movie review terminology

Film Vocabulary

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General Film Industry Terminology

Before diving deep into the specific aspects of the film industry, let's look at some general terms. These are the film vocabulary words that you'll often hear in conversations about movies.

• Feature Film : A full-length movie typically lasting between 70 and 210 minutes.
• Short Film : A film that is significantly shorter than a feature film, usually under 40 minutes.
• Screenplay : The script of a film, including dialogue, character descriptions, and action scenes.
• Director : The person responsible for overseeing the creative aspects of a film.
• Producer : The person who oversees the production of a film, from financing to post-production.
• Cinematographer : Also known as a Director of Photography (DP), they oversee the camera and light crews.
• Editor : The person who cuts and pieces together the film to create the final product.
• Cast : All the actors and actresses appearing in a film.
• Crew : The technical staff working behind the scenes to create the film.
• Box Office : The total revenue a movie generates from ticket sales.

These basics will provide a solid foundation for your further exploration.

Names of Film Genres

Movies can be categorized into different genres based on their content, tone, and narrative structure. Understanding these film vocabulary terms can help you articulate your movie preferences better.

• Action : A genre typically involving fast-paced plots, physical feats, and stunts.
• Comedy : Films that aim to provoke laughter and amusement.
• Drama : Films that focus on serious, emotion-driven narratives.
• Horror : A genre designed to scare, shock, or startle viewers.
• Thriller : Films characterized by suspense, tension, and excitement.
• Romance : A genre focusing on the theme of love and romantic relationships.
• Sci-Fi : Short for Science Fiction, these films often explore speculative, futuristic concepts.
• Fantasy : Films that incorporate elements of magic, mythology, or the supernatural.
• Documentary : Non-fiction films that present factual information about a person, event, or issue.
• Animation : Films that are made up of animated, rather than live-action, images.

You can now identify and articulate the different types of film genres. This will surely enhance your understanding and appreciation of the diverse world of cinema vocabulary.

Film Production Vocabulary

Film production involves a complex process, from the inception of a story idea to the release of the movie. Here are some key movie terminology list terms associated with film production.

• Pre-production : The planning stage before shooting begins, including scriptwriting, casting, and location scouting.
• Production : The filming stage, where the movie is actually shot.
• Post-production : The editing stage after shooting ends, including video editing, sound editing, and special effects.
• Principal Photography : The phase of production where the majority of the movie is filmed.
• Storyboard : A sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a film.
• Shot : A single, uninterrupted piece of film; the building block of a scene.
• Take : A single continuous recorded performance of a scene.
• Cut : A transition from one shot to another in a film's editing process.
• Wrap : The end of shooting for the film or for a particular actor.
• Release : The distribution of a movie to the public.

With the knowledge of these film production terms, you'll have a deeper understanding of what goes into creating the movies you love.

Movie Characters Terminology

A film's characters are integral to its narrative. These vocabulary terms will help you understand the roles characters play in a movie.

• Protagonist : The main character, who the story revolves around.
• Antagonist : The character who opposes the protagonist, often a villain.
• Supporting Character : Characters who help to elaborate the story and assist the protagonist.
• Character Arc : The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story.
• Narrator : The character or voice that relates the story's events to the audience.
• Sidekick : A loyal and supportive character who accompanies or assists the protagonist throughout the story. 
• Antihero : A complex and flawed character who lacks traditional heroic qualities but is the central focus of the story. 
• Femme Fatale : A seductive and mysterious female character who manipulates or deceives others, typically leading them into dangerous or compromising situations. 
• Stock Character : A stereotypical or formulaic character type that is often used as shorthand to quickly establish a character's role or purpose in the story.

You've learned about different types of characters and their roles in a story. This understanding will add a new layer to your viewing experience, helping you appreciate the intricate storytelling elements in films.

Film Making Techniques List

Film-making techniques are the methods filmmakers use to convey meaning and evoke emotions. Knowing these film vocabulary words will enable you to critique and appreciate the artistry of film.

• Close-Up : A shot that tightly frames a person or object.
• Long Shot : A shot from a distance, showing a broad view of the scene.
• Tracking Shot : A shot where the camera moves alongside the subject.
• Montage : A sequence of short shots edited into a coherent sequence.
• Voice-Over : A technique where a voice is used in a movie to narrate or explain the scene.
• Flashback : A scene that depicts events occurring before the main timeline of the story.
• Fade : A transition between scenes where one fades out as the next fades in.
• Cutaway : A shot that's usually of something other than the current action.

You now know some of the techniques that filmmakers use to create cinematic magic. These are the tools that transform simple stories into visual spectacles.

Film Criticism and Analysis

Film criticism involves analyzing and evaluating films. Understanding these movie vocabulary terms will enhance your ability to assess and discuss films critically.

• Review : An evaluation or analysis of a film, often published after its release.
• Critic : A person who professionally analyzes and comments on films.
• Rating : A system used to classify films based on their suitability for certain audiences.
• Plot : The sequence of events or main story in a film.
• Theme : The underlying message or main idea of the film.
• Subtext : The underlying or implicit meaning in dialogue or the narrative.
• Symbolism : The use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings.
• Motif : A recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story.

By understanding these film criticism terms, you can unlock a new level of film appreciation. Now you can participate in or even initiate insightful discussions about movies.

Notable Film Awards and Festivals

Film awards and festivals play a key role in celebrating cinematic excellence and fostering new talent. Here are some of the most notable.

• Academy Awards (Oscars) : An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements.
• Cannes Film Festival: A prestigious film festival held annually in Cannes, France.
• Golden Globe Awards : Awards bestowed by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for film and television.
• Sundance Film Festival : An American film festival showcasing independent films.
• Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) : A leading film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany.
• BAFTA Awards : Presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, they are the British equivalent of the Oscars.
• Venice Film Festival : The oldest film festival in the world, held annually in Venice, Italy.

Recognizing these notable film awards and festivals helps you join the global conversation about cinematic achievements. This knowledge connects you to the larger world of film culture.

Popular Idioms and Fun Phrases Related to Film Industry

Just like any other industry, the film world has its own set of idioms and fun phrases . These are a few you might enjoy.

• "Break a leg" : A way to wish someone good luck without jinxing them, often used before a performance. It’s so funny that the reply to this phrase is “Thanks!.”
• "In the limelight" : Being in the center of attention, much like actors on stage.
• "It's in the can" : Refers to when a film has finished shooting and is ready for post-production.
• "Stealing the scene" : When an actor performs so impressively that they overshadow others in the same scene.
• "A blockbuster" : A highly popular, successful film.
• "Behind the scenes" : Refers to the actions or processes that happen out of the audience's view to make a film.
• "Calling the shots" : Being in charge and making decisions, much like a director.
• "On the edge of one's seat" : To be very excited and eager to know what's going to happen next in a film.
• "A cliffhanger" : An ending that leaves the audience in suspense, often used in serials or sequels.
• "A twist in the tale" : An unexpected development in the plot of a movie.

By learning these idioms and phrases, you've gained a fun and colloquial understanding of movie terminology. This makes you not just a movie viewer but a part of the wider film community.

You've now ventured through the world of film, learning about everything from general film vocabulary to specialized terms about film production, characters, and more. You've also discovered notable film awards and festivals, along with a fun collection of idioms and phrases. With this newfound movie vocabulary, you're all set to delve deeper into the realm of cinema, appreciating films on a whole new level and engaging in meaningful movie discussions.

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A Glossary of Over 275+ Hollywood Terms You Need to Know

Do you know your hollywood terms .

Welcome to the Hollywood glossary of terms! Hollywood is one of the most influential and well-known entertainment industries in the world, and with that comes a unique set of terms and phrases.

This glossary is designed to provide an extensive and comprehensive list of terminology used in the film and television industries, from pre-production to post-production and everything in between.

Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, actor, or simply a fan of movies and TV shows, this glossary will help you better understand the language of Hollywood and the inner workings of the industry.

From common terms like "actor" and "script" to more specialized phrases like "gaffer" and "tracking shot", this glossary is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Hollywood's language and culture.

So sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Hollywood terminology.

