Using Your Camera
The camera stays in a fixed position, and rotates left or right (horizontal rotation).
PAN
A shot of just one actor; considered “clean” if nothing else is in the foreground.
A SINGLE
Classically the first shot of a new scene, designed to show the audience where the scene is set.
ESTABLISHING SHOT
Cutting out a section in an otherwise continuous shot, skipping forward in the shot.
JUMP CUT
The subtle, low-volume sound present at any location or space when no dialogue is spoken.
ROOM TONE
The camera stays in a fixed position, and rotates up or down (vertical rotation).
TILT
A small area of the scene is in focus.
SHALLOW FOCUS
An editing pattern used to cut from a person speaking to the person being addressed, back and forth.
SHOT/REVERSE-SHOT
Alternating between two events, usually occurring at the same time, back and forth.
CROSS-CUTTING
Manually produced sound effects. All of the footsteps and many physical sounds in a movie are likely added later with this technique.
FOLEY
Also known as a Dutch Tilt or Cant, the camera rotates around the axis of the lens, it causes every everything in the shot to turn.
ROLL
A large area of the scene is in focus.
DEEP FOCUS
A shot that cuts away from the main action to show an object or specific detail.
INSERT SHOT
A visual similarity is used to connect shots; the visual connection can be color, shape, composition, texture, or motion.
GRAPHIC MATCH
Focused, direct light casting harsh, angular shadows with defined edges.
HARD LIGHTING
An attempt to evenly distribute visual weight between objects in the frame based on factors including size, color, shape, and position.
BALANCE
Any lens with a short focal length, less than 35mm.
WIDE-ANGLE LENS
A cut between two shots that show the same continuous action; the action seems uninterrupted.
MATCH ON ACTION
Omitting parts of the action; skipping ahead in time from one shot to the next.
ELLIPTICAL EDITING
When music or sound effects match the tone or emotion of the scene.
EMPATHETIC SOUND
Many cinematographers use this off-center composition technique; elements are placed along the lines of an evenly divided 3×3 grid; the most important elements of the image are placed where lines intersect.
RULE OF THIRDS
Any lens with a long focal length, greater than 50mm.
TELEPHOTO LENS
The French term for film editing.
MONTAGE
A completely invisible cut, dissolve or wipe disguised by motion blur, darkness, or objects crossing the screen.
A Hidden Edit
Editing the timing, rhythm, collision, or cohesion of different shots to create a psychological effect in the viewer's mind.
SOVIET MONTAGE