Detailed Terms

Detailed Terms
 

Camera Shots

ELS: extreme long shot-setting the scene.

LS: long shot-subject takes up most if not all of the shot, used to show character and surrounding environment.

MS: mid shot- shot of character from torso up.

MCU: medium close up, halfway between CU and MS shows face more clearly but shows upper chest.

CU: close up-shows expressions.

ECU: shows a very close image of part of the body usually the eyes.

Two shot: shot with two people in it. Generally at a mid shot.

Over the shoulder: shot from on or behind a persons shoulder.

Point of view: from a characters point of view.

Noddyshot: used in interviews to show reaction of interviewer to answers.

Angles

Low angle: takes from below to make subject seem bigger or more intimidating.

High angle: taken from above to make subject feel vulnerable.

Pan: camera moves from left to right or opposite to track the subject.

Compositon and Framing

Tracking shot: moves on a dolly to follow the subject.

Tilt: camera pan up and down to show height.

Canted/ Dutch shot: camera position not directly towards the subject, gives a sense of uneasiness.

Zoom: zooms in to focus on one place or zoom out to show an area.

Handheld/Stedicam: gives a sense of realism, moves around with the action.

Crane Shot: on a high that can track, pan and tilt toward the action.

Aerial Shot: positioned on a high angle, gives a sense of scale and location.

Editing

Continuity: gives the film a rhythm to show movement and action. Can show action and reaction.

Transitions: how two shots are joined together.

Dissolve: a gradual transition from one shot to another, usually used to show time passing.

Fade to black/white: fades into or from one of the colours, if done quickly could be used for flashbacks.

Fade in/out: fades from one shot to the next, similar to above.

Cross-cutting: action switches between two storylines or their settings.

Wipe: moves across the screen showing transition between tow shots.

Jump Cut: a fast cut between two shots, can be used in chases to show someone catching up to front characteror item.