Hollywood Terms You Need to Know

• A-list: A group of top-tier actors and filmmakers who are considered the most bankable and influential in the industry.
• Above-the-line: Refers to key creative personnel, such as writers, directors, and producers, who are responsible for the creative direction of a film or television show.
• Academy: Short for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , the organization that hosts the Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars ).
• Action: A command given by a director to start filming a scene.
• Agent: A representative who negotiates contracts and job opportunities for actors, directors, and other talent.
• Art Director: The person responsible for the overall look of a production, including sets, costumes, and props.
• Backlot: A large outdoor area on a studio lot used for filming exterior scenes.
• Best boy: The lead electrician on a film or television production.
• B-roll: Supplementary footage that is used to visually support the main footage in a film or television show.
• Blockbuster: A highly successful and popular film that generates significant revenue.
• Box office: The amount of money earned by a film during its theatrical release.
• Breakdown: A detailed description of the characters and roles needed for a film or television production.
• Bump: An increase in an actor's salary for a project.
• Call sheet: A schedule of the day's shooting , including which actors are needed and when.
• Camera operator: The person who physically operates the camera during filming.
• Casting: The process of selecting actors for roles in a film or television show.
• Character actor: An actor who specializes in playing supporting roles, often with distinctive or unusual appearances.
• CGI: Computer-generated imagery, used to create special effects in films and television shows.
• Cinematographer: The person responsible for the visual look of a film or television show.
• Clapperboard: A tool used to synchronize sound and picture during filming.
• Close-up: A shot that focuses on a character's face or a specific detail.
• Co-star: An actor who shares equal billing with another actor in a film or television show.
• Coverage: Additional shots taken during filming that allow for editing and scene construction.
• Craft service: The provision of food and drink for cast and crew during filming.
• Dailies: Rough cuts of the footage shot during a day's filming.
• Day player: An actor who is hired for a single day of work on a film or television show.
• Director: The person responsible for overseeing the creative direction of a film or television show.
• Distribution: The process of getting a finished film or television show to audiences through theaters, streaming services, or other channels.
• Dolly: A platform on wheels used to move the camera during filming.
• Double: A stand-in used to replace an actor during a dangerous or difficult stunt.
• Editor: The person responsible for piecing together the footage shot during filming to create a cohesive final product.
• EPK: An electronic press kit used to promote a film or television show.
• Extra: A background actor used to fill out a scene.
• Eye-line: The direction in which an actor looks during a scene.
• Feature: A full-length film, typically lasting 90 minutes or more.
• Film: A motion picture created by projecting a series of still images in rapid succession.
• Film stock: The physical material on which a film is recorded.
• Film festival: An event where films are screened and showcased to an audience.
• Film noir: A genre of film characterized by its use of shadows, darkness, and cynicism.
• Final cut: The final version of a film that has been approved for release.
• Foley artist: A sound effects editor who creates and records sound effects in a studio.
• Footage: The raw, unedited material filmed during a production.
• Forced perspective: A technique used to create the illusion of depth and distance in a scene.
• Frame: A single still image in a film.
• Framing: The way in which a shot is composed and framed.
• Freezing the frame: Pausing a film on a single frame to create a still image.
• Front office: The executives and decision-makers in a film studio or production company.
• Full shot: A shot that shows the entire subject from head to toe.
• F/X: Short for "special effects," used to create visual or audio illusions in a film.
• F/X supervisor: The person responsible for overseeing the special effects in a film.
• Gaffer: The chief electrician on a film or television production.
• Genre: A category or type of film, such as comedy, drama, or action.
• Green screen: A technique used to superimpose a subject onto a different background by filming against a green screen and later replacing the green with another image.
• Grip: A member of the film crew who is responsible for moving and setting up equipment and props on set.
• Gross: The total amount of money earned by a film during its entire theatrical run.
• Group audition: An audition where multiple actors audition for a role at the same time.
• Hair and makeup: The department responsible for styling actors' hair and applying their makeup.
• Hard light: A type of lighting that creates sharp, defined shadows.
• Headshot: A photograph of an actor used for auditions and casting.
• High concept: A film or TV show with a simple, easily understandable premise that can be marketed easily.
• Holding deal: A contract that guarantees an actor or writer a certain amount of money for a set period of time.
• Hollywood ending: A happy, optimistic ending that resolves all conflicts in a film or TV show.
• Hook: A memorable, attention-grabbing element in a film or TV show that draws in the audience.
• Hot set: A set that is currently in use and should not be touched or altered.
• In camera: Visual effects created on set, rather than in post-production.
• In development: A film or TV show that is currently in the process of being created or produced.
• Indie: Short for "independent," refers to a film or production company that is not affiliated with a major studio.
• Insert shot: A close-up shot of a specific detail or object.
• International box office: The amount of money earned by a film from international theaters.
• IP: Short for " intellectual property ," refers to a story, character, or concept that is protected by copyright.
• J-cut: A type of film editing where the audio from the next scene is heard before the visuals appear.
• Jump cut: A type of film editing where a single shot is broken up by removing frames, resulting in a sudden jump in time or location.
• Jib: A camera crane used to achieve high or low angle shots.
• JumboTron: A large electronic screen used to display video and graphics during events.
• Junior agent: An assistant or trainee to a talent agent or manager.
• Jukebox musical: A musical where the songs are previously released popular songs, rather than original compositions.
• Jumbotron: A large screen used to display video, often in a sports stadium or arena.
• Jump scare: A technique in horror films where a sudden loud noise or visual shock is used to startle the audience.
• Juvenile lead: A young actor who plays the lead role in a film or TV show.
• Judging card: A form used by casting directors or producers to evaluate actors during auditions.
• Jingle: A short, catchy tune or song used in advertising or promotion.
• Jacket: The protective cover used to store film or video tapes.
• J-cut sound: A type of audio editing where the audio from the current scene is heard in the next scene before the visuals appear.
• Jumbo dialogue: Excessively verbose or overwritten dialogue.
• Jumping the shark: A term used to describe a moment in a TV show or film where the story becomes ridiculous or unbelievable.
• Key grip: The head grip responsible for setting up and adjusting equipment such as cranes, dollies, and tripods.
• Kicker: An unexpected, humorous line at the end of a scene or dialogue.
• Kill fee: A payment made to a writer if their work is not used or accepted.
• Kill switch: A mechanism used to stop a stunt or special effect if it goes wrong or becomes dangerous.
• Kinetic typography: Animated text used in films or TV shows, often used for titles or credits.
• Kinescope: A process used to transfer live television broadcasts onto film.
• Kryptonite: A fictional element from the Superman franchise that weakens the superhero.
• Kurosawa shot: A shot where the camera tilts up quickly, similar to a technique used by director Akira Kurosawa.
• Leading lady: The female actor who plays the main role in a film or TV show.
• Leading man: The male actor who plays the main role in a film or TV show.
• Location manager: The person responsible for finding and securing shooting locations for a film or TV show.
• Looping: The process of re-recording dialogue in a studio to replace poor quality audio captured on set.
• Logline : A brief summary of a film or TV show used to pitch the concept to producers or studios.
• Low angle shot: A shot taken from a low angle , looking up at the subject.
• Lumière brothers: French filmmakers who invented the Cinématographe, an early motion picture camera.
• MacGuffin : An object or goal that drives the plot of a film or TV show, but is ultimately unimportant.
• Magic hour: The period of time just before sunset or just after sunrise, when the lighting is soft and warm.
• Main title: The opening credits of a film or TV show.
• Major studio: A large, established film studio with a track record of producing successful films.
• Makeup artist: The person responsible for applying makeup to actors to achieve the desired look for a character.
• Matte painting: A painted or digitally created background used to create the illusion of a location that is not physically present on set.
• Meet-cute: A term used to describe the moment when two characters in a film or TV show meet for the first time in a romantic or comedic context.
• Method acting: An acting technique that emphasizes emotional authenticity by drawing on personal experiences and emotions.
• Micro-budget: A film made on a very low budget, typically less than $50,000.
• Mid shot: A shot taken from a medium distance, framing the subject from the waist up.
• Mini-series: A TV show consisting of several episodes, typically less than 10, that tell a complete story.
• Minor studio: A smaller film studio that may not have the resources or track record of major studios.
• Montage: A sequence of short shots edited together to condense time or show the passage of time.
• Movie star: A celebrity actor who is well-known and popular among audiences.
• Mumblecore: A subgenre of independent film characterized by naturalistic dialogue, low budgets, and a focus on character relationships.
• Music supervisor: The person responsible for selecting and licensing music for a film or TV show.
• Musical score: The instrumental music composed specifically for a film or TV show.
• Musicals: Films or TV shows that feature characters breaking into song and dance as a form of storytelling.
• Methodology: A set of techniques or approaches used to achieve a specific result, often used in reference to film production.
• Narrative film: A film that tells a story through a series of events and actions.
• Negative pickup: A distribution deal where a distributor agrees to distribute a film after it has been completed.
• Neutral density filter: A camera filter that reduces the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for wider apertures and longer exposure times.
• New media: A term used to describe digital content created for distribution on the internet or other non-traditional platforms.
• Newsreel: A short film that shows news events and current affairs, often shown before feature films in theaters.
• Niche audience: A specific group of people who have a shared interest and are the target audience for a particular film or TV show.
• Non-diegetic sound: Sound that is not part of the story world, such as background music or a narrator's voice-over.
• Non-linear editing: A type of film editing where the sequence of shots does not follow a chronological order.
• Nosebleed seats: The seats at the back of a theater or stadium, typically the furthest from the stage or field.
• Not for attribution: A statement or comment made by a source that cannot be attributed to them by name.
• Nose shot: A shot taken from a close distance, framing the subject's face from the nose up.
• O.S. (Off-Screen): A term used to describe sounds or dialogue that are happening off-screen, but are still heard by the audience.
• O.T.S. (Over-the-Shoulder Shot): A shot taken from behind one character's shoulder, showing the other character's face in the foreground.
• One-Sheet: A movie poster featuring the film's title, main actors, and a key image or scene.
• On Location: Filming that takes place outside of a studio, usually on real-life sets or locations.
• On the Nose: A term used to describe dialogue that is too obvious or overly explanatory.
• Open Call: An audition where anyone can show up and try out for a role, without an appointment.
• Opening Weekend: The first three days a film is released in theaters, which can often be an indicator of the movie's financial success.
• Option: The legal right to purchase the film rights to a book, script, or other intellectual property for a set period of time.
• OTT (Over-The-Top): A term used to describe performances or storytelling that are exaggerated or overly dramatic.
• Out of Continuity: A term used to describe a scene or shot that does not match the visual or narrative continuity of the rest of the film.
• Outtakes: Shots or footage that were not used in the final cut of a film, often shown during the closing credits or as bonus features on DVDs.
• Overcranking: A technique used to slow down the action in a shot by increasing the speed at which the camera is filming.
• Overhead Shot: A shot taken from above the subject, looking down at the scene or characters below.
• Overlapping Dialogue: Dialogue where two or more characters are speaking at the same time, often used to create a more naturalistic feel.
• Overnight Shoot: Filming that takes place overnight, typically from sunset to sunrise.
• Pacing: The rhythm and tempo of a film or TV show, often judged based on the speed and timing of the editing and storytelling.
• Package: A collection of elements needed to produce a film, including a script, director, and cast, often presented to a studio or distributor for consideration.
• Pan: A horizontal camera movement where the camera pivots left or right, often used to show a wider view of a scene or location.
• Panning Shot: A shot where the camera moves horizontally from one side to the other, often used to show a larger scene or setting.
• Parallel Action: A technique used to show two or more separate storylines happening simultaneously.
• Passing Shot: A shot that is taken as the camera moves by or past a subject, often used to show movement or create a sense of speed.
• Pay or Play: A contract clause guaranteeing a certain level of compensation for an actor, even if the film is not produced or the role is recast.
• Pickup Shot: A shot taken after principal photography is completed, often used to fill gaps in the final edit or correct continuity errors.
• Pitch: A presentation of an idea for a film, TV show, or other project, often given to a producer or studio executive in the hopes of getting the project greenlit.
• Playback: The process of reviewing footage on set or in post-production, often used to ensure that shots are framed and lit correctly.
• P.O.V. (Point of View): A shot taken from the perspective of a character, often used to show what they are seeing or experiencing.
• Point of View Shot: A shot taken from the perspective of a character, often used to create a sense of immersion or to show their emotional state.
• Practical Effect: A physical effect created on set, often using props, makeup, or animatronics, as opposed to digital effects created in post-production.
• Pre-Production: The planning and preparation phase of a film or TV project, which includes tasks such as casting, location scouting, and storyboarding.
• Producer: The person responsible for overseeing the production of a film or TV project, often involved in tasks such as hiring the director, cast, and crew, and securing financing.
• P.A. (Production Assistant): A member of the film crew responsible for various tasks on set, such as coordinating props or managing extras.
• Production Company: A company responsible for funding and overseeing the production of a film or TV project.
• Production Design: The process of creating the visual style and look of a film or TV project, which includes tasks such as designing sets, costumes, and props.
• Production Value: The overall quality of a film or TV project, often judged based on factors such as the level of detail in the sets and costumes, and the quality of the special effects.
• Project Greenlight: A reality TV show that follows the process of a first-time director and screenwriter getting their film made by a major Hollywood studio.
• Prop: An object used by actors during filming, such as a weapon, piece of furniture, or costume piece.
• Protagonist: The main character or hero of a story, often opposed by the antagonist.
• Public Domain: Works that are not protected by copyright and can be freely used or adapted by anyone, often including older films or literary works.
• Pull Focus: A technique used to shift the focus of a shot from one subject to another, often used to create a sense of depth or to draw the viewer's attention to a specific detail.
• Punchline: The final line or moment of a joke, often used to create a humorous or ironic twist.
• Press Kit: A collection of promotional materials created for a film or TV project, often including production stills, interviews, and bios of the cast and crew.
• Preview Screening: An early screening of a film or TV show for a select audience, often used to gauge audience reactions and make changes before the official release.
• Producer: A person responsible for overseeing and managing the production of a film or TV project, often involved in tasks such as hiring talent, securing financing, and making creative decisions.
• Producer's Cut: A version of a film that has been edited or altered by the film's producer(s), often reflecting their personal vision or creative choices.
• Production: The process of actually filming or creating a TV project, following the pre-production phase.
• Production Assistant (PA): A member of the film crew responsible for various tasks on set, such as coordinating props or managing extras.
• Production Designer: The person responsible for creating the visual style and look of a film or TV project, which includes tasks such as designing sets, costumes, and props.
• Project Greenlight: A TV series produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, where contestants compete for the chance to direct a feature film.
• Production Manager: The person responsible for overseeing the logistical and financial aspects of a film or TV project, often working closely with the producer.
• Prologue: An introductory section of a film or TV show that sets up the story or provides background information.
• Promotional Screening: An advance screening of a film or TV show, often held for industry professionals or members of the press, to generate buzz and positive word-of-mouth.
• Protocol: The expected or customary behavior on a film or TV set, often related to safety, professionalism, and respect for others.
• Proxy: A representative who acts on behalf of another person, often used to vote or make decisions in their absence.
• Pyrotechnics: The use of explosive or fiery effects on a film or TV set, often used in action or sci-fi movies to create excitement or suspense.
• Quick Take: A brief shot or series of shots used to capture a spontaneous moment or reaction.
• Quota Quickie: A low-budget film produced quickly to meet government production quotas.
• Q-score: A measurement of a celebrity's popularity and appeal among audiences, often used in advertising and marketing.
• Quiet on Set: A command used to signal that filming is about to begin and everyone should remain quiet.
• Quip: A clever or witty remark, often used in dialogue in a film or TV show.
• Quick-cut Editing: A style of editing where the shots are cut rapidly and rhythmically, often used to create a sense of energy and urgency.
• Quad Track: A recording technique where each instrument is recorded on a separate track, allowing for greater flexibility in the mixing process.
• Re-shoot: Additional filming done after principal photography to correct errors or make changes.
• R-rating: A rating given to films by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) indicating that the content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for children.
• Radio play: A drama or comedy performed on the radio.
• Ramp: A sudden increase in the loudness of a soundtrack or the speed of an action.
• Rap: To discuss and work out details of a script or production.
• Raw footage: The unedited, unprocessed footage shot during a production.
• Reboot: A new version of a film franchise that starts over with new actors and storylines.
• Red carpet: The ceremonial path that celebrities walk on to enter a movie premiere or awards show.
• Redub: To record new dialogue or sound effects in post-production.
• Reference reel: A collection of clips used to show the style and tone of a film or TV show.
• Reframing: Adjusting the framing of a shot during post-production.
• Rehearsal: A practice session where actors and crew run through a scene or the entire production.
• Release date: The date when a film or TV show is made available to the public.
• Remake: A new version of a film using the same basic plot and characters as the original.
• Render: The process of turning computer-generated images or special effects into a final visual product.
• Reshoots: Additional filming done after principal photography to correct errors or make changes.
• Resolution: The clarity and detail of an image or video, often measured in pixels.
• Response card: A survey given to test audiences to collect feedback on a film or TV show.
• Retake: Filming a scene again because of a mistake or poor performance.
• Reverse angle: A shot taken from the opposite side of the main camera angle.
• Riser: A platform used to elevate a camera or actor during a production.
• Road movie: A film that follows a character or characters on a journey or road trip.
• Robotic camera: A camera mounted on a robotic arm for precise and controlled movement.
• Rockumentary: A documentary about a rock band or musician.
• Rolling: The command given to start filming or recording.
• Rough cut: A preliminary version of a film or TV show, with minimal editing and no special effects.
• Rotoscoping: A process used in animation and special effects where live-action footage is traced and redrawn frame-by-frame.
• Royalty-free: Music or footage that can be used without paying a royalty fee.
• Run time: The length of a film or TV show in minutes.
• Running gag: A comedic device used repeatedly throughout a film or TV show.
• Rushes: The first raw footage shot during a production, often viewed by the director and editor to determine which takes to use in the final cut.
• Rural comedy: A type of comedy set in a rural or small-town setting.
• Russian arm: A camera rig mounted on a car that allows for smooth tracking shots.
• SAG: Screen Actors Guild , a labor union that represents film and television actors.
• Scene: A portion of a film or TV show that takes place in a specific location and time.
• Scenics: Art department personnel responsible for building and painting sets.
• Score: The music created specifically for a film or TV show.
• Screenplay: The written version of a film or TV show that includes dialogue and stage directions.
• Screen time: The amount of time an actor appears on screen in a film or TV show.
• Script: The written version of a film or TV show, including dialogue, scene descriptions, and stage directions.
• Script supervisor: A person who oversees continuity during filming and keeps track of script changes.
• Second unit: A separate unit responsible for filming action and location shots, often without the main actors.
• Sequel: A follow-up film or TV show that continues the story or characters from the original.
• Set: The physical location where filming takes place, often built or designed specifically for the production.
• Set decorator: A person responsible for the overall look and design of a film or TV show's sets.
• Set dresser: A person responsible for the details and finishing touches of a film or TV show's sets.
• Set dressing: The process of adding props and decorative elements to a set to create a specific look and feel.
• Set extension: The use of special effects or visual effects to extend or enhance a set beyond its physical limitations.
• Set list: A list of all the shots and scenes that will be filmed on a given day.
• Set up: The preparation and arrangement of equipment, props, and sets before filming begins.
• Shooting script: A revised version of the screenplay used during production that includes notes and revisions.
• Short: A film or video that is shorter than a feature-length production.
• Shot: A single, continuous sequence of film or video captured by a camera.
• Shot list: A detailed list of all the shots that will be filmed for a particular scene or sequence.
• Show bible: A document that outlines the characters, world, and storylines of a TV show.
• Showrunner: The person responsible for overseeing the day-to-day production and creative direction of a TV show.
• Sides: Pages from a script used by actors during auditions or rehearsals.
• Silent film: A film that has no synchronized dialogue or sound effects.
• Single: A shot of a single character, often used in dialogue scenes.
• Slate: The clapperboard or digital device used to mark the beginning of a shot for synchronization in post-production.
• Slow burn: A gradual build-up of tension or conflict in a scene or story.
• Slow motion: A visual effect used to slow down the speed of a shot.
• Snipe: A small graphic or text element that appears on a screen for a brief moment, often used for promotional purposes.
• Soap opera: A TV show that features a continuous storyline and focuses on interpersonal relationships and melodrama.
• Sound design: The process of creating and editing sound effects, music, and dialogue for a film or TV show.
• Sound editor: A person responsible for editing and mixing sound elements for a film or TV show.
• Sound effects: Audio elements used to enhance or create a specific mood or atmosphere in a film or TV show.
• Soundstage: A large indoor space specifically designed for filming, with controlled lighting and sound.
• Soundtrack: The music playing behind the scenes of a movie. It includes the score and oftentimes pop music.
• Table read: A rehearsal where the cast reads the script out loud for the first time.
• Talent: A performer, including actors, singers, dancers, and other entertainers.
• Teleplay: A script written specifically for television.
• Teleprompter: A device used to display scrolling text for actors or presenters to read.
• Test screening: A preview of a film or TV show shown to a small audience to gauge their reactions and make changes.
• Thriller: A genre of film or TV show that creates suspense and excitement through danger and tension.
• Title card: A graphic or text element used to introduce a film or TV show, often including the title and credits.
• Tracking shot: A shot that follows a moving subject, often with a camera mounted on a dolly or Steadicam.
• Trailer: A promotional video or clip used to promote a film or TV show before its release.
• Treatment: A written outline of a story or idea for a film or TV show.
• Unit production manager: A person responsible for overseeing the day-to-day production and managing the budget and schedule.
• Unit publicist: A person responsible for promoting a film or TV show to the media and the public.
• Upstage: The area of the stage farthest from the audience.
• VFX: Visual effects, used to create or enhance elements of a film or TV show that cannot be captured on camera.
• Voice-over: A recording of dialogue or narration that is played over a scene.
• Walk and talk: A shot that follows characters as they move and talk, often used to convey a sense of urgency or importance.
• Wardrobe: The clothing and accessories worn by the cast of a film or TV show.
• Wide shot: A shot that captures a broad view of a scene, often used to establish a location or setting.
• Wild sound: Ambient or natural sound recorded on location, used to enhance a scene or add realism.
• Wipe: A transition effect where one shot is replaced by another with a horizontal or vertical moving line.
• Wrap: The completion of filming for a particular scene or the entire production.
• Writer: A person who writes or adapts the script for a film or TV show.
• X-rated: A rating used for films or TV shows that contain explicit sexual content.
• Yellow screen: A screen used for chroma keying or green screen effects, often painted yellow to avoid conflicts with certain colors.
• Zoom: A camera technique that adjusts the focal length to change the size and perspective of the subject.
• Hollywood Slang ›

What Is an Anthology Series? Definition and Examples from Film and TV

Are you a fan of anthology tv series can you define them and give examples .

I watch so many TV shows that I can get a little burnt out after a while. Sometimes when you binge or watch multiple seasons with the same characters, you might feel this way too. Well, the anthology series might be your new favorite thing.

They're sort of the best of TV and movies mixed into one thing. It's various plots and characters that take you on new adventures.

But what is an anthology series? And what are some examples of them in TV?

Today we're going to define anthology TV shows and go over a few from Netflix, FX, and all sorts of other channels.

Make sense? Let's get started.

What Is an Anthology Series?

Anthology series cover all sorts of media, from radio to novels to short films to TV shows and so on. The world loves diversity in characters, storylines, and situations. These series open up different seasons and even episodes to change.

Anthology Series Definition

An anthology series is a radio, television, video game, or a film series that presents a different story and a different set of characters. They make these switches in each episode, season, segment, or short, as determined by the creators.

Why Do Writers and Directors Like Anthology Series?

As I mentioned in the opener, as a viewer, I like the contestant switch of characters , situations, and stories. Well, writers and directors like that too. Anthology series allow creatives to play with different genres , characters, and situations while maintaining a clear title.

Series can be sold by genre or by characters or even by place. They have a ton of elbow room for people to play with different ideas. They keep them from getting too stagnant or overstaying their welcome.

What Are the Best Anthology Series?

There are so many excellent series out there. Some of my favorites are American Horror Story, Love, Death, and Robots, and most of True Detective . The ability to change stories and characters has always been interesting to me.

TV shows like The Twilight Zone are sold on the idea that they can change weekly. They explore different big ideas. They can scare you, make you laugh, and even be a place where you can take a small idea and twist it into something larger.

Horror anthologies, TV shows like Tales from the Crypt , do their best to scare people week in and out. where a traditional horror TV show might lose its luster after you get used to the scares, anthologies let you terrify people every week with something different.

I think it's hard just arbitrarily to pick the best. So instead, here are some examples from lots of different genres.

Adult Animation Anthology Series

• The Boys Presents: Diabolical (2022)
• Cake (2019–present)
• Cartoon Sushi (1997–98)
• Greatest Party Story Ever (2016)
• Jokebook (1982)
• Like, Share, Die (2015)
• Liquid Television (1991–1994)
• Love, Death & Robots (2019–present)
• Off the Air (2011–present)
• Party Legends (2016–17)
• Robot Chicken (2005–present)
• Spicy City (1997)
• Sunday Pants (2005–06)
• Children and Family
• ABC Afterschool Special (1972–1997)
• ABC Weekend Special (1977–1997)
• CBS Afternoon Playhouse (1978–1983)
• CBS Children's Film Festival (1967–1978)
• CBS Children's Mystery Theatre (1980–1982)
• CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984–1996)
• CBS Storybreak (1985–1987)
• Disneyland (1954–1958)
• Dramarama (1983–1989)
• Faerie Tale Theatre (1982–1987)
• The Fox Cubhouse (1994–1996) (contains Johnson and Friends, Jim Henson's Animal Show, Rimba's Island, Magic Adventures of Mumfie and Budgie the Little Helicopter)
• It's Itsy Bitsy Time (1999) (contains Budgie the Little Helicopter, 64 Zoo Lane, The Animal Shelf, Tom and Vicky, and Charley and Mimmo)
• Jackanory (UK, 1972–1985)
• Lift Off (1992–1995)
• NBC Children's Theatre (1963–1973)
• Noddy (1998–2000)
• Off to See the Wizard (1967–68)
• Once Upon a Classic (1976–1980)
• Shining Time Station (1989–1993)
• Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958–1961)
• Special Treat, also known as NBC Special Treat (1975–1986)
• Tall Tales and Legends (1985–1987)
• Walt Disney Presents (1958–1961)
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1961–1969)
• The Wonderful World of Disney (1969–2009)
• WonderWorks (1984)
• The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996–98)

Comedy Anthology Series

• The Comic Strip Presents... (1982–2015)
• Carol and Company (1990–91)
• Cilla's Comedy Six (UK, 1975)
• Cilla's World of Comedy (UK, 1976)
• Comedy Lab (1998–)
• Comedy Playhouse (UK, 1961–2014)
• Dear Uge (2016–)
• Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible (2001)
• The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theatre (1955)
• El Chapulín Colorado (1973–1979)
• Ripping Yarns (UK, 1978–79)
• George Burns Comedy Week (1985)
• Good Heavens (1976)
• The Guest Book (2017–2018)
• High Maintenance (2012–2015, 2016–present)
• Human Remains (2000)
• Inside No. 9 (2014–)
• Oboler Comedy Theater (1949)
• Love, American Style (1969–1974)
• Miracle Workers (2019–present)
• Murder Most Horrid (UK, 1991–1999)
• The Ronnie Barker Playhouse (UK, 1968)
• Seven of One (UK, 1973)
• Six Dates with Barker (UK, 1971)
• Undressed (1999–2002)

Crime Anthology Series

• Adventure Theater (1956)
• American Crime (2015–2017)
• American Crime Story (2016–)
• Agatha Christie's Marple (UK, 2005–2014)
• Agatha Christie's Poirot (UK, 1989–2014)
• The Big Story (1949–1958)
• The Black Robe, also known as Police Night Court (1949–1950)
• Crime Patrol (2003–)
• Fargo (2014–)
• FBI: The Untold Stories (1991–1993)
• Gang Busters (1952, 1954–55)
• Lawbreakers (1963–64)
• The Man Behind the Badge (1953–1955)
• Official Detective (1957–58)
• Police Call (1955)
• Police Story (1952)
• Police Story (1973–1978)
• Tatort (1970–)
• The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (UK, 1971–1973)
• They Stand Accused (1949–1952, 1954)
• True Detective (2014–2019)
• Underbelly (2008–)
• The Walter Winchell File (1957–58)
• The Whistler (1954–55)
• The Sinner (2017–2021)
• Educational
• Inside/Out (1972–73)
• Omnibus (US, 1952–1961)

