Elements of Film Basic Film Terms

Shot: a segment of film; an image that begins when the camera is started and ends either when the camera is stopped or the shot is replaced by a new image.

Basic Film Elements Scene: a unit of film composed of a number of interrelated shots

Basic Film Terms Frame: the perimeter of the viewing screen Mise-en-scene (frame composition): in French, this term means what is in front of the camera; it refers to the visual style of a scene, or the arrangement of lighting, props, characters, setting, etc.

What can you tell me about this scene based on its mise-en-scene?

Basic Film Terms Cinematography: the making of lighting and camera choices when recording film for cinema.

Basic Camera Shots Establishing shot: a wide-angled shot that provides a view of the setting.

Basic Camera Shots Full Shot: An image in which the distance between the camera and subject is far, usually showing the full shot of a person.

Basic Camera Shots Medium Shot: a relatively close shot, revealing some detail. (generally includes the subject from the waist or knees up.

Basic Camera Shots Close-up: a detailed view of the subject, especially on the subjects face.

Basic Camera Shots Extreme Close up: a magnified view of something that fills the entire frame.

Blair Witch Project

Basic Camera Shots Zoom In: when the camera moves in on a person or object and focuses in on the small details.

Basic Camera Shots Zoom Out: when the camera moves out, loses focus on a specific object or person, and shows the surrounding setting.

Basic Camera Shots Crane Shot: a shot taken from a crane which can move the camera in virtually any direction; shoots from great heights

Basic Camera Shots Tracking Shot (or dolly shot): a shot taken from a moving vehicle or other wheeled device.

Camera Angles Camera Height: the height at which the camera is positioned. How does the camera height affect how you see this picture?

Camera Angle Low Angle Shot: a shot in which the image is photographed from below.

Low Angle Shot What effect does it have on this scene?

Camera Angles High Angle Shot: a shot in which the subject is photograph ed from above; camera is placed high and aims downward