Realism is a style of filmmaking that aims to present the film as realistically as possible. A caption is a printed line of text you find at the bottom of a frame that describes or translates what characters are doing/saying. The rose in Beauty and the Beast has become an icon. This value is based on criteria like set design and costumes. It was a competing yet inferior tape format to both beta and VHS. There are unions for writers, actors, directors, and others to help those workers negotiate contracts, pursue rights, and receive recognition. Afterwards, post-production is carried out using video editing methods, which completely eliminates the need for 35mm film. Depth of field is the depth of a shot’s focus in relation to the foreground, middle-ground and background. Subtext is the deeper meanings of a character’s actions or spoken lines. A single object or part of an actor’s body will appear in the frame. Basic film terminology: equipment and devices. Focus is the degree of distinctness or sharpness in an image. Ambient light is natural light (Sun, Moon, etc.) An arc shot is a shot that captures a subject while moving around in a circle. Many times, the main characters will be older, reflecting on the events just witnessed. Generally, a director will block a shot before bringing the actors on set to actually film. Ferris Bueller breaks the fourth wall at the very end of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Sepia Tone is an image that was originally black and white but has been converted into a sepia tone, which is a dark olive brown. It was part of the French New Wave movement and popularized in the states by David and Albert Maysles. Alliteration is a literary technique when two or more words are linked that share the same first consonant sound, such as “fish fry.”. Named after Will Hays, chairman of the MPPDA, the organization in charge of regulating censorship in Hollywood. It is often used to portray two individuals involved in a phone conversation. Narration is telling of a story by providing supplemental information given to the audience by a voice offscreen. It portrays an individual in an unrealistic and/or stereotypical fashion. Deus ex machina is the resolution of a plot by what is basically a force from God. Directors will review this footage at the end of the day (or start of the next day) to see what they have so far. You have to understand the reference to get. Back projection (aka rear projection) is a photographic technique in which a live action scene is filmed in front of a transparent screen where a background is added later. Action films are films in which the heroes have lots of battles, do incredible stunts and drive … The Vertigo Effect is a camera technique achieved by tracking backwards while simultaneously zooming toward the subject, or vice versa. This is the version the director would like audiences to see the film. The key grip is the head grip who coordinates all of the duties with the other grips in the crew. This motif can be a person, sound, action, or idea. For example, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl is an archetype. Therefore, there are rules and regulations when working with unions. Star Wars is a cash cow franchise for Disney. On the Waterfront is a naturalistic movie. A master shot is a long take or continuous shot that shows the setting or main action of a whole scene. Subtext: The unspoken emotion, idea, or meaning behind the text or dialogue of a film. This occurs before principal photography begins. As a result, the image on screen appears to be in slow-motion. Subtitles can be used to translate a phrase in a foreign language or to describe a place and time. When there is a mistake, such as an actor wearing different clothing within the same scene, it is referred to as a “continuity error.”. It does not include earnings from DVD/Blu-Ray sales or rentals. Many critics will warn readers with spoiler alerts, so they know to stop reading. They provide a form of overhead view of the scene. They range in size from immense IMAX cameras to modern smartphones. Available light is the naturally-occurring light you find on the film location. The axis of action is an imaginary line that runs between the two primary actors in a scene. A flash-forward is the opposite of a flashback. This emulates the widescreen format typically used on older, box-shaped TV screens. For example, Lance Armstrong has a short cameo in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Hitting a mark is for actors moving to the correct position during rehearsals and while the camera rolls. Claymation is a style of animation where the characters are made out of clay, plasticine, or putty. Daniel Day-Lewis often utilizes method acting to create more realistic performances. It is often used in dialogue scenes and can be combined with an over-the-shoulder shot. Cinerama is a process of wide-screen filming that utilized three cameras and three separate projectors to attain an all-encompassing view of the frame. Rembrandt lighting is a technique utilizing one light and one reflector or two separate