Let's Talk About Frame

By Greg Pak

Talk with your D.P. in exact terms about frame -- for example, when shooting 16mm, specify that all important information should be within the TV safe lines. Otherwise, you may end up with an image that's beautifully framed for film projection but looks cramped when transferred to video.

Also, make sure you know that you and your D.P. are thinking the same thing when you use certain terms -- one person's close up is another person's medium shot.