2016 Oscar Predictions: Best Actors/Actress

As modern filmmakers, we have the benefit of hindsight in understanding what has been established in cinema, like the basics of scene coverage and shot composition. One of these shooting essentials is the 180 degree rule, which guides our coverage of a conversation between two subjects. Think of how commonly two people hold a conversation in films you've seen, and you'll have a good idea of how often the rule can apply! Read on to see how scenes can be boiled down to the most powerful imaginary measuring stick at a filmmaker's disposal, plus some more on basic shot composition and framing.

These videos come from a strong resource in the essentials, Lights Film School. The video also goes into some detail about light placement and what each light source contributes to the exposure and texture of a scene: