Composition refers to how the elements on screen (actors, scenery, props, etc.) appear in respect to each other and within the frame itself. In the earliest days of cinema, film composition basically mimicked that of a stage play.

film composition is important because it directs the audience’s attention. It’s also important because composition can create visually appealing images unique to the director’s style. It guides the audience to pay attention to one single person in a crowd of people, or a single point in a busy frame.

But beyond all of the technical and personal objectives of composition, it allows us to instantly convey information and subtext. By controlling the angles and the distance between characters or significant props we can instantly and intuitively clue our audience in on the deeper meaning of the scene.