Common terms used in filmmaking and video editing.

Mastering filmmaking terminology not only helps you work more professionally on set but also enables you to think systematically about visuals right from the scriptwriting stage. This article will systematically organize all the most important terms, divided by production stages, to help you confidently step into the world of professional filmmaking.

What are the terms used in filmmaking?

Essentially, filmmaking terminology is a system of specialized vocabulary describing the techniques, equipment, production processes, and aesthetic elements in the field of film and video. The benefits of having a common terminology system include:

• Team unity: Instead of expressing the request in a convoluted way, The director just needs to say the agreed-upon terms. The cameraman will immediately understand where to position the camera and which lens to use.
• Save time: On the film set, Every minute that passes costs money. Terminology helps to communicate orders quickly and accurately.
• Elevating professionalism: Using the correct terminology shows that you have a good foundation of knowledge. This helps build trust with customers and partners.
• Visual thinking: Terms related to camera angles, Scene sizes help you visualize the film in your head right from the moment you read the script.

Common terms used in filmmaking and video editing.

Terminology in filmmaking is divided into the following main groups:

Filmmaking terminology regarding shot size.

Shot size refers to the width of the frame relative to the subject. Choosing the right shot size will determine the emotion and the amount of information conveyed to the audience. Specifically:

• Extreme Long Shot (ELS) – Super Long Shot: The frame encompasses a vast space, with the subject being just a small point. It is often used to showcase a location or the grandeur of nature.
• Long Shot (LS) – Long Shot: Capture the entire figure of the character and a portion of the surrounding background. The purpose is to establish the character's position within the environment.
• Medium Shot (MS) – Medium Scene: The frame is cropped from the waist up. This is the standard shot size for dialogue because it resembles a realistic viewpoint when we're talking.
• Medium Close-Up (MCU) – Medium close-up shots: Taken from the chest up. This angle focuses on facial expression while still capturing the movement of the shoulders and arms.
• Close-Up (CU) – Close-up shot: Capture the character's entire face. This term is used when the director wants the audience to focus entirely on the character's inner thoughts or emotions.
• Extreme Close-Up (ECU) – Super close-up shots: Focus on a small detail, such as the eyes, lips, or a tiny object. This creates drama and emphasizes the detail to the extreme.
• Full Shot (FS) – Wide Shot: Capture the character's entire body from head to toe, focusing on the character's actions and posture within the space.

Wide-angle footage shot with a drone in the Phu My x Right Media project.

Camera angle terminology

Camera angles reflect the director's perspective on the character, creating a psychological connection between the character and the audience.

• High Angle: The camera is positioned to look down from above. This term refers to the subject appearing weak, small, or out of place within the frame.
• Low Angle: The camera is positioned low, looking up. In contrast to a high angle, a low angle creates a sense of power, authority, or intimidation for the character.
• Eye Level – Horizontal Eye Level Angle: This is the most common camera angle, creating a sense of equality and realism, just like what the human eye sees in reality.
• Bird's Eye View Vertical cameras (usually drones) are used to observe large-scale planning projects or major events from above.
• Worm's Eye View – A perspective from the worm: The camera is positioned close to the ground, looking upwards, creating a unique and majestic perspective on ordinary objects.
• Dutch Angle – Angle of inclination: The camera is positioned off-axis relative to the horizon. This term describes mental instability, madness, or extreme tension.
• Point of View (POV) – Subjective Perspective: The camera acts as the character's eyes, allowing the audience to directly experience what the character is seeing.

Machine motion terminology

Camera movement creates rhythm and dynamism in the film, preventing the story from becoming boring.

• Panning: The camera remains stationary on its stand but rotates horizontally (from left to right or vice versa).
• Tilt (Tilting): The camera remains stationary but nods up or down vertically.
• Dolly: The entire camera moves along a track, moving closer to or further away from the subject (Dolly In/Dolly Out).
• Zoom: Change the lens focal length to enlarge or reduce the subject. Note: Zoom differs from Dolly in that Zoom does not change perspective.
• Pedestal: Move the entire camera body up or down vertically.
• Traffic: The camera moves horizontally, parallel to the character's action (often mounted on a track or trolley).
• Handheld: Manual handheld filming. This term evokes the authentic, natural shaking of documentary or action films.
• Steadicam/Gimbal: These devices help keep the camera stable and smooth even when the person filming is running.

