FILM 1301

180 degree line

The imaginary line that defines the spatial relationship between two characters and their positions in a scene.

a plot/b plot

a storytelling technique in which a primary narrative or "A plot" is intercut with a secondary storyline or "B plot" that is often thematically related but distinct from the main plot.

actualities

short, non-fiction films that capture everyday events or scenes, often without a narrative or commentary.

antagonist

a character or force that opposes or impedes the protagonist in a story.

aristotelian curve

A storytelling structure that follows a traditional narrative arc, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, typically involving a protagonist who faces obstacles and undergoes a transformation.

arc

the trajectory of a character's development throughout a story, often marked by changes in their beliefs, behavior, or circumstances.

aspect ratio

the proportional relationship between the width and height of a film frame, which can vary depending on the format and intended display of the film.

avant-garde

an experimental or unconventional approach to filmmaking that often challenges traditional narrative and visual conventions.

back light

Illumination cast onto the figures in the scene from the side opposite the camera, usually creating a thin outline of highlighting on those figures.

beats

what viewers call scenes, they are short segments that sit-coms, episodic, and serial dramas organize their stories with

blocking

the process of planning and coordinating actors' movements within a scene, including their positions, gestures, and timing.

boom microphones

long, directional microphones that are mounted on poles and used to capture dialogue or other sounds from a distance.

bruce connor

An American artist known for his work in film, sculpture, and painting. He is particularly associated with the avant garde and experimental film movements of the 1960s, and is known for his use of found footage and other unconventional techniques

camera

the device used to capture visual images for a film, including the lens, image sensor, and associated electronics.

cause and effect

the principle that events in a story should be logically connected and that one action should lead to another in a way that creates a sense of causality.

chiaroscuro

the use of strong contrasts between light and dark in a film's lighting to create dramatic or expressive effects.

cine-clubs

informal groups or clubs that gather to watch and discuss films, often associated with the promotion of alternative or independent cinema.

cinema verité

a documentary style characterized by its use of handheld cameras, natural lighting, and unscripted action to create a sense of realism and spontaneity.

classical hollywood cinema

the dominant narrative and stylistic conventions of Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1960s, characterized by clear storytelling, continuity editing, and a focus on star performances.

closure

the sense of completion or resolution that a story provides, often through the resolution of conflicts or the fulfillment of character goals.

commercials

short advertising films or videos that promote a product or service.

content

the substance or subject matter of a film, including its themes, messages, and topics.

continuity editing

A style of editing that aims to create a smooth and coherent flow of action, time, and space in a film. Relies on matching screen direction, position, and temporal relations from shot to shot. For specific techniques, see axis of action, crosscutting

coverage

the process of capturing a scene from multiple angles or perspectives to provide more visual options during editing.

critical flicker fusion

the frequency at which the human eye perceives a flashing light as constant, which determines the minimum frame rate necessary for smooth motion in film.

crosscutting

Editing that alternates shots of two or more lines of action occurring in different places, usually simultaneously.

cut

The transition between two shots, often marked by a sudden change in time, space, or perspective.

day for night

a technique in which a scene filmed during the day is treated to appear as though it was filmed at night.

deep focus

A use of the camera lens and lighting that keeps objects in both close and distant planes in sharp focus.

deregulation

the process of reducing or removing government regulations on the film industry, which can lead to increased competition and greater artistic freedom.

dialogue overlap

In editing a scene, arranging the cut so that a bit of dialogue coming from shot A is heard under a shot that shows another character or another element in the scene

diegesis

the total world of the story action, including characters, events, and settings.

digital effects

computer-generated imagery or other visual effects added to a film during post-production.

direct address

a technique in which a character or actor speaks directly to the camera, breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly.

directional microphones

microphones that are designed to capture sound from a specific direction or location, often used in combination with boom microphones.

distribution

the process of delivering a film to audiences, often through theatrical release, home video, or streaming platforms.

documentary

a non-fiction film that aims to inform or educate viewers about a real-world subject or issue.

dubbing

the process of recording new dialogue or voiceover in a different language or for a different market than the original production.

dutch angle

a tilted camera angle used to create a sense of unease or disorientation in a scene.

ellipse

A transition in film editing that skips over a period of time without showing all of the intervening events.

*episode

An individual installment of a serialized television program or web series.

establishing shot

A shot, usually involving a distant framing, that shows the spatial relations among the important figures, objects, and setting in a scene.

exhibition

The public showing of a film, often in a theater or cinema.

exposure

The amount of light that reaches the film or image sensor of a camera, affecting the brightness and clarity of the resulting image.

eyeline match

A type of cut that establishes a visual relationship between a character's point of view and the object or person they are looking at. the first shot shows a person looking off in one direction and the second shows a nearby space containing what he or she sees.

fade

A transition in which an image gradually disappears to black (fade-out) or appears from black (fade-in).

federal communications commission (fcc)

A US government agency responsible for regulating and licensing radio, television, and other forms of communication.

fill light

Illumination from a source less bright than the key light, used to soften deep shadows in a scene.

