching this makes me realize how horrible my high school film teacher was. He said "NEVER cut off the top of the head... avoid it". of course, whenever we would watch films, the top of the head was the first to go. I love watching these videos, even if it's about something i already know, it gets the creative juices flowing.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Never cut off the top of the head is one of the worst pieces of advice but not uncommon - it's steams a lot from old television framing. Yeah - cut the top of the head off - no one's emoting from the forehead anyway :)

[@pedrouriartte8904]

Thanks for sharing, this is a masterpiece!

[@FunLion]

You have some really great educational videos. Thanks for your work and subbed! :)

[@MrBiswas123]

Hey John can you please make a video on camera movements . Thanks !

[@AbdelmajidZahmoul]

want easy way to know the edges (where to put the tape) ? 1/ crop /download an image and send it to your camera 2/ view it on the monitor 3/ u have the edges now P.S: if your camera dont read external photos just take the picture and photograph/film it from your pc , then view it on the monitor

[@glassjaw2007]

wonderfully explained :)

[@AllyMchume]

Very informative video!

[@dylangill4927]

Great video!

[@ccnfrankbr]

great tips!! thanks a lot!

[@logixmediaproduction]

great..very informative thanks

[@tiagoschool]

Nice... I love your school

[@directorkamble9237]

Good idea sir

[@itsdigitalmagic]

The rule of thirds is the easiest way to frame a scene, atleast when working with modern DSLR's as they have it in the grid settings most of the time. But with time and practice this thinking comes naturally and then it´s time to change things up. Then there are software hacks for some cameras out there like Magic Lantern that will add new features and if I´m not mistaken add the correct grid for 2,35:1. A question tho, is it better to work with a "correct" workspace pixelwise in let´s say Premiere directly or is it better to use a standard 1920x1080p workspace and apply black (or white) bars to the video? Will that footage be useless when you burn it to BD and try to watch it on a 16:9 HDTV for instance, or does this depend on the BD player to show the footage in the correct aspect ratio?

[@FilmmakerIQ]

All HD video standards are 16x9 - be that 1920x1080 or 1280x720. So if you're delivering in HD (such as on Bluray) then you MUST deliver in 16x9 - letterboxing will be required for anything with a wider aspect ratio. Whether you work in a native wide aspect ratio or you use letter box in your editing is really up to you.

[@itsdigitalmagic]

Ok, thank you for this. Today most material is watched on computers and video material that is created in widescreen format that doesn´t hold a "proper" 16:9 aspect ratio shows up correct in most modern mediaplayers. But to be sure if I need to export something that will be brodcast or used as a master for BluRay I need to supply a proper 1920x1080p or a 720p (unless it´s specified that someone wants a 4:3 ratio but who uses that anymore?)

[@FilmmakerIQ]

4x3 is really only seen in smaller SD broadcasts, it's still around but yeah... not too popular ;)

[@itsdigitalmagic]

Ok, been so long since I made a musicvideo so I forgot. I was mostly worried about how all these stream sites handles video that is custom sized, and also the main worry was that if I made a custom format and this is burned to a BluRay or DVD the aspect ratio was screwed and things looked wrong. Since I won't be the one who handles the burningprocess of the master disc I need to make sure that things where right from my part. Thanks for all the help, I have a video to make :D

[@Albanez39]

Starts at 3:30

[@snowmandanselzer7738]

Fred Savage, when he was on "The Wonder Years," would use the top of his head to indicate when he was engaged or excited. His scalp would literally move. I was around the same age, so a couple girls in my class thought that was really cute; however, a couple people thought it was weird. I did not really care because the show was alright. There are other actors and actresses who have more animated facial expressions also. These people may be more of an exception than the rule.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Sure whatever... doesn't diminish the point in the video one bit. I'm sure his eyebrows and forehead did a much bigger job acting than his scalp.

[@snowmandanselzer7738]

@@FilmmakerIQ I enjoy your film, and don't really mean to diminish it. I just thought it was an interesting exception to the norm since most peoples scalps don't noticeably move when they are excited. Also with out the rest of the facial expression, the scalp jumping would just be distracting. He could do the same expression without the scalp movement, but if you are used to his character's or his patterns of expression you wouldn't have the clue that he is actually excited. Again I like your video. Very good. You are right that the facial expression is mainly just above the eye brows to the bottom of the chin. The scalp jumping used by Fred Savage, when he was a child actor, is like a tell in poker. In a way though many people I knew as a child knew the kid from "The Wonder Years" by his scalp jumping.

[@ebinrock]

Rather than crop, wouldn't it generally be better to use an anamorphic attachment to convert a 16:9 (1.78) aspect ratio to 2.35, so as not to lose any vertical resolution?

