Fibonacci, The Golden Ratio, Video & Film

Influences in the way we shoot our productions come from all over the place: the directors we admire, movies we cherish, and even math. Math? Yes, math.

If you're not familiar with Leonardo Fibonacci, he was an Italian mathematician born in the 12th century. He's known for discovering "Fibonacci numbers," a sequence where each number is the sum of the two before it. It’s a simple pattern, really: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on, each pair adding up to create the next number. But within this simplicity lies something powerful.

The Fibonacci Sequence is closely related to the Golden Ratio, a unique proportion that has fascinated artists, architects, and filmmakers for centuries. Take any two consecutive Fibonacci numbers, and their ratio gets us close to the Golden Ratio—roughly 1.618—which seems to occur naturally in everything from the spirals of galaxies to the structure of pinecones. When applied in visual art, this ratio creates balance and harmony that resonates deeply with viewers.

So, how does this relate to film? The Golden Ratio and Fibonacci sequence influence framing, composition, and even the pacing of shots, creating scenes that feel natural, immersive, and—most importantly—visually satisfying. 

To see this in action, filmmaker Ali Shirazi explored mathematical cinematography in one of my favorite films, There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson's framing often aligns with Fibonacci principles, creating scenes that feel as balanced as they are captivating.

At Mediapop, these principles aren’t just theory; we apply them to our own work in subtle but intentional ways. For example, the Rule of Thirds, which divides the frame into nine equal parts, is a simplified approach inspired by the Golden Ratio. By aligning subjects along these lines or intersections, we create a natural flow for the viewer’s gaze, enhancing the emotional impact of a scene.

One of the most satisfying aspects of incorporating these ratios is that they work subconsciously on the audience. They may not realize why a shot feels balanced or why a scene seems so satisfying—it just clicks. For us, achieving this balance is about more than just creating a pretty picture. It’s about deepening the story we’re telling and giving each frame a sense of order that resonates.

Ultimately, at Mediapop, our goal is to craft moments that look and feel right on an instinctual level. Through a blend of artistry and mathematics, we don’t just shoot scenes; we design them in ways that engage the eye and capture the mind, ensuring that each frame contributes to a larger, meaningful whole.