inquadrino

Inqadrino is an Italian term referring to a framing device used in visual media production, such as filmmaking or photography. Derived from the Italian verb "inquadrare," meaning "to frame," it serves as a tool to plan and execute shots by providing a visual reference for composition, subject placement, and shot boundaries. Typically a physical frame—such as a viewfinder, grid overlay, or a physical board—placed at eye level, an inqadrino simulates the camera's field of view, ensuring consistency in framing across takes and aiding in storytelling through visual composition. Common in film sets and studios, it helps cinematographers and directors visualize how elements will appear within the final shot before filming begins. While physical inqadrinos remain useful for on-set planning, digital tools (e.g., software grids or digital viewfinders) have increasingly replaced them in modern production workflows.