Camera Angles
This shot is taken when the camera is directly beneath the object or figure. This angel can suggest extreme power or danger.
Undershot
Often a long shot or a series of shots that sets the scene. It is used to establish setting and to show transitions between locations.
Establishing Shot
A stationary camera moves from side to side on a horizontal axis.
Pan
The scene is flooded with light, creating a bright and open looking scene.
High Key Lighting
Sound that could logically be heard by the characters in the film.
Diegetic Sound
A shot taken from a normal height; that is, the character’s eye level. Ninety to ninety-five percent of the shots seen at this level, because it is the most natural angle.
Eye Level Shot
The most common shot. The camera seems to be a medium distance from the object being filmed. A medium shot shows the person from the waist up. The effect is to ground the story.
Medium/Mid Shot
A stationary camera moves up or down along a vertical axis.
Tilt
Soft lighting that gives the appearance of innocence or goodness, or a halo effect.
Front or Back Lighting
Sound that cannot be heard by the characters but is designed for audience reaction only. An example might be ominous music for foreshadowing.
Non-Diegetic
When the camera is directly above or overhead the object or scene and the shot is taken with the camera facing down making a city look like an ants nest or moving scenes look mechanical.
Overhead Shot
The image takes up at least 80 percent of the frame.
Close Up
A stationary camera where the lens moves to make an object seem to move closer to or further away from the camera. With this technique, moving into a character is often a personal or revealing movement, while moving away distances or separates the audience from the character.
Zoom
The scene is flooded with shadows and darkness, creating suspense or suspicion.
Low Key Lighting
The most common editing technique when two pieces of film are spliced together.
Cut
This shot is taken when the camera is above and looking down on the scene or object but not directly overhead. From this angle the main effect is to make the object or figure look small and lacking in power suggesting insignificance or vulnerability of the object or figure.
High Angle Shot
A shot from some distance. If filming a person, the full body is shown. It may show the isolation or vulnerability of the character (also called a Full Shot).
Long Shot
The camera is on a track that allows it to move with the action. The term also refers to any camera mounted on a car, truck, or helicopter.
Dolly/Tracking
Direct lighting which often makes the subject appear dangerous or evil.
Bottom or Side Lighting
Cut or dissolve action that has happened in the past.
Flashback
This shot is taken when the camera is below or looking up at the object or figure. From this angle the main effect is to make the object of figure look large and powerful suggesting the dominance or power of the object or figure.
Low Angle Shot
The image being shot is a part of a whole, such as an eye or a hand.
Extreme Close Up
The camera is on a crane over the action. This is used to create overhead shots.
Boom/Crane
Cut to an object, then to a person, to show what a person seems to be looking at. Can reveal a character's thoughts.
What is an Eye-Line Match?