The 5 Principles of Cinematic Depth | Cinematography 101

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No matter what kind of movie you're shooting, whether it's a drama, comedy, or horror -- a main aspect needing to be addressed by every cinematographer is Cinematic Depth - the carefully crafted layering of subject and background, all within a single shot. In this episode of 4 Minute Film School, Valentina Vee and guest cinematographer, Alissa Rooney, break down all the factors that contribute to Cinematic Depth.
Today, we're shooting a cinematic interview that you would normally see in a high-end documentary. First, we talk about how to compose your shot and where to place the subject in the room. Following the rule of thirds, we also make sure that the talent is sitting far enough away from the camera to get a nice depth compression, but also far away from the background to have the ability to light both parts of the frame separately.
Next, we discuss wardrobe options and what to look out for. You want to make sure that the color of the clothing matches the overall color scheme of the film, while also contrasting the colors of the background. Busy-looking patterns (such as too many stripes) are not recommended, as they are too distracting and can also cause moire in the image.
Finally, we go over the lighting setup, and how to make a subject stand out from the background. Separating your subject from the background is important because it’s how you achieve a good tonal range throughout your shot. Some of the ways that one can accomplish this include adding a hair light, negative fill, and practical lighting choices (lights that appear in-frame). This way, the space that you’re shooting in feels three-dimensional and well-balanced.
In this video, you will learn how to maximize your soft source using diffusion cloth, what negative fill is, and how you can use lights that are already at location to make a more cinematic frame.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
0:50 - Location
1:08 - Composition
1:34 - Wardrobe
2:08 - Lighting
2:50 - Negative Fill
3:18 - Tonal Range
3:45 - Hair Light
4:20 - Practicals
4:47 - Background
5:29 - Recap
5:44 - Outro
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Summary:
Aputure's KZbin channel provides free high quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level.

[@MrTrepTower]

I'd sit down to interview my dad who passed away 10 years ago, so i could catch him up on life.

[@kalymba_]

I would want to interview Roger Deakins because he's the one who inspired me to try and study cinematography. He seems like a really nice and talented guy.

[@aputurelighting]

We could talk all day about his lighting

[@remielarcay8189]

If you haven't already, you should check out his podcast with his wife and some guests! They are really informative!

[@LouisTinsley]

@@remielarcay8189 Wait Roger Deakins has a podcast!?! How have I never heard of this?

[@remielarcay8189]

@@LouisTinsley I had the same reaction when I first found out about it! Look up Team deakins and they have a BUNCH of episodes with different guests varying from directors, cinematographers, editors and sometimes even Deakins' own work as well!

[@nielscambier4254]

Never heard as well but thanks for the discover, such an informative podcast

[@lauraweichman7115]

I'd love to interview Sven Nykvist and learn some of his tricks, particularly in Persona. No matter how many times I watch it, this movie always takes my breath away.

[@gaarax0x]

APUTURE: You need 4-5 300dii You: Buys godox lights

[@gluedmonkey]

does godox have an equivalent to the p300c or a bicolor (120d output) like the 300x?

[@memcrew1]

I’m pretty sure Godox is proud of you!

[@NickDelDuca]

Yeah these Aputure lights are 3x more expensive than they should be. That light they are using for key is like $1700

[@memcrew1]

@@NickDelDuca what’s the correct price for these lights?

[@NickDelDuca]

@@memcrew1 I think the only reason these lights cost what they do is because of the absurd price of competing lights. The main competitor to this light is the Arri Skylight which is around $4500. If the Arri light didn't exist there would be no market for this light at $1700. I would be happy with a $500-700 price but I understand business wise why Aputure chose the price they did. Unfortunately that keeps their products out of reach for most creators.

[@bddonovan7818]

I'd interview Vivian Maier, who is my favorite photographer. No interviews of her exist because her work wasn't discovered until after her passing.

[@DaniDo]

This is an incredible setup breakdown! I always enjoy the overwhelming knowledge you provide

[@SamHolland]

LOVE the mix of cool and warm lights. 🤩🎥🙏🏻👌🏻

[@aputurelighting]

Thanks!

