How to Film a Dialogue Scene: Angles, Framing & Rule of Thirds - Tutorial 17

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Learn how to avoid the most common mistakes that many people make when setting up a simple scene in a film. Learn all about proper framing, camera angles and the rule of thirds

[@AngelFly28]

This man is God sent. He explains in detail and very easy to understand. Keep it up sir. God bless

[@paulmuiruri3155]

Hey Tom, this is a great tutorial, i am just stepping into cinematography and your tutorials are super easy to understand though you are explaining complicated stuff. Thanks a bunch

[@patrickmbarker]

I found the information on the mood of the telephoto lens vs. the wider angle lens extremely helpful. Thanks Tomatoes

[@TomAntos]

@kumoito if the lighting looks good from both angles then you can use two cameras to save time. But most of the time scenes like that are shot with one camera , then the camera is adjusted for another angle and so is the lighting and then the actors repeat their lines.

[@TomAntos]

@Parrott65 I usualy start with the wide shot first. BUT I have the actors do all their dialogue in the wide shot UNLESS I know 100% that I will only use the wide shot at the start of the scene when editing to establish the location etc. Then I'll only have the actors go through the first few lines. Then I do each individual close up. I leave the closest shots for last since by that point the actors will go through the scene a few times and usualy can perform the whole scene spot on

[@TotallyLikeCosmic]

Very useful video, Tom. I've seen these sorts of things explained elsewhere, but never as clearly as this.

[@TomAntos]

@L0zer797 Yes... some cameras have it. All the Canon HDSLR's have it too. You can turn them on and off using the menus. Look it up in the manual of your camera.

[@robinhall5405]

After spending many many hours looking for good videos on dslr filmmaking thank god I finally found Tom Antos - he goes into great detail and the fact that he shows examples from actual films is the icing on the cake - have watched a few more and they are all amazing - many thanks

[@reviewprodigy]

Thankyou so much. That was so helpful. It doesnt seem like much but the rule of thirds frames the shot so much better

[@THEOUTCASTSCREATIVE]

As a director (Not a cinematographer) It is very helpful to watch all these, Thanks Tom.

[@ssenyondomarvin5300]

hello tomatoes honestly am a film student in Africa but I like your work am looking up to learn a lot of things from your teachings brother

[@gratiskroket]

Very basic but a nice refresher, thanks for putting this out Tom!

[@IgnaceAleya1]

Wow, I loved this video I started video editing so I bought a Canon 550D and I was wondering where you used the grid for, thanks :)

[@Lean540]

Just wanted to thank you for these tutorials, Tom. Although I am not a beginner I always learn something new from each and every one you put out. Please keep making more. Thanks again!

[@KierstenMyerss]

This was really helpful and well explained. Its rare to leave a video wit several new ways of viewing how you film. In this, I realized that I am very guilty to jumpcuts. Never again. Thanks!

[@alexzracer2008]

Now that I know how good your tutorials are I would pay for them at least $5 a month. I already knew the basics, but I just love how clearly you explain this. The reason I would pay is because you teach me.

[@TomAntos]

@johannes914 You are correct! I will try to do that in another video. Thnx!

[@THeMaskedBlogCritic]

Thank you very much. Added to favorites. Why? Because I love tomatoes. But also because this is very informative and thank you for taking the time to make this video with different lenses and angles.

[@ProtectABedTV]

This is quite interesting. I have been thinking about doing a movie with a friend. I can see there is so much to making films.

[@TomAntos]

@Lean540 Thnx! I appreciate that... also I will be in fact making more advanced tutorials once I go through a few more basics as most people who watch my stuff ask for it.

[@WWVND]

Really great tutorial. 2 other things that would have been good to mention is "look room" and the "30 degree rule". You instinctively give your subject "looking room" when framing your shot from the center of the frame to "the rule of thirds" framing. Some people won't understand why you opted to put her in the left frame and not the right. The 30 degree rule helps prevent jump cuts, which is done by changing your angle by 30 degrees or more when moving the camera.

[@oscillian]

This is the best tutorial ever! You're so gifted in teaching, using the images in a perfect way to get the message across. I've learned so much in watching your "film school". Thanks!

[@marlonaya]

Thanks for taking time to put this together, very informative.

[@BillVoelker]

Tom -- you are one of the best of KZbin! I learned a lot from your channel.

