Filmmaking terms and definitions

Camera angles and definitions framing whats included and excluded in an individual shot. Information and translations of filmmaking in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. How to read a film oxford, 1981 and the film studies dictionary ed. A term for the secondtolast shot of the day on a shoot. While we have endeavored to create as complete a resource as possible, the usage of some terms will vary depending on the country and region in which it is used. It was francis ford coppola who said, the essence of cinema is editing. Each time you create an item, youre creating a new issue with a unique key to identify it. A minor acting role in which an actor may only speak a few lines. It now contains answers to over 150 questions which are commonly asked by new and independent filmmakers and is being continually expanded. A complete glossary of basic filmmaking techniques part. Extreme wide shot a shot in which figures appear small in the landscape. Familiarize yourself with the digital video editing program you will be using.

Click this page to read about the five elements of film form, which are literary design, visual design, cinematography, sound design, and editing. Often used at the beginning of a film or sequence as an establishing shot to. Filmmaking definition, a producer or director of motion pictures, especially one working in all phases of production. A transition often used to compare two completely unrelated objects.

A budgeting term used to describe professionals who influence the creative direction of a film, such the screenwriter, producer, director, and actors. Peruse our lists of industry terms to familiarize yourself with the lingo of your field. This technique has gained popularity in recent years due to the popularity and growing availability of drones. A shot in which a moving camera circles round the subject being photographed. Filmmaker definition, a producer or director of motion pictures, especially one working in all phases of production. Filmmaking definition of filmmaking by merriamwebster. A reference to a storage container lined with a cloth bag, into which cut film or sound stock may be arranged and hung. When you are writing a script there are certain technicalities you need to understand outside of the creative process such as script formatting and.

The most common video editing terms you should know. For novices learning the craft of screenwriting, or professionals with limited understanding of filmfinancing and production terminology, script it. Study film and tv topics like film criticism, filmmaking and animation. In digital audio and video terms, this can be related to a film andor directory from which stored shots or sound segments are selected for use. Film terms glossary cinematic terms definition and. Like many careers, filmmakers and film crews have their own terms and jargon to define their various jobs, duties, materials, equipment, positions, organisations, and more. In the last 4 sections, we were discussed about filmmaking techniques glossary, basic filmmaking terms glossary, film direction technical terms and movie making technical terminology list. The term can include the perspective given by the camera to the depth of focus, height and width of the particular object and action being photographed.

If youre an aspiring film editor, you know your craft matters and you know it also matters how you speak and think about your craft. Simple definitions are provided for often complex terms as a baseline for media literacy. In 16mm and 35mm the camera photographs a slightly square image, with an aspect ratio of 1. Filmmaker meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Apparent camerasubject distance camera appears far away. The painful truth about filmmaking is no one or no film school will teaches you everything about filmmaking. Aspect ratios are usually shorted to leave out the to 1, taking for granted that it will always be in relation to 1, an so 1. Also known as the art and process of capturing visual moving images on camera for filmmaking, cinematography involves the use of several terms which might not be easy to understand for a beginner. These terms are used interchangably to refer to a transition between 2 sequences or scenes. The term shot can refer to two different parts of the filmmaking process. Prepare for film and tv homework and exams with free online flashcards, diagrams, study guides and practice tests.

Filmmaking is a matter of trying to find performances that you believe in and creating images that have emotional power. Apparent camerasubject distance subject seen from head to toe. From cheeseplates to deadcats, lets take a look at some strange filmmaking terms. Learn the important glossary terms as these vocabularies will help with quality research and help with your understanding as you go. To allow flexibility in the degree of elevation, apple boxes are available as full 8 high, half 4 high, quarter 2 high and eighth 1 high sizes. Academy aperture the standard frame mask established by the academy of motion picture arts and sciences in 1932.

Above the line part of a films budget reserved for major players in the production such as the director, producer, writer, main actors, etc. In this weeks episode, im going over some basic videography terms and their definitions remember to subscribe, and please, cal. Review the terms on the filmmaking vocabulary words printout. A complete glossary of basic filmmaking techniques part 1. In a dissolve a first image gradually dissolves or fades out and is replaced by another which fades in over it. Wikimedia commons has media related to film and video terminology. A good filmmaker must know a to z of the film direction technical terms, phrases and definitions. It is wide enough to show the physical setting in which the action is taking place, yet it is close enough to shot facial expression. This involves cutting from one object of certain color, shape, andor movement, to another object of similar color, shape, andor movement. Instructor now that you know about the different application and deployment types, lets discuss some important terms and definitions. Cinematography comprises all onscreen visual elements, including lighting, framing, composition, camera motion, camera angles, film selection, lens choices, depth of field, zoom, focus, color, exposure, and filtration. French movie terms lawless french vocabulary for cinephiles.

Vocabulary of film words with definitions continued filmmaking script writing. Glossary of film making terms n glossary of film making terms o film connection provides unique, mentorbased programs that are affordable, so you can stay in control of your finances. The movement is normally quite fluid except perhaps in some of the wider car chases and the tracking can be either fast or slow. Weve compiled a guide to help you beef up your terminology and learn to communicate about editing like a pro. This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total.

