FIlming Terms

Shot

each shot is a continuous uninterrupted take

Scene

a specific part of the film at 1 time or location

Sequence

a collection of scenes in a part of a film that complete the story

Master Shot

Captures all parts of a scene with a Long or Medium Shot

Objective

a sideline view through the eyes of an unseen observer

Subjective

a personal viewpoint from within the scene

Point of View

Shows what a character is looking at in the first person

Extreme Long Shot

depicts a large, vast area from a great distance

Long Shot

shows the area of the scene with the characters from to toe and the action

Medium Shot

characters are framed from just above the waist or chest

Close Up

frames just below the shoulders to head or parts of the face only

Extreme Close Up

small portions of the face fill up the frame

Inserts

close ups of objects or details in a scene

Two Shot

two characters face each other or sit next to each other

Over the Shoulder

a view of a character as seen from over the shoulder of another

Tilt Dutch Angle

the camera is tilted so the horizon line is not parallel with the bottom of the frame

Zoom

Adjusting the camera’s focal length to focus on different areas within the frame

Pan

camera remains stationary and revolves around a vertical axis to follow action

Tracking

the camera follows along with the action, filming subjects that are moving throughout the scene

Dolly Shot

camera moves on a dolly towards or away from a subject producing a zooming effect