filters

Optical attachments or digital effects used to modify the color, contrast, or other characteristics of a camera's image.

flat lighting

Even, diffused lighting that minimizes shadows and creates a uniform appearance.

foley

The creation and recording of sound effects in post

form

The overall structure or organization of a film, including its narrative, visual style, and themes.

formalism

A style of filmmaking that emphasizes visual or formal elements over narrative or psychological realism.

found footage film

A genre of film in which the story is told entirely through footage that appears to have been filmed by the characters themselves, often using handheld cameras or other personal recording devices.

gauge

The width of film stock used in a camera, which can affect image quality and the size of film projectors.

the glance

A moment of direct eye contact between a character and the camera or another character, often used to convey meaning or emotion.

graphic match

Two successive shots joined so as to create a strong similarity of compositional elements (e.g., color, shape).

grain

The visible texture or granularity of film stock or a digital image, which can be affected by factors such as film speed or image compression.

high key lighting

Illumination that creates comparatively little contrast between the light and dark areas of the shot. Shadows are fairly transparent and brightened by fill light.

in media res

A storytelling technique in which a narrative begins in the middle of the action or conflict, rather than at the beginning.

independent filmmaking

The production of films outside of the mainstream or studio system, often with smaller budgets and greater artistic freedom.

invisible style

A filmmaking approach that seeks to minimize the intrusion of the camera or editing techniques, creating a sense of realism or naturalism.

iris

A visual effect in which the image is gradually surrounded or revealed by a circular mask.

jump cut

An elliptical cut that appears to be an interruption of a single shot. Either the figures seem to change instantly against a constant background, or the background changes instantly while the figures remain constant. See also ellipsis.

key light

In the three-point lighting system, the brightest illumination coming into the scene. See also backlighting, fill light, three-point lighting.

kuleshov effect

A psychological phenomenon in which the meaning of a shot is influenced by the shots that precede or follow it.

live broadcast

A television or radio program that is transmitted in real time, often as it is being recorded or performed.

long take

A shot that lasts for an extended period of time, often several minutes or longer.

low key lighting

Illumination that creates strong contrast between light and dark areas of the shot, with deep shadows and little fill light.

made-for-tv film

A film produced specifically for television broadcast, often with a lower budget or shorter running time than a theatrical release.

match on action

A continuity cut that splices two different views of the same action together at the same moment in the movement, making it seem to continue uninterrupted.

matte

A visual effect in which separate images or layers are combined to create a composite image.

maya deren

An American experimental filmmaker and theorist associated with the avant garde movement

mise-en-scene

All of the elements placed in front of the camera to be photographed: the settings and props, lighting, costumes and makeup, and figure behavior.

montage sequence

A sequence of short shots or clips that are edited together to condense time, convey information, or create a specific mood or effect.

multiple camera setup

A production technique in which multiple cameras are used simultaneously to capture a scene from different angles or perspectives.

music motif

A recurring musical theme or motif used in a film to convey mood or meaning.

music videos

Short films that accompany a piece of music, often featuring performance footage or a narrative storyline.

newsreels

Short documentary films that present news events and human interest stories, often shown before feature films in cinemas.

non diegetic material

Sound or music that exists outside of the world of the film's story, such as a musical score or voiceover narration.

narrative motif

A recurring image, symbol, or theme used in a film to convey meaning or support the story.

offscreen space

The unseen areas outside of the frame of a shot, which can still affect the meaning or action of the scene.

omnidirectional microphone

A microphone that captures sound from all directions equally.

omniscient narration

A type of narration in which the voiceover or narrator has complete knowledge of the story and characters.

pan

A camera movement in which the camera rotates horizontally, often to follow or reveal a subject or scene.

plot

how you put all the story elements together, the stylistic way of forming it, how the narrative is told, same content but could be told from a different perspective, no one is a villain in their own story

post production

The phase of film production that assembles the images and sounds into the finished film.

pre production

The phase of filmmaking that prepares for production on the basis of a screenplay, design, and financing.

pre recording

The process of recording audio or video content before it is broadcast or released, often used in television and radio production.

production

The process of creating a film or television show, including all stages from development to post

projector

A device that projects images or film footage onto a screen or other surface.

propaganda

Media content that is designed to promote a particular political or ideological message or agenda.

protagonist

The main character or hero of a story, often the character whose journey or transformation drives the plot.

public service

Media content produced with the intention of informing, educating, or benefiting the public, often created by government or nonprofit organizations.

rack focus

Shifting the area of sharp focus from one plane to another during a shot

radio

A medium of broadcast communication that uses radio waves to transmit audio content, often including news, music, and talk shows.

realism

A style of filmmaking that aims to represent reality as accurately as possible, often using naturalistic lighting, sound, and performances.

reality TV

A genre of television programming that features unscripted situations and real people, often including competitions, challenges, and interpersonal conflicts.

recapping

A summary or review of events that have previously occurred in a television series or film franchise, often used to refresh viewers' memories or provide context.

restricted narration

A narrative style that limits the audience's knowledge of events to the perspective of a particular character, often creating suspense or mystery.