… using better staging and composition.

Valentina Vee offers a bunch of creative tips (ie standard film production techniques) for adding visual interest to mundane settings (via Aputure):

• Staging can be improved by:
  • avoiding blank walls
  • showcasing or creating depth
  • thoughtful coverage
• Production Design – set decoration, including practical lights
• Change your setting for better blocking and lighting:
  • showcase the most interesting features of the location
  • can you fit more story or motivation into your shot?
  • again: consider depth when resetting and reframing

Staging:

1. Story
2. Blocking
3. Composition
4. Lighting

• Wide Shots establish setting and determine lighting for other shots
• Creative Lighting – including shadows and textures created or inspired by natural or environmental elements:
  • Branchloris – using branches to shape light
  • Cucoloris – using a cut flag (Cookie) to cast shaped shadows
  • Flagging areas to create less-exposed spaces, and draw the eye towards other things

• “Sweetening” close-ups:
  • Backlight absent from the wide can be cheated in for close-ups
  • “Soft Face / Hard Body” lighting:

Further Viewing

More on using cookies and cutouts to created textured lighting:

Film School: Shaping Motivated Light

Textured lighting can also be created by more compact (and often cheaper) lighting with mirrors:

Film School: Lighting with Mirrors

Practical Lighting adds depth and visual interest to shots:

Film School: Practical Lighting