EDITED: How can the use of compositional techniques such as Quadrants can make a scene or movie feel 'alive'?

How can the use of compositional techniques such as quadrants can make a scene or movie feel 'alive'?

This video explores how the use of compositional techniques such as quadrants in the film 'Drive' create an unpredictable, organic one which in turn makes the film feel alive.

The quadrant system involves splitting a shot in to four quarters- hence quadrant. By positioning things in different quadrants, the focus of a scene can be pulled around and different emotions of characters can be simultaneously portrayed in an interesting and clever way. As well as this, the position of charters in different quadrants in consecutive shots can portray to the audience the relationship between them. For instance if two characters appeared in the same quadrant one after the other, this could represent a power equality between them or it could represent a feeling of love between the characters. The subtlety of this technique is the reason why it can give a film a sense of a reality or unpredictability. Our eyes may be being pulled between two simultaneous story lines without us even knowing, keeping us engaged and interested in the seemingly 'alive' storyline.

Figure 1

For example in Figure 1, one half of the shot is covered leaving only the top half or the top two quadrants. In this half are three characters' shoulders and heads. From this, emotions can be displayed through the speech that occurs as well as by the emotions portrayed through the actors faces. Furthermore, this suggests that this half is portraying the more dominant, lead story as shown through the triangle of faces representing the three way relationship on
show.

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows the other half of the shot. In these two quadrants a more subtle, underlying story is being told through the actors body language and more specifically through their hands. By portraying the emotions of the characters as well as the relationship between them through very obvious speech and facial expression as well as through subtle body language, the whole scene gains as sense of reality. This is because, instead of the shot focusing on one thing and therefore almost instructing what the audience to focus on, the eye is being pulled back and forth between one thing then another, allowing the audience to pick up on more subtle, more life like behaviours.

Figure 3

In Figure 3, the use of all four quadrants can be seen; in each one a different story is being highlighted. The incredible complexity nd diversity created through simple compositional techniques is why the linked video describes Drive as feeling 'alive'. In reality, our eyes take in far too much information to even process however in film, specific things can often be highlighted to ensure the audience has seen it and so understands the plot. But by utilising the quadrant system effectively, the middle ground can be reached between these two extremes. The main plot can be presented to ensure the audience understands the film but at the same subtle, references and hints towards the characters relationships of behaviours can also be shown, such as in real life. It's this unpredictability and organic composition that engages the audience and makes film feel complete and realistic.

By using the quadrant system in almost every shot, Drive obtains this realistic and alive tone throughout. This in combination with the actors own performances creates an effective, realistic representation of the films characters. The quadrant system is a simple technique but if used well can produce highly effective results.

what techniques or ideas can I take from this that i could use in the planning or filming of my own thriller opening?

The quadrant system is a relatively simple compositional technique that if used carefully and thoughtfully -such as in 'Drive'- can be extremely powerful and effective in portraying to the audience context in regards to characters personal story lines. 'Drive' is described as feeling alive by audiences and this is a result of using the quadrant system to portray simultaneous storylines at once. As in real life, Drive portrays to the audience in almost every shot more than one plot or context that makes the film a fuller, more vivid piece of work. Whilst planning my thriller opening, incorporating compositional techniques in the storyboarding of the shots, such as quadrants, could help make the opening feel alive. This would immerse the audience as they would relate to the more realistic tone of the opening. Additionally the quadrant system is perfect for portraying meanings and metaphors such as relationships between characters. Because the acting ability of the actors in my opening isn't likely to be high, this could be an effective way to establish character. In conclusion, while story boarding my thriller opening, taking in to consideration simple compositional techniques such as quadrants could raise the quality of the opening considerably; it could make the piece feel alive. Meanings, metaphors and relationships between characters could be established engaging the audience more. In the practical filming of the piece, making sure that the shots planned in the storyboarding are shot well is key in creating these compositional techniques. It is a simple technique that if done well can make a huge impact on the final quality of the piece.