Film Lit Vocabulary

Front 1

Framing

Back 1

describes the way the director established a shot; what the director sees as the border or boundary of the shot

Front 2

Extreme Long Shot

Back 2

A scene setting or establishing shot; often of a cityscape or skyline

Front 3

Long Shot

Back 3

The shot is life sized and corresponds with the real distance between the audience and the screen in the cinema. In these shots, the focus is on the characters.

Front 4

Close Up

Back 4

This kind of shot shows very little background because the focus is on the face or an object. It is often used to get into the mind of the character.

Front 5

Extreme Close Up

Back 5

Shots that are so tight that only a detail of a subject can be seen; Rarely used

Front 6

Medium Shot

Back 6

This shot generally includes the body from the knees or waist up.

Front 7

High Angle

Back 7

The camera looks down on the subject. It might be used to show the positions of power between characters.

Front 8

Eye Level

Back 8

The camera is level with the subject and suggests that a human observes the scene.

Front 9

Low Angle

Back 9

The camera looks up to the subject. It might be used to show positions of power between characters or add height to an actor.

Front 10

Bird's Eye View

Back 10

Provides a view as if from high above. They are often paired with extreme long shots to establish a scene. They may also be used to give the audience a god-like perspective.

Front 11

Canted Angle

Back 11

This angle uses a tilted camera to suggest inbalance, transition, and instability. It is popular in horror movies.

Front 12

Editing

Back 12

Basic terms used to describe how shots are put together; the joining of one shot to another

Front 13

Cut

Back 13

A change between two different shots; Basic type of editing

Front 14

Long take

Back 14

This editing technique lasts much longer than a conventional take or shot.

Front 15

Match Cut

Back 15

Using this technique the director cuts from one scene to a completely separate scene, but makes objects in the two disconnected scenes visually connected. The objects are in the same place in the shot's frame and create a visual metaphor.

Front 16

Cross Cutting

Back 16

In this method of editing the points of view switch from events at one location to a related event taking place at another location. The alternating shots suggest that the action is happening at the same time and is often used to create tension or build suspense in the scene.

Front 17

Mise en Scene

Back 17

A form of style in which the director communicates an idea, feeling, or tone without the uses of dialogue. Visual elements of the film.

Front 18

Deep Focus

Back 18

Images which are close up and far away and in between remain in focus

Front 19

Montage

Back 19

A series of short shots are edited together in a sequence that condenses space,time, and information. The viewer can see the passing of time or the development of a relationship.

Front 20

Reaction Shot

Back 20

This is a cut to the shot of a character's reaction from the previous shot. These shots are often used in dialogue scenes.

Front 21

Diegetic Sound

Back 21

When the source of the sound and the sound itself is present in the scene.

Front 22

Non Diagetic

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When a sound has been added in and the characters cannot hear the sound

Front 23

Storyboard

Back 23

A series of sketches that shows and provides direction for the way shots or scenes should be filmed. It saves time, money, and visually communicates an idea.

Front 24

Crane Shot

Back 24

A shot taken from a boom that can move horizontally or vertically. Usually the movement is smooth and seamless and can be unnoticed by the viewer. These shots are used heavily in musicals.

Front 25

Dolly/Tracking Shot

Back 25

A moving shot taken from a mobile mounting. It creates a sense of movement through space by capturing changes in perspective. It can follow or move away from the subject. Allow the film to be on location.