Perspective

Depth is the key to creating cinematic shots. Look for opportunities on location to create a sense of perspective. Pathways, shelves, walls, hallways, railway lines, rows of trees, fences and tunnels can all be used to create a sense of depth and perspective in your shots.

Shooting with a wide angle lens will accentuate the distance between the foreground and the background, increasing the sense of perspective.

In Drive (2011), Nicolas Winding Refn exploits the perspective created by the narrow aisles in a grocery store when The Driver (Ryan Gosling) and Irene (Carey Mulligan) accidentally encounter each other while shopping.

Throughout The Shining (1980), director Stanley Kubrick uses perspective extensive, notably when Danny Torrence (Danny Lloyd) encounters the identical twins standing at the end of a hallway while riding his tricycle.

In O’ Brother, Where Are Thou? (2000), directors Joel and Ethan Coen use perspective to memorable effect towards the beginning of the film when Everett (George Clooney) and two convicts hitch a ride with a blindman driving a handcar on a railway. The railway line disappears into the horizon as the trio set off.

Why should you do this? Basically because it looks aesthetically pleasing by giving your shots a sense of depth. When you’re on a shoot, consider using your location to create a sense of depth and perspective in your shots.