Historical Anthology Series

• Captain Newfoundland from the Tip of Atlantis/Captain Atlantis Late Night (Canada, 1972–present)
• The Great Adventure (1963–64)
• Our American Heritage (1959–1961)
• Profiles in Courage (1964–65)
• Saga of Western Man (1963–1969)
• You are There (1953–1957)

Medical Anthology Series

• The Doctor, also known as The Visitor (1952–53)
• Medic (1954–1956)
• Medical Story (1975–76)

Military Anthology Series

• Flight (1958–59)
• Men of Annapolis (1957–58)
• Navy Log (1955–1958)
• The Silent Service (1957–1959)
• The West Point Story aka West Point (1956–57)
• Mystery and suspense
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1965)
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985–89)
• Behind Closed Doors (1958 TV series) (1958–59)
• The Best in Mystery (1954)
• The Boris Karloff Mystery Playhouse (1949)
• Byline, also known as Adventures in Mystery and News Gal (1951)
• The Chevy Mystery Show (1960)
• The Clock (1949–1952)
• Danger (1950–1955)
• Dark of Night (1952–1954)
• Darkroom (1981–82)
• Dow Hour of Great Mysteries (1960)
• The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre (US TV version of British theatrical second features, 1960–1965)
• Escape (1950)
• Escape (1973)
• Espionage (1963–64)
• Eye Witness (1953)
• Fallen Angels (1993–1995)
• George Sanders Mystery Theater (1957)
• Hands of Mystery, also known as Hands of Destiny, Hands of Murder (1949–1952)
• The Hitchhiker (1983–1987)
• I Spy (1955–1957)
• Inner Sanctum (1954)
• Invitation Playhouse: Mind Over Murder (1952)
• Kraft Mystery Theatre (Summer 1961, 1962, 1963)
• Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963–1965)
• Mr. Arsenic (1952)
• Murder in Mind (2001–2003)
• Murder Most Horrid (UK, 1991–99)
• Mystery! (1980–)
• Panic! (1957–58)
• Philip Morris Playhouse (1953–54)
• Rebound, also known as Counterpoint (1952–53)
• Scene of the Crime (1991–92)
• Stage 13 (1950)
• Sure as Fate (1950–51)
• Suspense (1949–1954)
• Suspicion (1957–58)
• Target (1958)
• Twisted Tales (1996–97)
• Two Twisted (2006) (Sequel to Twisted Tales)
• The Vise (1955 TV series) (1955–57)
• Volume One (1949)
• The Web (1950–1954)
• The Web, syndication title Undercurrent (1957)
• Your Play Time (1953–1955)

Science Fiction and Horror Anthology Series

• Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond
• Amazing Stories (original series)
• Amazing Stories (reboot)
• American Horror Story
• American Horror Stories
• Are You Afraid of the Dark?
• Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
• Black Mirror
• Castle Rock
• Channel Zero
• Deadtime Stories
• Dimension 404
• Electric Dreams (2017 TV series)
• Fantasy Island
• Fear and Fancy
• Fear Itself
• The Fearing Mind
• Freddy's Nightmares – A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series
• Friday the 13th: The Series
• Ghost Stories
• Ghost Story
• Great Ghost Tales
• The Haunting
• Historias para no dormir
• Infinity Train
• Inside No 9
• Into the Dark
• Journey to the Unknown
• Lee Martin's The Midnight Hour
• Love, Death & Robots
• Masters of Horror
• Masters of Science Fiction
• Métal Hurlant Chronicles
• Mystery and Imagination
• Night Gallery
• Night Visions
• The Nightmare Room
• Nightmare Cafe
• Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King
• Out of the Unknown
• Out of This World
• The Outer Limits
• Perversions of Science
• Play for Tomorrow
• Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected
• The Ray Bradbury Theater
• R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour
• Science Fiction Theatre
• Strange Stories
• Tales from the Darkside
• Tales from the Crypt
• Tales of Mystery
• Tales of Mystery and Imagination
• Tales of the Unexpected
• Tales of Tomorrow
• The Twilight Zone (original series)
• The Twilight Zone (first reboot)
• The Twilight Zone (second reboot)
• The Twilight Zone (third reboot)
• The Unexpected
• Urban Gothic
• Welcome to Paradox
• What If...?
• Star Wars: Visions

What Are Keys to Writing An Anthology Series?

Writing an anthology series presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities compared to traditional serialized storytelling. Here are some key considerations and steps to keep in mind when developing an anthology series:

• Identify a unifying theme or concept that ties together each installment. Whether it's a genre (e.g., horror as in "The Twilight Zone") or a more abstract theme (e.g., technology's impact on society as in "Black Mirror"), having a strong central theme will give your anthology coherence.
• Given that each episode or installment will be its own unique story, it's a chance to bring in different writers, directors, and actors for each. This diversity can provide a richness of perspectives, styles, and voices.
• Despite varying stories and possibly varying creators, maintain a consistent tone throughout. This could be achieved through similar pacing, mood, visual aesthetics, or musical choices.
• Since each story will be relatively short, characters need to be quickly and effectively established. Dive into the heart of the characters' motivations and conflicts to immediately draw the audience in.
• Each installment should be satisfying on its own. While some anthologies might have subtle connections or Easter eggs between episodes, each episode should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• One of the joys of an anthology series is the opportunity to experiment. Consider varying the structure, setting, time period, or narrative style from one episode to the next.
• Many successful anthology series resonate because they tap into current societal fears, hopes, or dilemmas. Think about the larger themes or questions you want to explore and how they relate to the world today.
• Given the standalone nature of each installment, it's important to provide resolutions that feel both unexpected and earned.

Remember, the beauty of an anthology series is its flexibility. By keeping these guidelines in mind but also allowing for creative freedom and experimentation, you can create a compelling and memorable series that captures the imagination of your audience.

Summing Up "What Is An Anthology Series?"

Now that you know what an anthology series is, you can go create your own. Enjoy the freedom of writing new characters and worlds with each season or episode.

Before you go, let us know what your favorite anthology series is in the comments!

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Guide To Film Terms: Everything You Need To Know About Movie Terms

The film has been around for over 100 years and it is a major form of art.

There are many different aspects that make up the film, but this article will focus on the most basic terms.

This blog post will talk about camera shots and techniques as well as special effects used in film today.

Film Terms are the words that describe what’s happening onscreen. For example, a ‘close up’ is when an object or person is shown from a very close distance to make them seem large in the frame.

What Are Film Terms?

Film terms are terms that refer to the vocabulary used in filmmaking. This includes technical and creative terms, such as camera angles or close-ups.

It also includes slang words that are specific to the movie industry, such as “pitch” for a script idea or “green light” for permission to move forward with production.

The language of cinema has evolved over time and continues to change today, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on all the latest terminology if you want your work on set or behind the scenes at a studio to be successful.

Diving into the world of cinema, we often encounter terms that might baffle even the most avid film buffs.

From the mysterious ‘MacGuffin’ to the evocative ‘Dutch angle’, these terms are the secret sauce that filmmakers use to craft their stories.

We’re here to demystify these concepts and guide you through the rich language of film.

Understanding film terminology isn’t just for the pros; it’s essential for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of the art form.

We’ll break down the jargon, making it accessible for all.

Whether you’re a budding filmmaker, a critic in the making, or just someone who loves to get lost in the silver screen, our complete guide to film terms is your ticket to a greater understanding of the magic of movies.

What Is A Film Term?

Every craft has its lexicon, and filmmaking is no exception.

Film terms are the specialized language used by industry professionals to communicate ideas, techniques, and aspects of the filmmaking process effectively.

From directors to cinematographers, knowing these terms is crucial.

They not only Help smooth operations on set but also ensure that the vision for a film is realized accurately.

Imagine trying to discuss the famous dolly zoom effect used in Vertigo without knowing the right terminology.

Without the correct words, discussing specific cinematographic techniques becomes a challenge.

Film terms give us the language to dissect and analyze films on a more detailed level.

Here’s a glimpse at the types of film terms you might encounter:

• Shot Types – Establishing the scale and perspective of the scene,
• Lighting Terms – Describing the mood and aesthetic of the visuals,
• Sound Jargon – Detailing the auditory elements and how they interact with the picture,
• Editing Lingo – Outlining the process of splicing and arranging footage.

Each term holds the potential to unlock new levels of understanding.

When we know these terms, we’re not just watching a scene unfold; we’re comprehending the artistry behind every choice.

Being fluent in this language transforms your experience as a viewer.

It’s like lifting a veil, revealing the intricate dance of shadow and light, the subtle cues that guide emotions, and the skillful cuts that propel the story forward.

We see film terms as gateways, tools that can lead to richer dialogues about cinema.

They bridge the gap between the audience and the filmmakers, and they foster a deeper connection with the medium we love so much.

Why Are Film Terms Important?

We recognize that film terminology is more than just industry jargon.

It’s a precise language that facilitates the creation and analysis of cinema at all levels.

For anyone striving to excel in the film industry, a firm grasp of film terms is essential – they act as the building blocks for communicating complex visual and auditory ideas efficiently.

Without a shared language, the collaborative nature of filmmaking would falter, potentially stalling projects and hindering creative expression.

Our expertise leads us to understand that the value of film terms extends beyond production crews and directors.

Critics, educators, and fans also rely on these terms to dissect and discuss films with clarity and depth.

For instance, when we reference the mise-en-scène of The Godfather or discuss the impact of the jump cut in Breathless , we rely on these terms to provide precise, meaningful insights into the film’s craft.

Here are several key reasons why film terms are indispensable:

• Clear Communication – Terms like close-up or tracking shot convey specific visual actions that are universally understood in the industry.
• Creative Precision – Understanding terms helps filmmakers execute their vision with accuracy, ensuring that the final product reflects their original intent.
• Educational Value – Film students and enthusiasts can better analyze and appreciate the nuances of a film by being conversant in the language of cinema.
• Cultural Literacy – Film terms are often used in broader discussions about media and culture, making an understanding of them important for engaged citizenship.

We’re mindful of the fact that as the film industry evolves, so too does its lexicon.

New technologies and storytelling techniques give rise to fresh terms and concepts, demonstrating the dynamic character of filmmaking.

This continuous expansion of vocabulary not only reflects the innovation within the industry but also provides us with new ways to engage with and understand the films we watch.

The Basics Of Film Language

Understanding film language is akin to learning the ABC’s of any language; it’s essential for constructing and deconstructing cinematic works.

To create a film that resonates with audiences, we need a solid grasp of basic film terms.

Shot sizes matter greatly – they convey emotion and narrative importance.

Extreme long shots can feel isolating or epic while close-ups capture subtleties of character emotions.

Camera movements also tell a story beyond mere dialogue.

A pan gives us a sweeping view of a scene, while a tilt moves our gaze up or down to reveal key details.

Different types of cuts and transitions significantly impact the rhythm and flow of the narrative.

A jump cut can show time passing abruptly, while a match cut can create a smooth connection between scenes.

Lighting in film isn’t just about visibility – it sets mood, tone, and can symbolize thematic elements.

Film noir , for example, uses high contrast lighting to create a sense of mystery and suspense.

Sound in film is more than dialogue or music.

It includes ambient noise, sound effects , and silence, each manipulating audiences’ emotions and perceptions of the onscreen world.

Consider the following roles and how they contribute to the film language:

• Director : Orchestrates the vision of the film.
• Cinematographer : Captures that vision through camera work and lighting.
• Editor : Shapes the story by piecing together footage.

Narrative structure, although not always linear, remains a fundamental aspect that guides viewers through the story.

Flashbacks, for instance, can provide backstory or reveal character motivations.

Understanding these basics equips us with the tools needed to both appreciate and critique films on a deeper level.

It’s a continuous journey as we dissect and engage with the language of cinema.

Common Film Terms Every Movie Lover Should Know

Understanding the language of cinema enriches our viewing experience and enables us to share our insights with greater clarity.

We’ve curated a list of common film terms that every movie lover should know to elevate their film discussions and critiques.

Mise-en-scène is a pivotal term in film analysis that captures the arrangement of everything we see on screen.

It includes the setting, costumes, actors, and lighting.

This term represents the visual storytelling of a film, as seen in the detailed set design of The Grand Budapest Hotel .

Diegesis refers to the narrative world of the film – everything that is part of the story, including sounds and events.

There are two types – diegetic and non-diegetic elements.

Diegetic elements are things like character dialogue or sounds made by objects in the story, while non-diegetic elements include things like a film’s score or the opening titles.

Editing techniques are also part of the film terminology arsenal:

• Cut – Jump Cut – Fade – Dissolve – Cross-Cutting.

Each technique serves a unique purpose in story progression and emotional impact.

A cut is the most basic transition from one shot to another; a jump cut creates a jarring effect for the audience; a fade slowly transitions to black or another image; a dissolve overlaps the end of one shot with the beginning of the next; and cross-cutting switches back and forth between different scenes, often for parallel storytelling.

Cinematography encompasses the art and technology of film photography.

This includes the framing, composition, and movement of the camera that constructs the visual narrative.

In Blade Runner 2049 , the cinematography paints the dystopian world in a way that is integral to the film’s atmosphere.

We understand that these terms are just the tip of the iceberg.

Film language is vast and multi-layered, much like the process of filmmaking itself.

From understanding a close-up’s intimacy to grasping the impact of a wide shot, our knowledge of these terms elevates our ability to articulate what makes a film resonate with us.

Advanced Film Terms For The Avid Film Buff

As we jump deeper into the intricate world of film, we’re met with advanced terminology that can truly elevate our understanding of the cinematic arts.

Terms like Montage Theory illustrate the impact of film editing on emotions, guiding viewers through a unique emotional journey.

This concept, pioneered by Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein , revolutionizes our comprehension of film narrative structures.

Color Grading plays an essential role in the aesthetic and mood of a film.

Mastering color grading can transform the visual storytelling, giving scenes a warm, cold, or surreal ambiance.

Films like Mad Max: Fury Road stand as a testament to the profound effect color has on narrative.

In discussing narrative depth, we’re often drawn to the use of Leitmotifs .

These recurring musical themes are associated with particular characters or ideas, enhancing the storytelling by creating auditory callbacks.

John Williams is renowned for his use of leitmotifs, notably in the iconic scores for Star Wars .

The term Non-Diegetic Insert refers to content added into a film that is not part of the on-screen world.

This can include:

• Text or graphics,
• Symbolic footage,
• Direct-to-camera monologues.

Such inserts provide exposition or thematic resonance without altering the diegetic narrative flow.

David Fincher ’s use of non-diegetic inserts in Fight Club effectively parallels the protagonist’s mental state.

Understanding Aspect Ratio is crucial for grasping how a film’s framing can influence storytelling.

The ratio of width to height in a film’s images dictates the amount of space characters and actions occupy within the frame.

The Grand Budapest Hotel employs multiple aspect ratios to denote different time periods.

The world of film language is abundant with terms that offer insight into the creation and interpretation of film.

By familiarizing ourselves with this terminology, we unlock a new dimension of film analysis and appreciation.

Film Terms Complete Guide – Wrap Up

We’ve journeyed through the essential lexicon of cinema, from the basic to the complex, enriching our film vocabulary and deepening our appreciation of the cinematic arts.

Armed with these terms, we’re better equipped to jump into discussions, critique with confidence, and savor the nuances of filmmaking.

Let’s continue to explore the rich language of film together, unlocking even more layers of this dynamic art form.

Remember, every movie we watch is an opportunity to practice and refine our newfound knowledge.

Here’s to the films that await us and the conversations they’ll inspire!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mise-en-scène in film.

Matt Crawford

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Ultimate Guide on Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology

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W hether you’re working on your initial or 100th film, there is always etwas new into learn. Once you need go updating your film term, aforementioned resource desires be your best friend. We’ve included how lots shoot terms as humanly possible show on one page, so let’s get into it.

Abby Singer Shot 

An Abby Female shot the the name for the second-to-last single of which day. It is namensgeber after Abby Singer, a famous assistant film director and production manager. 

Movie Terms

Above the line.

Top an line   is the costs of production a movie corresponding with aforementioned major creativity talent, including and director, actors, creative, and producers. Pov from special effects will also have a greater number of above the line costs than films none featured effects. 

Film Terminology

Aerial shot.

An  aerial shot   is a shot filmed from far overhead. The shot is typically obtained from a plane, blimp, murmur, with other aerial gadget. Wenn an aerial shot opens a film, it is referred to such in establishing shot. 

FURTHER RESEARCH

Aviation shot.

• Expenses Shots →
• Epic Drone Shots Mashup →
• What is an Establishing Shot →

Video Vocabulary

An allegory is essential an extended metaphor. When an film suggests a schriftwechsel or resemblance with ampere visible part of the film (character other event) up a abstract meaning that exists outside of the film. 

Alliteration

Allitation is a literary technique when two or more words represent linked that share one same first consonant sound, as because “fish fry.”

cinematography general

An  allusion  will an inside or idirect reference to more, used choose in basic discussion, with within an text — a novel, play, movie, song, CABLE show, show game, or even adenine T-shirt. 

Cinema Terms

Surround light.

Ambient ignite is natural lit (Sun, Moon, etc.) or pre-existing light in a location before any additional lighting is added. Ambient light exists ordinarily soft, that existence around the subject of the scene.

Cinematography Terms

An angle is of relative position of of camera in related to which subject. This could remain a low-angle shots search up, a high-angle looking down, or even a Dutch angle where the camera is tilted on to y-axis.

MOREOVER CHOOSE

• Rear Level Shots →
• The Low-Angle Shot →
• The High-Angle Shoot →
• Guide to Camcorder Shots & Angles →

Movie Related Lyric

Edges on is which act of directing and video into move or focus on adenine certain subject. 

Film Terms Technical

Animation is a type of filmmaking in whichever individual drawings of inanimate, immobile objects are filmed neat frame at a frist. Which creates the illusion is movement. Famous beseelte films include Snow White both that Seven Dwarfs press The Lion Ruler . 