[@JamesNobleMusic]

This becoming my fav channel right now I love all of this content. So good!

[@SavvyTurtle]

About time we have more real creators who bring it real! So glad I found you and finally found and learned what I needed to learn about lighting! Thank You So much! Tap The Shell!

[@sorellamber]

Valentina!! You have become a Hero to me!! I have been watching all your videos! Thank you for teaching me! I have several short film ideas and I want to do it right (and save up for equipment). So very grateful 🥰.

[@lorlooney1520]

Very excellent quality from the motion graphics, to the text, to the amount of words used. Absolutely a lesson!

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevesiroissr6165]

This was what I was looking for, straight forward, simple and to the point. Great video.

[@adfrazier98]

I would love to interview Andre 3000. I love how he’s able to do whatever he wants no matter how different or “obscure” it is. I would love to know how he gained that confidence.

[@murallod]

Thanks for sharing how you lit the scene Alissa. Such a will composed shot! Definitely want to see more of these.

[@AbdonPhirathon]

So many things happening all at the same time to create a pleasing image. Thanks for sharing!

[@OlgaKuznetsova]

Such amazing artistry in setting up the shot!!! Love these videos!!

[@TimoSund]

I keep on getting ideas and clarifications of my own thoughts to my own works by these videos. Thanks.

[@denzelramos1623]

I've always liked your content on how to be a great cinematographer. Thank you, Vee!

[@shukhratbiggie931]

omg so wonderful, even this whole clip is really well structured. Editing so perfect!! Guys u r awesome!

[@JPMedia1]

I would love to interview Orson Welles (if he was alive today) to see his unique perspective on rapid change in the film industry and his thoughts on filmmaking being more accessible to anyone.

[@ImanKamil]

Nice setup from aputure 💯 🔥

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@tyldarprod1399]

A two character scene in a hallway with and without windows. I use your setups and turn arounds for my media class demonstrations. Keep up the excellent work.

[@aputurelighting]

That's awesome to hear! Let us know what other topics you'd like us to cover

[@michaelwhitlock6301]

I’d interview my grandfather, who passed away when I was 10. So much I wanted to ask him, and so many stories that aren’t recorded!

[@SakiBombTV]

Loved her take and vision. Superb!!

[@mitchmedmedia5386]

These are great, thanks for the insight!

[@marvingeronimo]

Always amazing and easy to understand!

[@Killernaut16]

This is the best lighting setup video I've ever seen

[@Sethmotley]

I really understood the placement of the lights in this video please do more like this one.

[@clintclarkcreative]

Love these tips! Thank you for sharing.

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-kl2ss1gh4o]

thank for this video, as always awesome work😊

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you for watching!

[@daniel_wilkinson]

I've also seen interviews that go 180 degrees the other way and have a completely black background with just a key light and a couple of fills. My attention is focused on the subject and what they have to say and does not stray to the background.

[@aputurelighting]

That's a good point! Lighting should focus attention on the subject

[@LifeOfRiza]

would love to interview kubrick! i feel like that set and lighting could be super crazy and an ode to his films in some way 😏

[@aputurelighting]

Would love to find out his directing style!

[@silvijosabajo7579]

I love what you guys do. It's just Amazing!!

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@creavisionCAV]

YOU! I'd love to interview you Valentina

[@DarylChris]

I’d love to interview Sean Bobbitt, his work on Queen of Katwe was amazing

[@JustinEspejo]

That was a really beautiful lighting set up!!! Wow! 😍

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@lightingbryan]

Robin Williams would probably be the most fascinating interview. He is always 10 steps ahead of everyone and you never know what he is going to say or do.

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

Thank you. Loved this. Some of the best looking Komodo footage on the net. Do you remember what your variable ND was set at? At 800 with that much light those komodos would blow out. Love this vid.

