Cinematic techniques

Framing

In terms of framing, “This is America” by Childish Gambino contains mostly full shots and long shots. This has a twofold effect. On the one hand, it allows the audience to clearly see Gambino and the students, including their dance moves and gestures. On the other hand, these types of shots also allow the audience to see everything that is going on behind Gambino and the students, which their dancing is acting as a distraction from. 

Moreover, at one point, the people running through the warehouse start running in front of Gambino and the students too (02:14-02:20), which blocks the camera’s view. This is made possible by the full shot. This helps to show that the chaos and violence inside the warehouse have become so serious that it is almost impossible to ignore. And yet despite this, Gambino and the students are still the focus...