Topic 14: Basic film glossary

● main types of shots ● digital and traditional visual recording techniques – advantages and disadvantages ● main film-making equipment ● filming on location and filming on set – advantages and disadvantages ● other film vocabulary

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– this topic gives you the advantage of focusing on your particular field of interest, whether it be animation, production, technical support, etc. Make sure you can describe stages of film production (live action or animation), different crew responsibilities, different members of cast, etc.

main types of shots

Even if you’re already familiar with basic shots, here’s a video showing them one by one, with the caption in English. Not perfect, but the first minutes will do.

practice explaining these shots in English, using examples (i.e. what the viewers see on the screen, how the camera move, etc.)

Close-up
Medium Shot
Long Shot (Wide Shot)
High Angle Shot
Low Angle Shot
Eye-level Shot
Reverse Angle Shot
Over the shoulder Shot
Worm’s Eye Shot
Bird’s eye Shot
Tracking
Panning
Dollying
Tilting
Zoom
Pull Focus
Crane / Boom Shot, etc.

digital and traditional visual recording techniques

For some inspiration and vocabulary on digital filmmaking techniques, watch this two-part generous behind-the-scenes video on the digital techniques used in Sin City. Interesting insights and very useful tips with great vocabulary by Robert Rodriguez:

For more film making vocabulary (including animation) here are some suggestions

concept
inspiration
story development
adaptation
funding
budget
schedule
cast
crew
short film
feature (full length) film
script
screenplay
storyboard
cinematography
location
shoot (shot, shot!)
scene
set
background
take (n)
stock
footage
editing
lighting
analogue
digital
CGI
reel
film stock
stages of production
release
rating
review
screening
box-office
equipment, etc.

the film set

the camera crew

television studio

studio and control room

production control room

television studio camera

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as always, feel free to leave a comment, ask, recommend : )

Sn