Film Terminology

Recap for ‘The Sandman’ Analysis

Basic Terms Shot:Shot: an uninterrupted piece of an uninterrupted piece of

film, without cuts.film, without cuts. Scene:Scene: a number of shots that takes a number of shots that takes

place in one location place in one location dealing dealing with one action.with one action.

Sequence:Sequence: one or more scenes one or more scenes forming a coherent forming a coherent

section of the section of the film.film. Cut:Cut: an immediate move from one an immediate move from one

shot to another or one scene shot to another or one scene to another.to another.

Mise-en-Scene:Mise-en-Scene: literally means literally means ““put on screen”. put on screen”.

This term refers to everything we This term refers to everything we see on screen including the see on screen including the costumes, lighting, make-up, costumes, lighting, make-up, props, etc. props, etc.

Using these things a film-maker Using these things a film-maker can create a believable world for can create a believable world for the characters.the characters.

Camera Shots Extreme Close-up:Extreme Close-up:

A magnified image A magnified image usually focussing on usually focussing on one part- a hand, an one part- a hand, an eye etc.eye etc.

Close Up:Close Up:

A close up image A close up image normally showing normally showing the face and nothing the face and nothing else. Often this is to else. Often this is to show emotion.show emotion.

Medium Close-Medium Close-up:up:

Shows character Shows character from the chest up from the chest up – viewer/character – viewer/character intimateintimate

Medium:Medium:

Shows characters Shows characters from the waist up. from the waist up. Shows some Shows some emotion.emotion.

Medium Long:Medium Long:Shows characters Shows characters from the thigh up. from the thigh up. Establishes the Establishes the characters and their characters and their roles without giving roles without giving us their emotions.us their emotions.

Long:Long:Presents the setting Presents the setting of the action and the of the action and the characters. Mood is characters. Mood is often established in often established in this way.this way.

Extreme Long Extreme Long Shot:Shot:Focus is on the Focus is on the setting, the setting, the character is small character is small in comparison.in comparison.

Establishing:Establishing:Shows the Shows the location, setting location, setting or landscape of a or landscape of a scene: an scene: an Extreme Long Extreme Long Shot.Shot.

Over-the-shoulder: Over-the-shoulder:

Often used when two Often used when two characters are having a characters are having a conversation. This is conversation. This is shot from behind one shot from behind one character, over the character, over the shoulder, looking at the shoulder, looking at the other character.other character.

Point of View:Point of View: Camera sees what the Camera sees what the character would see.character would see.

Camera Angles Straight on:Straight on:

Straight horizon Straight horizon line – establishes line – establishes normalitynormality ..

Canted Angle:Canted Angle:

Tilted horizon line Tilted horizon line – establishes – establishes sense of unease – sense of unease – Abnormality in Abnormality in setting (external) setting (external) or mind (internal).or mind (internal).

High Angle:High Angle: A A shot taken above shot taken above the location. Will the location. Will make the make the characters look characters look small and small and insignificant.insignificant.

Low Angle:Low Angle: A A shot taken from shot taken from below an actor. below an actor. Will make the Will make the characters look characters look powerful.powerful.

Camera Movement

Pan (panorama):Pan (panorama):

camera swivels left or right on camera swivels left or right on axis. Used for:axis. Used for:

Showing sceneShowing scene Following movementFollowing movement Show POV as head turnsShow POV as head turns Guiding attentionGuiding attention

Tilt:Tilt:

camera swivels up or down. Used camera swivels up or down. Used for:for:

Showing scene on different levelsShowing scene on different levels Following movementFollowing movement Show POV as head moves up/downShow POV as head moves up/down

Track (dolly):Track (dolly):camera on wheels. Can track in/out, camera on wheels. Can track in/out, left/right, slow/fast.left/right, slow/fast.

Crane:Crane: camera on crane so can move in/out, camera on crane so can move in/out, up/down spaceup/down space

Handheld:Handheld: portable camera so get jiggling image. portable camera so get jiggling image. Used for:Used for:

Realist documentary lookRealist documentary look Convey dynamism of actionConvey dynamism of action

Steadicam:Steadicam: portable camera with weights which is portable camera with weights which is ‘worn’ by camera operator. Used to: ‘worn’ by camera operator. Used to:

Steady image Steady image Film scene without multiple takesFilm scene without multiple takes

Zoom:Zoom:

use of zoom lens to create illusion use of zoom lens to create illusion of camera moving in/out. of camera moving in/out.

Can zoom in/out.Can zoom in/out. Rack focus:Rack focus:

change focus during shot to new change focus during shot to new point of interest.point of interest.