A few years back I wrote an article about the Rule of Thirds (using cinematographer Darius Khondji’s amazing work in Se7en as an illustration) and how using it as a compositional tool can potentially yield great looking shots.
Recently Criterion Collection released this montage clip with footages from several Wes Anderson films, and it is a beautiful anti-thesis visual statement about the Rule of Thirds. Check it out below :
As always, watching Wes Anderson’s (or any other accomplished director’s) films is a great way to learn more about cinematography, and get inspired at the same time.
And yes, The Royal Tenenbaums is my favourite Wes Anderson film.
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The Wes Anderson Collection Book Review
Accidentally Wes Anderson Photography Book Review
Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom
The Wes Anderson Collection : Isle of Dogs Book ReviewComments 1
March 19th, 2014 at 6:19 am
When overused, symmetrical shots can be jarring and make the audience uncomfortable. Just like slow-mo, camera filters, or other visual additives, it breaks the suspension of disbelief viewers have with the world on screen and constantly reminds them to be aware of the fact that this story is from the director’s POV. Quite egocentric. Sometimes quite unnecessary. The best works use composition rules as guides to their shots and is subtle and discreet. Just like good design is elegantly invisible and natural, good film techniques allow storytelling to be priority.