Film Terms 1

A single, uninterrupted piece of film

Shot taken from a distance. Often helps establish the setting. Helps locate the viewer within the scene.

Sets the scene or emphasizes setting. This is typically a long shot or wide shot.

Image being shot takes up at least 80% of the screen. Narrows the focus to most important element.

Typically covers one person or several people from the torso up. Helps to show relationship between characters.

Shooting subject from below. Makes subject look important and powerful.

Camera is elevated above action/subject. Suggests inferiority of subject.

Fairly neutral angle where camera is level with subjects. Makes viewer feel part of scene.

Tilted sideways on a horizontal line. Adds tension to static frame. Sinister/distorted view of character. Sometimes known as a canted angle.

Camera is mounted on a mobile platform and moves alongside a moving subject (i.e., a moving train or car) or moves into or out of a scene.

Camera moves horizontally from a fixed base. Can reveal elements of a scene or movement of an subject within a scene.

Camera moves up and down vertically from a fixed base. Used to emphasize setting.

Lens moves, but not camera. Object appears bigger or smaller depending on focal length.

A shot that magnifies beyond what the eye would experience in reality. Generally used for dramatic effect to see "inside" subject/action.

The measurement of the area in front of and behind the subject that is in focus