Metalanguage Terms for Film Techniques

copied from descriptions provided by Mrs Wallace

CAMELS

The acronym for Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scène, Editing, Lighting, Sound – key elements of film analysis.

Symbolism

Visual representation of ideas or concepts through objects, colours, or imagery.

Framing

An arrangement that shows what is included or excluded in the camera’s view.

Setting

General place and time in which the story occurs.

Non-Diegetic Sound

Sound not heard by characters, added for audience effect (e.g., dramatic music).

Diegetic Sound

Audio that comes from a source within the world of the film and can be heard by characters.

Music

(instrumental or vocal) used within a scene, whether diegetic or non-diegetic.

Soundtrack

Recorded score or compilation of musical pieces used in the film.

Dialogue

Conversation between characters.

Voice-over

Narration spoken by an unseen voice, often a character or omniscient narrator.

Low Angle Shot

Camera angle from below the subject, making them appear powerful or dominant.

Eye-Level/Mid- shot

Camera positioned at eye height to create a neutral and realistic perspective.

High Angle Shot

Camera angle from above, making the subject seem small, weak, or vulnerable.

Over-the-Shoulder Shot

Shot taken from behind a character’s shoulder, often used in conversations.

Chiaroscuro

Lighting used to create mood, realism, or symbolism through shadows and brightness (the effect of the contrast between light and dark).

Costuming

The clothing and accessories worn by characters that reveal personality, era, or culture.

Lighting

Use of colours, shades, and tones to create mood or meaning.

Genre

Film category based on shared conventions, e.g., horror, comedy, romance.

Fantasy

A film category involving imagined worlds, magical events, or supernatural beings.

Mise-en-scène

The look and arrangement of everything in the frame, including setting, lighting, costumes, and actors’ positions.

Motif

Recurring element (image, sound, phrase) that has thematic significance in a film.

Montage

Scenes edited together to condense time, space, or information (often used to show progression or training).

Panning Shot

Movement of the camera left or right from a fixed position.

Close-Up Shot

Framing that focuses closely on a face or object to show detail or emotion.

Long-Shot

Camera shot that shows the full subject and much of the surrounding environment.

One-Shot

A single continuous camera take without cuts.

Zoom

Camera movement where the lens moves closer or further from the subject without moving the camera itself.

Tracking Shot

Camera is physically moved to follow action or a character’s movement.

Costume

The clothing and accessories worn by characters that reveal personality, era, or culture.

Aerial Shot

A shot taken from a high, elevated vantage point, to give the audience a broad view of the location or action from above

Pascal Lamorisse

name of the actor who played the role of Pascal in ‘The Red Balloon’

Ménilmontant

the neighbourhood of Paris ‘The Red Balloon’ is primarily set in

Establishing Shot

a long distance shot in filmmaking, usually shown at the beginning of a scene or movie, that provides context by showing the location, time period and overall mood or tone of the upcoming action