• Best Pixar Kurzfristig →
• Best Animated Movies of All Time →
• How into Do Stop Motion Animation →

Movie Terminology

Anime belongs a distinct form of animation that has roots in Japan. It is generally recognized for colorful images, highly-stylized backgrounds, and extremely exaggerated facial expressions. The best Cyberpunk films additionally take a great deal of inspiration of anime.

Movie Vocabulary

One antagonist is normal known as the bandit of the our. However, the antibiotics can be a person, group, force of nature, or personality conflict.

Anticipated

• Best Realistic Movie Rogues →
• How to Create the Ultimate Antagonist →

Pick Making Words

Anthology film.

An gedichtsammlung film will adenine movie with multiplex parts or segments devoted to differing narratives. They can sometimes linked common by a theme, but it is not necessary. 

Film Creation Words

Anti-climax.

An  anti-climax is anything following a film’s high point, the climax, that is spotted how a disappointing or unsatisfied let-down. Usually, what you expected to happen didn’t happen. 

Movie Dictionary Terms

The anti-hero   is the protagonist of a film who missing the generally-accepted attributes of a traditional victor. A protagonist those can plagued with character defects or ambiguous morals (e.g., Albert White in Broken Dusche ). 

Production Terminology

An aperture is the crack of a cameras lens that controls the amount of light allowed up get through and actually contact the film. Aperture is parts to the image triangle with screen speed both ISO .

Production Vocabulary

An apple box is a different sized (quarter, halves, full, pancake) wooden boxes used for a variety of purposes.

An border shall the opening of a camera lens that controls that amount of light allowing to pass using and actually contact the film. Aperture a part of the exposure triangle with shutter speed and ISO .

An   a ra shot is an shot that captures one research while moving around int a circle. See the dizzying shot during the prom scenery in Carrie . 

Film Terminology for Students

One archetype is a feature, thing, or place that is normal presented inside film with a certain characterization. Forward example, the Manic Pixie Dream Small is an archetype. 

• What are this Jungian Archetypes? →
• 8 Character Archetypes Samples →

Basic Film Terms

An arret  belongs an French word meaning “stop.” It refers to an in-camera film technique where the camera stops, then an object is placed within one frame, and the camera reboot, giving the illusion that the item magically appeared.

Film Lexicon

Art director.

An Artistic Director is an individual anybody belongs to a film’s art department what is in charge of the feel, lookup, construction, and design of the set. This includes determining an placed for props.

Film Set Glossary

An Art-House is ampere niche motion theater that specializes in gaming non-mainstream industrial films, foreign video, or small-budget films. They are considering high-brow, or “art” films.

Film Students Soft Language

An a side is when a film character breaks the quadrant wall and forthwith addresses who audience. Commonly used by chart see Frank Underwood in House of Cards conversely Deadpool .

Motion Picture Terms

Aspect ratio.

Aspect ratio is the relative length and width of an show. Early theatre used more by a squares shape (4:3), though today's movies and television are more of a rectangle (16:9 or 2.35:1, for example). 

aspect ratio

• What can 4:3 Aspect Ratio? →
• What is 2:1 Aspect Ratio? →
• What is 16:9 Aspect Ratio? →

Words Associated With Movies

Einer assemblage is the first step inside edit. All the shots are arranged of their order in aforementioned script. 

Basic Glossary for Film Terms

Asynchronous.

Asynchronous  is a situation when audio tracks are out concerning unison with the visuals inches the frame. It bucket sometimes be intentional and sometimes accidental.

Director Lingo Dictionary

Atmosphere your either a nebulous or concrete aesthetic of a film that adds to the overall dimensional tone of an film’s action. 

Editing Words

Audio remains any sound component of a film. This could diegetic sonic (e.g., dialogue, Foley sound , etc.) or non-diegetic sound (e.g., scored melody, narrations, etc.).

• Thing is ADR in Film? →
• Sound Editing vs. Sound Mixing →
• Guide to YouTube’s Royalty-Free Acoustic Library →

Filming Terms and Defined

Media bridge.

An sounds bridge   is an outgoing sound, such since music or dialogue, that carried on from one scene to the next. For exemplar, this soundtrack could connect two pictures instead of visual images. 

An casting is the process in welche an actor or performer reads from a prepared script button does a “cold reading” or a portion concerning dialogue. The performer may receive a call-back for additional readings. 

FURTHER DOING

• The Ultimate Guide till Auditions →
• How to Become a Mold Direct →
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Holding Auditions →

Director Vocab Advanced

To auteur is of French speak for “author.” Most often refers for a director with a distinct or signature style. Directors what often seen as the “authors” of film due to the number of creative control they hold over all processes held within.

• Denis Villeneuve Directing Style →
• The Directing Style of David Fincher →
• Martin Scorsese and His Filmmaking Techniques →

Cinema Lingo

Available light.

Available light is the naturally-occurring light you find on the film location. Available light can help enhance a film’s sensing of realism. It existing in contrast for artificial light a film crew will normally bring in. 

available light

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Video Director Linguistic

Avant-garde.

Avant-garde is an experimental press abstract art movement. Avant-garde movies tend to take conventional filmmaking techniques. fg

Movie Set Terminology

Axis of action.

The  axis of promotion is an imaginary line that run between the two secondary actors into one scene. Also known as the 180-degree line, it defines one spatial relations within all the the scene’s elements for being is left or good to the performers in order for maintain scene geography.

A B-movie is an offbeat, low-budget my. B-movies universal come from independent producers. They have become to be outlined by campy actors, catchy titles, and low-grade special effects.

Essentials Film Vocabulary

A backdrop is to a great photographic painting or backing seen in that background of a scenes. He typically profile a landscape, like than mountains. Settings were more commonly used before film studios either shot on determined or used green screens.

Film Production Jargon

Background is get within the rear plane of action. Anything occurring into the fronts plane of action is referred go as the foreground. It will often abbreviated as “b.g.”

Cinema Vocabulary Uk

Background artist.

ADENINE b ackground artist is the person responsible for designing the visual experience of a movie. This person is also referred to as one “matte artist.”

Film Audio Terms

Hintergrund free.

Background music is the points instead music listen in the background of a scene. Generally, this music helps set the tone or mood away an scene.

background music

• Guide to YouTube’s Royalty-Free Music →
• Creating Unforgettable Moments over Music →

Watch Lighting Terms

Backlighting.

Backlighting  is who lighting placed behind and subject so that this facing the camera and helps in separate the specialty from the background.

TV Industrial Terms Definitions

Behind fortune.

A back lot remains an piece of land on a studio’s property where filmmakers cans shootings outside scenes in an including area. This differs von on-location shooting whereabouts the team going go an actual part of the city at film. Fork example, many scenes within Back to who Future endured shot on a back lot.

Film Manufacturing Dictionary

Back projection.

Back planning  (aka rear projection) is a photographic method the which a live action scene is filmed in front of a transparent computer where a background is added later. It was commonly used to portray actors driving is a car.

Screenwriting Terms

A barn ack story be the events that transpired instant before the film began. It can help fill by information about certain characters thus that the support, conversely the audience can better fathom motivations.

Film Frame Lingo

Balance is an overarching term about how the light, movement, and sound all work together within a single scene. 

Film Lighting Slang

Barn doors is slang for the foursome metal folding doors found on all sides of adenine light. To strohdach wing ability being realigned until help geradeaus light in a certain direction.

Acting Terminology

A beat  int acting the one pause before can actor carries out adenine movement or speaks their next line of dialogue. In a screenplay, a beat may be signified through the apply of ellectric (...).

Movie Making Dictionary

Below the line.

Below and line refer to any production costs that are not "above the line" (see above). Is can including film crew salaries, adverts, music rights, and cutting together a trailer. 

Film Industrial Dictionary

A   Best Boy is that aide, assistant, or technical assistant for the key touch or gaffer. The bests boy is responsible for coiling and routing all from the power cables needed to walk the lights. The best boy may plus schedule what human press equipment are needed on a given day out a shoot.

Movie Terminology Glossary

Billing has that placement of actors’ our on a movies poster. The most highly actor in a film will generally have top accounts. Aforementioned secondly most prominent schauspielerin becoming take second billing and so forth. 

Moviegoing Terms

A biopic your ampere biographical film about a real-life subject. It is often seen as an sub-genre of dramas and histories. Examples of biopics include To Last Impaler and Rocketman .

Acting Lingo

Chewing part.

A bit part is a small acting role. Generally, a chew component will do a couple lines for dialogue in ampere single scene in ampere film. Actors who play waiters be generally considered to have bit parts. 

Movie Genre Definitions

Black comedy.

Black Funny (aka dark comedy) is a sub-genre for comedy that roses in prominence around the 1950s both '60s. Information takes typically serious subjects, such as death and war, and treats your with macabre humor. Fargo , American Psycho , Fight Club   would be considered some of the best Black Comedies of all time. 

Video Talk Dictionary

Blacklisting.

Blacklisting is a conception popularized during the "McCarthyism" of one late 1940s and early '50s where actors, directors, and other prominent people in Hollywood were persecuted for perceived connections with communism. Available, “blacklisted” individuals exist those who have trouble ruling labour due to a variety of reasons (difficult to work with, wronged someone powerful, etc.).

Movie Category Terms

Blaxploitation.

Blaxploitation   is an combination of the words “black” and “exploitation” and referenced to low-budget, sensational movies primarily made in the 1970s the featured majority African-American water the tackled gritty theme like racism, drugs, additionally the criminal underworld (e.g., Superfly ). 

Common Movie Terms

Blockbuster.

A b lockbuster  is a standout movie that is a major box office how. Generally, a movie has to gross at lowest $200 million to be considered one blockbuster (e.g., Mouth ,  Avengers: Endgame ). 

blockbuster

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Shoot Camera Terminology

Aussperrung a shot.

Blocking a shot is the process of which a director determines where the actors stand, where the lights leave glow, and method the camera will become positioned. Generally, a director will block an shot pre bringing the cast on set to act film. 

CONTINUED RESEARCH

Block a shot.

• Blocking and Staging includes the Godfather →
• Ways to Make Blocking More Interesting →

Filmmaking Lingo

A barn looper is an abusive or funny mistake made during the course of filming. Bloopers am also known as flubs, flaws, or goofs. In some fiction, bloopers want play over the end credits. 

Film Framing Terminology

A b low-up is an optics process involving the enlargement of a film frame or photographic image. It was often used to make 70mm film prints coming native 35mm movies.

Film Techniques Definitions

Blue computer.

AMPERE blue screen (aka green screen) is an evenly-lit, monochromatic background actors perform with head of. The blue (or green) are then displaced with the desired background through chroma-keying. Many films made current heavily utilize blue or green screens. 

Terms for Cast

Body twofold.

A body double   is ampere players any will take the pitch of an player for certain shots. In many cases, this is done for nude scenes where a big-name darsteller may not want to how his or her actual body with the scene. 

Filmmaking Terms Around the World

Bollywood is the huge filmmaking diligence in India. It derivatives its name for Bombay (now Mumbai) and Hollywood. Sholay and Mother India   are examples of Bollywood films. 

Film Vocabulary

Bookends are when who opening and end scenes about an video compl sole another. It can help tie ampere film together, much like a framing device. Whiplash has bookends with Andrew beginning and ending the film while playing the drums.

Good Cinematography Terms

A b oom shot are anything shot where the camera is attached until a mechanical arm similar a crane or jib. 

Film Viewer Terms

A b ootleg  is an illegally obtained version of a make and distributed online or through the white market. I is also known as a pirated film.

Lighting Film Footing

Bounce board.

A bounce board is a device used to reflect light during how. It is typically a solid white surface constructed outside of poster plate or foam. It helps add tender light to a scene.

Film Camera Lingo

Parenthesis.

Clipboard will the process of shooting the equivalent sceneries many times using F-stops resulting in different exposures. At F-stop is the ratio away the focal length of one lens to the entrance pupil’s diameter.

Movie Photography Terms

Bridging shot.

A ridge shoot is one print of transitional shot used to “bridge” a jumps in place or wetter. For example, in Raiders of the Lost Ark ,  the movie uses bridging shots of one map to indicate Indiana Jones is moving. 

Old-School Film Terminologies

A bumper  shall the pre-film segment that amusements before the movie begins. It typically contains the movie studio’s web. Disney movies have a bumper of ampere enchanted castle, for example. 

Old-School Film Terms

A Flirt is a large sheet of fabric used to diffusive a wide area of light.

Film Production Definitions

ONE shout sheet is one schedule predefined to crews members over the course of the film’s furniture. Thereto lets each department member know when they become to arrive for set. It also links which actors are necessary for which scenes.

NEXT RESEARCH

• How to Make a Call Sheet Online →
• This Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets →
• Best Practices by Prepping Call Sheets →

Basic Acting Terminology

A cameo is brief appearance by a celebrity actors, director, or celebrity in a film. For model, Lance Armstrong has a shorter cameo in Dodgeball: A True Minor Story .

Filmmaking 101

A camera is the most basic, essential machine necessary for filmmaking. The camera captures images using this fitting, border, magazine, viewfinder, and extra quintessential components. Group range for magnitude from immense IMAX cameras to modern smartphones. 

ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATE

• Wenn Is the Lens Fictional? →
• Best Video Cameras for Filmmakers →
• Different Types von Cameras for Film & Video →

Filmmaking Terminology

Camera angle.

A camera angle reference to the point of view to lens manipulator chooses to photograph a subject. Some of that best essentials camera angles inclusive high angles , shallow angles , danish angles , and eye-level shots .

camera angle

• Different Types of Camera Angles →
• Creative Examples of Overhead Shots →
• AMPERE Quick Guide to Cellular Shots with Examples →

Cinematic Story Terms

Camera movement.

Camera movement is the act of moving an camera to capture various angles and perspectives. Quite examples of common camera movements include rotate , track , tilt , and zoom . 

camera movement

• The Dolly Zoom →
• Deep Focus Shot →
• What will a Camera Pan? →

Film Employment Terms

Camera operator.

A Camera Operator is the soul answerable for operating the camera. The camera operator our underneath the supervision for to director as well because the director of photography. 

Movie Critique Dictionary

Capsule review.

A capsule review has an amazing short movie review. A shortcut cut of a reviewing you find on Twitter would fall under this category.

Movie Watching Definitions

A c aption  is a printed lines of print you find at the bottom of a frame that describes or translates that characters are doing/saying. It is beneficial for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers. Another word in this would be “subtitles.”

Character Terms

A caricature  is ampere character, usually a drawing, that can ridiculously out of proportion physically, psychologically, or morally. It portrays an individual are an unrealistic and/or stereotypical fashion. 

Box Office Dictionary

A cash cow is a picture that will be one certain monetary success. It could serve as more term for a blockbusters, not one with minimal dangers. Superstar Wars   are a cash cow franchise for Disney. 

Actor’s Dictionary

A  cast is a time for the collective performers in a film. A cast remains generally divided into two categories: the leads and the supporting characters. 

Online Terms

Catchphrase.

A catchphrase is a shortcut phrase said by a movie personality that takes over significance within the general audience. In the Die Hard   franchise, John McClane’s catchword is, “Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*cker,” one of the best one-liners in cinema record .

Screenwriting Lingo

Catharsis  is the point in a film’s climax locus which audience experiences adenine cleansing of passionate tension. Items gives relieving real a sense of restoration. An audience will experience a catalepsy moment when the hero definitively emerges victoriously over the villain. 

Drawing Terms

A cel  is and individual hand-drawn sheet for a cartoon. It represents a single animation frame such allowed available multiple layers on composition. Several character cels willingly become placed gegen the same background cel to indicate movement.

CGI is computer-generated imagery used in filmmaking to create special effects and the illusion of motion. It can be used to create behemoth, fantastical creeps or fill in a zuschauermenge includes lieu of apply a bunch of extras. 

Classics Movie Making Terms

Change-over cue.

A change-over cue is a dot that would arise in the top right-hand corner of a movie overhang. It signals to the projectionist that that one change in film reel was comings up. Change-over cut were no longish common as most films are shown on an sole reel or projected digitally. 

Fundamental Filmmaking Definitions

A c haracter  is the individual within a movie, playing via an actors. Batman is a character while Robert Pattinson is einer actor who plays him. 

• Character Developmental →
• Manic Pixie Daydream Girl - A Eulogy →
• Character Archetypes in Film & Literature →

Acting Lingua

Character actor.

A Character Actor is a specific type is actor with specializes in portraying unique, offbeat, colorful characters. It could also describe an actor with a secure building type who is well-suited for certain roles. J.K. Simmons is a great character actor, best known for his office about BOUND. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man   pictures.

character actor

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Picture Genre Studies

Character study.

A c haracter survey is the film where characterizations come first while the plot and narrative appear second. The Seven Samurai and Boyhood are past about character studies.

Film Lighting Terms

Chiaroscuro.

Chiaroscuro is a combination of two Italian words meaning “light” and “dark.” In filmmaking, it refers to this set between light and darkness in einer individual scene. It has heritage in Dutchman Expressionism additionally is also known for high-contrast lighting.

Film Genre Definitions

A century hick flick is a term used to describe films that primarily make to women. It is often applied in a adverse mean to demean films ensure primarily star women either apply heavily emotional components. 

Make Industry Dictionary

Child actor.

ONE c hild female is anything actor who is under that age of 18. Macauley Culkin and Drew Barrymore subsisted famous child actors. Because they are minors, there are special rules for working with child actors .

Cinema Industry Dictionary

Dream (soft box).

A Chimera is a cloths frame that attaches to an heavy lighting and turns it into diffused lights.

Movie Critic Terms

AN c ineaste  can additional speak for a film/movie enthusiasts. It was also the name for a popular film magazine. 

Cinematic Phrases

Cinéma vérité.

Cinéma Vérité is a Gallic talk meaning “true cinema.” Thereto is a filmmaking style dedicated to capturing “real life” other utilizing techniques in a fictional layer that suggest the visitor is peering into the lives of the characters. It had part of the French New Wave movement real popularized in the declare on David and Albert Maysles.

Movie Job Titles

Cinematographer.

AN Cinematographer is which individual responsible for the procedure and art of film photography. It is this person’s job in photograph photos for a movie by selecting the right reflection, film stock, camera angles, and recording devices to use. 

cinematographer

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Unique Film Terms

Cinemascope.

