Year 10 Film Glossary

Camera Shots

Establishing Shot Shot showing location of a scene. Often opening shot.

Close-up A shot in which a small detail or a face fills the frame
Long shot Shot taken from a distance. Can see a characters whole body.
Mid-shot A shot taken with the camera at the mid-range point of the subject
Extreme close-up Camera is focused on a small detail eg. An eye
Two shot A shot that involves two people
Point-of-view shot A shot that makes the audience feel like they are experiencing the action.
Over-the-shoulder shot A shot that is filmed over the shoulder of a character

Camera Angles

High angle Camera is placed high looking down at camera. Makes camera/subject look
weak or vulnerable
Low angle Camera is placed low makes character/subject look powerful
Crane shot Shot taken from a crane, gives a very high perspective

Camera Movement

Tracking shot A shot in which the camera moves parallel to its moving subject
Panning shot Camera remains in place but moves horizontally (side to side)
Tilt shot Camera remains in place but tilts vertically
Zoom Camera moves in on a subject/object
Hand-held camera The cameraman holds the camera. Provides a shaky feeling.

Editing

Cross-cutting Cutting between to scenes to show the relationship between the two
Slow motion Film has been edited to slow down
Cut A transition made by editing two pieces of film together

Lighting

High key lighting Light is distributed so bright tones are dominant

Low key lighting Light is distributed so that dark tones and shadows are dominant

Sound

Dialogue What the character(s) say

Voice-over When the voice of a character is edited over the scene
Music Music that is played within the scene
Diegetic sound Sound whose source is visible on the screen

Other

Costume Clothes/accessories a character is wearing

Props Objects found within the scene