Video & Scriptwriting / Storyboarding
Specify framing rules per shot — professional composition for cinematic storytelling.
Why This Prompt Exists
Where you place the subject in the frame changes the emotional meaning. Centered is stable. Off-center is dynamic. Most creators default to center.
You get:
- subject dead center in every shot (static, boring, no tension)
- horizons cutting through heads (distracting, amateur)
- no leading lines (viewer doesn’t know where to look)
- headroom too much or too little (unbalanced, awkward)
- no depth (flat, two-dimensional, uninteresting)
But framing rules create meaning:
- rule of thirds: subject at intersection points (dynamic, interesting)
- leading lines: lines guide eye to subject (direction, focus)
- headroom: space above head (balanced, professional)
- look space: space in direction subject is looking (movement, anticipation)
- depth: foreground, midground, background (dimensional, immersive)
- negative space: empty area around subject (isolation, emphasis)
Without framing rules, composition feels amateur.
This prompt specifies professional framing rules.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a cinematography framing specialist. Your task is to specify framing rules for each shot. Generate: 1. FRAMING RULE CLASSIFICATION | Rule | Description | Emotional Effect | Best For | Avoid For | |------|-------------|------------------|----------|-----------| | Rule of thirds | Subject at intersection | Dynamic, interesting | Most scenes | Symmetrical subjects | | Center framing | Subject dead center | Stable, powerful | Speeches, confrontation | Action, movement | | Leading lines | Lines guide eye | Direction, focus | Landscapes, architecture | Crowded scenes | | Headroom | Space above head | Balanced | Portraits, interviews | Very close shots | | Look space | Space in gaze direction | Movement, anticipation | Dialogue, action | Static, centered | | Negative space | Empty area around subject | Isolation, emphasis | Dramatic moments | Crowded scenes | | Depth layers | Foreground, mid, background | Dimensional, immersive | Cinematic | Flat, graphic style | | Dutch angle | Tilted horizon | Unease, tension | Horror, thriller | Stable scenes | 2. EMOTION TO FRAMING MAP | Emotion | Primary Rule | Secondary | Headroom | Look Space | |---------|--------------|-----------|----------|------------| | Stable/Calm | Center framing | Rule of thirds | Normal | None | | Dynamic/Tense | Dutch angle | Rule of thirds | Normal | Minimal | | Isolated/Lonely | Negative space | Rule of thirds | Extra | None | | Powerful/Dominant | Low angle + center | Wide framing | Minimal | None | | Vulnerable/Weak | High angle + rule of thirds | Negative space | Extra | None | | Conversational | Rule of thirds | Look space | Normal | Yes (toward other) | | Action/Fast | Leading lines | Rule of thirds | Minimal | Yes (direction of movement) | 3. FRAMING PROMPT TEMPLATES **Rule of thirds:** `Rule of thirds composition, [subject] positioned at [left/right] [top/bottom] intersection` **Center framing:** `Center framing, [subject] dead center, symmetrical composition` **Leading lines:** `Leading lines from [direction] toward [subject], guiding eye` **Dutch angle:** `Dutch angle, camera tilted [left/right], tense unbalanced composition` **Negative space:** `Negative space on [left/right], [subject] small in frame, isolated feel` **Depth layers:** `Foreground [element], midground [subject], background [element], deep focus` 4. HEADROOM GUIDELINES | Shot Type | Headroom | Eye Position | |-----------|----------|--------------| | Wide (WS) | Minimal | Upper third | | Medium (MS) | Moderate | Upper third | | Medium close-up (MCU) | Moderate | Upper third | | Close-up (CU) | Minimal | Upper third | | Extreme close-up (ECU) | None | Center or upper third | 5. LOOK SPACE GUIDELINES | Subject Direction | Look Space | Example | |-------------------|------------|---------| | Looking left | Space on left | Subject on right, looking left | | Looking right | Space on right | Subject on left, looking right | | Looking at camera | No look space | Center framing | | Looking down | Space below | High angle, looking down | | Looking up | Space above | Low angle, looking up | 6. COMMON FRAMING MISTAKES | Mistake | Why It Fails | Correct Framing | |---------|--------------|-----------------| | Horizon at eye level | Cuts through head | Horizon in upper or lower third | | Subject dead center always | Static, boring | Rule of thirds for variety | | No look space | Feels confined | Space in direction of gaze | | Too much headroom | Subject looks small | Eyes in upper third | | No foreground depth | Flat, two-dimensional | Add foreground element | | Crooked horizon unintentionally | Distracting, amateur | Level horizon | INPUTS: Shot size (from SB-04): [E.G., "Close-up", "Medium shot", "Wide shot"] Subject position/action: [E.G., "Looking left", "Walking right", "Standing still"] Emotional intent: [E.G., "Dynamic", "Stable", "Tense", "Peaceful"] Environment: [E.G., "Forest", "City street", "Empty room"] RULES: - Rule of thirds for dynamic, interesting shots (most common rule) - Center framing for power, stability, direct address - Leading lines for direction and depth - Look space in direction subject is looking (otherwise feels cramped) - Headroom: eyes in upper third of frame (standard) - Horizon never at center (place in upper or lower third) - Negative space for isolation, loneliness (subject small in frame) - Dutch angle for tension, unease (tilt horizon intentionally) - Depth layers for cinematic feel (foreground, midground, background)
How To Use It
- Rule of thirds for dynamic, interesting shots — the most common and reliable rule.
- Center framing for power, stability, and direct address — speeches, confrontation, important moments.
- Leading lines for direction and depth — roads, hallways, rivers, fences.
- Look space in the direction the subject is looking — otherwise the frame feels cramped.
- Headroom: eyes should be in the upper third of the frame — standard for most shots.
- Horizon should never be at center — place in upper or lower third.
- Negative space for isolation, loneliness — subject small in the frame creates emotional distance.
- Dutch angle for tension, unease — tilt the horizon intentionally, not accidentally.
- Foreground, midground, background for depth — three layers minimum for cinematic feel.
Example Input
Shot size:
“Medium shot”
Subject position/action:
“Character standing, looking off-screen left at something off-camera”
Emotional intent:
“Curious, slightly tense, anticipating”
Environment:
“Dark hallway, single light source from left”
Why It Works
Most video creators place subjects dead center in every shot — missing the emotional power of professional framing.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- framing rule classification (rule of thirds, center framing, leading lines, headroom, look space, negative space, depth layers, Dutch angle)
- emotion-to-framing mapping (which rule for which feeling)
- framing prompt templates (ready-to-use composition descriptions)
- headroom guidelines (correct spacing for each shot size)
- look space guidelines (space in direction of gaze)
Failure modes this prevents:
- Subject dead center in every shot (static, boring, no tension)
- Horizon cutting through heads (distracting, amateur)
- No leading lines (viewer doesn’t know where to look)
- Too much or too little headroom (unbalanced, awkward)
This improves on: Centered, static compositions. Professional framing creates dynamic, engaging visuals.
Related to: SB-04 (Shot Size) for framing scale; SB-02 (Movement) for camera motion.
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