Key Terms for Media

1. Key Terms Example Definition/Types
Angle
High and low angle
Birds eye view- directly down
Worms eye view- directly up
Canted angle/ Dutch angle- tilted
Movement
Pan- static camera movement- left
to right
Whipped pan
Tilt- tilting to follow action
Track dolly camera moves with the
action
Crane or mechanical shot- high
sweeping movements
Steadicam
A camera support system that
facilitates smooth and flexible
movement of camera through a
space by a single camera operator.
Zoom/ reverse zoom
Hand held- Camera is literally
strapped to the camera mans waist
to avoid shakier movement from
the hand.
Deep focus
and shallow
focus
Elements at different depths are
still in focus.
Shallow focus is used for close ups
for the viewer to focus on the
character

2. Rule of
Thirds
A device used in filming where the
frame is divided into 9 sections
Eyeline
match
Characters are positioned to
preserve spatial continuity. So
when character is talking to
character they contain eye contact
throughout. This is also used in
editing
Camera
Pull Shot
Aerial focus
Camera
Longshot – establishes the
character and the environment in
which they are in. Also used to
show body language and costume.
Close up – focuses on the detail of
the person or object.
Medium
close up
We can see the detail of the
subject however we can also see
part of the background.

3. Medium
shot
Used in a dialogue sequence as the
audience can see body language as
well as facial expressions to convey
emotion and also captures
significant action.
Establishing
shot
Establishes where the action is
going to occur, often used at the
start of a sequence.
Camera
Point of view – offers the viewer to
see the perspective of the
character.
Extreme close up – shows reaction
and emotion in dramatic scenes
Camera
Over the shoulder shot
Two shot
Cantered frame