Right Media used gimbals to stabilize the camera while filming the LCB project.

Filmmaking terminology related to equipment and specifications.

Mastering the technical specifications is a prerequisite for obtaining a high-quality image.

• FPS (Frames Per Second): Frames per second. The standard for cinema is 24fps, television is 30fps, and slow-motion is usually 60fps or higher.
• Aperture: The aperture of the lens. It is denoted by f/stop. The larger the aperture (smaller f-number), the more light enters and the more blurred the background (bokeh effect).
• Shutter Speed: The time the sensor remains open to receive light. In filmmaking, this speed affects motion blur.
• ISO: The sensor's sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO, the clearer the camera sees in the dark, but it will also cause more noise.
• White Balance: Adjust the settings so that the white in the video is true white, avoiding a blue or yellow tint in the image due to ambient light.
• Depth of Field (DOF): The depth of field (DOF) determines the sharpness of the image. A shallow DOF highlights the subject, while a deep DOF makes everything sharp.
• Dynamic Range: The camera's ability to capture detail in both extremely bright and extremely dark areas within the same frame.

Technical lighting terminology

Light is a tool used to create space and time in filmmaking.

• Key Light: The primary light source shines on the character, determining their form and the main direction of their shadows.
• Fill Light: The light is less intense than the main light and is used to fill in the shadows, making facial details clearer.
• Backlight: Projecting from behind the character. This term refers to creating a bright outline around the hair and shoulders, separating the character from the background.
• Three-point Lighting: The classic three-point lighting technique uses a combination of key, fill, and backlight.
• Practical Light: Light sources that appear directly in the scene include table lamps, candles, or wall-mounted light bulbs.
• Ambient Light: Ambient light is available at the scene (such as sunlight coming through a window).
• Hard Light & Soft Light: Harsh lighting (creates sharp shadows) and soft lighting (creates smooth, flattering shadows).

Behind-the-scenes photos of the SHTP x Right Media project using direct lighting at the factory.

Filmmaking terminology related to post-production.

After filming is complete, the raw files go through a post-production phase with specific terminology.

• Color Correction: This step involves restoring the colors to their accurate state, balancing the brightness and white levels that may have been distorted during filming.
• Color Grading: The next step is applying color tones to create a unique style for the film (for example, cool blue tones for horror films).
• B-Roll: These supplementary shots are inserted into the video to illustrate the content being discussed, helping to prevent the video from becoming boring.
• Jump Cut: The way the scene cuts between two shots taken from the same angle but with a sudden jump in time creates a sense of urgency.
• Match Cut: The technique involves splicing together two different scenes that share similarities in form or action, creating a seamless connection.
• Keyframe: This is a crucial point in time to set up changes to effects or motion in video editing software.
• Render: The computer process combines all the video, audio, and effects layers into a single file for publication.

Film production process terminology

Understanding the process helps departments coordinate smoothly and stay on schedule.

• Table of contents: Sketches of the camera angles help the entire crew visualize the camera positions before going to the location.
• Call Sheet: A detailed schedule of a day's filming, specifying the times, locations, and tasks of each person.
• Production Assistant (PA): A production assistant is someone who helps with unnamed tasks on a film set.
• Director of Photography (DP/DOP): The director of photography is primarily responsible for framing, lighting, and camera equipment.
• Raw Footage: These are raw, unedited video clips, showing no signs of processing or cutting.
• Slate/Clapboard: The blackboard is used to record scene information, making it easier to synchronize audio and video in post-production.

Filmmaking terminology is more than just names; it's a thinking tool that helps you visualize and bring abstract ideas to life in vivid frames. Start by memorizing and applying these terms in team discussions or when working with editing software. Once you understand the language, your creativity will be limitless.