1

FILM/TV TEXTUAL ANALYSIS TERMINOLOGY

Shot Types
Term

Establishing shot Places the characters and action in a context.
Extreme long shot Subject appears small in the frame. Can be used to create a sense of helplessness or insignificance.
Long shot Shows the whole subject, with room to spare at the top and bottom of the frame.
Medium long shot Shows the whole subject, usually filling the frame from head to toe, or from head to knees.
Medium shot Shows the figure from the waist up.
Two shot/Three shot Shows two/three people in shot.
Medium close-up Shows the figure from head to chest.
Close-up Shows head (and shoulders). Can be used to create intimacy or reveal emotion.
Extreme close-up Shows a minute amount of the subject, for example, a tear on a face, a finger on a trigger. Can be used to create
tension or emphasise emotion.
POV (point-of-view) shot Shows a scene from a particular characters viewpoint. The viewer becomes that character. Can encourage empathy
with that character.
Over-the-shoulder shot
A kind of two-shot where the camera views the scene from behind one characters shoulder. Can create some
tension and a sense of expectation.




2


Camera Angles
Term Camera Placement Meaning/Effect (Depending on Context)
Eye-level shot Camera is set horizontal to the subject. Realistic, usual shot.
Low-angle shot Camera is below the subject, looking up. Can make character appear larger, more imposing,
powerful, or threatening.
High-angle shot Camera looks down on the subject. Can make character appear vulnerable, insignificant or
small.
Birds eye
view/overhead/top shot
Camera is at an extreme high angle Shows an overall view of the situation. Can suggest
objectivity.

Camera Focus (Sharpness or Definition of the Image)
Term

Sharp Gives good clarity and definition.
Deep focus Subjects in the foreground and background are both in focus.
Shallow focus Focus is on the foreground objects, objects in near field.
Background focus Focus is on the background objects, objects in far field.
Soft focus The lens or light source is adjusted to make the edges of the subject softer. Often seen in romantic moments or soap
operas (in the early days of film, Vaseline was smeared on the lens to create this effect).




3


Camera Movements
Term

Tracking Camera and entire support are moving either alongside the subject or forwards and backwards.
Panning Camera support remains fixed while camera moves from side to side (horizontally).
Tilting Camera support remains fixed while camera moves up and down (vertically).
Magnification/zooming The mechanical change of the camera magnification (the camera is not physically moved). Zoom-in to close-up or
zoom-out to long-shot.
Steadicam shot Camera is attached to a Steadicam harness on the camera operator. Creates a fluid movement.
Handheld Camera is not on a steady support. Gives a sense of action or uneasiness. Increases intensity.

Lighting
Term

Exposure
Correct exposure: image appears normal.
Over-exposure: image appears whiter owing to more light.
Under-exposure: image appears darker.
Source
Natural: real daylight.
Artificial: light effects created using lighting equipment.
Direction Top: the subject can appear angelic, innocent, good.
Bottom: can convey the sinister nature of the subject.
Front: neutral.
Back: the subject is silhouetted. Can appear threatening.
Side: there is a contrast between the subjects lit and unlit sides. The subject can appear untrustworthy, two-faced.
4


High-key lighting Fully lit, generally bright-looking scene, no shadows, often used in comedies and romances.
Low-key lighting Partially lit scene, lots of shadow, can create feelings of suspense or sensuality.

Colours
Term Colour Meaning/Effect (Depending on Context)
Cool colours Blues, greens, purples.
Can suggest tranquillity, aloofness, serenity or sterility.
Warm colours Reds, yellows, oranges. Can suggest aggression, violence or stimulation.
Desaturation Colour is drained from the shot so
colours are paler.
Can create a sense of bleakness.
Sepia tones A brownish tone. Can give an historic, period feel.

Editing/Transitions between Shots
Term
Continuity Suggests continuous action with respect to editing, angles, props and positioning of actors.
Cut Instant change between shots.
Mix/dissolve Image on screen appears to dissolve/fade away while another shot is appearing. Originally done by overlaying
several frames when splicing celluloid.
Superimposition Similar to mix but lasts for longer so both shots are actually visible at once.
5


Fade in/fade out Image fades into blackness before the next appears or a scene emerges from blackness. Suggests the passage of
time.
Wipe One shot pushes another off the screen, in order to replace it: horizontal wipe (from left or right), vertical wipe
(from above or below), iris wipe (new shot grows from a small circle).




Film Speed
Term Rate Meaning/Effect (Depending on Context)
Regular speed 24 frames per second. Gives a sense of reality.
Slow motion Filmed at a faster rate than 24 frames per second but
played back at regular speed.
Gives the effect of slow motion when played at normal
speed. Gives a sense that time is suspended. Can create
tension, excitement, romance.
Fast motion Pictures taken at very high speeds (128 frames per
second or more).
Movement is speeded up. Can create tension,
excitement, anxiety or comedy.