Film Terminology ELA 10H

High angle

The camera is above or angled down at the subject. The effect of this is to make the subject appear weak, powerless or helpless.

Low angle

The camera is below or angled up at the subject. The effect of this is to make a subject appear powerful or magnificent.

Eye level

The camera is held at eye level, to create a sense of equality between characters themselves or characters and the audience.

Close up

Camera zooms close to subject. May zoom in on a subject’s face, back, hands, etc., or on an object – each with a different purpose.

Medium shots

Often used to show two or more individuals engaged in dialogue. The bit of background seen in a medium shot provides context for the viewer.

Long shots

Camera is far from subject – often used to create a sense of place and establish mood. Long shots make the subject look small, insignificant, vulnerable or weak.

Pan

(Pan from panorama.) Slow horizontal movement across the scene – used to establish context

Tracking

The camera follows the subject as it moves through the scene. Tracking is used in hockey to follow movement of the puck.

Dollying

The camera moves toward and away from the subject. Dollying can create the effect that the camera is actually the eyes of a character.

Zoom

Camera lens brings the subject closer or further away.

Tilt

Camera tilts up and down.

Hand held

Camera movement is not as smooth

Cut

The immediate change from one shot to the next. The faster the cuts the greater the tension.

Dissolve

One shot dissolves into another. This effect is often used for dreams, for a soft look in romantic scenes, or when a character loses consciousness.

Fade in

A shot that begins with either white or black and fades in to create context.

Fade out

A shot that ends by fading to black or white; usually indicates resolution of something.

Jump cut

An abrupt or jarring change from shot to shot or scene to scene.

Superimposition

Two or more images are superimposed on the screen.

Split screen

Often used when people talk on the phone etc. to show two locations at once.

Foreground

What is at the front of the picture.

Background

What is behind the focal point. Directors often put objects of symbolic significance in the background as clues.

Horizontal Lines

Lines across the picture create feelings of peace – perhaps why we like pictures of sunsets so much and why the hero often rides off into one.

Diagonal lines

Creates a sense of tension because things seem off-kilter.

Intersecting lines

Takes the diagonal lines to the next step and creates a sense of conflict.

Color

Filters change the color of light to create mood. The color used may have symbolic significance or may be used to reveal character. Characters wear certain colors to symbolize certain characteristics (black hat / white hat).

Lighting

The source, direction and intensity of lighting may all have symbolic significance. If light streams down upon someone, it suggests that they are good. In the X-Files, most every scene is dark to create suspense and mystery.