Filming Terms

Director

Oversees the creative vision of the film and directs actors and crew

Producer

Manages the business side, including budgeting, hiring, and scheduling

Screenplay

A detailed script with dialogue, character actions, and scene directions

Storyboarding

A visual plan of the film made with drawing of each major shot or scene

Cinematography

The art of capturing images on camera, including lighting, angles, and framing

Shot

A continuous piece of film without cuts, captured from a single camera setup

Scene

A sequence of shots that happen in the same place and time in the story

Sequence

A series of scenes that form a distinct part of the story

Frame

A single image from the film; also refers to what is visible on screen

Framing

How subjects and objects are arranged within the frame

Close-up

A tight shot, usually a face or important detail

Medium shot

Frames the subject from the waist-up; usually used in dialogue

Wide shot

Shows the subject in their environment; establishes setting

Establishing shot

A wide shot used to show where the action takes place

Over the Shoulder shot

Filmed from behind a character, often during conversations

Point of View shot

Shot that shows what a character sees

High angle shot

Camera looks down on the subject; can make them look weak or small

Low Angle shot

Camera looks up at the subject; can make them look powerful or important

Dutch angle (tilted shot)

The camera is tilted to create a sense of unease or tension

Tracking shot

Camera follows the subject, often using a dolly or stabilizer

Pan

Horizontal movement of the camera from a fixed point

Zoom

Changing the lens to make a subject appear closer or farther

Crane shot

Camera moves smoothly up, down, or around using a crane or jib

Handheld shot

A shaky, more realistic shot made with a handheld camera

Tilt

Vertical movement of the camera from a fixed point

Lighting

Controls the mood, time of day, and visibility of a scene

Key light

The main source of light in a shot

Backlight

Light that separates the subject from the background

Fill Light

Reduces shadows caused by the key light

Natural lighting

Use available light like sunlight for a more realistic look

Soundtrack

Includes music, dialogue, and sound effects

Score

Original music composed specifically for a film

Foley

Sound effects created after filming to match the action

Automated Dialogue Replacement

Re recording dialogue in a studio

Voiceover

Narration or thoughts spoken by a character or narrator not seen onscreen

Editing

Process of selecting and combining shots to create the final movie

Cut

The most basic editing technique; one shot switches directly to another

Fade

A gradual transition to or from black, often showing time passing (a transition technique)

Dissolve

One image slowly fades into another (A Transition Technique)

Jump Cut

A sudden break in continuity, often to show time passing quickly

Montage

A series of quick shots that show the passage of time or a process

Green Screen

Allows digital backgrounds or effects to be added in post-production

Special Effects (SFX)

Practical or digital effects used during production

Visual Effects (VFX)

Computer-generated effects added in post-production

Set

Constructed location used for filming scenes

Props

Objects actors interact with during a scene

Costume Design

The creation of clothing to define characters and time periods

Casting

Choosing the right actors for each role

Clapperboard

A tool used to sync picture and sound and mark the scene/take number

Post-production

The stage after filming where editing, sound and effects are added