Formulas for perfect shots and camera moves

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven once said that art and science elevate man to divinity. In the world of cinema, this idea takes on a unique meaning: behind every frame, every dynamic angle, and magical special effect lies precise mathematical calculation. From the optimal aspect ratio to calculating the trajectory of camera movements, math transforms abstract ideas into vivid, breathtaking scenes.

As we dive into the fusion of science and creativity, we begin to see how the strict laws of numbers set the tone for visual harmony. Exact calculations form the foundation of shooting dynamics and frame composition, turning technical parameters into emotional experiences for the viewer. Thus, the world of cinema gains a new dimension, where every detail—from lighting to movement—is fine-tuned to perfection with the help of mathematical principles.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare the base:
Take the 120-minute runtime and evenly distribute it over 100 scenes. Ideally, each scene will last around 72 seconds. Complex scenes may take longer, while dialogue scenes may require less.

Add time adjustments:
Pour in 5 takes per scene, with each take taking about 2 minutes. Stir until the average time to shoot one scene reaches 10 minutes.

Include technical breaks:
Mix in 30–40 minutes for setting up cameras and lighting, then add 20 minutes of active shooting. Blend until each scene amounts to a 50-minute filming process.

Season with daylight: outdoor scenes should be divided into 2-hour daylight segments, allowing for 5 scenes to be “cooked” per day.

Layer your shooting day:
·️ Place 1–2 hours of morning prep at the bottom of the film reel
· Add 6–8 hours of principal photography on top
· Gently spread a few hours of rest for the crew across the day

Final tweaks and editing:
Carefully mix the ingredients and repeat the process 50 times. The result should be 120 minutes of finished film, averaging 2 minutes of usable footage per day.

Caution:
· Even the most precise calculations don’t always guarantee a perfect outcome
· Unexpected weather, equipment breakdowns, and other surprises may occur
· New ideas or limitations might change the plan—or cancel shooting altogether
· The director may reshoot the same scene 10 times
· Someone on set might fall ill
· Actors might forget their lines

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Start with the lighting:
Take the blueprints of the future film set and study them carefully, keeping in mind possible lighting setups. Pay close attention to details: light angles, source placement, and how shadows interact with objects. You can add natural light or spice it up with artificial lamps to achieve the desired effect.

Add camera movements:
Mount the camera on stabilizers, cranes, or tracks, having calculated the path in advance. It’s important that the camera movement supports the scene’s concept and flows naturally with architectural elements. For long tracking shots, mark the camera’s path beforehand to avoid unexpected obstacles during shooting.

Gradually introduce the actors:
Gently integrate actors into the set, planning their movement in advance. In action scenes, season their routes with obstacles—columns, doorways, staircases—to add authenticity. At this stage, determine where the actor should be in the center of the frame and where they should disappear behind objects.

Sprinkle with physics and cue the explosion:
If the film involves collapsing buildings, object collisions, or other original special effects, precise engineering calculations are essential. Consider structural stability, object weight, and points of impact. Use computer simulations if needed to create visually impressive results.

Presentation:
Serve the dish to the director on a single plate, complete with well-planned shots and proper color correction. For viewers, this dish is best served with VFX graphics for maximum impact.

Caution:
· Unexpected shadows in the frame can ruin the composition
· The studio might cut the budget, leaving your structures too fragile
· The camera might accidentally catch the crew during a tracking shot
· Without the right calculations, a special effect could get out of control and become too realistic

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Adjust camera settings:
To get a sharp image in a well-lit scene, use a low ISO value — around 100.

If the scene is dark, increase sensitivity to ISO 1600–3200, but keep an eye on digital noise.

Choose the right shutter speed:
To freeze fast motion, use a short shutter speed — 1/1000.

To create artistic motion blur, go for a slower shutter — 1/30 or longer.

Set the aperture:
For a bright shot with a blurry background, use a wide aperture — f/1.8.

For sharp focus throughout the frame, use a narrow aperture — f/16.

FINAL TOUCH:
·️ Balance ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to achieve the desired effect
·️ Adjust camera settings according to lighting conditions

Caution:
· High ISO can cause digital noise
· Long exposure without a tripod may blur the shot
· Narrow apertures require extra lighting

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Adjust focal length:
Focal length, measured in millimeters, influences how objects appear.

Wide-angle lenses (16–35mm) capture more of the scene, making nearby objects appear larger and distant ones smaller — adding depth. For example, at 24mm, a face may look large while the ears seem tiny.

