Technical Language of Moving Image - Year 8
See Year 7 sheet for explanations of basic shots, angles and movements.
Camera Shots
Establishing Shot - ES
Long Shot - LS
Mid/medium Shot - MS
Close Up - CU
Big/Extreme Close Up - BCU/ECU
Point of View Shot - POV
The shot is from a character’s Point-of-view, as if you are seeing things through their eyes. It helps the audience to identify with the character.
Over the Shoulder Shot
The shot is from behind a character as if you are looking over their shoulder; used a lot in soap operas. It makes the audience feel as if they are there with the characters; it helps to draw them into the action.
Bird’s Eye View Shot
Camera Angles
High Angle - HA
Eye Level - EL
Low Angle - LA
Camera Movements
Pan
Tilt
Zoom
Track.
Edit Transitions
(Main ones – there are many others)
Cut to
The most common transition, the shot simply moves to the next one.
Fade
Shot fades to black / white etc. and then fades back to the next shot. A dream sequence may fade slowly to white; a quick fade to black may indicate someone being knocked out.
Dissolve
Shot dissolves (disappears) into the next shot. Could indicate someone remembering something.
Jump cut
Shot jumps to the next one. If done very quickly and shot lengths are short, can make it seem very exciting and active. Used a...
