Important Film Techniques

High Angle

Camera looks down, making subject seem small or vulnerable.

Low Angle

Camera looks up, making subject seem powerful or intimidating.

Eye Level

Neutral, natural view of the subject.

Overhead/Bird’s Eye

Directly above, showing layout or vulnerability.

High-Key Lighting

Bright, even light with minimal shadows; cheerful or open mood.

Low-Key Lighting

Dim, high contrast with deep shadows; tense or mysterious mood.

Side Lighting

Light from one side; suggests conflict, duality, or secrecy.

Backlighting

Light from behind; creates silhouette or halo effect.

Diegetic Sound

Comes from within the world of the film (characters can hear it).

Non-Diegetic Sound

Added for the audience only (e.g., soundtrack music).

Sound Bridge

Audio continues across a scene change to connect them.

Ambient Sound

Background noise that adds realism.

Continuity Editing

Smooth, seamless flow of time and space.

Montage

Series of quick cuts showing the passage of time or events.

Cross-Cutting

Alternating between 2 or more actions happening at the same time.

Jump Cut

Abrupt shift in time or space within a scene.

Cut

Instant change from one shot to the next.

Fade In/Out

Gradual appearance or disappearance, often marking beginnings or endings.

Dissolve

One image gradually blends into another.

Wipe

One shot replaces another with a visible line or shape.

Setting

Location, time period, and environment.

Costume & Makeup

What characters wear and how they’re styled.

Props

Objects that have functional or symbolic value.

Blocking

How actors are placed and move within the frame.

Expository Dialogue

Gives background or information.

Character-Driven Dialogue

Reveals personality, motivation, or conflict.

Subtextual Dialogue

What’s implied rather than directly stated.

Object Symbolism

A physical item stands for a larger idea (e.g., a broke mirror for fractured identity).

Color Symbolism

Specific colors carry meaning (e.g., red for danger or passion).

Action Symbolism

A repeated gesture or movement holds thematic weight.

Graphic Match

Similar shapes or compositions connect 2 shots.

Action Match

Continuing a movement seamlessly from one shot to the next.

Audio Match

A sound carries over to link 2 shots.

First-Person POV

The camera is literally the character’s eyes.

Over-The-Shoulder POV

Shows what the character sees but includes part of their head/shoulder for context.

Subjective POV

Altered visually or sonically.