film terms

film terms heheheheh

Illusionism

makes the audience believe what they see on screen may be happening.

• ex: The most known example of illusionism is the “it was all a dream” scenario.

• reason: to create shock value though it can also be used to move the story along.

pov shot

when a scene is filmed so it looks like you are watching the scene unfold through the eyes of a character (you see what they would see)

• ex: gopro strapped onto somebody

• reason:

  • to help give the perspective of a character

  • give the illusion of access to a characters life

reaction shot

when something happens in the film and the camera cuts away from the full picture to show the reaction of a single character

• how:

  •  normally filmed as a close up shot to focus in on the reaction

  • Often doesn’t contain dialogue

• why:

  •  to convey emotion to the audience

  • close up view so you are able to analyze and understand why the character is reacting the way they did

jumpscare

movie technique used to scare the audience with an unexpected, sudden event.

• how:

  • a surprising visual or auditory element that breaks the normal flow of the scene, such as a frightening image or a loud sudden noise.

  •  Filmmakers build tension by creating a sense of calm or anticipation before the scare, then use sudden, startling sounds or quick, unexpected visuals to scare the audience

• why:

  • to create a sharp, immediate reaction from viewers by catching them off guard, creating a moment of intense surprise or fear.

  •  bring up the emotional intensity of a scene

Slow and crash zooms

when the camera changes focal length mid recording.

• how:

  • by twisting a certain dial or a lense and sometimes a button

• why:

  • to create tension or intimacy and to help establish perspective and depth

Decelerated and accelerated motion

when time starts to slow down or speed up in a scene.

• how:

  • most often made through an editing software or with a specific type of camera.

• why:

  • a way to add dramatic or artistic effect

Matte Painting

large-scale hand-drawn images used in the cinema, on television and in the production of computer games in order to create illusions in the frame surrounding environment

• how:

  • used to paint on top of a piece of glass that was then placed on top of a frame

  • now matte painting is more like 3d modeling and computer graphics.

• why:

  • sometimes it’s not possible to actually photograph/film some aspects of a movie, which is why you must paint over the shot to show the background in the way that you need it.

Establishing shot

Wide / Extremely wide shots of scenery

• how:

• why:

  • to give viewers context for what’s happening in front of them, as well as establishing time period and location.

  • help their suspension of disbelief

camera angle:

The angle/placement at which the camera looks at the subject

Low Angle

Camera looks up at subject (subject appears powerful, imposing)

High Angle

Camera looks down at subject (subject appears weak, dominated)

Medium Angle

Camera is at eye-level with subject

Dutch/Canted angle

taken at a slanted or sharp angle to symbolize distortion or confusion of the subject (or POV of subject) in the frame.

Shot

an unbroken perspective on an action or object

Take / Long Take

an unbroken strip of film made by uninterrupted running of the camera. Goodfellas Copacabana scene.

Hand-Held Shot / Shaky Cam

A shot made with the camera held in hand, not on a tripod or other stabilizing feature. (think Blair Witch Project effect)

Mask Shot:

a shot in which a portion of the image is blocked off by means of a matte over the lens, altering the shape of the frame. (often used during subjective shots to appear that the character is spying or looking in through a bookcase, etc. Truman Show)

Tracking Shot / Dolly Shot:

camera is mounted on some stabilizing support that moves. Also, this is done by mounting the camera to a ceiling or floor to “track” the characters’ movements above, below, or in motion. (example, a view looking down at a character descending a staircase – The Omen, or in action movies - Speed)

Crane Shot

camera is placed high above ground and able to move in any direction. (example, The Sound of Music “The Hills are Alive” scene)

Focus Pull

focal point shifts from background to middle ground (or vice versa)

Stock Shot:

a shot taken from a library of film footage, usually of famous people, places, events.

Reverse Angle Shot

when depicting the reaction from multiple characters’ perspectives.

Pan / Whip Pan:

camera movement that rotates horizontally for a panoramic view of the scene.

Tilt

camera movement vertically, usually to scan a tall obstacle or tall object of that scene.

Freeze Frame

an optical effect where action appears to come to a dead stop.

Split Screen

one frame containing two separate images.

Transitions & Opticals

(Fades/Wipes/Dissolves/Iris, etc.) transitions used where the image gradually emerges or “fades” to black, etc. Usually done between scenes or with a flashforward or flashback sequence in the story.

“Cut-to”

The most common transition between shots. One shot abruptly ends and the next begins. Done by literally cutting two strips of film together. (film example that is easier to read: The Shining when the camera cuts between shots of Danny in bed and the horrific things he is envisioning in his head).

Continuity Editing:

cutting of dozens of shots together in order to maintain smooth continuous action. An instant transition, often barely visible to viewers. For example a fight scene or an action scene.

Cross Cutting

editing that alternates shots between two actions occurring at the same time but in different places. (example, a hero entering a burning building, while crossing to shots of the victims inside)

Jump Cut:

A cut that jumps forward within a single action. Gives the impression of time that has passed. (example: a man at a bus stop during the day, then cut to a man at that same bus stop at night)

Montage:

French word for “editing” – A montage sequence in a film relies on editing to condense time, space, or distance. Thing of a film where a character goes on a lengthy trip. In a travel montage, this long journey might be compressed into a few shots of various places along the way

Double Exposure:

In photography and cinematography, a multiple exposure is the superimposition of two or more exposures to create a single image.

Film Noir

literally means “black film.” Film Noir refers to a genre of film that focuses on stories that involve crime, the underworld, the darker side of life. Usually characterized by a somber tone, low lighting, and disturbing themes. Think of seedy detective movies of the 40s and 50s.

German Expressionism

several related creative movements in Germany before the First World War that reached a peak in Berlin during the 1920s.

Stop Motion

an animated filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion or change when the series of frames is played back. Any object can be animated, but puppets with movable joints or clay figures are most commonly used.

Spot Lighting

intense pool of light, usually focused on a face or key element

Concentrated Lighting

bright light source to draw attention to an aspect of the shot

Diffused Lighting

lighting altered by fog, smoke or a filter to create mood

Back lighting

objects appear in silhouette – lighting is placed behind subject of frame

Cheating/Staging

altering the objects within a shot without the audience being aware of it (example, removing a picture on a wall for a close up shot). Subject arrangement/ Staging – arranging of subjects and objects in a particular shot.

Animatronics & CGI

technology used to create special characters and creature movements (Gremlins). Illusionism created through the use of computer technology.

Voice-over

commentary by an unseen character or narrator, example, A Christmas Story

Score

music composed for a film. A major tool for heightening mood of film (Jaws)

Soundtrack

music selected to represent the film, or, a recording of the sound portion of that film (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Dub/Diegetic Sound/MOS

to record dialogue or sound to match action in shots already filmed.

Saturation/Desaturation

intensification level of a specific color scheme within a shot (Pleasantville)

Technicolor

a three color process invented and used in 30s to replace black and white as the only alternative to film (Wizard of Oz)

Black & White

choice of filmmaker to eliminate color completely. Attention paid to lighting, shadows, and shades of gray for visual effect and mood.

Matte Painting

A matte painting is a painted representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of an environment that is not present at the filming location.