lights. A location can either be exterior or interior, and it can take place in a real location or on a studio lot. This results in the captured images appearing in fast motion. Lip sync in film is the process of synchronizing the movement of the mouth with the words on the soundtrack. An overhead shot is when the camera is placed over the actors. Special effects include in-camera effects, miniatures, CGI, rear-camera projections, and stop motion animation. The production designer has the job of creating all of this with the help of the art department. It can also refer to a commonplace or unimaginative shot. An unreliable narrator is a character whose perspective we follow in the story but lacks a certain degree of credibility. Subtext encourages the audience to read between the lines to discern the true meaning of a film. A reel is the metal or plastic spool for winding film. You should also make sure to check out our glossary devoted solely to cinematography terms that really goes into depth about some key terms every filmmaker should know. It is typically done to create a sense of unease within the viewer. It can also establish a relationship between two disparate ideas. It refers to movies made outside the studio system. When a film suggests a correspondence or resemblance with a visible part of the film (character or event) to an abstract meaning that exists outside of the film. A union is an organization that represents the best interests of a certain segment of professionals in the motion picture industry. Dolly shot, tracking shot, trucking shot. A high angle shot is where the scene or subject is filmed from above. Barn doors is slang for the four metal folding doors found on all sides of a light. A shot list is a list provided to the film crew often the day before shooting. This changes the character and effect of the lighting within the frame of the film. A parenthetical may read (angrily) or (calmly) before the dialogue. Pre-Production is the planning stage of a production after a movie has been greenlighted. A showrunner is the individual who has primary creative control and management of a TV show. … This is achieved through a translucent sheet, made from silk or lace, or through a diffuser in front of the light source to cut down on shadows. one who supervises the actors and making of a film. Sound is the audio component of a movie. Credits is the text appearing before or after a film detailing the cast, production crew, and technical personnel who worked on a movie. Visual effects are a subcategory of special effects. A low angle shot is when the subject is filmed from below. Your article had a lot of good film info I hadn’t heard before, so thanks for sharing! This allows the operator to move along smoothly with the action. Camera movement is the act of moving the camera to capture various angles and perspectives. It was created by Garrett Brown, and the operator uses a mechanical harness to take smooth, steady shots, even when the camera needs to move. The Hays Code is a series of censorship restrictions imposed in the 1920s and enforced until the late 1960s. An auteur is the French word for “author.” Most often refers to a director with a distinct or signature style. Non-diegetic sound includes the musical score and narration. A rush is a print of the camera footage from one day’s worth of shooting. They are generally made quickly and designed to look amateurish. Generally, a movie has to gross at least $200 million to be considered a blockbuster (e.g., Jaws, Avengers: Endgame). This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total. A tagline is a short sentence or clever phrase that memorably summarizes the film to a general audience. It is then projected at a standard speed, making the playback appear slower than in actuality. Rough cuts are often used during focus group screenings. Break the Bubble - To tilt the camera off axis. A cast is a term for the collective performers in a film. The following are some fundamental digital editing terms that editors should know: your concise guide to an editing vocabulary. This includes the landscape, social structures, climate, moral attitudes, customs, and codes of behavior. A Director is the artist responsible for total artistic control during all phases of a movie’s production. A character is the individual within a movie, played by an actor. The best Cyberpunk movies also take a great deal of inspiration from anime. The best boy may also schedule what people and equipment are needed on a given day of a shoot. An antagonist is typically known as the villain of the story. With naturalism, life is depicted in an unbiased, stoic way. This is part of the post-production process. A dolly shot is the movie shot where the perspective of the background and subject is altered. Writing a logline is more difficult than it seems. See the dizzying shot during the prom scene in Carrie. The two individuals are then linked to each other, and the audience understands their positions. Predator is a spin-off of both Alien and Predator. A bootleg is an illegally obtained version of a film