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Anamorphic is a different look all together. But you're not losing any resolution if you shoot "flat" and crop (the final delivery is going to be the same resolution regardless). You might "gain" a bit of extra vertical resolution if you shoot anamorphic but that's offset when you scale it back down. Then you would lose the ability to do vertical reframe. But in the world of 4k and beyond, I don't think the resolution gain is that noticeable.

[@NEMIHEMERA]

Fascinating!

[@krisinsaigon]

Always love your videos, very helpful Big shout out to your actors too- I've noticed you always use that guy, is he a friend?

[@heminahmed9420]

You're awesome Thank you

[@vardor]

When they closed the door on Kay in the Godfather scene and she goes onto her cellphone, i laughed so hard that i knocked over my breakfast raspberries.

[@mskonicki2001]

I love what you do :)

[@GallowaySackett]

After watching "Knife in the Water" recently, started to wonder...what nation represents the best cinematographers?

[@Javierd07]

Good vid

[@popc5245]

That engind! T_T Beautiful

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Mostly the same concepts, but the fact is the vast majority of production doesn't use Academy Aspect Ratio anymore

[@GallowaySackett]

Liked it How about using a "dry erase" marker? You could even draw a tic-tac-toe to divide image into 3rds † † †

[@moviemaen]

great !

[@rogerwilco2]

Very nice, only your pronunciation of French leaves something to be desired.

[@daylightanimation]

why there's no "Composition Techniques for Academy Aspect Ratio?"

[@YoungTheFish]

I wish I can make movies for robots one day.

[@KawaiiCat2]

Ah Citizen Kane, it was used as a bible of all films in my History and Art of film class.

[@Blockbuster2033]

Why the hell would you use a black letterbox at the top and bottom instead of just creating a 1:2.35 videofile with 1920x817?

[@FilmmakerIQ]

+Blockbuster2033 Because outside of viewing on the computer, 1920x817 will not play on any device. The Blu-ray standard and television standards are 1080.

[@Blockbuster2033]

+Filmmaker IQ okay, that actually makes sense. I have not thought about that since I usually only create videos for viewing on pc.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

+Grzegorz Styczeń any device that has MP4 support is a small subsection of the entire television ecosphere. Anything that supports 1920x816 will support 1920x1080 but the same is not true in reverse. If all you intend to do is watch your film on your own screen by all means, but if you want screen it for other people you need to conform to whatever standards you are aiming for.

[@venkat6838]

super dude

[@kernelpanic2887]

Please don't use Letter Boxes! If you have an 2.35:1 monitor or cinema-screen it will be cropped in. Most programs can export in any aspect ratio, many can even edit in different aspect ratios. Thx

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Filmemacher although you can edit any aspect ratios, there are standard aspect ratio you need to adhere to depending on the destination of your product. Broadcast and Blu-ray need to be 16x9 so you need letterbox. If you're going to DCP there are a few common aspect ratios.

[@kernelpanic2887]

Filmmaker IQ Yeah Blue Ray needs it, but I think many people here will export to YT or other internet platforms, and there for it would be better to go 21:9 But best would be, if YT and other plattforms just make it automatic :)

[@zacharywhite5631]

2:30 shouldn't it be 2.39 instead of 2.35 since 2.35 hasn't been used since the '70s? Also 6:51 Academy ratio is 1.375:1, not 4:3. Other than that, great video.

[@anaveragefilmmaker1422]

4:3 is another way of saying 1:37.1 and 2:35.1 is definitely still in use. It doesn't really matter either though, in digital you can use whatever aspect ratio you like. Sorry if i responded, i mean no offense.

[@zacharywhite5631]

Movie Maniac no offense taken, though I do disagree. 1.375:1 is a distinctly different aspect ratio than 4:3 (aka 1.33:1). And, from what I understand, all movies shot in anamorphic since around 1972 have used a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. If you have an example showing otherwise, please share it, as I am genuinely curious if I am mistaken.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

I should have picked 2.39 because it is more standard. However I would be willing to bet you money on a blind test that you could not tell the difference between 4:3 and Academy and 2.35 and 2.39

[@zacharywhite5631]

@@FilmmakerIQ True, though I'd say it's definitely worth noting and knowing that 4:3 is not the same as Academy and 2.35 is not the same as, and technically predates, 2.39.

[@anaveragefilmmaker1422]

@@zacharywhite5631 I do not believe it is "Distictly" different. That's a bit of an oversight

[@PLDfilmschannel]

whats wrong with 16 by 9 ?????

