Types of Angles

Low Angle: To film this shot, the camera is placed lower than the person or object to be filmed. A low angle is used when you want to depict the power or importance of an individual or object.

High Angle: In order to shoot a high angle, the camera must be placed above the actors or objects, looking down. This is also called a “bird’s-eye view.” This angle is used to make the actors or objects appear more insignificant, small, or weak—depending on how extreme the angle is.

Dutch Angle: In order to film a Dutch angle, the camera has to be tilted to the right or left. A Dutch angle is used to signify suspense or to foreshadow that something unexpected is about to happen. Note: A Dutch angle is also called a canted angle or canted shot. Types of Shots

Extreme Close-up (ECU, XCU) What is it? Subject exceeds the boundaries of the frame. Why use it? Creates intensity or tension when subject is a person, or gives high detail on object.

Close-up (CU or “tight shot”) What is it? Frames a person’s face, cuts off at midneck, usually shows entire head. Why use it? Shows emotion or shows an object in detail.

Medium Close-up (MCU) What is it? Frames head and upper torso, cuts off at mid-chest. Why use it? Close enough to read facial expressions but gives polite distance; reveals a bit of surroundings.

(continued) Types of Shots (Continued)

Medium Shot (MS) What is it? Frames a subject from the waist up. Why use it? Happy medium between CU and LS. With MCU, the most common type of shot. Zoom from MS to MCU for emphasis or conclusion.

Long Shot (LS, FS) What is it? Frames the subject from the feet up or may be slightly further away to show motion. Why use it? Subject is the person, environment is clearly visible. Use it for action, not meaning or emotion.

Wide Shot (WS) What is it? Camera is far away from the action. Why use it? Emphasizes the environment, human subjects are not the point of the shot. Tells the viewer where the story is taking place; can be used to establish a new location (also called an establishing shot). Vocabulary of Film Words With Definitions

Shots Extreme close-up: The subject is much larger than the frame; provides more detail than a close-up. Close-up: The subject is as large as or larger than the frame; reveals much detail. Medium close-up: The subject is closer than a medium shot and further than a close-up. Medium shot: A camera shot from a medium distance, usually showing the characters from the waist up; allows the audience to see body language, but not as much facial expression. Long shot: A camera shot from a great distance, usually showing the characters as very small in comparison to their surroundings. Wide shot (also called establishing shot): The first shot of a new scene and establishes location.

Angles Low angle: A low angle places camera below the character. This exaggerates the importance of the subject, making that character appear larger than life. Dutch angle (also called canted angle or canted shot): This shot is tilted and is used when something crazy is about to happen. High angle (also called bird’s-eye view): The camera looks down at a character. This makes the observer feel more powerful than the character.

Camera Parts Lens: An optical device used by a camera to focus an image. Lens cap: A cap that fits over the lens to protect it. Zoom button: A button on the camera that helps you zoom in or zoom out. Record button: The button on the camera that you press to film. Viewfinder: The small video screen that shows the camera user how the images will appear in the film. Firewire / Capture cable: The cable used to transfer the video clips to the computer.

Tripod Parts Shoe: The connector that attaches the camera to the tripod. Tripod head: The top of the tripod. The shoe fits into the head. Leg locks: The clips that lock the legs in place when you make them longer. Pan-handle: The handle that helps you pan the camera back and forth. (continued) Vocabulary of Film Words With Definitions (Continued)

Filmmaking Script writing: The act of writing a script for a film. Storyboarding: Creating images of the shots you plan to shoot in your film. Plotting: Planning the storyline. What happens in the beginning, middle, and end.

Editing Terms Cut: You cut when you delete part of a clip. Crop: When you crop a clip, you keep the cropped part and the rest is deleted. Title: The name of the film shown as text on the screen. Credits: The actors, locations, and acknowledgements shown as text on the screen. Digital effects: Changes made by the editor to the appearance of the film. The effects available depend on the digital editing program you are using. Footage: The full collection of clips shot while filming. Rough cut: The first assemblage of clips prior to editing.

Transitions Cut: A transition that shifts abruptly from one shot to another. Dissolve: A transition in which one shot appears to dissolve into the next shot, with the images of the second shot gradually replacing the first shot. Wipe: A transition where one shot appears to wipe over and fully replace the previous shot, defined by a definite border that moves across or around the frame.

Note: Many of these definitions were taken from the Internet Movie Database Dictionary http://www.imdb.com/glossary/A