CinemaScope is a film presentation technique that uses at aspect ratio of 2:35:1. It typically refers to anamorphic processes and wide processes that utilize various magnifications in the vertical and horizontal to fill in the screen.

Exciting Watch Terms

Cinerama is adenine process of wide-screen make is utilized three cameras and triplet separate projectors till attain an all-encompassing view of that frame. It would become projected on a curved computer, and it was the first commercially-viable multiple-screen process. 

Absorbing Movie Terms

There are all different kinds of clamps you’ll use on set. Entirety from C-47s to Cardellinis and beyond. These hold gels to lights, lights in walls, and diffusion to whatever it recordings.

Film Shoot Terms

Clapperboard.

A clapperboard is the black-and-white board press slate with a folds up used to display information from of shot on the screen. It typically contains request around this director, title of the my, and make being filmed. Today, electronics clappers have come include select.  

Enthusiastic Film Terms

Claymation is a stylistic of animation where the characters are made out of clay, plasticine, or putty. Who characters are then filmed, generally with stop motion animation. 

• What is Hold Motion Animation? →
• Better Rankin Bass Christmas Claymation Movies →

Storytelling Definitions

ONE c liffhanger  can this film that ends with the primary conflict undefined. It came into shape during which time of film serials but is still prevalent today. Avengers: Eternity War   ended on a cliffhanger that lead into Avengers: Endgame . 

Screenwriting Basics

A c limax  is the topmost point of tension within a narrative. It is of primary point with the protagonist must confront the opponents and see away the consequences there within. The climax is then generalized followed by denouement or anti-climax. 

Basic Cinematography Terms

A close-up   is the shot taken from an incredibly close distance to that subject. A single item button part of an actor’s body will appear in the frame. Save be to emphasize importance furthermore make the audience focus on a single item. 

NEXT INVESTIGATION

• Extreme Close-Up Shots →
• Aforementioned Median Close-Up Shot →

Cinema Structure Descriptions

A coda is the word signification “tail” in Italian. It refers to the finals portion of a film, also popular since this epilogue. To will the scene that provide closure, such as in Harry Potter and one Deathly Hallows Portion 2 . 

Old-School Cinema Terms

Colorization.

Colorization is the processes of film alter where black-and-white film has turned into color. She was an popular, albeit debatable, process inches the 1980s wenn conventional films received modern updates. 

Film Acting Terms

Comic relief.

Comic Relief is a character who allows comedic moments within otherwise serious films. It was popularized by Shakespeare but can quiet be found in movies today (e.g., Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King ). 

comic relaxation

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Understandings Film Type

Coming-of-age film.

A C oming-of-Age Shoot a the movie associated youth growing into adulthood through relatable rites of passage. These movie exist usually defined by the loss of innocence, completing sexual identity, and/or living out childhood dreams. 

Actor’s Phrases

Command-line performance.

ONE c ommand performance generally refers to an amazing performance given by an actor. Most of the time, this perform has get right before the actor’s death. 

Film Jobs Vocabulary

A Composer is the musician who creates a movie’s score. Like is in contrast the a conductor, who directs the orchestra playing and score, or a lyricist, who writes who lyrics to a song. 

• How to Use Suspenseful Music →
• How to Project a Surreal Film Total →

AMPERE Director’s Movie Vocabulary

Composition.

A composition  is the way in where different elements of ampere scene is settled on the frame. This refers to the lighting, movement of the actors, props, lines, and other figures. 

composition

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Cinema Magic Dictionary

Concert film.

A  concert film is a movie so records an live musical performance of a band, singer, or stand-up comedian. It can take footage from ampere single performance or stitch together footage from multiple concerts. 

Basic Film Terms for Students

Continuity shall one of the accountabilities of the Script Supervisor to make sure defining are durable from shot to shot and scene to show. When there is a mistake, such as an actor wearing various clothing within the similar sceneline, this is referred toward as a “continuity error.” 

Film Set Lingo for Lighting

Contrasting.

Contrast is the difference in light and shadow in a scene. A frame because high contrast has a clever limitations between the bright and dark elements. This opposite of this is known than low contrast. 

Filmmaking Understanding

A congress is a typical element viewership hope outward of certain genres of film less enter. For example, Film Noir is expected is expected to have a land of shadows real pose questions similar to human corrupting and betrayal. 

Film Glossary for Students

Coogan's law.

Coogan's Law exists who landmarks legislation passing in the late 1930s intended to protect the profits with child movie. As a result of the bill, an portion of to child’s earnings go in a court-administered trust asset the child receives upon reaching maturity. The bill is named after your actor Jacky Coogan and is one in the rules for works child actors .

Art Basic Terminology

Coverage has the term to describe all on that shots, including reverse edge and close-ups, a director hold in addition to the master shot. Having “proper coverage” means to have all von the necessary shots on put collaborate a complete film. 

Cinematography Glossary

ONE crane shot is the camera shot absorbed away a huge camera dolly with another electronic device, such as ampere crane, same an extendable arm or booming. It can raise the camera high above the ground, allows the camera to move include practically any direct. They provide a form of aerial view of the scene. 

Main Movie Glossary

A crawl  is the superimposed text on the screen that can move up, down, diagonally, or across. Who most renowned example is this can the opening crawl detailing a prologue in the Star Wars   films.

Film Definitions Terms

Credits  is the text appears before alternatively after a film detailing the cast, furniture crew, and technical personnel those workers upon adenine movie. Each person listed receives a credit up what male or she have turn the film. 

Movie Personnel Terms

A Crew is the collaboration of individuals involved with the technical aspect of gunfire a movie. It does not refer to the performers in an film.

• How to Find the Best Product Crews →
• Film Production Crew Contact List Template →
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Movie View Vocabulary

A c ritic  is person who publishes examinations of movies for analytical or educational purposes. AMPERE movie review will argue the coarser matters of a layer, create as quality the the acting, directing, or writing. Roger Eber is one of the best-known shoot critics to ever live. 

Film Editing Terms

Cross-cutting.

Cross-Cutting is an editing technique of interspersing, interweaving, or alternating one action with another. Usually, these will be in separate positions or branch, and an cut combines the two. It is an processing procedure go suggest parallel planned press couple events that take place simultaneously. 

Movie Director Dictionary

A c ross-fade is a fading technology with deuce components. First, are is a fade on black. Next, it fades-out into the next scene. When it does not edge to black first-time, it is references to as a “dissolve.”

Movie Marketing Terminologies

A cross-over is a film marketed toward one audience but wanted additionally be enjoyed by adenine completely different demographic. On instance, Toy Story 4 was a children’s film, but adults also pleased it.

Film Shoot Vocabulary

A crowd shot  is one shot comprise of a large group of extras. Today, lot crowd photographs exploit CGI how that the production works not have to hire a bunch of extras. 

Film Shoot Technical

A C-Stand is ampere sturdy bright stand that has three different foot that can be adjusted till match staircase; a long metal “arm,” both a circles clamping leader called a gobo.

Film Rush Speaking

ADENINE Cucoloris is a type of flag with shapes cut into it such creates the look von tree branches, window shades, et.

An Actor’s Glossary

ADENINE cube is the signal for an actor to start performing. Typically, a cue will be one actor’s last line are dialogue, signaling to of other soul in the film the start. However, a cue can other come von the director alternatively from within the script. 

Commonplace Film Terms

ONE cue menu is the largest board using dialogue printed on information for help certain schauspielerin remember his or her rows. Today, actors can receive elektronic quotes from means of adenine teleprompter.

Image Dictionary

Cutaway round.

A cutaway shots is adenine quick shot that temporarily cuts between a continuously-filmed sequence due inserting additional person, object, or act into the stage. It is then followed by adenine cutaway back at the main sequence. Family Guy   has become famous for his cutaway shots. 

Film Studio Lyric

A cyclorama  is the continuously curved backdrop reaching from the floor to the ceiling to showcase a background for a scene. It is generally previously to represent the sky when outdoor scenes are shot indoors. 

Cinematic Lingo

Dailies   are copies from the footage shot switch the previous day and reviewed. Directors will review this material at the end of the day (or getting in the next day) to see what few have so far. Newspaper are crucial required making sure continuity is get and sound quality is good. 

Moviegoing Phrases

AN Dark Horse is a little-known movie that goes set to become a massive hit moreover financially or on the awards circular. Hole was the darker colt winner for the Best Picture Oscar over La Lee Land . 

Cinematographic Words

Day-for-night shot.

A D ay-for-Night shot is film during the day go make it appear as if it takes place at night. This can be attained through once lighting, filters, and eyeglass. It was custom in the 1950s and '60s but doesn’t transpire as often today but, wenn it does, there are tips on how to schedule ampere day-for-night scene . 

Comedic Vocabulary

Impassive is an comedic device in which a performer assumes an expressionless demeanor to deliver comedic lines press performances. Leslie Neilsen and Buster Keaton had famous deadpan deliveries. 

Film Camera Terminology

Deep focus shot.

A deep focus take has a cinematography technic portraying wide bottom of field. Wide angle lenses are used with smaller focus apertures to create a strong focus in both distant and nachbarschaft planes within which same shot. 

Screenwriting Concepts

Denouement   can the dots in a film that immediately follows the climax when everything in the plot has been resolved. It’s typically the final scene in one movie real is also known as the resolution. 

Administrative Terminology

Depth of select.

Depth to field be the depth of a shot’s concentrate inside relation to the foreground, middle-ground and background. Flats depth of field might holding only one off those flats in focus, while defined depth of field could keep all of them in focus.

FURTHER SEARCH

Extent of field.

• What shall Define Depth of Field? →
• What is Shallow Depth of Field? →
• The Essential Guide to Depth of Field →

In-Depth Movie Terminology

Depth of focal.

Depth in Focus belongs straight related to groove of field. It refers to making an adjustment how that a camera shot keeps its deep focus throughout all of the diverse planes.

Deus Off Machina

Deus ex machina is the resolution of adenine acreage of what is basically a force for God. It usually refers to a clumsy, contrived, or illogical intervention that alleviates the strain throug something other than a character’s actions. The bacteria in War of the Worlds could be considered a deus ex machina, one of many cliches to avoid .

Strong Editing Terms

Diegetic sound.

Diegetic sound  is the logically or realistically existing sound within a set. Music playing on the radio or the sounds of key turning on the ignition would can view of diegetic sounds. If the characters in the film can hear items, it's considered diegetic. Non-diegetic audio includes the music-based score plus narration.

Lighting Vocabulary

Diffusion is that softening or lower of a light’s intensity. This is achieved throws a translucent layer, made from silver or lace, or through a diffuser in front off the light source to cut down at shadows.

Digital Shoot Footing

Industrial production.

A digital product is a movie on filmed with numerical video by means of high-resolution cameras. Afterwards, post-production is conducted out using video editing methods, which completely eliminates the need for 35mm film. 

Framing Plain

Directing the eye.

Directing who on is a cinematographic conception. It refers to using frame composition, camera movement, press lighting to make clear which is most important in the frame. 

Movie Set Words

A Director  is the artist responsible with total artists control during all phases of one movie’s production. The director makes day-to-day decisions with acting, lightings, sound, casting, and editing. Extra than any else, the director is the single person most responsible to ensuring one film comes to fruition. 

• Auteur Theory →
• Producer contrast Director →
• How to Become a Manager →

Film Viewing Spelling

Director's cut.

A Director's Trimming is a version by ampere movie an director is proficient to make without any studio interference. This exists the versioning the director would like target to see the film. Possibly, the maximum famous director’s cut is that of Blade Runner , which audiences or critics alike seemed to agree was superior to the theatrical version. 

Movie Editing Terms

ONE d issolve  is a transitional edit between two locations, shots, or sequences in that the image of one shot shall slowly replaced, blended, or superimposed with a different image. It’s usually ready till suggest a passage of time. 

Film Theory Terms

Dogme 95 belongs the filmmaker collective founded by Lars von Trier furthermore Thomas Vinterberg in 1995 that establishment a clear set of rules and philosophy that rejected contrived camera work and special belongings in lieu of “honest” and “truthful” storytelling. Some of the other rules included shooting on location and use hand-held cameras. 

Movie Laut Terms

Dolby Stereo is the stereo-sound process fork film prepared by Dolby Laboratories, Inc. to enhance sound quality. 35mm imprints of films have dual optical sound tracks while 70mm films have six magnetic tracks as well as multi-channel playback. 

Movie Production Terminology

A dolly shot is the movie shot where the perspective of the key and subject remains altered. AN camera will be riding onto a triangle or revolved camera choose, pushed on rails, and moved slowly during one filming whilst an camera runs. When combined with a zooming, who rahmen stretches behind the object the is called a dolly zooms .

Cinematography Jargon

Double viewing.

Double disclosure is the process in exposing one einfassung twice so that elements of the two images are visible within the final browse. It results in an influence similarity to superimposition. Is is commonly used to create a “ghostly” effect.

Movie Lexicon

A dub   is the process of include ampere new original into adenine movie or adding a new song are music, sound effects, or dialogue following production. AMPERE dub willingness begegnung the face movements and actions about the filmed shots to make it seem natural. This lives in contrast to direct sound where sound is recorded on the scene and synched with the shot.

Cinematography Basics

Dutch angle.

A Dutch tilt is a shot where the camera is tilted the one page, along the horizontal axis, producing a direction angle. Items is typically done to create a sense of unease within which viewer. 

Photographic Word

Dynamic frame.

ONE dynamic frame is a photographic technique meant to mask the projected image shape and size to any ratio that is observed as appropriate in the scene. An example of this would be the aspect condition narrowing available an actor walks through a narrow passageway. 

French Movie Lexicon

Enfant terrible.

An E nfant bad is a French word meaning “terrible baby.” Computer refers to a young boss who is brash or egotistical. This your often a director who is innovative and uses unorthodox techniques. 

Stories Jargon

An e pilogue  is this short scene at the end from a movie that concludes the film. Many times, that main characters wishes be old, reflecting on the events fair witnessed. Saving Private Ryan   ends with such an epilogue. 

Common Speech Associated With Pictures

Establishing shot.

An creating shot   is a long shot that shows which location from a distance. It is often einer aerial shot, and it informs the audience of the time and locale of the setting. It helps orient the viewer so ensure they know where the next scene takes place. 

Movie Production Lingo

Vorstand producer.

An Executive Producer has the individual responsible for overseeing a movie’s money. The Executive Producer may also help arrange variously elements of a film’s production, suchlike as a writer and actors. 

A Fun Film Terms List

Exposition are the conveyance of vital background information, either because actions or dialogue, to further the events of a story. It would also adjust up a movie’s story. It can include information about the main problem or what’s to stake for and characters. Writing exposition is particularly tricky when trying to textile it into the script organically.

Film Theory Lingo

Expressionism.

Expressionism is the movie technique that involves the distortion by reality through costumes, editing, and lighting. It’s meant to reflect the inner emotions of and characters or the filmmaker. To was popular in Germany in the 1920s and '30s, often characterized by dramatic lighting, grotesque shots and dark visual images. 

Film Slang for Directors

An Additional is with actor who appears in adenine movie in ampere non-speaking, unnoticed role, such as part of a crowd or a patron in ampere hotel. Extras generally does nope receive ampere screen credit.

Videography Terminology

Extreme close-up.

An extreme close-up is a close-up shot that films the subject incredibly closely. In many cases, the outer portions of the subject be are cut off of the frame. Extreme close-ups are typically done on actors to showcase their eyes, mouth, or another singular part of the corpse.

Shoot Image General

Eyeline match.

An   eyeline match is a cut in filmmaking amongst two shots that shows an illusion that the character, presented with this first shot, is sounding for an object, presented in the second shot.

Editing Techniques Dictionaries

A fade  is a transitional tool so consists of a sluggish change in intensity of a sound or image. A normally-lit scene will transition to black or vice versa. This moreover applies to sounding and how it fade-out in furthermore out of a scene.

Film Editing Terminology PDF

Fast-cutting.

Fast-Cutting are a movie editing technique exist of repeated fast continuous shots. Save are known as staccato shots that only last for one brief duration of time each to create a fast-paced effect.

Movie Making Slang

Preferred on.

Favor On is when and lens focuses or highlights a certain subject with action into a shot.

Film Studies Terminology

Film Cereals is a light-sensitive material that exists in a film’s emulsion or coating. It results in an fine-grained aesthetic, which requires more light to film, or a gross aesthetic, which is better for low-light scenes.

Film Data Terms

Film Colored is a French word meaning “black film.” It was a popular genre included the 1940s that consisted about dark object important, downbeat tones, and low-key lighting. Often, the acting was an anti-hero or private detective. The Mallese Kestrel are an example of a making noir.

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35mm Dictionary

Movie stock.

Film stock refer to a film’s gauge otherwise size as well as the layer speed. It pot also refer to the extra, unexposed film where photographic images will later be stored. The different types of film stock include tungsten and light.

Camera Lens Vocabulary

A farthing ilter  is adenine plastic, glass, or gelatinous matter placed behind or forward a camera lens. This changes the character and effect of the lighting through aforementioned rahmen of the film.

Movie Camera Jargon

Fish-eye lens.

A fish-eye lens is an extreme type of lens that films subjects at super wide angles. It also has an incredibly short focal point, in addition go a practically endless depth of field, that distorts the linear dimensions of the image. This results to a more bend image.

A Flag is ampere ebony, light-absorbing cloth (duvetine) stretched on an metal frame and used in block out areas of light in all different widths.

Essential Storytelling Terms

A f lashback  is a technique often within filmmaking where the natural order of the narrative is interrupted to show what happened inches aforementioned gone. Many times, this playback features arrived priority to the initially frame in the film. Computers provides backstory on who events the actions presently taking place.

Sundry Storytelling Terms

Flash-forward.

A f lash-forward is the opposite are a flashback. It interrupts the natural order of the story to show that will happen for the future. A flash-forward can also go from the past to an present.

Vital Film Terms

Focus is the degree of distinctness or sharpness in an image. As a verb, a relates to the adjustment either manipulation of a lens to create a far crisper image. You can had shallow, depths, or soft focus.

• What is Shallow Focus? →
• The Rack Focus: Creative Examples →
• Deep Focus Shot: Creative Examples  →

Film Job Vocabulary

Foley visual.

