FILM TECHNIQUES

Long Shot

An on-screen object appears small or seen from a distance; provides a sense of time and place.

Establishing Shot

A long shot that remains on-screen long enough to establish setting.

Close-up/Head Shot

An object appears large, taking up approximately 80% of the screen; focuses viewer attention on what the director intends.

Medium Shot

A shot between a long and close shot; the most common and naturalistic shot.

Soft Focus

Slightly out of focus; creates a lighter mood (love, sadness, reminiscence) or uncertainty.

Rack Focus

Shifts focus between background and foreground to direct viewer attention.

Deep Focus

All objects (background and foreground) remain in focus.

Low Angle

Camera is below the subject; makes characters appear powerful.

High Angle

Camera is above the subject; makes characters appear weak or vulnerable.

Eye Level

Camera and subject are on the same level; a neutral shot.

Dutch Angle/Tilt

Camera is slightly tilted; indicates tension, conflict, or danger.

Subjective Focalization

Aligns with one character's point of view (what the character sees).

Authorial Focalization

Provides information a character might not have; often dramatically ironic.

Pan

Camera pivots horizontally (left/right); introduces setting or observes surroundings.

Whip Pan

A fast pan that blurs the image; often accompanied by a 'whoosh' sound.

Tilt

Camera tilts vertically (up/down); communicates distance, size, or strength.

Zoom

Adjusts the focal length, making objects appear larger or smaller.

Dolly Zoom (Vertigo Effect)

Camera moves while the lens zooms in the opposite direction; indicates psychological distress.

Tracking/Dolly Shot

Camera moves with the on-screen action; brings the audience into the action.

Arc Shot

Subject is circled by the camera; often used in intense questioning or chaos.

Low-Key Lighting

Marked by darkness and shadows; creates moods of suspicion or danger.

High-Key Lighting

Bright and open with minimal shadows; indicates clarity or revelation.

Neutral Lighting

Evenly balanced lighting.

Bottom/Side Lighting

Partial illumination; suggests ambiguity, conflict, or evil.

Front Lighting

No shadows; indicates innocence or openness.

Diegetic Sound

Sound heard logically within the movie environment (e.g., dialogue, traffic).

Non-Diegetic Sound

Sound not heard by characters (e.g., music, narration).

Internal Diegetic Sound

Sound heard only by one character (e.g., internal thoughts).

Cut

Sudden transition between shots; the most common technique.

Fade

Image fades to black and is replaced by another; indicates passage of time or an end.

Dissolve

One image fades out while another fades in simultaneously; creates connections.

Crosscut/Parallel Editing

Alternates between scenes in different places; builds suspense.

Flashback/Flash-Forward

Shows past or future events to provide context.

Eye-Line Match

Sequence where a character looks at something, followed by a shot of what they see and their reaction.

Long Take

A shot lasting more than 20–30 seconds; creates a calm or peaceful environment.

Mise-en-Scène

Refers to everything visible in a shot: sets, costumes, props, lighting, acting, etc.