Key Words - Cinematography Flashcards
Term: Extreme long / Establishing shot (ELS)
Definition: Often a view of an exterior location used as an establishing shot to show a panoramic view of where the film/scene is set.
Term: Long shot (LS)
Definition: Clearly shows full body to show location or relationship with characters.
Term: Medium shot / Mid-shot (MS)
Definition: Shows a character’s upper body, arms and head, allowing some elements of body language and setting to be exposed.
Term: Two-shot
Definition: Shows two characters; their proximity and the framing of the shot are indicators of the characters’ relationship.
Term:Close-up (CU)
Definition: The whole of the character’s face fills the full frame while showing their emotions.
Term: Extreme close-up (ECU)
Definition: Allows the viewer a focused view on the character’s face to reveal details or emotions.
Term: Over-the-shoulder shot
Definition: Usually used to shoot a conversation, the camera is positioned behind one of the characters, taking in their shoulder, while filming the other character.
Term: Overhead/aerial shot
Definition: The shot is taken up high - looking down. It is most frequently used as an establishing shot to set the scene.
Term: High-angle shot
Definition: Usually taken from just above head height; using this shot can make the character look small and insignificant.
Term: Low-angle shot
Definition: By setting the camera lower than eye level and looking up at the subject, characters dominate the frame and look heroic or threatening.
Term: Subjective / POV shot
Definition: The camera replaces the viewpoint of the character.
Term: Zoom
Definition: Creates the illusion of movement by starting off viewing its subject from a distance then zooming in (using a lens with a variable focus length) to look at a small part of it in much greater detail.
Term: Hand-held
Definition: Used to create a sense of reality - often used in documentaries.
Term: Pan/whip pan
Definition: When the camera moves from left to right or vice versa. This can be used to follow a person as they move across a room.
Term: Tracking shot
Definition: A dolly is mounted on a track and follows a subject from behind, alongside or in front.
