Eye Tracking and the Cinema: A Study of Film Theory and Visual Perception
Jennifer Treuting · SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal · 2006
When applied to film theory, eye-tracking can allow filmmakers to explore and confirm aesthetic and cinematic choices, giving them a unique look into what an audience is watching as a film is played. By watching differing visual elements, and how strong their influence is on a visual, a filmmaker may be able to predict where viewers will look in the frame. Fourteen subjects were asked to view eight different video clips while having their gaze recorded using an Applied Science Laboratory Model 501 eye-tracker. Certain visual elements were examined, including color, composition, and movement within a frame. The use of eye-tracking strongly supports prevalent film theory and can help filmmakers and other visual artists refine their craft.