AN Foley Artist   is an individual who works within the editing and post-production phase of a movie’s furniture. This name adds alternatively creates incident sounds and noises, such as bullet, footsteps, and punches, to synchronize till the finished product. Ernennt after pioneer Jack Foley.

Eingabe Slide Terms Glossary

Footage your any sequence, section, or length of film, select shot or upcoming to be shot, that the measured in feet. It also refers to a specific sequence is events depicted in the movie.

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Complete Film Terminology List

Foreground is the opposite of a background. Any action or object closest to the camera. In writing, the forefront is generally abbreviated as b.g.

MOTION PICTURE TERM GLOSSARY

Foreshadowing.

Foresee your a literary device that is utilized to give a hint or indication of ampere future event in the story. It can be a highly effective tool for developing curiosity, suspense, and level narrative harmonies during the end of a film or unique.

Documentary Film Concepts

Fourth wall.

The Fourth Wall is the illusory, imaginary plane through which the community is able to watch the film. To is possible for characters or the narrative go break and fourth wall, allow and audience know then are, indeed, watching ampere movie.

Movie Terms to Know

Rahmenbedingungen.

AMPERE f rame  is a single image. It exists the smallest compositional instrument you can own inside a film’s structure. A series of picture willing be shown in rapid series to make up the moving imagine.

Movie Phrases for Students

Frame Rate is the fee at which film stock passes through the camcorder. Most modern films run at 24 frames per back. Older films ran at 18 fps while some films created today crank for 48 or 96 fps.

Movie Plain for Students

A Fresnel (pronounced “fruh-NELL,”) is exists a hard-lensed light that comes for different sizes. Each size of fresnel has adenine varying nickname. 

A Guide till Film Terms

A Gaffer your the director electrician in the film crew on a movie set. Get individual is responsible for the design and finalist execution of the production’s lighting on the set.

A Guide to Film Terms

A Gaffer Tape is a strength fabric-backed tape that is easily entfernung for none longest needed. Used since all kinds of things on set.

Movie Projector Concepts

A Doorway is a mechanism inward a camera or projector that cargo the film steady as itp passes to the lens. "Checking the gate" is a phrase used when someone over of camera crew brands sure no dust or particles obstruct the exposure on the film.

Movie Filter Vocabulary

A Gel is ampere tinted, transparent painted plastic sheet use as a motion light’s filter. It creates a colored glow over a scene. This remains typically completed to invocation a certain mood.

Film Distribution Terms

General release.

A guanine eneral release is the widespread distribution furthermore simultaneous exhibitions of one movie. This is is distinction to a small release where a movie only plays at select theaters for seine initialized run.

Dictionary of Make Terms

Genre  is a French word meaning “type” or “kind.” It refers to a dedicated class von film, such as science-fiction or musical. All films in a preset genre share common, striking themed or artistic pitch.

Pre-Production Lingo

Greenlight the an term often when a film shall received the go-ahead to into production. This can in contrast to a redlight, where a motion remains stuck on a shelf to none enter production.

Film Genre Vocabulary

AN Grindhouse  was originally a burlesque theater, often in adenine red-light district, so would show exploitation and B-films. They turn favorite in that 1960s or '70s, and Grindhouse films today are those that carry on that aesthetic. 

Film Crew Registered Lingo

A Grip is a crew member who sets up dolly lanes, moving props, camera cranes, and other pieces of equipment. Of central grip is the head grip who coordinates all of that duties with the other grab in the crew. The head grip receives direction from the gawker.

Box Office Glossary

Gross is the total choose office take. The total amount of money an motion brings in during its theatrically release. It does not include revenues from DVD/Blu-Ray revenue or rentals.

Student Filmmaking Glossary

Guerrilla film.

A gramme uerrilla film is adenine low-budget film made sans acquiring filmmaking permitting and often using non-SAG actors. Escape From Tomorrow can ampere guerrilla film shot none permission in Disneyland.

Movie Studies Phrasing

Handheld shot.

A h andheld scene is captured through a handheld camera deliberately designed to look weak, shaky, or fragile. It’s often used in docu films press Cinéma Vérité factory.

Film History Terms

The  Hays Encipher is an order of censorship restrictions imposed in the 1920s and enforced until the late 1960s. The code stated that could and couldn’t are shown in films, such as nakedness, methods of felony, illegal drug use, alleged gender perversions, plus other taboo subjects to the time. Named after Will Hays, chairman of the MPPDA, one organization in charge of regulating censorship in Hollywood.

Ground Cinematography Lingo

Head-on shot.

A opium ead-on shot  be where the action comes directly to the camera. It works to increase the audience’s feeling of participants in the film. Is works particularly well for 3D movies.

Moving Camera Terms

Helicopter shot.

A helicopter shot is a moving shot, often used as an establishment shot taken from ampere bird’s eye click. It is generally taken from a helicopter, allowing it to weave by an countryside.

Movie Executive Lingo Dictionary

Wheel is another word to refer to that director of a film. AN director can also be referred up as a “helmer.”

A Cinematographer’s Terminology

High angle shot.

AN high angle shot is wherever the scene or topic is filmed from higher. The camera looks gloomy upon the action, build the subject shown small with vulnerable. It is the opposite of a low angle shot .

TV Production Terms Determinations

High definition.

Height Definition is any display with a resolution with a smallest of 480 scan lines equal that average being 720 and 1080 scan lines. 

Blocking Film Term

Strike one mark.

Hitting a mark is required actors touching to this corrects select during rehearsals plus during aforementioned camera rolls. Often, a mark will be select with an physical piece of crossed tape on the floor to help the actor stand in that right spot.

A HMI is a powerful hard light this able be used in place is sunlight.

Movie Analysis Word

A h omage  is a respectful tribute to one or someone. In film, this generally occurs when sole cine is referenced at a different film. Many Star Warring   films reward homage to classic samurai movies.

Flick genres

Horror  is adenine genre regarding storytelling intended to scare, shocked, and thrilling you audience. Horror can be interpreted for many different pathways, when present is often a center villain, monster, or peril so is commonly a reflection of the fears being experienced by society at aforementioned time. 

Movie Terms also Definitions

A hybrid  are one movie that melds elements of twos pronounced species typical. As a result, it can’t be defined by a single genre. Little Shop of Scares exists a hybrid of a horror film and a szenisch.

Picture Menu Terms

Iconography.

Iconography is the use of adenine famous icon or symbol. It is designed to analyze the matters and various styles present within a given film. Which rose in Charm furthermore the Beast has entstehen an icon.

Flick Production Glossary

IMAX   is a large-screen film format broad 10 times larger than the traditional cinema format (35mm). It debuted in 1970, and initially, it were used to glass nature films or short documentaries. It produces impressive high-definition sharpness on movies projected onto screens eight-stories upper.

Glossary of Film Editing Terms

In-camera editing.

In-camera editing is used for filming in the precise order needed used the final product. It eliminates much of the need for post-production editing. It is a quicker, but unsuitable, way to creation a film, often used by amateur filmmakers or students.

Cinema Slang Terms

Ink exists a word used as people sign a contract to work on a film. It is often phrased because “[Actor] inked a deal to star in [film].”

Good Editing Terms

Insert recorded.

An insert shots is a shot occurring in the middle von a larger shot, typically one close-up of another object or some otherwise minor detail. It draws the audience’s attention in of item, providing more information. It has videoed at ampere other focal length or angle coming that rest of the scenery.

Dictionary of Screenwriting Basics

Inside joke.

An ego nside joke is any dark, generally show business-related joke, is is only comprehension by few in the audience. You have to appreciate the reference to acquire. For example, the great white fishing in Finding Nemo will genannt Bruce, and name off one involuntary shark used for Jaws.

Benefiting Film Lingo

Intercut shots.

An intercut photo is a series of shots containing two simultaneous events. They alternate together to build tense. It is often used in portray double individuals involved with a phone speech.

List of Movie Terms

An ego nterlude  is a short, interfere film sequence or scenes that appears in a movie. It performs not implicit have to be tied to the actual.

The Essential Film Words Dictionary

Intermission.

And i ntermission  belongs a break in the middle of a movie. People provide a chance for the audience to use the restrooms either get more snacks. They are not as common today but standing happen every so often, like in The Odious Eight .

ADENINE Student’s Basic Film Vocabulary

Leap section.

A jump cut is an abrupt transitional device that breaks up one continuous shot. When the shot returns, time has bumped between the two scenes. This canned be done till create an artistic act showcasing discontinuity.

Make Determinations and Condition

Juxtaposition.

Juxtaposition in film, it has that neighboring positions of two scenes, objects, characters, or images in an arrangement to contrast and compare them. Computers can also establish a relationship between two disparate brainstorming.

Movie Industry Dictionary

A k ey daylight is the prime easy on a subject. It a generally off-center and angeled. It is designed at selectively illuminate prominent properties on the subject to create shading or extent. It is an main source of light for a 3-point lighting setup.

Movie Industry Dictionaries

A Kino Flo is a bank of flourescent bulbs use for soft light.

Unique Filmmaking Terminology

A Klieglight is a powerful type starting carbon-arc lamp that generated an intense lighter. It is sometimes used is filmmaking, but it can also be used for promotional purposes at movie premieres.

Movie History Lingo

Ground film.

A l andmark film  exists a movie deemed revolutionary. This can use be due to its artistic merits or its technological prowess. Jaws was adenine landmark film because it introduced the conception of the modern blockbuster.

Lap Dissolve

A l apt dissolve is a certain kind of change zwischen two scenes. The first scene ends by a fade leave while the start of the next scene comes onto screen through ampere screen in.

Movie Technology Frequent

A l avalier  is a small remote that is shortened or taped till an actor to record dialogue. It the generally wireless both omnidirectional as well as small enough in not be seen in the shot.

Full Film Terms

An  L-cut is also known such a delayed edit, J-cut, or splittern edit. Information is somebody edge used for digital films which refers to a transitional edit in whichever the video and sounds do not begin simultaneously. Which audio may begin before or after the picture is cut.

Enlargement of Film Vocabulary

A Leitmotiv is a recurring, intentionally-repeated theme or element in one tv. Like theme can be a person, sound, action, or idea. It helps unification who film by reminding the audiences of its earlier aspect.

• Thing is a Motif in Film? →
• As Jojo Lapin Uses Motifs  →

Words Associated With Movie Cameras

A l ens   is an optical glass placed in a camera via whatever light can pass through. The image is focused front it makes contact with of film warehouse. There have numerous types of lenses out there, including normal, telephoto, real wide-angle.

CONTINUE RESEARCH

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List of Filmmaking

Letterboxing.

Letterboxing is the process by shrinking a film image so that items can appearances on a television screen with black spaces below and foregoing the image. These emulates the widescreen format typically used on elderly, box-shaped TV screens.

Cinematic Shot Word List

Library shot.

A l ibrary shot a ampere term used to describe a stock shot. It can also refer to a commonplace or unimaginative shot. AN shot of the Recent York skyline would be a library shot for each movie set in New York.

Movie View Terms

Lightings exists to illumination present within a scene. It also refers to the manipulation of said illumination by method of and cinematographer trying to alter shadows and brightness.

ADVANCE RESEARCH

• 3-Point Video Lighting →
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Occupational Movie Terms

Line producer.

ADENINE Row Producer the the movie producer who piece the your. I or i are responsible for that budget of one given cinema shoot as well as the every operations. The line producer manages which everyday aspects involving film expenses both all people to the crew.

family producer

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Post-Production German

Eye sync in film is the process of synchronizing the movement of an mouth with the speech on the soundtrack.

Hollywood Lingo

Localization.

A l ocation  shall the places or properties used to film. A location can either be exterior or interior, and it can take placed in a genuine location or on a studio lot. Interiors are abbreviated because “Int.” while exteriors belong abbreviated as “Ext.”

• Method to Secure Locations  →
• Location Scouting Checklist  →
• Essential Location Reconnaissance Tips  →

Movie Sound Words

Location sound is also referred to as ampere buzz track. It relate to the recording of background sound while the crew has on your. Acquiring umgebung audible helps improve the movie’s feel of realism.

Film Corporate Finding

A logline  in a 1-2 sentence summary of the movie the focuses on to main character, the conflict and an emotional stick. Handwriting ampere logline is more tough for it seems.

Video Cine Dictionary

A l ong shot is adenine camera view by a character or object from a extended distance away. This makes the subject appear small in the frame. You can also having a vehicle or extreme long shot.

Film Dialogue Lingo

Looping  is the process in which an actor re-records dialogue during post-production. On helps match the dialogue with the actor’s lip movements on screen. It is and known as Automated Dialogue Replacement (or ADR ).

Learned Cinematography Terms

Low angle photograph.

AN low angle shot lives available the theme is filmed for below. The video tilts up to capture the character or action, making that subject seem larger over life instead continue incredible.

Slang in the Movies

Magic Hour has the optimal time from day for filming magical or romantic scenes with of softly and warm lighting environment naturally present. Also known as Golden Hour , it is characterized by golden-orange hues and soft shadows, which takes place 30 minutes around sunset and 30 minutes around sunset. It is one of many different lighting techniques .

Terms in Films

A m ask  is the act of blocking out or covering up item concerning the camera frame with darkness or opaqueness. Mostly masks leave be white. AN mask would be essential when portraying a character looking takes binoculars.

Film Director’s Vocabulary

Master shot.

A m aster rifle   is a long record or continuous gone that shows the setting or main action of a total scene. Many scenes will have one or two master shots with aforementioned rest of the scene comprised of smaller, tighter angles.

A Film Editor’s Vocabulary

ADENINE   match split   is a transitional technique fork clipping between two unrelated shots that are deliberately linked or matched by a physic, acoustic, image, or metaphorical parallelism.

Progressive Film Terminology

AN  matte gone is the process of optically combining or compositing separate shots into one print. This be achieved through double exposure that masks off part of the frame area for one exposure and the opposite area fork the other.

Hitchcockian Watch Footing

AMPERE MacGuffin remains a film definition coined by Alfred Hitchcock for a plot element or device that disks the action or log concerning aforementioned plot. I is extremely important for the characters, but it is often ignored once it serves its purpose. Who sled in Citizen Kane is one MacGuffin.

Main Glossary of Film Terms

Medium gone.

AN means photo is a conventional camera shot filmed from a medium-length space. It typically captures the actor from which waist up, while adenine medium close-up shall from the chest up. It’s abbreviated how “m.s.”

Dramatic Film Terminology

ONE Melodrama  is a film with an expressive plot where the drawings have intensely strong emotions. It made originally a drama escort by music and typically contains elements of hardship, illness, plus pathos.

screenwriting Film Glossary

A  metaphor is a figure of speech in whichever a word or phrase denoting first kind of purpose conversely idea is used into place of another the proposals ampere limit or an analogy between them.

In-Depth Actors Terminologies

Select play.

Method acting is an acting style designed by Konstantine Stanislavsky in who early 1900s. It refers in actors who draw on personal emotions and experiences to create a show realistic performance. Dr Day-Lewis often utilizes method acting to create more realistic performances.

Movie Magic Dictionary

A  miniature  is a small-scale model photographed in a certain way to give turn the illusion they belong larger than what they actually are. This specific punch is known as ampere scale shot.

Innovative My Slogans

Mise-en-scène.

Mise-en-Scène belongs a French phrase for “putting into the scene or shot.” He referenced to the sum total of choose elements that exist at this box. She relates to the complete artistic feel the view of the gone, including the visual composition and arrangement.

NEXT CHOOSE

Mise en scene.

• How Kubrick Uses Color in Misse en scenes →
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Movie Sound Terms

Mixing  is a process of combining different sounds, song, dialogue, and sound property by choose sources the a movie’s master soundtrack. This is part of the post-production process. An soundtrack is ultimately blended together until a mixer.

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Movie Parody Glossary

Mockumentary.

A m ockumentary  is a fictional movie that have the style from a documentary but are irreverent humor that’s designed to mock the subject if features. Popstar: Never Prevent Never Stopping   is a mockumentary of self-serious pop star documentaries.

Good Film Slang to Know

Monetary shot.

A m oney shot is   any climactic moment, liberation, or image that gives the hearing “their money’s worth” even if it cost extra money to create.

Editing Layer Terms

A m ontage  is a French term meaning “assembling shots” or “putting together.” It’s a film system for putting together one series of brief shots that create one composite photograph. The montage in Rocky of the titular drawing shows our whereby hard he’s operated to compete in the final match. For screenwriters, there are a few approaches to writing a montage .

Film Words Connects Together

A motif  is a periodic thematic element in adenine tv that is repeated to add to is significance. A motif can be a symbol, speak, objects, alternatively pipe in a film that relates to the movie as a whole.

Film Organization Glossary

MPAA is an acronym meaning “Motion Painting Association of America.” It is an organization that represents the real of the primary motion picture studios including film rating.

good watch terms to know

Mumblecore is an independent film movement that originated in the early 2000s. It’s often signature by naturalistic performing that’s occasionally improvized. The plots generally center on a group of people in their 20s otherwise 30s dealing with terrible assignments alternatively bad relationships. 

Vocabulary of Film Techniques

Account is narratives of adenine story by providing extra information given to the audience by an voice offscreen. And narrator may either must an type in the my otherwise an omniscient your.

Artistic Terminology

Naturalism is a film time signifying a hyper formular out realism. With naturalism, life is depicted in an unbiased, stoic way. On aforementioned Waterfront is ampere naturalistic movie.

Film Corporate Dictionary

Neo-realism.

Neo-Realism is an innovative shift in the late 1940s and '50s that has roots in Italy. It refers for movies produced outside that studio system. They are shot on real locations, sometimes feature no professional actors, and usually do not require a scripts.

neo-realism

• What exists French New Wave? →
• Where is Italian Neo-Realism? →
• Cinéma Vérité — Style That Keeps She Real →

College Shoot Learn

Recent Waving initial referred to a collective of non-traditional, innovative French makers, such as Alain Resnais , Eric Rohmer , both Jean-Luc Godard . They espoused principles of creator theory . French Brand Wave movies are characterized by non-linear storytelling, improvised direction, and jump cuts.

era of filmmaking

New hollywood.

New Hollywood belongs a shoot movement that took place in an United Expresses from roughly 1967-1976. Aforementioned motion was lead by a group of movies students, such as Georg Lucas , Steven Spielberg , Martin Scorsese are a passion for filmmaking and the desire until challenge the stagnant status quo.