Familiarize yourself with the industry using our glossary of film and cinematography terms. Jun 26, 2016 this is a complete glossary of all filmmaking techniques, its the part 1 section. Filmmaking definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Filmmaking definition is the making of motion pictures. A collection of terminology used in the creation of video and movie productions. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 focus features. Glossary of film terms durham university community. Whether watching a movie at the cinema or at home, its easy to get caught up in a story and not consider all of the work that happens behind the scenes. When it comes to filmmaking, there are a lot of strange terms. Film shots are an essential aspect of a movie where angles, transitions and cuts are used to further express emotion, ideas and movement. Jan 30, 2014 a film set can be a confusing place for an outsider, replete as it is with insider acronyms and strange vocabulary. Filmmaking dictionary definition filmmaking defined.

Memorize important filmmaking terms, definitions and concepts. The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 251 total. Apparent camerasubject distance camera appears far away long shot. Prepare for homework and exams with quizlet s free online flashcards, diagrams, study guides and practice tests. A scratch on the base can be alleviated with wet gate printing. Assess their definitions for accuracy by using the filmmaking vocabulary words with definitions.

Guide to cinematic terms glossary of films terms and language. Jun 28, 2016 the painful truth about filmmaking is no one or no film school will teaches you everything about filmmaking. This article will help you to learn about basic filmmaking terms. Evaluate students comprehension of filmmaking terms and smallgroup work through completed versions of the interactive crossword puzzles tool. So called because these names used to appear above an actual line on old budget formats, separating them from. Creating images of the shots you plan to shoot in your film. Filmmaking definition in the cambridge english dictionary. The dictionary is an extensive online reference of film, video and audio terminology as applicable to production and post production. Lets take a look at some of the stranger filmmaking terms out there and figure out what they mean.

This common language is essential for writers, directors, camera operators, and cinematographers to effectively communicate visual elements of a shot, particularly. Learn what you need to get good grades in your classes. This is a complete glossary of all filmmaking techniques, its the part 1 section. Therefore, some of the most basic and common terms are defined in this compendium for reference. Oftentimes, filmmaking terms are not clearly defined for the average person. In filmmaking and video production, a shot is a series of frames that runs for an uninterrupted period of time. Film direction technical terms and definition part 3 f. Film direction technical terms and definition part 3 fl. Cinematography is the art of photography and visual storytelling in a motion picture or television show. These examples are from the cambridge english corpus and from sources on the web. Shows a character usually cut off across the legs above or below the knees. To perform their jobs, they must have an understanding of film and the language. Terms used for a shotwhen the camera is being moved by means of wheels. Lets take a look at some of the stranger filmmaking terms out there and figure out what they mean c47.

Memorize important film and tv terms, definitions and concepts. In order to be knowledgeable about the moviemaking art form and the techniques of cinema, one must understand the fundamental vocabulary and language of film studies. Dec 15, 2016 it was francis ford coppola who said, the essence of cinema is editing. An apple box is a wooden box used to raise furniture or actors ie make a shorter actor taller.

Learn what you need to get good grades in film and tv classes. O ne of the first things students are taught in film school is the nomenclature of the basic types of camera shots. Unlike recans a shotend is something less than 400 feet. Clear explanations of natural written and spoken english. Depending on the speed, this shot has different connotations, eg. Scratch damage to a film in the form of a long gouge of either the emulsion or the base.

Backlighting lighting design the main source of light is behind the subject, silhouetting it, and directed toward the camera. Shot a shot is the film exposed from the time the camera is started to the time it is stopped. While we have endeavored to create as complete a resource as possible, the usage of some terms will vary depending on the. This one is the last part of filmmaking terms technical glossary.

Basic definitions of terms aerial shot a shot taken from an airborne device, generally while moving. Glossary moviola filmmaking terms for further understanding. A technique of photography which permits all distance planes to remain clearly in focus, from closeup range to infinity. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary editors or of cambridge university press or its licensors. Transitions a line or a graphic shape moves across the screen. This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. The content of a film written in detail and separated into numbered sequences by the screenwriter. Spielberg allegory mostly a literary term, but taken in film terms to mean a. For each student, make a copy of the filmmaking vocabulary words printout, types of shots, types of angles, sample script, movie project planning sheet, and sample storyboard, and storyboards optional. A camera shot filmed from an airplane, helicopter, blimp, balloon, kite or high building higher than a crane.

This glossary of motion picture terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts related to motion pictures, filmmaking, cinematography, and the film industry in general. The columbia film language glossary is a teaching tool designed to enhance the study of film. The glossary features key terms in film studies selected by. Started in 1994, the internet filmmakers faq is one of the oldest filmmaking resources on the internet. To perform their jobs, they must have an understanding of film and the language involved in the filming and editing process.

Get ready to learn some filmmaking phrases in film set 101. A term used in film production more than as a term in film analysis. Example if applicable abby singer shot a nickname for the secondtolast production shot of the day. Should you find yourself suddenly thrust on set and expected to know your way. This comprehensive glossary is provided as a reference for novices learning the craft of screenwriting or professionals with a limited understanding of filmfinancing and production terminology. A basic guideline regarding the onscreen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene.

A to z glossary of cinematography terms entertainism. Every tax season, the april filing deadline gets the most attention. Learning the lingo is a rite of passage that every filmmaker has to go through. The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 250 total. In order for a film to come to life, however, it takes a significant amount of technical expertise by a highly trained crew of professionals. Read about the key terms associated with cinematography shot types and about the different types of shots in general by visiting this page.