[@Antsaboy94]

*Don't* use letter boxes unless you're dealing with more than one aspect ratio in your video.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

You need letterboxing if you plan to release your film on Bluray/DVD. Basically any time it hits a TV with Broadcasting standards

[@Antsaboy94]

In that case you're right. But since the video didn't clarify this, I could only respond with the intuition I've developed by following content creators targeting KZbin explicitly.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

We aim a bit higher...

[@Antsaboy94]

But many of your lessons applies universally i.e. regardless of the target platform. That is why your audience, whether by intent or not, constitutes of people with different goals. I wrote the comment with them on mind, as well as in ignorance of the aforementioned Broadcasting standards.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Well also when this video was released in 2013, KZbin only took 4x3 and 16x9 videos...

[@roflmatol]

This is actively harmful advice. For heaven's sake, don't bake the pillarbox/letterbox into the video! Because people do this, when I watch a 2.35:1 video on my 21:9 monitor, I get the baked-in letterbox, and then it's also pillarboxed by the OS. Now 50% of my screen is black when the image should have been basically filling the screen. Just edit in the correct aspect ratio! KZbin supports it. Most video formats support it. Just let the video player add pillarboxes or letterboxes as needed. Watch EposVox's video on this if you can

[@FilmmakerIQ]

EposVox is wrong on the subject. My advice comes from a professional broadcast background. Sure if your video lives and dies in a computer you can do whatever dimensions you want. But the minute your video touches a broadcast TV, DVD/BluRay, even a DCP, it needs to be letterboxed in order to show a non-standard aspect ratio.

[@roflmatol]

​@@FilmmakerIQ Yes, but even then the letterbox can be added later, when it becomes absolutely necessary. You can edit your video in the correct aspect ratio and store it in the correct ratio while you're be working on a computer. Or do you think editors in Hollywood go and add PNG black bars to their footage? Most of these are going to end up on KZbin or something like it anyway, in which case a baked in letterbox or pillarbox makes for a worse viewing experience for most people. Very few phones nowadays are 16:9, and that's where most people use to watch stuff.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Yes the editors in Hollywood actually use the PNG files. Or if they're using Avid they'll use a mask tool. Those PNGs that are popular are were created by Vashi Nedomansky who worked on movies like Deadpool. Fact of the matter is that 16x9 screens are vastly more common than 21x9 screens. It's not really a matter of being able to add letterbox bars later, The default should be letterbox to obtain the desired ratio from the standard ratio and then use software to extrapolate that to whatever non-standard screen you have. As for exporting to KZbin well do whatever you want... You can always work with letterbox and export native aspect files for a platform that supports it (FYI Netflix and Amazon have firm standards that dont include 21:9) Thing is there's an absolute reason to maintain letterboxing. And folks on KZbin saying otherwise are just plainly ignorant of methods outside their own little world.

[@roflmatol]

@@FilmmakerIQ First of all, if you are trying to impress me with this guy's filmography, it's had the opposite effect. The only thing I've seen was Deadpool, where he is listed as an "editorial consultant." The rest of his stuff is... less than impressive to put it gently. But more importantly, one professional in the industry doing something one way doesn't automatically mean it's the right way. I have seen the work of some of my fellow professionals in my own field and there's SO MUCH wrong to go around that it makes me want to tear my hair out. Well, at least it gives me job security. There is just no good reason to have baked-in black bars. They consume precious bitrate that could go into the picture you are actually trying to show. They produce a permanently worse video experience on any screen that doesn't conform to the rendered video - which are definitely on the rise. And what if you want to change your shot composition as you're editing? You just made life harder for yourself with the PNG overlay. This would be much easier if you were working on the desired aspect ratio to begin with. By the way, Amazon doesn't bake letterboxes onto their videos anymore, and haven't done so in a couple of years. Nor does Apple. Yes, Netflix still does it, and they should be ashamed of themselves for continuing this practice. It just goes to show that "experts" can get it wrong or be reluctant to change for the better because they are so set in their ways.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

Well Vashi isn't the only one but he's quite well respected. He knows what he's doing far more than you. Industry do things for a reason. I've already explained some of them. Since you don't seem capable of seeing the world outside of your little world, I don't see any value in this conversation.

[@michaelballance1893]

The Golden Ratio is BS.

[@FilmmakerIQ]

It obviously has its place but it's way overdone.

[@michaelballance1893]

@@FilmmakerIQ OK maybe BS is a little strong. I work in electrical engineering and my hobby is photography. That constant (phi) keeps coming up in documentaries about science and math. It is mildly interesting but its importance is too frequently overstated. It's another example of an answer looking for a problem. imo

[@FilmmakerIQ]

100% agreed. I mentioned the golden ratio in the video because it is something people talk about but yeah it's way overapplied. I should do a follow-up.