Copy of `University of Durham - Film Terms`

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University of Durham - Film Terms Category: Arts > Films Date & country: 28/08/2013, UK Words: 58

medium shot
A shot in which a medium-size object (e.g. the top half of a human figure) fits easily within the frame.

match on action
A cut between two shots of the same action from different positions, giving an impression of seamless simultaneity.

medium long shot
A shot in which a largish object (e.g. the human figure from lower leg up) fits easily within the frame.

long take
A shot that is allowed to continue for longer than usual without editing.

long shot
A shot in which a large object (e.g. a complete human figure) fits easily within the frame.

jump cut
A rapid, jerky transition from one frame to the next, either disrupting the flow of time or movement within a scene or making an abrupt transition from one scene to another.

graphic match
A visual rhyme between two successive shots.

frontality
The placing of the camera at a 90

framing
The size and position of objects relative to the edges of the screen; the arrangement of objects so that they fit within the actual boundaries of the film.

frame
Each individual photographic image making up the film. Also refers to the area of the picture seen on the screen.

flashforward
The opposite of flashback: future events (or events imagined by a character) are shown.

extreme close-up
A shot in which a small object (e.g. a part of the body) fits easily within the frame.

flashback
Narrative device in which the action is interrupted by scenes representing a character

external diegetic sound
Sound which comes from out of frame, but is understood as belonging within the story space (unlike incidental music, which is extra-diegetic).

establishing shot
A long shot, often the first in a sequence, which establishes the positions of elements relative to each other and identifies the setting.

dissolve
The slow fading of one shot into another.

dolly
A trolley on which the camera is pulled along the ground.

dynamic cutting
Combining a series of seemingly unrelated shots, objects, people, situations, details and characters in juxtaposition with one another (a form of montage, opposed to continuity cutting).

depth (of field/focus)
The range of a camera lens. Depth of field refers to the distance furthest away from a lens in which the objects being photographed will remain in focus approaching infinity. Depth of focus refers to the closest proximity to the lens in which the objects being photographed will remain in focus approaching the infinitesimal.

cutaway
A sudden shift to another scene of action or different viewing angle; or a shot inserted between scenes to effect a transition (as a bridging shot).

crossing the line
Breaking the 180

crane shot
A shot in which the camera rises above the ground on a mobile support.

cross-cutting
Swiftly cutting backwards and forwards between more than one scene.

continuity editing
The conventions through which the impression of an unbroken continuum of space and time is suggested, constructing a consistent storyline out of takes made at different times.

composition
The complete arrangement of a scene by the director. The process includes camera angles, lighting, properties, characters, and the movement of the actors.

close-up
A shot in which a smallish object (e.g. the human head) fits easily within the frame.

caption
See titles.

camera angle
The position of the camera on a vertical continuum relative to the object being shot: eye-level, high-angle (looking down from above), low-angle (looking up from below), Dutch-angle (with the normal vertical axis tilted diagonally). The term can include the perspective given by the camera to the depth of focus, height and width of the particular object and action being photographed.

bridging shot
A shot that connects one scene to another by showing a change in time or location. A bridging shot can also be used to connect two shots from the same scene by using a close-up, distant pan or different camera angle thus relating the shots via content.

arc shot
A shot in which a moving camera circles round the subject being photographed.

aerial shot
A camera shot filmed from an airplane, helicopter, blimp, balloon, kite or high building (higher than a crane).

zoom
The effect of rapid movement either towards or away from the subject being photographed, either by using a specialized zoom lens or by moving the camera on a boom, crane or dolly. Zoom effects can also be achieved and enhanced by the use of an optical printer.

two shot
A shot in which two actors appear within the frame.

voice-over
Voice heard while an image is projected but not being spoken in sync with one of the characters appearing on screen. Used to suggest a character

tracking shot
A shot in which the camera is pushed horizontally along the ground on a dolly.

titles
Any words that appear on the screen to convey information to the audience, including credit titles (identifying personnel), main title (the name of the film), end titles (closing credits), insert titles (announcing scenes or identifying settings) and subtitles (translation of foreign-language dialogue). Insert titles and subtitles can also be referred to as captions.

tilt
A movement by which the camera moves up or down while its support remains fixed.

suture
The

shot/countershot
Same as reverse angle.

subjective camera
A camera shot or film style that provides the audience with the specific vision or perspective of a character in the film (i.e. the technique of using POV).

shock cut
The immediate juxtaposition of two incongruous shots (e.g. from a sex scene to a religious icon).

set
A constructed environment in which to shoot a scene: often consists of flat backdrops or fa

sequence shot
A relatively long and complete scene shot in one take without editing (similar to long take).

sequence
A series of segments of a film narrative edited together and unified by a common setting, time, event or story-line.

reverse angle
Two successive shots from equal and opposite angles, typically of characters during conversation.

reaction shot
A close-up in which an actor or group is seen to respond to an event, often accomplished with a cutaway from the primary action to someone viewing the occurrence.

racking focus
A shift in focus between planes at different distances from the camera within the same shot.

plan am
Same as medium long shot.

POV (point of view shot)
A shot which is understood to be seen from the point of view of a character within the scene.

passing shot
A shot producing a projected image that travels quickly across the screen, either by moving the subject past a stationary camera or by panning the camera past a stationary subject.

parallel action
Aspects of a story happening simultaneously with the primary performer

pan
A movement in which the camera turns to right or left on a horizontal axis.

pace
The tempo at which the storyline of a film unfolds, affected by various elements including action, the length of scenes, camera angles, colour levels, editing, lighting, composition and sound.

overhead shot
A shot looking down vertically on the action from above.

off camera
Out of the boundaries of the camera

narration
The telling of a story and the information supplied to the audience by a voice coming from off screen who may or may not be a character in the story.

montage
Style of editing involving rapid cutting so that one image is juxtaposed with another or one scene quickly dissolves into the next. Angles, settings and framing are manipulated in a conspicuous way (violating coherent mise-en-scene) so as to convey a swift passage of time, to create some kind of visual or conceptual continuity, or to generate a distinctive rhythm. (See also dynamic cutting.)

mise-en-scene
Everything placed within the frame, including set decoration, costume, and styles of performance (implies an emphasis on psychological and visual unity in a film from one frame to the next).