[@creatingaphotographer3187]

I would love to have a sit down with Kubrick to find out what he looks for to find the best of identical models of lenses and cameras, particularly with the classic glass!

[@aputurelighting]

That's a great topic!

[@ykofficial4802]

i love this video thank you for information

[@aputurelighting]

You're welcome!

[@pierrezapata90]

Nice and simple set up.if anything, it shows the power of location and practicals. The key light as long a softened can be just about any decent light

[@aputurelighting]

Yes! You can use any light other than the Nova as your key

[@whitneykr]

I'd love to interview my great great grandmother, a Navajo woman that survived the Long Walk.

[@DavidB-tw9tp]

Awesome video! I definitely learned something I would interview Steve Jobs, I think that would be really interesting. Who he was and what he did is just really fascinating

[@juanojeda8813]

So so so good!

[@recipetodelicious5791]

When you show the individual lights at the end, do it slower, and take out the graphics for a bit so you can see the difference without the graphics. Really a great instuctional piece, just want to be able to assimilate it easier.

[@strangecasa3783]

Petey Greene I had seen clips and the documentary Adjust Your Color. I liked his unique flavor and style of interview. His way of dealing with his subjects, admired his very original and honest voice. He seemed like he could have had so much more to say.

I wish i could interview mark romanek ... his work is pure art i love it

[@jamesmckenzie2621]

I would want to interview Ernest Dickerson. Legendary DP of Spike Lee's early work and director of numerous episodes of The Wire and one of my favorite films in the world, "Juice".

[@motionbymike]

Amazing as always

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@PeterFilimaua]

I'd like to interview Gordon Willis! Godfather and the underrated film All the President's Men, must've had incredible lighting setups !

[@aputurelighting]

Love his bold style!

[@redwoodmediaco.2202]

I'd love to interview my grandmother who I dearly miss!

[@Zoracruzano]

Great video, loved the lighting. I would interview Luis Buñuel and have a cup of wine with him.

[@jaymarshotit6382]

Very informative and good work Alisa👏👏 I'd definitely love to interview Roger Deakins, as aspiring cinematographer, I love his work and been watching his videos of late🙌🙌

[@TheDude-vx6wn]

Super helpful. Thanks! Does the lighting have an effect on the amount of bokeh blurryness around the subject? Or is that all done by the lens?

[@aputurelighting]

It does! If you have less lighting, you have less exposure, which allows you to open up to a wider aperture/shallower depth of field on your lens.

[@hytralium]

Uhhh, that looks cinematic!!!!

[@BleckMedia]

Great video, Wich temp is the 300X as a hairlight? Thank you very much for the great videos!

[@NIKONGUY1960]

Saw a pic with her standing next to Sir Roger. Total respect if you have the chops to stand next to Mr. Light, rather, Sir Light.

[@djlive408]

Awesome video!

[@alenlukovac]

I'd love to interview Emmanuel Lubezki because he's up there with the best cinematographers out there

[@aputurelighting]

So true!

[@MoundorSene]

love this interview set up! i would love to use it in an interview with Roger DEAKINS 😊

[@nyashkov]

beautiful setup!

[@matchpointstudio1622]

Great tips!

[@AjushiPhotography]

Very interesting and informative, with all of the different color temperatures from all of the different lights, what was the camera color balance set to? Is the graphic correct - 5600K?

[@vinzaputra]

Gorgeous setup

[@gildafilmproductions1383]

Alissa Rooney is a talented DP. I’m glad to hear she rocks Aputure. We work with Aputure gear as well!

[@kubolor1234]

nice and concise

[@ASCENDER]

this was SUPPPPER helpful

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you thought so!

[@milovarquiel]

I have one question and also is a request. Can you make a video of what constituted spill and how to avoid and how to spot it. Thank you for all the top notch content.

[@emanueldejesus7495]

Amazing setup & Paul Nicklen because of the wonderful work he is doing to amplify ocean conservation through media and storytelling.

[@aputurelighting]

Good answer!

[@emanueldejesus7495]

@@aputurelighting Thanks!

