Basic Film Terminology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a Shot?

A type of lighting

A single piece of film uninterrupted by cuts (correct)

A camera technique

A type of sound

What does an Establishing Shot do?

Sets the scene and shows transitions between locations.

What is the definition of a Long Shot (LS)?

A shot from some distance, showing the full body of a person.

What is a Medium Shot (MS)?

A shot from a medium distance showing a person from the waist up. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a Close Up (CU)?

The image takes up at least 80 percent of the frame. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Extreme Close Up?

A shot focusing on a part of a whole, like an eye or a hand. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Two Shot?

A scene between two people shot to include both characters equally. Signup and view all the answers

What is Eye Level in cinematography?

A shot taken from a character's eye level. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a High Angle shot?

It makes the subject look smaller and potentially weak. Signup and view all the answers

How is a Low Angle shot defined?

The camera films a subject from below. Signup and view all the answers

What does a Pan do in cinematography?

Moves a stationary camera from side to side. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Tilt?

Moves a stationary camera up or down along a vertical axis. Signup and view all the answers

What does Zoom refer to?

A stationary camera where the lens adjusts to change the distance to the subject. Signup and view all the answers

What is Dolly/Tracking?

A camera mounted on a track or vehicle that moves with the action. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Boom/Crane shot?

The camera is mounted on a crane to create overhead shots. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes High Key lighting?

The scene is flooded with light. Signup and view all the answers

What does Low Key lighting do?

Floods the scene with shadows and darkness. Signup and view all the answers

What is Bottom or Side Lighting?

Direct lighting from below or the side that can make a subject appear dangerous. Signup and view all the answers

What is Front or Back Lighting?

Soft lighting on the actor's face or from behind. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cut in editing?

The splicing together of two pieces of film. Signup and view all the answers

What does a Fade signify?

A gradual transition to or from black or white. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Dissolve?

A transition where one image slowly replaces another. Signup and view all the answers

What happens in a Wipe?

A new image wipes off the previous image. Signup and view all the answers

What does a Flashback do?

Cuts or dissolves to action that happened in the past. Signup and view all the answers

What is Shot-Reverse-Shot?

A sequence where one subject is shown, then another, then back. Signup and view all the answers

What is Cross Cutting?

Cutting into action happening simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Eye-Line Match?

Cutting to an object, then to a person to show what they are looking at. Signup and view all the answers

What does Diegetic sound refer to?

Sound that could logically be heard by the characters in the film. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Film Terminology Study Notes

Shot: A continuous piece of film without cuts, essential for storytelling continuity.
Establishing Shot: Sets the scene, often a long shot, establishing location and context for transitions between scenes.
Long Shot (LS): Shows the subject from a distance; when featuring a person, the full body is visible, conveying vulnerability.
Medium Shot (MS): Frames the subject from the waist up, creating a balance between character detail and background.
Close Up (CU): The subject fills at least 80% of the frame, focusing attention on details.
Extreme Close Up: Highlights a specific part of the subject, such as facial features or hands, intensifying emotional connection.
Two Shot: Captures a scene with two characters, often used in dialogues or romantic interactions, emphasizing both equally.
Eye Level: A neutral camera position at the character’s eye level, predominant in realistic storytelling.
High Angle: Positioned above the subject, suggesting weakness or vulnerability.
Low Angle: Captured from below the subject, creating an impression of power or dominance.
Pan: Camera movement side to side on a horizontal axis while remaining stationary, often used to follow action.
Tilt: A vertical camera movement, adjusting the frame to reveal action above or below.
Zoom: Alters the perspective by moving the lens closer or further from the subject, enhancing intimacy or distance.
Dolly/Tracking: Involves moving the camera along a track, or using a vehicle to follow action, creating dynamic storytelling.
Boom/Crane: Camera movement from above, suited for overhead shots and adding drama.
High Key: Utilizes bright lighting to create an open and cheerful atmosphere.
Low Key: Characterized by darker tones, fostering suspense and tension.
Bottom/Side Lighting: Generates dramatic shadows, often indicating danger or malice in the character.
Front/Back Lighting: Softens shadows, creating an innocent or ethereal effect around the subject.
Cut: A primary editing technique where two shots are spliced together, changing the image abruptly.
Fade: Transitional effect that gradually darkens or brightens the image, signaling time shifts or scene endings.
Dissolve: A gradual transition where one image fades into another, linking two scenes thematically.
Wipe: Transition technique where a new image replaces the previous one, smoother than a cut yet quicker than a dissolve.
Flashback: Reenacts past events through cuts or dissolves, providing context or background information.
Shot-Reverse-Shot: Alternating shots between two subjects, commonly used in conversations to depict interaction.
Cross Cutting: Editing technique showing simultaneous actions; also known as parallel editing, used to create excitement or tension.
Eye-Line Match: Cuts from a character to what they are observing, revealing their perspective and emotions.
Diegetic Sound: Soundtrack elements that characters can hear, enhancing realism and immersion in the narrative.

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Description

Learn essential film terminology with these flashcards. Each card defines key terms such as 'Shot', 'Establishing Shot', and 'Long Shot'. Perfect for film students and enthusiasts alike.