and distributed online or through the black market. A walk-through is the first rehearsal done on a film’s set. An intermission is a break in the middle of a movie. It also lists which actors are necessary for which scenes. It is generally coupled with a reaction shot to establish the point of view. It is also known as a whip pan. The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 257 total. What is Black Comedy? Often in the best one-liners, punchlines will come instantaneously after a set-up. They are considered high-brow, or “art” films. Familiarize yourself with the industry using our glossary of film and cinematography terms. A Coming-of-Age Film is the movie associated teenagers growing into adulthood through relatable rites of passage. A Gel is a tinted, transparent colored plastic sheet used as a movie light’s filter. It derives its name from Bombay (now Mumbai) and Hollywood. Cut. A bit part is a small acting role. As a verb, it relates to the adjustment or manipulation of a lens to create a far sharper image. It results in a fine-grained aesthetic, which requires more light to film, or a coarse aesthetic, which is preferable for low-light scenes. A Dark Horse is a little-known movie that goes on to become a massive hit either financially or on the awards circuit. This specific shot is known as a miniature shot. Foley: Named after Jack Foley ), this is … It is named after Abby Singer, a famous assistant film director and production manager. These narrators may simply lack all the information necessary to adequately translate the story to the audience, or they have a clear bias. Learn strange sounding movie terms and phrases such as: Apple Box - A small wooden box that is used on set for raising equipment, cameras and (sometimes) actors.. It is also known as Automated Dialogue Replacement (or ADR). It is the primary point with the protagonist must confront the antagonist and all of the consequences there within. The total amount of money a movie brings in during its theatrical release. Famous animated films include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Lion King. A composition is the way in which different elements of a scene are arranged on the frame. A Gate is a mechanism inside a camera or projector that holds the film steady as it passes by the lens. Next, it fades into the next scene. It is a quick, but unprofessional, way to create a film, often used by amateur filmmakers or students. It is generally recognized by colorful images, highly-stylized backgrounds, and extremely exaggerated facial expressions. It is this person’s job to photograph images for a movie by selecting the right lenses, film stock, camera angles, and recording devices to use. This is done before the cameras start to roll. It’s supposed to tease what the film will be about. It is the scene that provides closure, such as in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. B-movies generally come from independent producers. . It exaggerates the disparity, depth, and distance between the background and foreground. A tilt shot is when a camera tilts down or up along a vertical axis. This glossary aims more towards cinematography terms but we also have an essential guide to film terminology that every filmmaker needs to know. A transition where one shot is instantly followed by another. Dope sheet: A list of scenes that have already been filmed, usually compiled by the assistant cameraman. An example of this would be the aspect ratio narrowing when an actor walks through a narrow passageway. A gruesome, gothic melodrama. Roger Ebert is one of the best-known film critics to ever live. A lavalier is a small microphone that is clipped or taped to an actor to record dialogue. A general release is the widespread distribution and simultaneous exhibition of a movie. Deadpan is a comedic device in which a performer assumes an expressionless demeanor to deliver comedic lines or performances. director. This could diegetic sound (e.g., dialogue, Foley sound, etc.) Acquiring ambient noises helps improve the movie’s sense of realism. They aren’t always necessarily the creator of the show, but they’re almost always a writer. The camera operator works under the supervision of the director as well as the director of photography. It typically captures the actor from the waist up, while a medium close-up is from the chest up. A nickelodeon is a business that might be described as a "movie arcade." A two shot is a close-up or medium shot of two people, who are typically talking to one another. It is also known as reverse action. The performer may receive a call-back for additional readings. For example, the soundtrack could connect two scenes instead of visual images. Avengers: Infinity War ended on a cliffhanger that lead into Avengers: Endgame. