1. Film Techniques
with help from

2. Long Shot shows the subject at a distance and includes
the whole background scene. A.K.A. “wide shot”
- It gives a sense of people in relationship to
their environment

3. Medium Shot shows the subject between the extremes of the
long shot and the close-up
- It usually shows a person from the knees or waist up
- It falls under the objective shot category

4. Close - Up only the subject’s head or head and shoulders
fill the screen.

5. It is used to emphasize facial expression
The focus is placed on the emotion of a character
Objects can also be brought into close-up

6. Extreme Close-Up the emphasis is placed on a particular detail,
such as the eyes, mouth, a doorknob turning,
a signature, etc.

7. Point of View Shot (POV)
The camera views the action through the eyes
of a character. A.K.A. “subjective camera”
- POV Angle is shot over the shoulder of a
character – used during conversations

8. Low Angle The camera is low, looking up at the subject
It is often used to emphasize the size of
something

9. High Angle
The camera is high, looking down at the subject

10. Dutch Angle The image is slanted
- It conveys a sense of the world or relationship
being off-balance or unnatural.

11. Framing The use of border or light to surround or set off
a key figure.
- can be a doorway, people, a window pane, etc.

12. Soft Light The use of indirect lighting that spreads and
scatters light to produce a soft, shadowy
quality and gradual shading.

13. Hard Light The use of glaring sunlight or spotlighting to
create dense, sharp-edged shadows.

14. More terms you should know
Complex Shot
the camera stays fixed
Tilt
The camera, fixed on a tripod, moves vertically, up or down
Pan
The camera, fixed on a tripod, turns horizontally, right or left
The camera remains in place but lens action can slide between long shot and a close up in a single shot
Zoom

15. Developing Shot Tracking Shot Crane Shot the camera moves
The camera moves while filming. The camera
may move forward, backward, or sideways to
follow the parallel movements of the actor
- A.K.A. “Dolly Shot”
Crane Shot
The camera is raised or lowered while filming.
- The crane shot may also include horizontal
movement along vertical movement.

16. Montage “quick cutting,” a series of shots spliced
together or dissolving one into the other in
quick succession to compress action. It is a
collection of images that suggests time passing
or conveys the whole through it parts.
All pictures from Lordoftherings.net
Background: Ring Map of Middle Earth Poster thumbnail
6 Jan. 2004
The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Network
M. Lloyd
©2001 New Line Productions, inc. All Rights Reserved. ™The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, inc. All rights reserved