CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, March 29, 2023

What Working on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Taught Me About the Importance of Eyelines

blog.frame.io: Film school and work experience had taught me that eyelines were simply where an actor looks while acting in a scene. They were most important in a shot/reverse shot: the viewer sees a character looking at an object or a person, and then the film cuts to that object or person from the character’s perspective. If the eyeline is off, the character’s spatial relationship to the object won’t make sense to the viewer.

1 comment:

Selina Wang said...

Eyeline is an essential aspect of cinematography that can greatly affect the audience's perception of a scene. The article highlights how the creators of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel used eyeline to establish a connection between the characters and the audience, making it easier for viewers to empathize with the characters' emotions and motivations. The article also notes how eyeline can be used to establish spatial relationships between characters and objects in a scene. By having characters look at objects or other characters, filmmakers can direct the audience's attention and provide visual cues that help them understand the layout of the scene. Filmmakers should consider eyeline when planning their shots to ensure that they are effectively communicating their intended message to the audience. In production design, the use of eyeline can also affect the overall visual composition of the set. By creating a visual flow that directs the audience's gaze from one part of the set to another, designers can create a dynamic and engaging stage picture that adds to the audience's immersion in the performance.