Filming devices and techniques

camera shot

this refers to how close or far away the camera is from the subject of the image (framing)

camera angle

the position of the camera (in terms of height from the ground) in relation to the subject being filmed.

close shot

taken at close range or with a long focal-length lens, on a relatively large scale. Shows facial expressions and a lot of detail.

mid-shot

shows some facial expressions, body language, some costume and some setting (mise-en-scene)

long shot

shows the mise-en-scene (in the background), full body, costume and movement of a character

point of view shot

shows the perspective of a certain character; the viewer sees what they see.

low angle

can shows power on screen; the audience feels smaller and, thus, weak

high angle

shows weakness on screen; the audience feels bigger and stronger as they look down on the subject

composition

the arrangement of all the elements that contribute to the appearance of a picture; these elements work together to create meaning.

frame

a single image within an animation

rule of thirds

divides the frame into 9 sections, points of interest should occur at 1/3 or 2/3

leading lines

a photo composition technique in which real or imaginary lines in a photo lead the eye to the dominant element, primary subject or center of interest

point of emphasis

the object or person that is most important -- the thing the photographer/cinematographer wants the audience to notice

mise-en-scene

a French term meaning 'in the frame'; literally EVERYTHING in the frame that can be seen

high-key lighting

brightly lit shot in which more visual detail is obvious -- the mood is more upbeat, cheerful

low-key lighting

less light is used, therefore the audience sees less visual detail -- the shadows and high contrast create a mysterious or secretive mood or atmosphere

contrast

the difference between light and dark areas -- it creates edges and lines (straight or curved) and focuses the eye on points of emphasis

diegetic sound

sound which is part of the narrative and whose source is implied to be present within the action of the film, e.g. voices of characters, sounds made by objects in the film itself etc.

non-diegetic sound

sound which is added in externally and whose source is not implied to be present in the action e.g. narrator's commentary, mood music, a voice over etc. -- this can add to the tone or atmosphere of the film quite dramatically

camera movement

allows to capture various angles and perspectives - some common examples include pan, track, tilt, and zoom

animation

type of filmmaking in which individual drawings of inanimate objects are filmed one frame at a time - this creates the illusion of movement

aside

when a film character breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the audience

background

anything within the rear plane of action

foreground

anything occurring in the front plane of action