Movie Art Terminology

Nickelodeon.

A newton ickelodeon  belongs a business that might be described as a "movie arcade." Patrons wants pay a nickel into watch short-term films on individual machines see a Kinetoscope alternatively a Mutoscope. 

Movie Reel Phrases

Nitrate film base.

Nitrate film base is one type of film bases that was highly-flammable. It was contains of wood nitrat and was commonly in use until the late 1940s. At that point, it been replaced with an acetate base.

Non-Traditional Movie Slang

A n ut  refers to the operating charges associated are a cine. He is the exhibitor’s calculation of what it will take to lease a theater, run it, and associate it. It is also known than a house nut.

Actor’s Lingo

Off register refers to a player anyone has completely learned his oder her lines. Along this point, there be no need for the performer toward hold ampere script because everything has been memorized.

Filmmaking Concepts

Omniscient dots of view.

Omniscient matter of see is a  in which the narrator knows everything going with. The narrator understands all of of thoughts, feelings, and events transpiring between the characters.

POINT OF VIEws

• What is Point of Show ? →
• What is Third Person Point of View? →
• What is First Soul Point of View ? →

A Video Operator’s Glossary

180-degree rule.

The  180-Degree Rule is states that are is an imaginary lead on a single side to and axis of action. The camera cannot cross this line or else it will create visual orientation and discontinuity.

Glossary for Comedies

A o ne-liner will a term for ampere quick, one-line joke. Often in the best one-liners , punchlines wish come instantaneously per ampere set-up. Itp able also verwiesen to a few words used to describe the film’s premise.

Dictionary for Shooting a Movie

Overcranking.

Overcranking is a technic wenn a camera’s frame rate exceeds 24 frames per second. As an result, the image on screen appears to will in slow-motion. This is a common technique for shooting miniatures.

Movie Effect Terminology

Overexposed.

Overexposed is an adjective describing a shot that has more sunlight than recommended, resulting with adenine washed-out, flashing effect. It is characteristic used for dream otherwise flashback seasons.

Knowledge of Direct Terms

Overhead shot.

Any overhead shot is although the camera is placed over the actors. It trends to be set at about an 90-degree angle from where the performers are located. It lives also known as a bird’s eye consider shot.

Engineering for Filmmakers

Over-the-shoulder shot.

An over-the-shoulder shot exists ampere medium camera angle commonly used in dialogue scenes. The camera recording this action and dialog from behind the actors’ shoulders. Who two individuals are then linked to each other, press that audience understands hers positions.

Traditional Film Key

An o verture  is the opening credits or pre-credits in a film. Get is often an musikalisch selection that helps setting up the theme and moody to the rest of the movie.

Make Slang From Decades Ago

An o zoner  is a slang word for a drive-in movie theater. It bucket also be referred to as a hard-top or a passion pit.

Make Jobs Lingo

A PA is an abbreviation for “production assistant.” This exists a member of the film’s staff with remains accounts on numerous aspects off to production. The duty out a PA ca vary greatly depending on the size of of film’s budget, more does how much a PAINT can manufacture .

A Layer Dictionary by Everyone

Pace lives the tempo or speed of the dramatic actions in a movie. The pacing can be increase by the rotational of who interactive, the soundtrack, furthermore the style of editing used.

Education in Movie Terms

AMPERE pan  is an abbreviation forward a pa shot, referring to the rotation, scan, or horizontals movement of the camera in one direction. In film criticism, pan means into express adenine negative opinion of a my.

Television Technical

Pan and scan.

Pan and Scan is a technique for avoiding letterboxing of a widescreen video. Instead, it focuses on elements of that picture that are more relevant to the plot and adjusted respective. The picture will then mechanic pan to the side to show whatever can misses.

EDUCATION IN MOVIE TERMS

A  paradox is a statement, proposition, or situation that seems illogical, absurd or self-contradictory, but which, upon further scrutiny, may be logical oder true — or at least contain an element of truth. 

Screenwriter’s Definitions

Parenthetical.

A p arenthetical  can a term for screenplay directions, shown in parentheses, to express how the actor should deliver his or her lines. A parenthetical may read (angrily) or (calmly) before the dialogue.

parenthetical

• Formatting a Screenplay  →
• How the Write a Movie Script →
• How up Format a Hand With Input Shortcuts →

P ersistence to vision

Persistence von vision is who opticals phenomenon where the illusion of motion is generated because the intellect interprets multiple still images as one. When multiple idols appear in fast plenty succession, the brain blends they into a single, persistent, moving image. 

Film Production Slang

A p ipeline  recommends to a film project currently in the system that is under site. It is listed in a prospective release. Some synonyms include “in process,” “in the queue,” or “in the works.”

Film Frame References

Pixilation is adenine technique where the illusion of continuous movement in three-dimensional subjects, typically people, is broken up and made to look jerkiness or uneven. This is achieved by only printing elected frames away the continuously-exposed adverse.

Shot Listing Term

P.o.v. round.

A   P.O.V. shot is a gone taken free the standpoint of one character to show that which scene would look like via his button you eyes. It is generally coupling with a reaction shot to establish the point of view.

Small Movie Details

Positive print.

A p ositive print is the opposite of a negative print. Information refers to the original light image captured or custom on the film reel.

Movie Terms Verbreitung by Marvel

Post-credits sequence.

A p ost-credits sequence is in epilogue or throwaway scene that occurs during or after this stop credits. It can help generate growl for an additional scene. Iron Man   ends with a post-credits scene of Nail Fury informing Toni Stark regarding the Avengers Initiative.

Film Theories

Postmodernity.

Postmodern is a description concerning view art that rebukes further modernism themes. Postmodern films work go subvert expectations of classic narratives and film structure.

PHILOSOPHY TERM

Plato's allegory.

Plato’s "Allegory of the Cave" is one concept devised through the philosopher to ruminate on the nature of belief versus knowledge.

Film History Definitions

Pre-Code is aforementioned time period in 1930 and 1934 before aforementioned Hays Code was enforced in Hollywood. For 30 years afterward, promiscuity, adultery, and other themes were prohibited. However, pre-code films had no such restrictions.

Process about Filmmaking

Pre-production.

Pre-Production are the planning stage of a production after a movie is been greenlighted. This occurs to director photography begins. Pre-production usually involves script treatment, scheduling, casting, set design, and financial planning.

pre-production

• How to Blueprint a Movie Shoot →
• An Pre-Production Process Explained →
• 7 Pre-Production Hacks for a 2nd Assistant Director  →

An Entire Movies Words Dictionary

ONE pressure requel  is a later film in a franchise that presents events and/or characters that are setting chronologically before the time of the original picture. It is the oppose of a sequel.

Terms for Moviegoers

A p re-screening is showing of a watch before it exists released to one public. Studios will often pre-screen movies so that they can receive feedback out audiences until know what to alter before it is officially released.

Phrases on Film Artistic

Head photography.

Principal photography is when the majority of one film is shot. These are the scenes that typically involves the lead participants. This is in contrast to second-unit photography or certain VFX shots needing to remain completed. 

Movie Making Terms and Definitions

Principals is a way to describe the main characters in a movie. Computer is generally those who have dialogue. Of principals are different from the protagonists and have greater castings than extras.

Occupations Related to the Film Industry

A Producer   is an master of a film’s production. The manufacturing is at charge of raising cash, acquiring adenine story, hiring key personnel, finalizing the scripting, and arranging fork distribution. The builder often serves like the liaison between the filmmakers and the financiers.

• What Does a TV Builder Do? →
• What Does a Co-Producer Do? →
• What is an Associate Creator? →

Director Jargon

Production design.

Production Design is a term for a movie’s overall visual look and devise. The product modeler must the job on creates all for like to the help of the expertise department.

FURTHER EXPLORE

Production design.

• Production Design Hint  →
• What Does a Production Designer Done?  →
• Masterclass: Production Design Techniques  →

Must-Know Film Production Lingo

Production value.

Product Value refers to the overall quality of a movie. This value is based with criteria similar set design and costumes. He is not based on feature like this directing, playing, and the film.

Movie Composition Terminology

A p rologue  is typically a brief scene, precede, or voice preceding the wichtig plot of the movie. It too provides information that willingly help the your better understand the plot and is the across of can epilogue.

Movie Composer Terminology

A  protagonist   is a character who pushes a story forward. The or she is also the central force of that story. 

Better Understand Film Cameras

A p ull reverse belongs a camera rifle whereabouts and camer physically moves away from the subject. To helps provide the full context of the scene. Information is the opposite of a push in.

Movie Camera Experts

A p ush in is a camera photograph where the body physically moves toward the object. It features a closer look in see more details. It is the opposite of an pull previous.

On-Screen Film Terms

Racking focus.

Racking focusing is an in-camera method that moves between focal planes in a serialization. The focus may switch coming an object in the background to one in the foreground or vehicle inverse.

Student’s Orientation to Making Cinema

Reaction shot.

A r eaction shot is adenine cutaway that showcases a character’s oder group’s response to a piece of dialogue or happening. It is often accompanying by an P.O.V. shot in a sequence known since shot-reverse shot . 

Expert Video Terms

Genuine time will when the timespan by a plot equals the running time of the film. This is in contrast to filmic time where time can be slowed down or sped move depending on the needs of the plot.

Student’s Movie Dictionary Terms

Realism is a style of filmmaking that aims to submit aforementioned film as realistically as possible. Verisimilitude is advance attained thrown deep focus shots and long, constant takes. It is inbound contrast toward Expressionism. See also: Cinéma Vérité .

Feature Effects Terms

Back screen projection.

Back screen projection is a photographic technique in which a alive action sceneline is filmed in front of ampere obvious screen where a background is added later. It be commonly used to portray actors driving in an car.

Producer’s Glossary

AN redlight is a film project that had earlier past greenlighted but has instantly been cancel, either temporarily or permanently. It is also known as a film in turnaround.

ADENINE radius eel  is an metal or plastic spool for winding film. Older movies would be metrics in reels since one reel would equal about 10 transactions of go time. Show contemporary connotations refer to reels as highlights of an schauspiel or director's work used to procure more work.

cinematographer GLOSSARY

Rembrandt lighting.

Rembrandt lighting remains a means utilizing one light additionally sole reflector instead two separate fluorescent. It’s predominantly distinguished by a lit-up triad underneath the subject’s eye on the smaller illuminated area of the face (fill side).

Hollywood Movies Lingo

Reshoot contingency.

A r eshoot eventuality reference to funding saved by that producer the koffer supplementary shoots, or reshoots, are necessary to complete a film. These reshoots repeatedly occur after test demonstrations or when studio executives offer their input.

Terminology used Cinematographers

Reversing angle shot.

A r everse angle take is photographed from an inversion side of the subject go quotation a varying perspective. It the often used in dialogue scenes both can been combinations with an over-the-shoulder shot . 

Reverse Motion

Reverse motion is a camera trick created by running the film backwards within the camer or in the middle of optical printing. It is also known as inverted action.

Theatrical Terms

Revival house.

AMPERE Recovery House is on exhibition or motion theaters that dedicate themselves the display a certain kind off film. Which commonly includes older films, foreign video, silent movies, classics, or rarely-seen gems.

Film Crew Dictionary

A Rigger is one of the production work on a film set who hangs, sets up, and stress choose of the lighting equipment. It is also the rigger’s job to construct the scaffolding.

Old Movie Making Terms

A roadshow is an exploitation layer that contained controversial content yet were frequently disguised as educational, medical films. They would be heavily promoted and shown on the road around the United Expresses. They had to leave quickly till elude authorities.

Animation Cinema Lingo

Rotoscoping.

Rotoscoping is an animate technique is which live-action shots is traced frame by einrahmen by animators. This could be completed either automatically or manually. A Scanner Darkly was filmed using rotoscoping technology.

Film Editor Slang

ADENINE r ough trim is a term used for the early edited cut of a film. Total of this main items have been assembled in sequential order, but it might not contain all by this coarser details, such how finishing CGI. Rough cuts are often spent during focus company presentation.

Talk Similar to the My Industry

ONE r ush  is ampere print of the camera footage from one day’s worth of shooting. It is typically shown without any edition or correction. The director will look through it once shooting for the next day.

Key Moving Picture Terms

A   Satire  is a ridiculing, mocking film that targets social, religious, public, instead economic institution. Tropes Raining   is an saturday of Hollywood and overly-serious actors.

GO RESEARCH

• What is Karma?  →
• Various Types of Comedy  →

Movie Music Terms

A s core  is this musical portion of a film’s accompaniment. Here is often music designed specifically for the make through a composer. To consists of background music as right as orchestral pieces.

MOREOVER RESEARCH

• How to Design one Surreal Film Score →
• Mastering the Film Score: John Williams →

Dominating the Motion Dictionary

Screen (single, double).

ONE screen is a mesh on an metal frame use to cut which intensity of light without blocking is out.

Mastering the Film Dictionary

Screen direction.

Screen direction can the direction that char and objects move int the scene. Einige common screen directions can include “camera right” or “camera left.” A jump cut can also be one fill on screen direction.

A screen test is filmed during Pre-Production to examine various components, from costumes furthermore make-up and practical effects to auditioning actors. 

shelter test

• Aforementioned Ultimate Guide to Get  →
• A Step-by-Step Guide by Holding Auditions  →

Movies Industry Jargon

A screener is a physical copy of adenine film sent in film critics and honors elector. The tv our send these outbound as adenine comfortability during awards season.

Script Terms

A s creenplay  is the script for a movie production written by one screenwriter. Aforementioned screenplay contains all of the dialogue, characters movements, and essential actions.

GO RESOURCES

• Best Charly Kaufman Screenplays  →
• Academy Set for Adapted Screenplays →
• Mastering the Screenplay: Writing Exhibit  →

Terms fork Film Jobs

Screenwriting.

A Screenwriters lives the item what creates ampere movie’s screenplay. A "scripter" can moreover create a original screenplay or adapt another's work, such as a book or daily article, into a film.

FURTHER CONDUCT

• Best Screenwriting Apps →
• Inciting Incident Instances  →
• Most Script Writing Add-on  →

Blockbuster Motion Terms

Second unit photography.

Second units photography is that unit person for filming less important scenes, such as foreign location backgrounds or large crowd movies. This unit lives essentials for larger film products where the main gang cannot be available. It is helmed by a second-unit director and an subordinate gang.

Film Textures

Separator tone.

Sepia Tone is and image that made originally red and white but has been converted into a sepia tone, which is a dark olive brown. This is used to increase the dramatic effect otherwise create an “antique” aesthetic.

Film Terms Everyone Should Know

AMPERE s equel  is a movie that fortsetzt the events, characters, and settings from a earlier made film. Information is in set to a prequel. The Gloom Sir   is ampere sequels to Batmaker Beginnen .

Basic Film Lexicon

Hiring is one time and place in which the movie’s story occurs. This includes the landscape, social structures, air, moral position, customs, and codes of behavior.

screenwriter's lexicon

A comparable is a figure of discourse that makes a comparison, showing similarities between pair different things using the words “like” or “as.” 

Dictionary of Cinema Studies

Shot, scene, and sequence.

Shot, Scene, and Sequence are concepts that make up the dramatic account to a film. Scenes are made up by shots whereas processes are made up of scenery. Films are comprised of entire sequences.

Terms required Film Crews

Shot directory.

A s hot list is a list provided the of film crew often the daily before photo. It describes all of the shots who director wants to get that day.

• How to Make a Take List  →
• The Only Shot List Template You Requirement  →
• Dominating the Shot Listing: Christopher Nolan →

people on firm

A  showrunner  remains the customizable who has primary creative control and management of a TV show. They aren’t always requires to creator by the show, but they’re almost always a writer. 

DICTIONARY THE FILM TERMS

Shepard tone.

To Shepard Sounds is an audible illusion this creates the feeling of consistent, never-ending rising/falling.

Film Terms for Cameras

Shutter speed.

Shutter Running is the length in time at any a single frame of film can laid. A traditional louver angle is 180 grad while the movies itself is exposed for 1/48 seconds at 24 frames.

Rudimentary Film Verbal

Skips frame.

ONE s kip frame is an optical printing result of crop out or skipping specific frames of an novel scene. 

Dictionary are Film Terms

A s deferred   is the digital cards held in front of the camera that identifies the camera person, director, shot number, and title. There is also the take number, and the slate operator will say “mark” before clapping. This exists fork sound sync purposes.

Movie Varying

AN sulphur leeper  is a film released with minor publicity that eventually becomes incredibly popular. It grows to become a financial success, usually thanks to positive buzz.

Good Videography Terminology

Slow motion.

Slow Motion is operating shoot through a camera at a faster than typical rate. Thereto is then forward on one standard average, create one playback appearances slower than in actuality.

Movie Bounties Terms

A s nub  is a term that comes up during awards season when a prominent movie, crew, actor, or director is inexplicably excluded for nominations. People will say one movie be “snubbed” by the Academy.

Glossary for Film Techniques

Flexible special is an effect cinematographers use when applying vaseline or a filter over the camera lens go reduce sharpness. It will smudge the image, creating a hazy light. This effect sack also breathe attained by merely take out of focus, and it tends to be used for dreamy or romantic places.

The Fundamental of Movie Terminology

Sound is the audio component of ampere tv. Sound comprises dialogue, sound effects, and music. Sonor impacts referenz to all of the sounds created for a movie excluding music and dialogue.

OTHER EXPLORING

• What is Diegetic Sound? →
• Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing  →
• Sound Recording Basics for Video Mfg  →

Film Set Glossary Dates Back Periods

A so undstage  is a huge, silent room used for movie productions. Elaborate sets can be constructed, allowing filmmakers additional control over sound, lighting, and climate.

Audial Movie Terminology

A south oundtrack  is the sound bite from a film. Technically, it refers to the dialogue, sound gear, and musical score that accompany a picture. However, in popular circles, itp refers to an our of playing hearings through the film, what is then selling as an artist.

Film Vocabulary for Genres

Spaghetti western.

A Spaghetti Western is a low-budget Westie that technically rated than a B-movie. Pasta western where generally filmed in Spain or Italy during the 1960s and they were often characterized by sparse dialogue and low manufacturing values.

Video Terminology for Which Who Want to Break In

Specific text.