[@ryanmkincaid]

Tom, another great one here. Seriously these last 2 tutorials were fantastic. Can't wait to see what's next up your sleeve.

[@TomAntos]

@girotube :) I agree... it's not a rule! But still good to know and understand. Thnx for watching!

[@phdrapper]

Incredibly useful. No wasted time. Thank you for respecting us as the audience.

[@Melroph]

Using the rule of thirds is also useful in keeping the elements of the shot (people, buildings, nature) framed in a way that makes the shot more composed. Nice basics Tom. Subscribed.

[@BRIGHTNIGHTONLINE]

Man this was really helpful. Good info, well presented, well demonstrated at straight to the point..

[@skoolzmedia9416]

Even after 12 year'ms its Worthy watching..God bless you

[@JoeMichelli]

Well done and explained with clarity and concision. I have subscribed and look forward to watching more of this type of tutorial. Very professional job. Thanks

[@lancegoodthrust546]

Great job. As already said, simply explained and concise. So tired of other channels where there's lout techno music in the background and the host it is overly obnoxious. I will be watching more of these videos.

[@lanezdad]

Lance Goodthrust I agree. They always play the background music way to loud and are to hyped up on meth

[@MediaFXNoosa]

great work as always a series i worked on as 2nd unit, and the over the shoulder shots using 2 cameras they would measure from the floor to the lenses and from the talent to the lenses and match the shots exactly for both OTS shots on each camera, i found this to be very cosmetic or plastic with boring shots, , an elderlly experienced director once said use your camera like an artists paintbrush , put your own mark on it

[@PeterSodhi]

Watched all your videos today, thank you. You just saved me 4 years st Film school... :)

[@CryingWindmillFP]

your tutorials are FANTASTIC!

[@IAMWILLETTE]

Thank You I liked and subscribed...I am filming tomorrow and this reFresher is just what I needed to stay focus on getting the best out of the limited time I have to shoot as a independent film maker...THANKS AGAIN^_^

[@Onlinecinematv]

I swear you are a life saver with this tutorial i have no option than to to subscribe...

[@rodnice777]

Tom, you get me glued to your tutorials with these cuties you got in the smiling all the while lol. Good stuff though. I'm really learning a lot!

[@MulkRaj101]

Thanks Tom, where would we be without guys like you sharing your knowledge. Cheers!

[@XprPrentice]

This is exactly the advice I wish I would've seen prior to filming a scene. I knew of the rule of thirds and the 180 rule, even an inkling of short side framing - but when I framed one subject, I put him on the wrong third. The eyeline was right, but he was way too close to the edge of the frame. Argh - almost had it! And we didn't quite match the frame when doing the OTS, so the faces were noticeably different sizes when I cut it together. But, thanks to these great tips, our reshoot will be much quicker and I think will look a lot better.

[@shawnjhajj5070]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us on KZbin.

[@TomAntos]

@errorYT No... it's best to record the whole dialog from each camera angle, then change the camera position and record the whole dialog again from that position, then change the camera angle again, etc.

[@MegaCharlieUnicorn]

as an aspiring cameraman (student atm) the rule of third has just helped my work greatly, thanks alot man!

[@PrioBak]

this easy subscribe... i have been looking for these kind of tutorial for photography but found this instead...great for even a nobody in filming

[@channo786]

Tom, this is very useful video...I learnt a lot from this. I made notes as I was watching it:) many thanks and love to see more videos from you mate.

[@TomAntos]

@Jtp101z Yup...that's how it's done. Even in big budget films. That's why filmmaking is a lot of work

[@TomAntos]

@paperboatmedia Get the canon 7D, some good lenses, 18 or 16mm wide angle. 50mm medium and at least 100mm telephoto... if u can get an even bigger lens too then great! Other than that a good tripod and the zoom H2 audio recorder and that's it. Dont waste money on monitors etc unless u have the time to setup it all up. In most cases when working on smaller budget video and films I dont even bother with monitors etc. just the basics work!

[@TomAntos]

@bluromance Thnx! I know what you mean. There are a ton more things to talk about when recording a dialogue scene, unfortunately I can only fit so much in a 7 min. video. I will talk about the other details in future videos.

