Film Terms

1
Film Terms

• Using Abbreviations for Taking Notes

2
Close-up (cu)

• Focuses on a characters face or an object
• In the case of a face, most of the face is shown
• Helps convey characters reaction to a situation

3
Extreme close-up (ecu)

• Shows a detail close-up, such as a tear in an eye
  
• Makes the object or facial very obvious

4
Medium shot (ms)

• Between a close-up and a full shot, showing most
  but not all of a figure or several objects in
  close proximity
• Can show part of a persons body against a
  backdrop, showing some props in the frame with
  the character

5
Full or long shot (fs)

• Reveals a characters entire body in the frame
• Can show more than one character
• Will show some background behind the character
• Could be a shot without characters if just part
  of a setting is shown in closer range than in an
  extreme long shot would show

6
Three-quarter shot (3/4s)

• Shows only about three-quarters of the
  characters bodies
• Is somewhere between a full shot and a medium shot

7
Pan shot (ps)

• The point of view pivots from the left to the
  right, or vice versa, but without changing its
  vertical axis
• The shot continues without a cut to show
  additional people or objects in the scene with
  the camera pivoting to capture additional details
• The camera is usually affixed to a tripod and
  pivots to show more of the action

8
Shot/reverse shot pattern (r/rs)

• S/rs gives both characters views in conversation
  scenes
• The camera shows the face of one person talking
  and then shifts to show the face of the other
  person when he or she starts talking

9
Cut (ct)

• The film changes from one image to another
• In most contemporary films, a straight cut is
  used
• Editing continuity makes consecutive cuts seem
  seamless so viewers do not notice a change

10
Long take (lt)

• The camera stays on one action without cutting
  for an unusually long time

11
Crane shot (crs)

• The point of view is from above, often of an
  outdoor scene shown from high above
• The camera is mounted on a crane above the scene
  to capture the expanse

12
Tracking shot (ts)

• The entire point of view moves, on tracks or a
  dolly, following, for instance, a walking figure
• The direction that the camera tracks can be
  indicated by using an arrow

13
Low angle (la)

• The point of view is low, tilted upward
• The exact angle can be made clear by using arrows
  when taking notes
• There are numerous reasons for using a la,
  including trying to make a character look
  powerful or domineering

14
High angle (ha)

• The point of view is above, tilted downward
• The exact angle can be made clear by using arrows
  when taking notes
• A ha can make a character look small and inferior