Film Terms

Front 1

Changing from one image to another; a version of this linkage is sometimes referred to as montage. Part of the editing process, the cut is a basic way to create the sensation of motion in film. It can establish rhythm, build suspense, or release tension. Cutting can help maintain continuity across different shots (cutting to continuity) or it can deliberately disrupt time-space continuity to make a point (thematic montage). Ask yourself, how close together or far apart are the cuts, and how do the images on either side of the cut relate to each other?

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Cutting

Front 2

A shot that cuts from an object, character, or action to show the reaction of a character who sees it or hears it.

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Reaction Shot

Front 3

The principle guiding a particular editing style. The most common principle is to follow a linear and chronological movement forward, as if the image is simply recording the action. Because it creates the illusion of reality, this approach is often called invisible editing. The impression that the action on the screen flows smoothly without interruption requires continuity with respect to both time AND space. To keep our attention on the story, a filmmaker will use cuts and transitions between images that do not stand out. Other types of continuity might link shots based on psychological or symbolic connections.

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Continuaty

Front 4

Similar in meaning to the term shot, a take is the recording of an image on film, usually used in writing as a temporal measure, such as a "long take" or a "short take." A long take, for instance, is a shot that remains on a scene or object for a long time; such a shot can have a moving frame, but as long as the camera is still rolling, the take becomes longer and longer. It can be left intact during the editing process or broken up into smaller shots using the cut.

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Take

Front 5

A shot that locates a scene clearly in a certain place before the rest of the action unfolds. Used for time-space continuity to orient the viewer.

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Establishing Shot

Front 6

An editing pattern that cuts between individuals according to the logic of their conversation. Also know as shot/countershot, this pattern is fundamental to time-space continuity: shots are connected to make an exchange between two characters (or a character and an object) appear natural. A shot of a person speaking or looking at an object is linked to a shot 180 degrees opposite. And then again, in an alternating pattern.

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Shot reverse shot

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General term for an edit that links two shots by a continuous sound or action.

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Match Cut

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A shot that occurs in the middle of a larger scene or shot, usually a close-up of some detail or object, that draws special attention from the audience, provides more detailed information, or simply breaks up the action.

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Insert shot

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A brief shot that interrupts a continuously-filmed action.

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cutaway shot

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An editing technique that alternates between two different actions or scenes. Often used to establish parallel action, especially in different locations.

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cross-cutting

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A series of scenes unified by a shared action or motif. This longer unit of narrative describes more action than a scene and can take place in more than one location.

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Sequence

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A space of time within which a narrative action takes place.

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scene

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Created by splicing out the middle part of a continuous shot, creating a jump in time.

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jump cut

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A specific kind of editing in which objects and figures are linked in a variety of creative or unexpected ways. The production of a rapid succession of images in a motion picture, this kind of editing usually aims to generate certain effects or illustrate certain ideas.

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montage

Front 15

In a film, the placement of two images, characters, objects, or scenes next to each other in order to contrast them or show some other kind of relationship. This contiguous arrangement might occur between objects within the frame or be established through the editing process. For instance, if a finely dressed woman walks through a dark alley in the slums of a city, we might say that the director is juxtaposing two symbols, one of wealth and and one of poverty.

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Juxtaposition

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An editing transition whereby one image fades out while another fades in. The two images are briefly superimposed, gradually shifting from one to the other, leading the viewer to make a connection.

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dissolve

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An editing transition whereby a line crossing (or "wiping") one image replaces it with another image.

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wipe