[@LouMonestime]

If I could interview anyone I’d interview Chadwick Boseman. I say this because his story was so inspiring to me. In spring others while silently battling his sickness. I would also want to apologize to him because while he was fighting for his life everyone on social media was picking on him because he had gotten so skinny. The entire time he was dying...

[@aputurelighting]

Very true. He's a legend

[@DylanTranMusic]

Would love to see an interview with Pawel Pogorzelski, specifically about those wide indoor night shots in Hereditary :)

[@kwameboadi3245]

Really informative video. I'd like to ask, was any sort of diffusion filter used? Or any sort of filter. Thanks in advance.

[@michaelzemke6413]

I would like to do more interviews with Ecole hotelier de Lausanne alumni and start a series with that.

[@Kevinmadefilms]

I would interview my grandfather, just so I could have footage of him telling his stories about his hometown and life

[@danferraro3598]

Love your content . . . and Valentina's hair. :)

[@colourgradist7035]

I think I'd want to talk to Hitchcock, to discuss avoiding compromise to your vision, potentially flying in the face of the opinions and pressures of others.

[@naeemashaari]

I'd love to interview Christopher Nolan or Roger Deakins !

[@jv8studios]

That would be awesome!

[@chrisharold3280]

Really love Rooney's work! If it was possible to go back in time just a bit to get more interviews with Robby Muller that would be amazing and invaluable.

[@erikamia2106]

I would probably want to interview SOPHIE. I loved her music and inspired by her production in my own music for compositions for video games and film. It's unfortunate that she just recently passed way too soon. She had already helped revolutionize a new production style of music, but she still had so much left to do.

[@ZZProduction]

kereen, totalitas dalam membuat setting lampunya.

[@MorganGrip]

Great lights and a nice setup! / Morgan

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@JaymieJones]

I would love to interview everyone from the A-Team! So much knowledge to share there.

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you! We're flattered

[@sergiofilmmaker94]

This is really helpful information. I would like to learn more about outdoor lighting techniques>

[@aputurelighting]

Good idea for a video!

[@LeoArmenta]

I need more Aputure lights!!! I will like to interview Robert De Niro!!!

[@iComplainer]

Cool I’m interested in this

[@annayang3236]

I would want to interview Coco Chanel. Amazing business person during a time where women didn't have much career options- 1900s. Also, amazing video- so concise and informative

[@markkut]

Solid, practical tips!

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you thought so!

[@zaymax_7]

Maybe not aligned with your channel (obviously), but the lighting philosophy of chivo lubezki would be very very interesting

[@aputurelighting]

Good idea!

[@TSIXGaming]

Excelent guide

[@MikeDewey]

So good val!

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@cedricbacha4195]

I’d want to interview Vittorio Storaro and learn the way he thinks about lighting and colors!

[@aputurelighting]

Yes! His usage of color is amazing.

[@OmarCordy]

Great content as always! Keeps me motivated. Besides my parents.... Arthur Edeson and James Whale

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you liked it!

[@jayacheal4690]

I think I'd really like to interview Wi Smith. A very likeable person, he always has great stories from his "Fresh Prince" days

[@warrenalexanderkriese8532]

I’d really want to interview Ari Aster and Eggers together, I feel like they both have phenomenal perspectives on similar genre films and it’d be interesting to listen in on their thoughts

[@DavidJonesImages]

I would love to interview Valentina Vee on what makes a great scene breakdown video

[@alejandromedina3897]

I would love to interview Valentina Vee :D

[@uxofoto]

I would like to interview Anthony Bourdain

[@SeamusWood]

Awesome video

[@KeatonWard]

Awesome video! I'd also love to point out how professional both their own virtual interview setups were! It's a shame when a DP doesn't bring their A-game and give us good image and sound quality for their own interview. Not these DP's! :D

[@aputurelighting]

Thanks for noticing!

[@benjamin.tranbt]

Always learning new things with your videos, thank you. I would like to interview Thomas Edison and talk about lights.