Basic film terms

 Frame

 

Dividing line between the edges of the screen image and the enclosing darkness of the theater. Single photo of film or the smallest piece of images. A single still image in a series of images

 The shot

Cinematic shots are defined by the amount of subject matter within the frame. A shot defines a continuous camera take with out disruption. Shot can vary in duration

Shots vary in time from subliminal ( a few frames) to quick ( less than a                            second) to "average" ( more than a second but less than a minute) to lengthy                           (more than a minute) 

The scene

 A scene defines the place or setting where the action is being filmed. Each new place (setting) may be a new scene.

The sequence

A sequence is a series of scenes or shots that complete a subject or an idea. A sequence may occur in a single setting or in several settings (places). A sequence ends when the subject matter changes.

Types of shots

There are many types of shots.. Such as,

• Establishing shot
  
  
  

• Long shot

• Medium shot

• Close up shot 

• Extreme close-up

• Over the shoulder shot

Establishing shot ( Extreme long shot or Wide shot)

Shot taken from a great distance, almost always an exterior shot, shows mush of locale. As well as for opening and closing

Long shot

A shot taken from a sufficient distance to show a landscape, a building or a large crowd. And also for an overview of location and action or to include a crowd of people.

Medium shot ( MS/ Mid shot)

Shows two people in full figure or several people from the waist up to give more of an idea of what a character looks like and a similar sense of setting/action to that of a close up. That involves the audience a little more closely to the action at hand.

Close-up (CU)

A shot of a small object or face that fills the screen and shows detail or facial expression, thoughts and feelings of a character. As well as adds importance to object photographed.

Extreme close - up (ECU)

A shot of a small object or part of a face that fills the screen. That for moments of high drama.

Over the shoulder shot

Usually contains two figures, one with his/her back to the camera, and the other facing the camera.

Types of angles

The camera angle determines both the audiences viewpoint or how they see the story and the physical amount of area covered in a shot. The angle is determined by where the camera is placed not the subject matter. As well as angles can serve as commentary on the subject matter.

There are many types of angles. Such as.

• Bird's eye view

• High angle

• Low angle

• Oblique angle

• Point of view (POV)

• Eye level

Bird's eye view

Camera is placed directly overhead and extremely disorienting. And also viewer is godlike.

High angle

Camera looks down at what is being photographed. And takes away power of subject, makes it insignificant. On other hand it gives a general overview.

Low angle

Camera is located below subject matter and increases height and power of subject.

Oblique angle

Later tilt of the camera so that figures appear to be falling out of the frame. That suggests tension ans transition. As well as sometimes used as the point of view of a drunk

Point of the view (POV)

A shot taken from the vantage point a particular character or what a character sees.

Eye level

Roughly 5 to 6 feet off the ground, the way an actual observer might view a scene.

Camera movement

• Pan (Right/ Left)

• Tilt  (Up/Down)

• Dolly (In/Out)

• Boom

• Zoom

Editing

• Cut

• Dissolve

• Fade out/ Fade in

• Wipe

• Iris

There are four basic styles of film making. Such as,

1. Documentary

2. Narrative

3. Instructional

4. Experimental