Posted by Mark Spatny on 10/23/05 06:49

On Fri, 21 Oct 2005 08:55:07 -0700, <normanstrong@comcast.net> wrote:

>When I watch a 2.35:1 letterboxed picture on my 4:3 television I'm acutely
>aware of the arbitrary cut in the vertical direction.

It's not arbitrary, it's carefully composed. When the director and DP
look through the camera, they can see where the cut-off line will be,
and they make the decision with carefull consideration.

>When you see a head
>cut off that clearly could have been shown in its entirety you have a
>slightly unpleasant reaction. At least I do.

That's you. Most people will relate to the characters more strongly if
the picture emphasizes the parts of the face that convey expressionn.
That generally means making the eyes and mouth more prominant in the
frame, even it that cuts off the top of the forehead.

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