 | Term | Definition |
| |
close-up |
a shot showing a detail only |
| |
cross-cutting |
cutting back and forth between two or more events or actions that are taking place at the same time but in different places |
| |
cut |
an abrupt transition from one shot to another |
| |
cutaways |
a cut away from the primary subject to something the filmmaker has decided is equally or more relevant at that time |
| |
dissolve |
an overlapping transition between scenes where one image fades out as another fades in. Editors often use this to indicate a change in time and/or location |
| |
establishing shot |
a shot, taken from a distance, establishing for the viewer where the action is to occur and the spatial relationship of the characters and their setting |
| |
extreme close-up |
a detail of a close-up (eyes or mouth only, etc.) |
| |
fade in |
a shot that starts in darkness and gradually lightens to full exposure |
| |
fade out |
a shot that starts at full exposure and gradually fades to black |
| |
jump cut |
a cut where two spliced shots do not match in terms of time or place. It gives the effects that the camera is literally jumping around |
| |
long shot |
a shot taken at a considerable distance from the subject. It is one in which the entire body is in frame |
| |
medium shot |
a shot framing a subject at mid range, usually a shot from the waste up |
| |
reverse cutting |
a technique alternating over-the-shoulder shots showing different characters speaking. This is generally used in conversation scenes |
| |
sequence shot |
an entire scene or sequence that is one continuous camera shot. There is no editing. |
