Introduction
Framing is one of the most powerful tools in a filmmaker’s arsenal. The way a shot is composed affects the audience’s perception, emotions, and engagement with the story. One of the key distinctions in framing techniques is the choice between subjective and objective framing. These two approaches influence how viewers experience a film, whether as passive observers or as deeply immersed participants.
Objective Framing
Definition
Objective framing presents the scene in an impartial, detached manner. The camera functions as an invisible observer, allowing the audience to view the action without being directly involved. This technique is often used to establish realism and neutrality in storytelling.
Characteristics
- The camera acts as a third-party observer.
- Shots are typically wider and more balanced.
- Viewers do not adopt a character’s perspective.
- Often used in expository, documentary, or classical Hollywood-style filmmaking.
Examples in Film
- Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’: The film employs objective framing to create a sense of detachment, allowing the grandeur of space to be observed without emotional bias.
- Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’: While the film tells multiple perspectives, its framing remains objective, letting the audience interpret the truth.
Use Cases
- Establishing shots that introduce the environment.
- Courtroom dramas or investigative films where neutrality is key.
- Horror films, where objective framing builds tension before switching to subjective framing for a scare (e.g., The Shining).
Subjective Framing
Definition
Subjective framing places the audience inside a character’s mind or perspective, creating an immersive and emotional connection. It can be achieved through POV shots, close-ups, and dynamic camera movements.
Characteristics
- The audience sees events from a character’s perspective.
- Uses handheld or POV shots to simulate first-person experiences.
- Often accompanied by sound design that mimics the character’s perception.
- Common in psychological thrillers, action films, and experimental cinema.
Examples in Film
- ‘Enter the Void’ (Gaspar Noé, 2009): The entire film is shot in first-person POV, making the viewer experience the protagonist’s psychedelic journey.
- ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (Steven Spielberg, 1998): The opening D-Day sequence uses shaky handheld subjective framing to make the audience feel like a soldier on the battlefield.
- ‘Requiem for a Dream’ (Darren Aronofsky, 2000): Close-ups and POV shots immerse viewers in the characters’ psychological descent.
Use Cases
- Creating suspense by restricting the audience to one perspective (e.g., found footage horror like The Blair Witch Project).
- Emotional storytelling, where subjective framing enhances empathy (e.g., Joker).
- Virtual reality (VR) and first-person gaming-inspired cinematography.
Blending Subjective and Objective Framing
Many films seamlessly switch between subjective and objective framing to enhance storytelling. For example:
- Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’: The shower scene begins with objective framing but transitions into subjective horror as the victim’s perspective is emphasized.
- ‘Children of Men’ (2006): The film uses long takes that blend objective tracking shots with immersive, character-driven framing to increase tension.
Conclusion
Both subjective and objective framing play crucial roles in visual storytelling. While objective framing provides clarity and detachment, subjective framing immerses viewers in a character’s world. Understanding when and how to use these techniques allows filmmakers to manipulate audience perception and emotional engagement effectively.