Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it. Show
Abby Singer ShotAn Abby Singer shot is the name for the second-to-last shot of the day. It is named after Abby Singer, a famous assistant film director and production manager. Movie TermsAbove the LineAbove the line is the costs of making a movie associated with the major creative talent, including the director, actors, writers, and producers. Films with special effects will also have a greater number of above the line costs than films without special effects. Film TerminologyAerial ShotAn aerial shot is a shot filmed from far overhead. The shot is typically obtained from a plane, blimp, drone, or other aerial device. When an aerial shot opens a film, it is referred to as an establishing shot. Film VocabularyAllegoryAn allegoryis essential an extended metaphor. When a film suggests a correspondence or resemblance with a visible part of the film (character or event) to an abstract meaning that exists outside of the film. CINEMA TERMSAlliterationAlliterationis a literary technique when two or more words are linked that share the same first consonant sound, such as “fish fry.” cinematography termsAllusionAn allusion is an implied or indirect reference to something, used either in general discussion, or within a text — a novel, play, movie, song, TV show, video game, or even a T-shirt. Cinema TermsAmbient LightAmbient light is natural light (Sun, Moon, etc.) or pre-existing light in a location before any additional lighting is added. Ambient light is typically soft, that exists around the subject of the scene. Cinematography TermsAngleAn angle is the relative position of the camera in relation to the subject. This could be a low-angle shot looking up, a high-angle looking down, or even a Dutch angle where the camera is tilted on the y-axis. Movie Related WordsAngle On Angle on is the act of directing the camera to move and focus on a particular subject. Film Terms GlossaryAnimationAnimation is a type of filmmaking in which individual drawings of inanimate, static objects are filmed one frame at a time. This creates the illusion of movement. Famous animated films include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Lion King. Movie TerminologyAnimeAnimeis a distinct form of animation that has roots in Japan. It is generally recognized by colorful images, highly-stylized backgrounds, and extremely exaggerated facial expressions. The best Cyberpunk movies also take a great deal of inspiration from anime. Movie VocabularyAntagonistAn antagonistis typically known as the villain of the story. However, the antagonist can be a person, group, force of nature, or interpersonal conflict. Film Making WordsAnthology FilmAn anthology film is a movie with multiple parts or segments devoted to differing narratives. They are sometimes linked together by a theme, but it is not necessary. Film Making WordsAnti-ClimaxAn anti-climax is anything following a film’s high point, the climax, that is seen as a disappointing or unsatisfying let-down. Usually, what you expected to happen didn’t happen. Movie Dictionary TermsAnti-HeroAn anti-hero is the protagonist of a film who lacks the generally-accepted attributes of a traditional hero. A protagonist who is plagued with character defects or ambiguous morals (e.g., Walter White in Breaking Bad). Production TerminologyApertureAn aperture is the opening of a camera lens that controls the amount of light allowed to pass through and actually contact the film. Aperture is part of the exposure triangle with shutter speed and ISO. Production TerminologyApple BoxAn apple box is a different sized (quarter, half, full, pancake) wooden boxes used for a variety of purposes. Production TerminologyAperture |