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or an analogy between them. Index of articles related to motion pictures, Official film and television co-production in Australia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Film_and_video_terminology&oldid=951396388, Template Category TOC via CatAutoTOC on category with 201–300 pages, CatAutoTOC generates standard Category TOC, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 April 2020, at 23:25. The list below includes some basic vocabulary for talking and reading about your favourite movies, directors and movie stars. It is also known as a pirated film. For example, the great white shark in Finding Nemo is named Bruce, the name of the mechanical shark used for Jaws. Usually, these will be in separate places or locations, and the cut combines the two. Some of the other rules included shooting on location and using hand-held cameras. When multiple images appear in fast enough succession, the brain blends them into a single, persistent, moving image. It has roots in German Expressionism and is also known as high-contrast lighting. Technically, it refers to the dialogue, sound effects, and musical score that accompanies a film. Nitrate film base is a type of film base that was highly-flammable. This can be done to create an artistic effect showcasing discontinuity. A digital production is a movie on filmed with digital video by means of high-resolution cameras. It can be a very effective tool for developing curiosity, suspense, and even narrative harmony at the end of a film or novel. A cliffhanger is the film that ends with the primary conflict unresolved. Iconography is the use of a famous icon or symbol. It is also known as a bird’s eye view shot. Reverse motion is a camera trick created by running the film backwards within the camera or in the middle of optical printing. If you see a term you didn't recognize or understand, it's hopefully in this list. Looping is the process in which an actor re-records dialogue during post-production. It is helmed by a second-unit director and a subordinate crew. A crawl is the superimposed text on the screen that can move up, down, diagonally, or across. The bacteria in War of the Worlds could be considered a deus ex machina, one of many cliches to avoid. Location sound is also referred to as a buzz track. It results in an effect similar to superimposition. In-camera editing is used for filming in the precise order needed for the final product. In terms of camera distance with respect to the object within the shot, there are basically 7 types of shots; extreme close-up; close-up; medium close-up; medium shot; medium long shot; long shot; extreme long shot or distance shot. It is one of many different lighting techniques. A cue card is the large board with dialogue printed on it to help an actor remember his or her lines. A fade is a transitional tool that consists of a slow change in intensity of a sound or image. Cinéma Vérité is a French word meaning “true cinema.” It is a filmmaking style dedicated to capturing “real life” or utilizing techniques in a fictional film that suggest the viewer is peering into the lives of the characters. They provide a chance for the audience to use the restrooms or get more snacks. A Flag is a black, light-absorbing cloth (duvetine) stretched on a metal frame and used to block out areas of light in all different sizes. IMDB Movie Terminology Glossary 1. Hands on legal advice about entertainment, film, television, or production in Los Angeles for producers, writers, directors, actors, production companies and business owners. These films were described as being high saturated with vivid colors and a three-color dye transfer system. They are not as common today but still happen every so often, like in The Hateful Eight. It interrupts the natural order of the story to show what will happen in the future. An Art-House is a niche movie theater that specializes in playing non-mainstream indie films, foreign films, or small-budget films. A Gaffer is the head electrician in the film crew on a movie set. This created the illusion of depth movement. A hybrid is a movie that combines elements of two distinct genre types. A screen is a mesh on a metal frame used to cut the intensity of light without blocking it out. White may not appear “white” under all lighting conditions, so this helps correct it. However, in popular circles, it refers to an assortment of songs heard through the film, which is then sold as an album. It often provides information that will help the audience better understand the plot and is the opposite of an epilogue. A Gaffer Tape is a strong fabric-backed tape that is easily removed when no longer needed. Memorize them, there will be a quiz at the end of the list. The movement was lead by a group of film students, such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese with a passion for filmmaking and the desire to challenge the stagnant status quo. A frame with high contrast has a sharp delineation between the bright and dark elements. It is the opposite of a push in. This makes the subject appear small in the frame. Asynchronous is a situation when audio tracks are out of unison with the visuals in the frame. Spaghetti westerns were generally filmed in Spain or Italy during the 1960s and they were often characterized by sparse dialogue and low production values. It is generally off-center and angeled.