Standard lenses (35–50mm) offer an image closest to what the human eye sees — resulting in natural space.

Telephoto lenses (85–200mm+) compress the background and foreground, making distant objects appear closer.

Choose the right camera angle:
Decide the angle from which the camera views the subject. Each position changes visual perception:
Straight-on (0°): Neutral, distortion-free look
Low angle (20–45°): Makes subjects appear monumental
High angle (-20–45°): Makes characters look small and vulnerable

Apply the golden ratio principle:
To achieve visual balance, divide the frame into 9 equal sections using two vertical and two horizontal lines. Place key elements at the intersections — following the rule of thirds.

Caution:
· Mathematical rules might not work perfectly if scene elements are misaligned
·️ To avoid distortion, carefully calculate both camera angle and focal length

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare movement dynamics:
Choose the camera movement type: forward-backward, up-down, arc or circular motion.

Determine the required speed for smooth camera movement. Recommended dolly speed — 1 m/s; for drones — up to 20 m/s.

Create a “Dolly Zoom” effect:
Mount the camera on a dolly
Move it backward at 1 m/s
Simultaneously zoom in from 35mm to 70mm
This creates a shifting perspective: the background “pulls away” while the subject remains unchanged

Add complex motion:
Use a crane to lift the camera 2 meters while moving it 5 meters forward
Apply the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the total path
If the shot takes 4 seconds, the average speed ≈ 1.35 m/s

Set drone speed:
The drone flies in a circle with a 30m radius
Full circle time — 10 seconds
Calculate speed using the formula
Adjust the camera tilt for smooth framing

FINAL TOUCH:
· Ensure all camera movements are precisely calculated
· Adjust speed for slow motion or acceleration as needed
· Make sure the operator and stabilization system are ready to shoot

Caution:
· ️Miscalculations can lead to blurry or unbalanced footage
· Dolly zoom requires precise coordination of movement and zoom
· Complex drone paths may need extra test flights

Frame Rate (FPS):
FPS (frames per second) is how many frames are shown each second. The higher the number, the smoother and more realistic the motion.
24 FPS — the cinematic standard for smooth character movement on big screens
30 FPS — common for TV shows and YouTube content
60 FPS — used for dynamic and action scenes 
120 FPS — reserved for true fans of The Matrix

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Preparing an Action Scene (Blockbuster Style):
To create an intense, action-packed scene, you need fast motion and sharp visuals. Use 60 FPS for smooth and crisp movement. For image resolution, go with 1920×1080 (Full HD). If you want to add even more detail and dynamism, switch to 3840×2160 (4K)—but be prepared for increased load on your equipment.

Preparing a Wildlife Documentary (Discovery, National Geographic Style):
For slow-motion footage that captures every detail, 120 FPS is perfect. Use 3840×2160 (4K) for high-resolution clarity. If you’re filming in extreme conditions—like sunset or dense forest—7680×4320 (8K) resolution ensures maximum detail so no moment is lost.

Preparing a Classic Drama Film:
To create atmosphere and smooth cinematic flow, use 24 FPS, the timeless standard that preserves the aesthetic of traditional films. Keep the resolution at 1920×1080 (Full HD) for optimal quality without overwhelming your hardware.

Caution:
· The higher the resolution and frame rate, the more powerful your gear must be—cameras, processors, and GPUs for editing. Also, make sure to have enough SSD storage, especially when shooting in 4K at 120 FPS, as even one minute of footage can take up 4–5 GB on an SSD.
· In 4K and 8K, even the smallest details are visible, so lighting and framing must be carefully controlled.

Ready-Made Desserts:
What we see on screen is shaped not only by the image itself but also by how it’s presented. The aspect ratio plays a key role in setting the tone and conveying the scene’s emotion.

4:3 (1.33:1) — Used for intimate, character-driven scenes; emphasizes closeness and warmth.

16:9 (1.78:1) — The standard ratio for modern television and streaming platforms; ideal for a wide audience and most formats.

21:9 (2.39:1 or 2.35:1) — Perfect for epic films and cinematic immersion; creates scale and a movie-theater experience.

1.85:1 — Common in Hollywood films; adapts well across platforms—from cinema screens to TVs and mobile devices.

9:16 — Mobile-first vertical format; ideal for content consumed on smartphones and social media.

1:1 — Square format for compact visuals; great for platforms where symmetry and space matter.