The Frame

Identify and work with different aspect ratios, manage conversions from film to HD, NTSC to HD, title safe requirements, and how various aspect ratios are adjusted for different exhibition and broadcast formats.

The Frame

Developed by Jason Tomaric, FilmSkills
ABOUT THIS LESSON
Everything you create to tell the story – from the actor’s performances to the set design is captured within the boundaries of the frame. Over the years, movies and television shows have been shot on numerous formats, and learning how to convert, adjust, and frame for these formats can be a challenge.
 
In this module, you will learn how to identify and work with different aspect ratios, manage conversions from film to HD, NTSC to HD, title safe requirements, and how various aspect ratios are adjusted for different exhibition and broadcast formats.
 
Avoid mistakes and create an artistically pleasing image in the complex and ever-changing canvas we call the frame.
 
  • 13:15 video that teaches you frame sizes and how to convert from one to another
  • Complete companion guide
  • Aspect ratio reference chart
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
  • What are aspect ratios
  • How to concert from one aspect ratio to another
  • How letterboxing works
  • How pillarboxing works
  • How pan-n-scan works
  • How squeezing works
  • How cropping works
  • How to simultaneously frame for multiple aspect ratios
ABOUT THE LESSON AUTHOR
Jason Tomaric

Jason Tomaric

Director, Cinematographer Los Angeles, California
Jason J. Tomaric is an Emmy, Telly, and CINE Award-winning director and cinematographer of four internationally-distributed feature films, dozens of national television commercials, music videos, and the largest film training content library in the world, published author of 8 books - used in many top universities, and creator of AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform. 
 
Jason has worked in Los Angeles and around the world in over 20 countries. His clients include Disney, NBC/Universal, National Geographic, McDonald’s, Toyota, Scion, Microsoft, and Paul Mitchell, with narrative work screened at Sundance, Slamdance, and South by Southwest film festivals as well as on Netflix and on all broadcast networks.
 
Jason has taught and/or guest lectured at some of the nation's most prestigious film schools including UCLA, Columbia College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, San Francisco State, University of Notre Dame, and numerous film festivals.
 
Jason has written eight industry-defining books, all sold in bookstores, and used in film schools around the world. The American Society of Cinematographers hails Jason's books - "There are no wasted words in Tomaric's tome, which concisely summarizes each facet of the director's craft.  It's difficult to think of a step in the process that Tomaric fails to address." 
 
Jason’s DVD training series on Hollywood film production have trained filmmakers in over 40 countries, with distributors in Europe, Hong Kong, New York and Australia.
 
In 2010, Jason launched FilmSkills, which combines the world’s largest film training video library with his proprietary learning management system.  Adopted by 47 universities within the first year, FilmSkills is now the leading industry-standard training solution for motion picture and television production.
 
In 2015, Jason launched AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform that bridges the gap between academia and industry.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS LESSON
Lance Fisher S.O.C.

Lance Fisher S.O.C.

Camera Operator, "House M.D.", "Blade: Trinity", "The Shield"
Lance Fisher is a camera oerator and member of the S.O.C.  His extensive credits include House M.D., Krog, The Shield, Jonas, Las Vegas, Blade: Trinity, Paycheck, Dark Angel, Level 9, Scream 3, Godzilla, Chicago Hope, and Party of Five.
Laura Beth Love

Laura Beth Love

Cinematographer, "Zen and the Art of Senioritis", and "Little Magdeline"
Los Angeles-based cinematographer and instructor at Los Angeles Film School.