[@MrSmoothprod10]

I like your video tutorial very informative. I am starting a filming career as well. I would like to thank you for a rule I didn't know about.

[@TomAntos]

@pmvvideo Yes... its almost always filmed with just one camera. Even in big budget films, since lighting scenes so they work in two or more angles are problematic. Same with framing, micing the audio etc. Its always easier to do one angle at a time, then re do all of it from another angle etc.

[@megasero]

@Lean540 I like so much when you use lens with depth of field. Thanks for tutorials

[@Matthew-ve7uv]

That was awesome, man. It was so simple but explained so much I wasn't able to put my finger on. Thanks

[@TomAntos]

Matthew George Glad to hear you liked it... thanks for watching!

[@trentalexander763]

I've been wondering how to shoot the different shots but have a character say the one sentence, but never knew how to ask it, but if it is really that simple and about editing, I feel a lot better, thanks :)

[@MichaelMandela1]

The rule of thirds is very useful in keeping the elements of the shot (people, buildings, nature) framed in a way that makes the shot more composed. Nice basics Tom

[@helixatv2537]

hi mike...im charles and i write scripts...i have great ideas that can change the kenyan film industry coz for me all i see are all copy and pasted things like there is no unique thin.i did a pilot shoot but it dint come out coz the guys went missing but im not giving up on that....had a deal with wanachi group which runs zuku but i dnt get to make it coz they waited for my pilot shoot...just askin wether we can do somthing together..

[@MichaelMandela1]

Yes we can do something together. Kindly inbox me through my mail or contact me through 0716952756. Looking forward to hear from you.

[@comedyincluded]

Hi Tom Antos, I wanted to thank you once again for these wonderful tutorials. It helped me to get through my first directorial short film, names The Argument:The Movie. The rule of thirds was priceless information! I was able to put together a nice film with a canon T4i 50mm f1.4 and a 28mm f1.8. Thanks again for all your advice! T.L.

[@jenksandartt]

Thank you so much. You're the best teacher I've seen on youtube. I really have learned a lot watching your tutorials. In terms of framing and knowing the fundamentals is there anything else you would reccommend? I get a liitle confused on what choices should make when shooting a dialogue scene. I know about the rule of thirds, 180 degree rule, but I get confused about the 180 degree rule when there are a lot of people ina scene. or when I'm shoting cut aways.

[@coachrollieworkouts]

Great tips and clear explanation. Thanks!

[@Lumencraft-]

This was really a good tutorial. Thank you.

[@tonyvid3148]

thank you for your videos. really helped a lot. i am directing my first short and i am nervous lol. you video s are putting me at ease lol

[@WeCaredALot]

This is a great video! It was very helpful to actually see the difference between various framing and lens choices, which I feel like other videos don't do. Will definitely check out your other stuff!

[@anchalriyas]

million thanks sir to share your great ideas....thanks thanks thanks........

[@ispeektruth]

I have a wide angle 20mm (really 40mm in micro 4/3rds) with a 1.7f aperture. I am able to achieve a similar bokeh effect that you achieved using the 100mm lens. I thought the bokeh had more to do with the aperture than the actual lens. It is only when i increase the f-stop that I get more of the background in focus. I would love your feedback on this. Great video btw.

[@johannes914]

Very helpfull video. Thank you for sharing your experience. Didn't you forgot to tell about the 180 degres rule ? I think it would apply in this kind of dialogue scene.

[@TomAntos]

@JaxxoHere I am a filmmaker. Plus I actually never said there were any rules. Listen to this video or my previous videos and you'll hear me say many times that in filmmaking there are NO RULES, just guides to use as a starting point. Rule of Thirds is just a term that has been around for a few hundred years and was used by most painters during renaissance. Still I don't think it's a rule, therefore I clearly show in the video when this shouldn't be followed.

[@MountaineerAthletes]

Great Video here Tony. Definitely some good information here.

[@baijuj2006]

As a learner it give me lot of information thanks sir

[@derekmasses]

You're an amazing teacher. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.

[@matinatrushi]

Tom, great video. Thank you for posting.

