The Secret Whisper

How to set up The Secret Whisper

1. Set the frame before anyone moves. The Secret Whisper wants a waist-up frame, with 2 people already close enough to touch. One child whispers a secret into another's ear. The listener's reaction is the shot.
2. Get them into the standing shape, then say this once and stop directing: "Whisper something really funny in his ear, but don't let me hear!"
3. While they hold it, make one flatter change and shoot again. Focus on the listener's face, since that's where the expression happens.
4. If the first frame feels stiff, do not rebuild the group. Try this next: Whisper to a parent.

Who it suits

The Secret Whisper is built for children. It is not an adult pose made smaller. It suits 2 people and a standing shape. It is beginner: one clear sentence is enough direction. If the group feels crowded, drop to the closest variation instead of backing everyone away from each other.

Where to shoot and how to light it

The Secret Whisper works indoors or outdoors. Outside, use a simple background. Inside, use a window and clear the clutter behind the heads. The pose does not depend on a specific place, which is why it is marked for either.

For The Secret Whisper, the rule is the same in either place: open shade outside, a window and no ceiling light inside. Keep the light on the faces rather than on the background. A medium frame has nowhere to hide a squint.

The usual miss on The Secret Whisper is a gap, a straight line of heads, or a face waiting for the next instruction. Focus on the listener's face, since that's where the expression happens. Then take the frame before anyone resets.

Variations

• Whisper to a parent
• Both cover their mouths giggling
• Whisper to a pet