film study terms

Scene

A continuous shot that depicts uninterrupted space and time in narrative action.

Sequence

Any number of shots that are unified as a coherent action or identifiable motif, regardless of changes in time and space.

Segment

The process of dividing a film into large narrative units for analysis, often characterized by a change in motif or action.

Continuity Editing (Invisible Editing)

The dominant mode of Hollywood editing, where each shot maintains a continuous relationship to the next shot, and transitions between edits appear "invisible" to the viewer.

180 Degree Rule

An imaginary line drawn across the "axis of action," where the camera should not film from the other side of the axis to maintain continuity.

30 Degree Rule

If the camera cuts to the same character or object in another shot, the second shot must be positioned at least 30 degrees away from the first camera setup.

Shot/Reverse Shot

A technique used in conversations or interactions between characters, where the camera cuts between shots of each character to create the effect that they are looking or speaking at each other.

Crosscut

A technique where the camera cuts back and forth between actions in separate locations to imply simultaneous occurrence.

Disjunctive Editing

Visible editing that calls attention to the cut and disrupts the realism of the film.

Jump Cut

A cut that creates a gap in the action, often used to convey the passage of time or create a jarring effect.

Overlapping

Two or more shots of the same action across several cuts, extending the narrative duration.

Montage

Juxtaposing two or more distinct shots to suggest that the viewer will make sense of the contrasting images through other cinematic elements.

Sound Bridge

A technique that links images together for the viewer through the use of sound.

Fade-Out

The gradual darkening of an image to black.

Fade-In

The gradual brightening of a black image to an image.

Shot

A continuous point-of-view between two edits, where the camera does not cut away from the images.

Frame

An individual, still image that determines the portion of the filmed subject.

Pan

A horizontal movement of the camera.

Tilt

A vertical movement of the camera.

Zoom

Changing the lens focal length to magnify or minimize the image.

Dolly

Physically moving the camera to provide a larger 3-dimensional field (outdated).

Tracking

Physically moving the camera, whether on a dolly or not, to track a subject.

Extreme Close-Up

A shot that singles out a certain thing in a much tighter manner than a close-up.

Close-Up

A shot that emphasizes the intimacy and emotional severity of the scene.

Medium Close-Up

A shot that frames the subject from the shoulders/chest up.

Medium Shot

A shot that frames the subject from the waist up.

Medium Long Shot

A shot that frames the subject from the legs up.

Long Shot

A shot that shows a considerable distance between the camera and the scene, person, or object being filmed.

Extreme Long Shot

A shot that shows an extensive distance between the camera and the object of filming, often used as an establishing shot.

Subjective POV

The perspective of the character when seen through the camera.

Objective POV

Not associated with any character's point-of-view.

Mask

Attachments placed over the lens to occlude the frame, often used for telescope or shooter scenes.

Auteur Theory

The theory that argues films are a byproduct of a director's artistic style and taste, emphasizing the director's creative control and role.

CGI

Computer-generated imagery, often used to compensate for a lack of creativity and artistic talent.

Mise en Scene

The arrangement of visual elements in a film, including composition, setting, lighting, and actors/actresses.

Three-Point Lighting

A common lighting technique that uses three sources (key lighting, backlighting, and fill lighting) to illuminate the scene and minimize shadows.

Key Light

The main source of non-natural lighting in a scene, which can be balanced or starkly contrasted with the fill lighting.

Fill Lighting

Secondary lights used to balance the key lighting and remove shadows or emphasize other spaces and objects in the scene.

Highlighting

The use of different lighting sources to emphasize certain characters or objects.

Backlighting

A highlighting technique that illuminates the person or object from behind, creating a silhouette effect.

Frontal Lighting, Sidelighting, Underlighting, and Top Lighting

Different lighting techniques used to illuminate the subject from different directions and create specific atmospheres.

Asynchronous

No on screen source

Synchronous

On screen source

Diegetic

Character can hear the sound

Non diegetic

Character can not hear sound

Parallel sound

parallel with images shown on screen and can be asynchronous or synchronous

Contrapuntal sound

Contrasts with images shown on screen, usually asynchronous