Terminology

Terminology

Camera  

Establishing Shot: The opening shot in a dramatic scene that establishes the disposition of people and objects in the mise-en-scéne. It is usually a wide shot and usually followed by a succession of closer shots.

Two-shot: A shot in which two figure appear in the frame.

POV / Point of View Shot: A camera angle in which viewer sees through the eyes of a character in the scene.

Over the Shoulder Shot: A camera shot in which the subject of the shot is filmed from behind a persons head and shoulders, which are framed to one side in the foreground

High-angle Shot: A camera shot taken from a higher level than the subject, and angled down towards them. Can help diminish the authority of the subject, making them look weak.

Low-angle Shot: A camera shot taken from a lower level than a subject, and angled up at them. This can help enhance the authority of the subject.

Canted-angle Shot: A cinematic device where the camera is physically placed at an angle so vertical and horizontal surfaces appear diagonal.

Pan: A horizontal camera movement left-to-right or right-to-left on a fixed axis. When following a subject it suggests we are viewing it from the pov of an observer.

Tilt: A camera movement up or down on a horizontal axis.

Tracking Shot: A camera movement achieved by mounting the camera on a dolly and moving it along a track.  Typically used to follow objects in motion.

                                                                  Sound

Diegetic: Sound that can be heard by characters in the film.

Non-diegetic Sound: Sound that can not be heard by characters in the film. Often incidental to enhance an atmosphere.

Synchronous sound: Sound that directly matches what is being viewed.

Sound bridge: Editing technique which allows sound the carry through the visual cut.

Dialogue: The conversation that happens between characters in the film.

Voiceover: A type of non-diegetic, asynchronous sound that only the audience hear.

Stings: Short musical phrase.

Ambient Sound: Sound which is natural to the setting.

  Mise en scène

= The look of a film, derived from use of setting, lighting, colour, costume, props, actor movement and all over placement and visual composition.


High-Key lighting: Lighting which eliminates most of the shadows.

Low-Key lighting: Lighting which emphasises shadows.

Editing

Cut: Most common form of editing, instantaneous change from one shot to another in an edit.

Shot/reverse shot: A convention for showing a dialogue sequence. We cut between the two speakers, showing each person's poit of view.

Eye-line match: A visual code used to make it clear what the subject is looking at.

Graphic match: A composition device onscreen, whereby objects of common characteristics of shape or colour are used in successive shots.

Match on action: Two shots in which an action begun in the first is completed in a second, thus disguising the fact that there has been a cut.

Dissolve: In editing, a cross-fade between two shots

Wipe: when the new image wipes over the previous.

Long take: Not to be confused with a long shot of comparatively long duration.

Montage: The production of a rapid succession of images in a motion picture, usually accompanied by music, to illustrate an association of ideas or a passing of time.

Post-production: The various processes that take place after filming in order to create a final cut