[@sandraadaoraanyanwu4562]

Very easy to understand. Thank you

[@TomAntos]

@daveliem84 No...the subject doesnt have to be exactly on the line. it's more about using the right amount of the image towards the subject. Like in an over the shoulder you should give 2/3 of the image to the main subject and only 1/3 to the other subject whom we see from behind. Sometimes placing the subjects eyes or landmarks on the lines makes a more pleasing image, but sometimes it might look even better if u move it a bit to one side. You just have todecide whats more important in the shot

[@shashwatlovesiphone]

Very very good!!! Thank you for helping people who have just started exploring film making!

[@TomAntos]

@roseofjerichoband Yes! I will do that in one of the future videos... thnx for the idea!

[@Yonnas]

you should come teach at UNC Pembroke. you make much more sense then my previous professor.

[@idalinaalcantarataylor8821]

Great tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@natsqueak8986]

Thanks so much, I could feel there was something wrong with my previous productions and this tutorial totally nailed it for me, HUGE help!

[@hnsmith79]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@arfurlife]

brilliant stuff. well explained and very interesting. A huge thankyou for sharing.

[@OffTheBlade]

Wow, that was a lot of stuff I didn't know and will probably keep me from beating my head against a wall when I have to edit. Thanks alot. :)

[@resetaudiovisual]

Nice tutorial Tom. Straight to the point. Very useful information.

[@CelosTV]

This helped a whole lot thanks man. love the way u explained stuff man.

[@RavindraKKapoor]

Thank you for all this wonderful information. I will see your other remaining parts too. Thank you once again. With best wishes..Ravindra K Kapoor

[@nobudgetkalle]

Very good and helpfull, like all Your tutorials! Thank´s for sharing.

[@chriscatero3586]

thank you for this video. VERY helpful and informative. peace

[@haiderabbas1832]

it's so nicely explained.. thank you so much... my question is can we get the same scene with only one camera... please explain

[@AshaVLOGS]

You would have to film the scene from three different angles. And record the whole scene in every angle.

[@haiderabbas1832]

+Asha VLOGS thanks..

[@Aisyah-sr2dk]

@@AshaVLOGS but what if we would want to do a close up to catch the reactions and the small things like drumming the fingers and holding a pen

[@duchess5218]

oh hey yoongi 4 camera then

[@imvstudiospr]

Great video, thanks man. your friend from Puerto Rico.

[@johncrab67]

I really enjoy your videos. 10 out of 10.

[@baravados]

very well put together...and much appreciated

[@DavidKatz]

Thanks for this one Tom!

[@cmashfaq]

GREAT VIDEO. THANKS FOR SHARING.

I'm thinking a lens change may underline a change of mood in the conversation. Like changing the subject from small talk to something personal, I could go from a wide angle lens to a shallower depth of field.

[@yaiyasmin]

I love your tutorials, I just subscribed. This is the perfect type of lessons for me :)

[@TomAntos]

Glad you liked it.

[@Namircab]

Tom Antos shut up

[@ravikumarn.a1373]

Yaiyasmin

[@billmcparland4462]

Just purchased your filming tutorial 'DInner Date". Wow, great film and your instructions are very easy to follow. But this short video is probably the most important to anyone filming two people interacting (such a common setup on KZbin). Thank you Tom, love all your tutorials and hello from Thunder Bay, Ont.

[@thewritersblock06]

Thank you for this video I think I'm going to up all night watching your videos :-)

[@shortformvideos]

Nice vid, some good info on lens choice - I've noticed that most OTS-2 shots in US-produced shows tend to place the primary subject centrally (with the other actor left or right). Not sure if I like it or not (big believer in the Rule of Thirds). Off-topic, any chance of getting a pop filter? ;) Keep up the good work!

[@JosephLeNoach]

I agree...fantastic explanation

[@talashtv3734]

thank you sir for sharing your knowladge more so thank you KZbin for open up these kind of learning opportunities for zillions of people :)

[@flimxk1]

Would you recommend changing your lens in the middle of a dialogue scene when the mood of scene suddenly changes? For instance if you filmed two characters talking about a random topic,but if one of the characters suddenly mentions something serious making the conversation a lot more intimate should you change your lens in a scene like that?

[@JohntheBaptist4]

Excellent tutorial. Great tips and advice. Thank you for posting!

[@deepelements]

Bless you for sharing your knowledge and inspiring us it's very kind and generous. Because of you we all will have a better chance of making beautiful videos. ~marvin the panasonic gh2 rookie :)

[@oneeyedgeek]

Another great video. Thank you.