The Blueprint- Vocabulary
The planning phase of filmmaking, occurring before filming begins.
Pre-production
The team of people who work behind the scenes to make a film.
Crew
Objects used by actors in a scene.
Props
Shows a vast landscape or setting, making the subject appear tiny or insignificant. Often used to establish location or atmosphere.
Extreme Long Shot (ELS) / Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
Frames the subject from the waist up. This is a very common shot for dialogue, as it shows facial expressions and some body language.
Medium Shot (MS)
Analyzing a script to identify all necessary elements (characters, props, locations, costumes, effects, etc.) for planning.
Script Breakdown
The constructed or chosen environment where filming takes place.
Set
A single, continuous recording of a shot.
Take
Shows the entire subject (e.g., a person head to toe) within their environment, providing context.
Long Shot (LS) / Wide Shot (WS)
Frames the subject from the chest up, focusing more on their face and upper body. Good for showing emotion while still providing a bit of context.
Medium Close-Up (MCU)
The process of finding and securing suitable places for filming.
Location Scouting
The person responsible for the creative vision of the film and guiding the actors and crew.
Director
The completion of filming for a scene, day, or entire production.
Wrap
Focuses primarily on the subject, showing them from head to toe, with less emphasis on the surroundings. Useful for showing body language and attire.
Full Shot (FS)
Fills the frame with the subject's face, emphasizing emotions and details.
Close-Up (CU)
A sequence of drawings or images that visually represent the shots in a film, often with notes on camera movement and dialogue.
Storyboard
The person responsible for the overall organization, financing, and management of the film production.
Producer
A timeline outlining the order in which scenes will be filmed, considering logistics like location availability, actor schedules, and equipment.
Shooting Schedule
Frames the subject from the knees or mid-thigh up. Often seen in Westerns (hence "Cowboy Shot") to show a character and their holstered weapon.
Medium Long Shot (MLS) / Medium Wide Shot (MWS)
Focuses on a very specific detail, like an eye, a mouth, or a significant object. Used for intense emphasis or to highlight something crucial.
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
A detailed list of every shot needed for a scene or film, including camera angles, movements, and descriptions.
Shot List
The person responsible for the overall look of the film, including lighting, camera operation, and visual aesthetics.
Director of Photography (DP)/Cinematographer
A daily document provided to the cast and crew that contains all crucial information for a specific day's shoot (who, what, where, when).
Call Sheet
Often a wide or extreme long shot, used at the beginning of a scene to orient the audience to the location and time.
Establishing Shot
Shows exactly what a character sees, literally putting the audience in their shoes.
Point-of-View (POV) Shot