Glossary of editing techniques and transitions.

Editing

Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing is when a scene is edited so it attracts attention to a specific object, character or an event in the film. It gives the film rhythm because it allows you to move through time smoothly.

Transitions

Dissolve

This is a transition which goes from one shot to another fluidly. It allows the scene to keep continuity from a place or person to another. This allows the audience to know that time is passing.

Straight Cuts

A straight cut is the most common type of transition because it keeps the continuity in the film. Also it keeps pace in the selected part of the film.

Fade to black/white

This is where a shot fades either into or out from black or white. This can be effective in a film because it gives the sense of time passing.

Cross-Cutting

This type of transition is used to create links between sequences of the scene. This can create tension in the film.

Jump Cut

This is when there is a quick cut between shots. This is effective when showing futuristic scenes whist in the future.

Fade in/out

This is a shot that fades in and out from a clear black. This causes the effect of progression in time also the sense of chaos.

Wipe

This is where a line moves across the screen allowing transition to happen one shot to another.

Sound

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is heard on and recorded from the location of a film such as speech or sounds.

Non- Diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sound is added when a film is being edited. This is mostly used to add an atmosphere to a scene.

Shot Reverse Shot

A shot reverse shot is where you edit together two shots from two different camera positions. This gives the impression of a conversation taking place.

Match on Action

Match on action is when shots are edited together to show how actions progress through time.

Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-scene means anything that is in the shot. This has come from the French “put in the scene”.

Different types of Mise-en Scene

1.  Location

2.  Costume

3.  Props

4.  Lighting

These are all used to identify something or someone in the scene.

Different types of film genres

COMEDY

ROMANTIC WESTERN

COMEDY

WAR

HORROR

 

ROMANTIC

Glossary of different camera shots, compositions, framing and angles.

Composition

Composition is where objects are placed in a shot. This is used because it could make the whole view of the shot easier to see.

Rule of Thirds

Rule of thirds is where when you are composing a shot image, a grid is drawn over the top of the camera view. This is used because it can show the points of interest where the lines cross.

The Golden Mean

The golden mean is where you are composing a shot image an invisible diagonal is drawn from one corner to another. It can show the points of interest of the shot which occurs along that line.

Framing

Framing means what you choose to be shown in a particular shot. You also choose what should be taken out which could be beneficial for the entire shot taken.

Extreme long shot (ELS)

This type of shot is used to show the surroundings of a specific place where the film takes place or for a specific section of the film. It is also useful when seeing speed sequences because you are able to see everything that is happening while something is happening.

Long shot (LS)

This shot is where the person in the shot takes up almost all the frame. This is used to show a character in a certain environment.

Mid shot (MS)

A mid shot is a camera shot which allows you to view the subject in the film with more analysis whilst also being able to look at the rest of him not just his emotions. The advantages of using mid shot whilst filming is that you are able to see thing that might be happening behind the subject or what he is doing physically for example moving his hands due to tension.

Medium Close Up (MCU)

This is used to show emotion on the persons face without getting uncomfortably close to them.

Close UP (CU)

This shot is used in filming because it will zoom in on a part of his body which may show emotion or some other charaterstic the subject may be doing at that moment. It is mostly used to show detail of someone or something. When a close up happens the viewer shares the persons feelings which makes the audience more engage in the story.

Extreme Close Up (ECU)

This shot is not commonly used but when it is it brings great dramatic effect to the film because and extreme close up focuses plainly on the subject’s emotion which they are feeling in that specific moment. Also it may show detail of an object.

Cut Away (CA)

This is a shot that when something is happening, it suddenly goes to another subject which may relate to the other subject in that particular scene. It is used a buffer between shots.

Two Shot

This shot is great for showing relationships between subjects of the scene. It is also used in like action scenes like if their running from something it could improve tension because you have two different emotions from the subjects.

Over the Shoulder Shot

This shot is filmed from a subject who is speaking to another subject. This allows you to feel part of the conversation their having and able to see their reactions to what they are being told.

Noddy Shot

The Noddy shot is usually used in interviews because it shows the person who the subject is speaking to reactions to the questions asked. It is usually edited so it flows smoothly.

Point of view Shot

This shot shows the image that the subject is seeing. It is usually edited so you would easily be able to know whose perspective it is.

Camera Movement

Low Angle Shot

This shot is taken from below the subject so this gives the feeling of authority and makes the viewer feel inferior cause your not eye level with the subject.

High Angle Shot

This shot is taken from above so you are looking down at the subject. This allows the viewer to feel overpowering and gives the subject the sense of helplessness.

Pan

This shot allows the camera to move left and right which gives the sense of speed. It is usually placed onto a tripod so it flows smoothly.

Tracking Shot

This type of shot is used to give a sense of speed during an action scene. Also with this shot it is put on a dolly so it stays the same height and that it flows perfectly.

Tilt

This is where the camera pans vertically which gives you the sense of how high something is.

Zoom in/out

This is where the camera focuses on something by zooming in and out. This is used to identify a key detail in a shot

Canted/ Dutch Angle Shot

This is where the camera is positioned not straight towards the subject. This can give the sense of insanity of a scene happening.

Steadicam/Handheld

This is where the camera moves around the action happening. It also gives the sense of realism which makes the viewer keener to watch.

Crane Shot

This shot is at a high angle which looks down on the subject. The crane can tilt, pan and track during filming.

Aerial Shot

This is where the camera is positioned in something high above the ground. This gives the sense of the size of a place or something.