A phone held upright frames one face beautifully and two faces awkwardly. Almost every casting and blocking decision on a vertical production follows from that.
One face at a time#
Most scenes are built from single close shots cut together rather than two people sharing a frame. Actors spend far more time performing to a lens than to each other.
Blocking two people#
When two characters must share the frame, one stands closer to camera and the other behind, rather than side by side. It creates depth and tension at the same time.
What casting directors look for#
- Faces that read clearly in close-up on a small screen.
- Actors who can hold a reaction for a long single shot.
- Chemistry that survives being shot separately and cut together.
