Cinematography vocab

Cinematography

Motion picture photography/writting in movement

Focal length

The distance from the center of the lens ot the point where light rays meet in sharp focus changing the perspective relations of the image

Depth of field

A larger area in focus, everything in the frame

Deep focus

Multiple planes in the image are all in focus

Zoom

Adjustments to the camera lens during filming that magnifies portions of the image

-Camera doesn’t move

Tracking

Changes position of the POV by moving the camera

Subjective point of view

Recreates a character’s perspective seen through a camera

Objective point of view

Represents the more impersonal perspective of the camera

Framing

Determines the size of what is in frame; contains limits and directs the POV within the borders of the camera

Reframing

Movement of the frame from one position to another within a single continuous shot

Mobile frame

The camera lens moves to follow an action of explored space

Canted frame/dutch angle

Tilting camera side to side shot

Aspect ratio

Describes the relation of width to height of the film frame as it appears on a movie or tv

Mask

An attachment to the camera that cuts off portions of the frame so part of the image is black

Onscreen space

The space visible within the frame of the image

Offscreen space

The space/world that exists outside the frame

Close up

Show details of a person or an object to indicate a nuance of the charachter’s feelings/thoughts by implying an importance of them

Extreme close up

A shot frames a subject very closely causing the outer portions of subject to not be in the frame

Long shot

Placing a distance between the camera and the scene, object, or person filmed

Extreme long shot

A greater distance between the camera and the person/object so the larger space of the image combines with a landscape

Camera height

Can vary to present a particular compositional element or evoke a charachters perspective

Low camera angle

A shot taken from the camera below the charachters eye line then pointing up

High camera angle

A shot where the camera looks down on a character from above eye level

Pan/panorama

Moving camera frame side to side without changing placement of the camera

Tilt

Moves camera frame up or down as the camera moves on a horizontal axis

Handheld shot

Mainly used in the news and documentaries to create an unsteady frame that suggests the movements of an individual POV

Matte shot

Combines 2 or more pieces of film into a single final image

Image as representation

Depicting a character and their actions to what they mean

Montage

Editing films and shots to emphasize effect of the juxtaposition of the shots

Jump cut

Cuts/edits that purposely create gaps in action

Shock cut

Contrasts 2 dramatic images to create an effect; sound is included

Fade out

Gradually darken and make one image diseapper

Fade in

Gradually add more light and make one image appear

Continuity style

Clear cut scenes with consistent spatial and temporal patterns

Verisimilitude

The quality of truth, believability, or internal consistency within the films fictional world

Continuity editing

Scenes are broken down allowing viewer to think action happens spontaneously

Invisible editing

Minimizes the perception/editing of breaks between shots that were cut or filmed at different times

Two shot

A close up shot of 2 charachters having a conversation

Over the shoulder shot

When 2 characters are having a conversation, the camera is placed over one charachter’s shoulder

Re-establishing shot

Restore a seemingly objective view, making the action clear to viewers

180 degree rule

Keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary 180 degree line

Axis of action

An imaginary 180 degree line that passes through a scene where the camera must stay

30 degree rule

Illustrates the extent where continuity editing attempts preserve spatial unity

Reverse shot

A shot of 1 character looking offscreen while another shot shows the second character looking back

Narrative duration

Length of time used to present an event or action in a plot

Overlapping editing

The same action is repeated across several cuts/pieces of shots

Pace

The length of individual shots to determine the pace of a film editing

Long take

Shots that are continuous that last longer longer than the conventional editing

Scene

one or more shots

Sequence

Any number of shots that unifed as an action

Medium shot

Shot that shows that waist and above

-Common for conversation shots

Extreme long shoot

Tiny person in a big space

-shows isolation

Plastics

Style of the set, makeup, and performance

Mise en scene

Everything in a movie scene that is put in position before filming begins (Props, set, customs, makeup)

Props

An object used as part of the set or as a tool used by the actors

Lighting

Draws attention to props, costumes, & actors

-Allows audience to observe a film’s action and understand the setting

Key light

The main source of lighting (usually from a lamp)

3 point lighting

One light illuminates the object, backlighting to pick out the object from the background and fill lighting that minimizes shadows

Back lighting

A highlighting technique that illuminates the person or object from behind (creating silhouettes)

Natural lighting

Indicates an incidental role in the scene, comes from a natural source of light in a scene or setting

Low key lighting

Uses high contrast, deep shadows, and minimal fill light to create a moody dramatic atmosphere

High key lighting

Uses bright, even illumination to reduce shadows and contrast to create an uplifting, cheerful, or sterile atmosphere

Costume

Outfits of characters that define the character and contribute to the visual impression, design of the film

New cinematic realism

Used in the 1940-1970 using actual locations to complement cinema’s theatrical heritage

Scenic realism

Associated with the physical, cultural, and historical accuracy of the backgrounds, objects, etc in the film

Blockbuster

A high budget film with lots of marketing, popularity, and produced by a major film studio

Setting

A fictional or real place where the action and events of the film

Set

A constructed setting often on a studio

Performance

The actor’s use of language, physical expression, and gesture to bring a character to life and to communicate who the character is

Blocking

The arrangement and movement of actors within the physical space of the mise-en-scene

Historical mise-en-scene

Re-creates a recognizable historical scene, highlighting it to a specific location and time in history

Everyday mise-en-scene

Brings attention to ordinary, has a common place backdrop for charachter’s and the action

Constructive mise-en-scene

The world/setting can be shaped and altered through the work or desire of the characters