headroom-and-lookspace

name	headroom-and-lookspace
description	Use when framing talking-head shots. Headroom and lookspace are basic interview framing rules.

Headroom and Lookspace

Headroom = space above subject's head (10-20% of frame). Lookspace = space in front of subject's gaze (40-60% of frame).

Headroom rules

Talking head:

1. 10-20% empty above head
2. Eyes positioned ~1/3 down from top
3. Don't crop chin or top of head
4. Adjust for vertical (less headroom OK)
5. Adjust for close-up (less headroom)

Too much headroom = unbalanced; too little = cramped.

Lookspace rules

If subject is looking left:

• More space on left (where they're looking)
• Less space on right
• 60/40 split (60% on look-side)

If subject is centered (looking at camera):

• Equal space both sides
• Symmetric framing

Variations by shot type

1. Wide shot (full body): more space all around
2. Medium shot (waist-up): standard headroom + lookspace
3. Close-up (chest-up): less headroom, more facial detail
4. Extreme close-up (face fills): no headroom rules, faces fill frame
5. Two-shot (two subjects): both follow rules, balanced

Where this fits in the X3 empire

Interview framing for CardPrepAI talking-head content.