Concept
Don’t lay all your cards on the table in the first frame. Give the viewer a reason to keep watching by creating suspense.
Reveal the subject DURING the shot, not at the beginning.
Watch the next trigger:
How to apply it
• Move the camera to reveal the subject (tilt up, slide sideways, rise, orbit).
• Let the subject enter the frame (with or without camera movement).
• If the subject is already visible, move the camera to reveal the setting.
The goal is to shift the viewer’s attention over time and keep them engaged.
MENTAL TRIGGER
“What am I revealing in this shot?”
Download the Cheat Code
Sometimes when you’re out filming, your mind goes blank.
You know there are things you should be thinking about – composition, movement, lighting, storytelling – but in the moment it’s easy to forget. That’s exactly why we created this printable Creator’s Cheat Code.
Download the printable cheat code so you can use these ideas in the field. If a shot doesn’t contain at least one of these triggers, it’s a good sign it could be improved.
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