FILM Key Terms

Storyboarding A series of drawings – or photographs – that a director creates before the movie is filmed that help the director to visualize what will appear later on the screen. Oftentimes, lighting, dialogue, framing, and other elements of the shot will be noted as well. Individual frames are then arranged in sequence to create a final storyboard.

Storyboarding

Shots A single piece of film uninterrupted by cuts. Establishing Shot: often a long shot or series of shots that sets the scene.

Framing One of the very first decisions a director makes is how the actor, subject, or object will look on the screen. There are several types of framing: Close-Up (CU) Extreme Close-Up Long Shot (LS) Medium Shot (MS) Two Shot

Close up When the subject takes up nearly the entire screen and appears to be very large. If a person is in close up, only the face would be shown. This type of framing is used to emphasize important details and to show the emotions of the characters. Extreme Close-Ups: The image being shot is a part of a whole; i.e., an eye or a hand.

Close up

Long-shot Taken from a considerable distance form the subject and it shows more of the surroundings of the scene than a close-up. If it is a person, the whole body would be seen. This type of framing can show distances between characters and how the characters fit or do not seem to fit within their surroundings.

Long-shot

Medium shot Between the close up and long-shot. If a person is shown, he or she would be seen from the waist up. The most common shot because it is the most natural way to see people. It does not normally have as dramatic a significance as the close up and the long-shot.

Medium shot

High-Angle Shot The camera is located high and angled downward. Sometimes used to distinguish between two people as to who has more power. The subject in the shot appears insignificant, weak and vulnerable. If the angle is depicting a character’s point of view, there is a sense that said character is taller, mightier, and more threatening.

High-Angle Shot

Low-Angle Shot Shot from a low camera position looking up; oftentimes this is from knee-height. Typically, the subject in the shot appears to be more powerful than her/his opponent. From a character’s point of view, this shot depicts a sense of weakness compared to the person at whom she/he is looking.

Low-Angle Shot

Lighting Lighting can play a very important role in setting the tone and mood of a scene. When the lighting changes, the director is probably trying to say something significant about the characters, plot, or theme of the story. There are a few terms that can describe the general characteristics of the scene: High-key lighting Low-key lighting Bottom Lighting Side Lighting Front Lighting Back Lighting

Low-Key Lighting A way to describe a scene that is filled with shadows and darkness. There may be some light, but it does little to brighten the scene. Best for horror and suspense films when the director wants the audience to not know what is going to happen next.

Low-Key Lighting

High-Key Lighting Scene is filled with bright, open light. Outdoor scenes on bright, sunny days could be described as high-key. Best in romantic comedies, musicals, or in contrast to low-key lighting.

High-Key Lighting

Bottom Lighting Direct lighting from below, often making the subject appear dangerous or evil looking.

Bottom Lighting

Side Lighting Direct lighting from one side. This may indicate a split personality or moral ambiguity.

Side Lighting

Front Lighting Soft lighting on the actor’s face. It gives the appearance of innocence or goodness, or a halo effect.

Front Lighting

Back Lighting (Rim Lighting) Strong light behind the subject. Often used to show depth or separation of subject and the background.

Back Lighting

Sound Diegetic: logically heard by characters in the film. Non-Diegetic: not heard by characters, but intended for audience reaction. Often used to help set the mood or tone. A light happy tune can create a warmth for the audience toward a character. An eerie tune can create a sense of tension/fear. A mournful tune can create sympathy. A romantic song can reveal feelings of one character to another. Can be used to foreshadow or create suspense.

Camera Movements Pan: stationary camera that moves from side-to-side. Tilt Zoom Dolly/Tracking Boom/Crane: camera is on a crane over the action.

Editing Techniques Cut Dissolve Wipe Flashback Shot-Reverse Shot Cross-Cutting (AKA: Parallel Editing) Point of View Eye-Line Match Fade