Vocab test 1 Flashcards
Extreme long / Establishing
Used to set the scene or as an establishing shot, often outside. This shot can be taken from as far away as a quarter of a mile.
Master
This shot, like the Establishing Shot also sets up the scene through showing key signifiers, however, whilst the Establishing Shot leans towards showing the setting and location, the Master Shot contains the main characters for the length of the shot.
Long
This shot shows images in ‘life size’ in the context of the distance between the cinema screen and the image: for example, the height of a child might appear to be 3-4 feet. Usually this contains a full body shot.
Medium/mid
A shot that shows a character from the waist up. An alternative to this shot is a two shot (includes two people) and a three shot (includes three people).
Over the shoulder
This shot is taken from ‘over the shoulder’ of a character and is often used to make the audience feel as though they are actually included in the conversation / action. It is a form of point of view (POV) shot.
Point of view (POV)
This shot is taken from the view of the person looking / speaking. POV may be literal (as in this image) or it may be implied when, for example, a character looks off-screen and we then see what they are looking at.
Close up
This shot shows a part of something, for example, someone’s face and is used to draw attention to the thing / person or emotions.
Extreme close up
This shot is even closer than the last one, and creates an image larger than the eye would usually see.
Wide
A shot in which an actor might appear very small against the landscape as the image as a whole gives a much wider view than the individual.
Aerial
: A shot taken from a high viewpoint, as though it is taken from a drone showing a bird’s eye view.
High angle
A shot that is taken from above a character / setting to create a sense of empowerment for the character with Point of View, as it diminishes the figure in the frame.
Low angle
A shot taken from a low angle, this helps to reinforce intimidation or disempowerment for the character with Point of View, as it creates an overwhelming perspective.
Canted angle / Dutch angle
This is a shot taken with a tilted horizon, often used to signify imbalance or uncertainty, but sometimes for aesthetic effect.
Pan
A camera movement along a horizontal axis, with the camera body turning to the left or right on a stationary tripod.
Tilt
A camera movement along a vertical axis, with the camera body turning up or down on a stationary tripod.
Track - very similar to Dolly
Any shot in which the camera body moves forwards, backwards or laterally. This may be on a wheeled support (‘dolly’), or hand-held, possibly with a stabilisation device such as Steadicam.
Dolly- Very similar to Track
A camera support with wheels to facilitate tracking shots. The dolly may move on tracks, or freely on a smooth surface – hence ‘dolly shot’.
Crane
A crane shot involves the camera being mounted on a crane or jib. It enables a wide, high perspective to be achieved, and large-scale tracking shots to be accomplished.
Steadicam
Steadicam is the brand name for a particular kind of camera stabilisation device, which has become a generic term for any similar device. It enables smooth handheld tracking shots, which would otherwise be shaky.
Hand-held
Hand-held camera work, without the use of Steadicam, is characteristically ‘unpolished’; it may involve slight movement, usually used to signify an immediacy and realism, or very erratic movement to communicate peril and excitement.
Zoom
Unlike a tracking shot, where the camera body moves in or out, a zoom shot is achieved by increasing (zoom in) or decreasing (zoom out) the magnification of the object with the camera’s lens.
Reverse zoom
The reverse zoom is a combination of a tracking shot and a zoom shot: the camera tracks towards the subject while zooming out at the same rate. The subject (usually a character) maintains the same position and size in the frame, while the background shifts around them – often used to signify a turning point in the character’s story. A similar effect is achieved by tracking backwards while zooming in.
Diegetic Sound
which has its source in the scene, or ‘world of the film’ (even if it is applied in post sound production). A test for diegetic sound is: would the characters be able to hear this?
Non-Diegetic sound
Sound which does not have its source within the world of the film, for example, mood music, voice-over addressed to the audience.
Foley
Sound effects produced to enhance the realism of actions in the scene, for example, footsteps, the clink of ice in a glass, the sound of a kiss. Foley effects are always produced in post-production and are always diegetic.
Harmony
A term which refers to simultaneous or consecutive musical notes which (according to convention) sound pleasant. In film and TV harmonious music may suggest that all is well in the world.
Dissonance
The opposite of harmony: simultaneous or consecutive musical notes which (according to convention) sound harsh or unpleasant. In film and TV dissonant music is likely to suggest that something is wrong, or about to go wrong in the world.
Pitch
The frequency of a sound. High pitched dissonant strings will magnify the effect of aggression (as in Psycho, for example). Low pitches may sound ominous.
Rhythm
A recurring beat forming a pattern. Rhythms may be rapid or slow, regular or irregular, producing different emotional effects in the viewer/listener.
Room tone
A recording of the sound at the location of a shoot – may be used as part of the soundscape to provide depth and atmosphere.
Soundscape /interchangable with Soundscape
A collection of background sounds which reinforce the realism of a scene – these may be augmented in post-production with, for example, library sound effects, such as crowd murmur. This might also be described as ‘atmosphere’.
Soundbed/ interchangable with Soundscape
In film and TV this may be used interchangeably with ‘soundscape’, but in audio work it usually refers to music played low in the mix in order to create mood or atmosphere.