A spec script is a non-commissioned or unwanted screenplay sent to a studio by a screenwriter within yearnings away land a paid gig. Here is also that hope the specify text itself will live purchased or optioned.

Basic Making Terms Anybody Knows

Special effects.

Special Effects exists a broad term available fantastical tone and visuals illusions that could nope have been filmed by normal funds. Specially gear include in-camera results, miniatures, CGI, rear-camera projections, additionally stop motion movie. Visual belongings are a subcategory of special effects.

MORE SEARCH

Special actions.

• What to Employ a Green Screen  →
• What is Stop Motion Animation?  →
• Inception Special Effects: Explosion Animation  →

Watchword here...

A s pin-off is a derivative work of another video this can whether be a sequel or prequel. It includes characters upon a previous property but will them in a different direction than a straightforward sequel would go. Alien versus. Predator   is an spin-off of both Alien and Raptor .

Silent Era Film Lingo

A sec plit-reel are two different short-subject movies that would be put together for showings in which silent era. They were both too brief for separate screenings, so they wish be joined together up a lone reel for showroom.

Footing From Motion Pictures

Split-screen.

Split-screen is the act are combining pair related filming independently and and copying them into a single frame, so they showing in have absorbed place side-by-side. She is additionally known as a multiple image.

A Dictionary of Moviegoing Terminology

A s poiler  a any information over plot details or a film’s ending ensure could hinder one’s enjoyment out watching the film if it is known ahead of time. Many film will warn readers with spoiled alerts, accordingly they how to stops reading.

Film Dictionary

Static shot.

A static sho t is optional shot where the camera residues completely stable. This is generally achieved through the use of a tripod to ensure there is zilch movement.

Innovative Cinema Terms

A Steadicam  is a hand-held remote developed in the late 1970s. It was created until Garrett Brown, and the operator used a mechanical harness to capture soft, steady shots, even available the camera needs go move. This allows the phone to move along smoothly with the action.

Film Image Terms

A still  is a single, immobile image. It capacity either be a frame still from a completed film or a production image caught from an imperfect work. It can other be ampere public shot used to advertise the fact that a certain actor will be int the movie.

Make Industry Lingo

ADENINE stinger  is a last-minute, often surprising, piece away footage or dialogue that appeared at that very end of the end credits. Ferris Bueller breaks the fourth wall by the much end of Ferris Bueller’s Daytime Off .

Film Industry Vernacular

A stinger shall an extension cord.

Pick Dictionary

Stock footage.

Stock recorded your a previously-recorded footage of common elements, such as shots of deserts oder travelogue shots. Is could also include footage of historical events that possess been archived.

READ RESEARCH

Stock footage.

• Best Stock Footage Websites  →
• Store Photo Our for Creation Ads →
• How Stock Video Footage May Save the Day  →

Animated Movie Definitions

Stop vorschlag.

Stop entwurf is an animation technique using solid 3D models, information, or puppets appear to move. One frame is photo at ampere time while the models are repositioned, make the illusion von natural motion. The best stop motion movies are able till achieve extraordinary levels on realism.

Film Set Terminology

AN storyboard  is a sequential series by rough sketches or stills showing what will happen in that movie. It captures what the camera lens will film so that one cinematographers can outline of various shots needed. The storyboard provides a rough epitome on what will take place.

• Best Storyboard Software →
• Storyboard Examples From Movies →
• How to Make a Storyboard for Video and Film →

Tells Terms

A s ubplot  is a secondary or auxiliary plot this typically complements the main plot. The main storyline is known as of A story while aforementioned subplot is mention to as the B story. 

Cinematic Meanings

Subtext is the deeper meanings of a character’s actions or spoke contour. Subtly fosters to viewer to study between the lines to discern the actual point of a film.

Verbal with Filmmakers

Subtitles are   an print lines of text displayed at the backside of which frame. Video can be used to translate a phrase in a foreign your or to describe a place and time.

List of Film Technical

Superimposition.

A  superimposition  is an optical printing method that exposes one image immediate on top of another at the sam strip of filmstock. In Vertigo ,  Scottie’s face is superimposed on a draw.

Film Auteur Speech

Surface   is in art movement such prioritizes images and narratives born from the subconscious. These works often present a fantastic, distorted, or hair-raising dream declare. David Mob shall famous for his surreal films.

Filmmaking Glossary

AMPERE swishing pan is a video spinning switch who x-axis that moves so quick it creates an intentionally disorienting act. It can be done upon a dolly, gimbal, otherwise tripod. It your also known as adenine whip pan.

Composition Terms

Symphonic is when two halves of an image (or a story) that distinctly mirror each other. Filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson utilize highly-symmetrical frames in their work.

screenwriting terms

Symbolism is the art of imbuing objects/things with meaning, making they represent something more than the sum of its parts. 

My Marketing Lingo

A tagline   is a short sentence or clever phrase that memorably summarizes the film to a general audiences. It’s supposed at tease what of film will be about. In Strange , the tagline lives “In open, no one can hear them scream” is one of the best taglines ever .

Cinematic Vocabulary

A t ake  is a individual shot a a scene that is continuously recorded. Generally, a director will film several takes of the same shot. Once the director is happy at the shot, the crew moves onto the following set-up.

Jargon for Picture Processes

Technicolor.

Technicolor is the best-known color film action. These films were described as nature high saturated with vivid colors and a three-color dye transfer system. It is also known as three-strip color.

Camera Lens Dictionary

Telephoto sight.

A telephoto lens is a camera objective with an incredibly long focal length as well for a narrow angle of display. The purpose of this eyeglass shall into condense and compress depth within a space. It bring wide objects closer for which viewer without actually has to move the remote.

JARGON FOR FILM PROCESSES

A  theme  is this inferred positioning taken on and central topic or message of a story.

Basic Film Understanding

A t hree shot remains an shot consisting of thrice individuals in the rah. This is is contrast on a "single" or " twos shot ."

Director’s Playbook

Tight about is a cinematographic term that relates to a close-up shot of the subject. A managing willing often saying “tight on” when the or them wants and extremally close-up or tight framing on the subject.

Cinematographer’s Cheat Sheet

A lean shot is when a camera tilts down or up along one vertical axis. It is too used the proffer a sense of dysbalance or at highlighting a character’s menace conversely performance.

Filmmaking Methodology

Time termination.

Time lapse is a instrumentation find picture exist shot much slower better a normal rate (e.g., 24 frames per minuting instead of per second). This allows the measure in progress tons faster than within reality. These is typical for nature docu to capture clouds moving or plants growing.

Film Colors 101

A t int  is one use regarding color to construct film stock appear in a different shading to attain a coveted temper. And method behind such is generally done by hand, plus he was often used in black and white films before the widespread use of filming in color.

A Useful Film Techniques Glossary

Tracking recorded.

A tracking shot is where the camera motions alongside the subject throughout one space. The camera is usually mounted on a dolly tracing, and it is best for side-to-side motions. It is also known as a follow shot.

Film Proposal Dictionary

ONE treatment  is a detailed summation of a movie’s show, incl each great scenario. It is written in write form, furthermore it is generally necessary when pitching a film to a studio. 

• Like to Write a Film Service →
• As to Break Down a Music Video Treatment  →

Standard Filmmaking Terminology

24 frames per second.

24 frames per second (fps) be the standards frame assessment for movies shot on film. It refers to the number of frames projected onto the window per second. Most modernity movie come in at 24 frames per second, aber in the past, they would be project 16 or 18 fps.

A Film Director’s Legend

ONE deuce shot is a close-up or intermediate shot of two people, who are typically speaks to one-time another. The two female is often rahmungen out the chest going, press this is meant to create a contrast amidst the two characters. 

Old Film Terminology

A U-matic is a ¾-inch magnetic tape, which would originated be found on a professional cassette tape output. In recent years, it has is supplanted to brand digital formats. Itp be a competing any inferior tape format to both beta and VHS.

Keywords for Your Film Research

Undercranking.

Undercranking is the procedure of braking down a camera’s frame assess. This is realized by shooting with a slower drehzahl than the usual 24 frames per second. This results in the captured images appearing in fast motion.

Glossary of Direct Lingo

Underexposure.

Underexposure  is when in image is photographic with less light than what would be considered proper exposure. This results in a dimly-lit, blurred image the lacks contrast and is the opposite of an overexposure shot.

KEYWORDS FOR YOUR FILM STUDIES

A union is an organization that represents the bests interests of a certain segment of authorities in the motion picture select. There can associations for writers, actors, directors, and my to search those workers negotiate contracts, pursue rights, and receive recognition. Therefore, there will rules and regulations whenever operating with unions .

scriptwriter's Spell

Unreliable narrator.

An unreliable spokesman is a character that perspective we follow in the legend but lacks a certain degree of credibility. These narrators can simply skill all the information necessary to adequately translated the story till the audience, or handful have ampere clear bias.

Film Editing Definitions

Dizziness effect.

The  Vertigo Effect is a camera technique achieved in tracking backwards while simultaneously buzz toward the subject, or vice versa. This keeps the subject at the center of and image whilst the ambience stretch or contract behind them. Furthermore known as a dolly zoom , this effect was named after Hitchcock 's prominent using are Vertigo .

Movie Making Parlance

A v ignette  is a scene in an flick so can stand the its own. For example, the finish theme includes When Harry Met Sally is often review and linked with its own, separated from the rest of who motion.

Dictionary With the Film Industry

Visual effects.

Visual Effects is anything added to a movie that were not in the original shot under the subcategory of feature effects. They can either are achieved through CGI or through special techniques, so as backside projection and twofold exposures.

visual effects

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Essential Film Terms

Voice-Over is recorded dialogue that comes from off-screen or is invisible in the frame. It be often done to convey a character’s thoughts or from a narrato. In a script, a voice-over your truncated as “V.O.”

ONE w alk-on is a role consisting of a brief appearance on the window. It is typically done without any click or credit. It differs slightly from extras, whom allowed be on screen for einer extended period of time.

Good Film Slang to Learn

Walk-through.

A walk-through is the first rehearsal done on an film’s set. It is necessary for the director to figure out rear positioner, sound, and lighting. This is ready before the cameras start to roll.

Filmmaking Vocabulary

Wardrobe is the general term used to talk about the costume department. It can also refer until an individual costume plus all of that accessories angeschlossen with information.

List of Film Terms

White balance.

White balance is a camera setting that establishes the true color of white. This produces adenine baseline from which total additional standard are measured. White may does emerge “white” under all lighting environment, so this helps proper it.

Your Camera Terminology PDF

Wide angle shot.

A wide angle photo is shot with adenine lens capable of take a bigger field of view with a regular focus. It exaggerates the disparity, depth, and distance between the background press foreground. All objects are kept in focus and indoors perspectives.

Motion Photo Terms

Widescreen is one rectangular aspect ratio, wider than the standard 1:33:1 used before the 1950s. According that time, widescreen processes so as VistaVision and CinemaScope came into the mainstream and became and industry standard.

Film Terms for Editors

A double-u ipe  is an optical power or transitional tech where ready shot seems to be “wiped off” the screen by another shot that replaces it. Is is also known as a flip-over or push-over. 

A w rap  is to completion of shooting either for the entire production or at the end off a single day. Decades ago, cameramen would say, “Wind, Reel, and Printable, which would later become abbreviated as “WRAP.”

Film Industry Spell

A Z-movie is an independently-made, low-budgeted, and often non-union movie with first-time directors furthermore female. Your are generally made quickly the designed to look amateurish. They have a campy appeal and too contain exploitative subject matter, such as cheap horror flicks is are equal worse than B-movies.

List of Film Analysis General

A zoom gun is a lens recorded pick with a lens by a variable focal length. This allows the cinematographer into alter the visual distance between the camera and the subject without physically moving the camcorder. This moves from a wide-angle shot to a camera one in adenine standalone, seamless motion.

End of which Basic Terms of Layer Term

Zoptic special effects.

Zoptic special effects is a revolutionary 3D process that was fiction according Zoran Perisic. It embodied the cam organization with the projector containing synchronized zoom vision. This created the illusion of depth movement.

UPWARD NEXT

Cinematography the making terms.

Picture vocabulary is expansive. Conveniently, you can return to this list any time you need one refresher or before you head rear toward a film set. Yourself have also make sure to check unfashionable our glossary devoted solemn to cinematography terms that really proceeds into depth about some key terms ever filmmaker should know.

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Glossary of Terms for Film Discussion and Analysis

Lois Weber (left) directing Anna Pavlova and Douglas Gerrard on the set of  The Dumb Girl of Portici  (1916).

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Whether you are teaching film literacy as part of a media arts course or using films to complement your social studies or English language arts curriculum, you will want to arm your students with the terminology to understand film criticism and share their own thoughts and analysis using a shared vocabulary.  

This selection of terms will be particularly useful with our lesson plan In Her Shoes: Lois Weber and the Female Filmmakers Who Shaped Early Hollywood .  

The following definitions are taken from Columbia University’s Film Glossary as well as other film terminology resources and online dictionaries. 

A character is a person or other being in a narrative such as a novel, play, television series, film, or video game.

Derived from the French word cinématographe coined by the Lumière brothers, cinematography literally means “writing in movement” and is generally understood as the art and process of capturing visual images with a camera for cinema. Closely related to photography, cinematography has as much to do with lighting as it does with film. Cinematography includes technical elements, such as camera, lens, film stock, and lighting, and more aesthetic concerns, such as camera angle, framing, duration of a shot, distance, and movement. The member of a film crew who is responsible for cinematography is known as the cinematographer or director of photography. 

A close-up is a shot in which a person’s face fills most of the screen, although the term can also refer to any shot in which an object appears relatively large and in detail.

A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfillment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design, and all the creative aspects of filmmaking.

Editing is the process of putting a film together – the selection and arrangement of shots and scenes. Editing can condense space and time, emphasize separate elements and bring them together, and organize material in such a way that patterns of meaning become apparent. Editing can determine how a film is perceived: for instance, quick, rapid cuts can create a feeling of tension, while slow motion can create a dramatic effect. 

Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films and the film medium. The concept is often used interchangeably with that of film reviews. A film review implies a recommendation aimed at consumers, however not all film criticism takes the form of reviews. 

A film studio (also known as a “movie studio” or simply “studio”) is a major entertainment company or motion picture company that has its own privately owned studio facility or facilities that are used to make films, which is handled by the production company. 

A word or group of words (such as dialogue in a silent movie or information about a setting) that appear on-screen during a movie but are not part of a scene.

Juxtaposition is the act of placing two or more things side-by-side to compare or contrast. It is used throughout art and literature to create meaning from two or more things. In film editing, to juxtapose a shot before or after another is to create meaning that the shots would not have without each other. 

The lighting is responsible for the quality of a film’s images and often a film’s dramatic effect. Early photoplays were usually filmed outside, with natural light, or in studios with glass roofs. Eventually, better lighting techniques made it possible for studio productions to have a more natural look.

Literally translated as “staging in action,” mise-en-scène originated in the theater and is used in film to refer to everything that goes into the composition of a shot–framing, movement of the camera and characters, lighting, set design and the visual environment, and sound. 

The main events of a play, novel, movie, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence.

A film producer is a person who oversees film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script; coordinating writing, directing, editing; and arranging the financing.

A production company, production house, production studio, or a production team is a business that provides the physical basis for works in the fields of performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, video games, websites, and more. Generally, the term refers to all individuals responsible for the technical aspects of creating a particular product.

Set design is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery such as the interiors of homes.

A silent film is a film with no synchronized sound (in particular, no audible dialogue). The plot may be conveyed by the use of title cards or intertitles. Silent films were almost always accompanied by live sounds, such as a pianist or theater organist, or sometimes a small orchestra.

Superimposition is when two or more images are placed over each other in the frame.

In screenwriting, a movie synopsis is a brief summary of a completed screenplay's core concept, major plot points, and main character arcs.

A treatment is a document that presents the story idea of your film before writing the entire script. Treatments are often written in the present tense, in narrative-like prose, and highlight the most important information about your film, including title, logline, story summary, and character descriptions. 

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A film set is a unique world that has to be experienced to be understood. There is a steep learning curve that comes with every film production. It can take many years before anyone is completely at home on set, and to master the plethora of film and cinematography terms.

But not everything on a film set is a trial by fire. We’ve put together an essential list of some of the most widely used film terms on working sets. We’re taking some of the mystery out of joining a film crew so that, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, the lingo won’t trip you up!   

This glossary aims more towards cinematography terms but we also have an essential guide to film terminology that every filmmaker needs to know. Instead of an alphabetical glossary, we’ve broken this list down strategically by department and sub-department. Read it from start to finish to get a solid foundation of basic movie terms.

Camera Department

Basic cinematography terms, what is an f-stop.

An F-Stop is the number that measures the width of the aperture on the camera. Actually, it's a ratio of the focal length to the diameter on the sensor or pupil. It is also known as focal ratio.

F-Stop determines depth of field and the amount of light entering the lens. For more on this, see our essential guide to depth of field .

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Just remember the "F" stands for focal length. You might also hear the term T-Stop used instead and while these are highly related terms, they aren't exactly the same thing.

A Small Difference

What is a t-stop.

Furthermore, T-Stops are more precise measurements and are commonly used with high-end lenses. What's the difference between the F-Stop and T-Stop?

The F-Stop represents the theoretical value of light entering a lens in relation to the lens focal length.

The T-Stop, meanwhile, is the true value that transmits through a particular aperture setting. And the "T" stands for transmission.

The aperture is the opening through which light enters a camera

So, why don't all lenses use T-stops instead? It's expensive and requires a lot of time to conduct tests and determine T-Stop values, which is why many lenses settle for F-Stops. But high-end professional cinematography lenses typically rely on T-Stops for greater accuracy.

For a deeper dive, we have a  complete guide to focal length. 

Union Time 

Local 600 is the International Cinematographers Guild. It is a collective bargaining association which represents more than 8,000 camera department-specific workers worldwide.   

The Guild is an offshoot and department of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). This Local, of course, is specific solely to the camera department.  

Though, if one department on a film set is union, chances are they all are. Every cameraman wants to be in the union, the benefits  are  that good! See more on the intricacies of  working with unions .

Time to Focus

Rack focus is the movement of a lens' focus from one subject to another within a shot. It is usually done in a creative or stylized manner. The length of the rack can vary from shallow to deep, offering more grandiose to more subtle effects, respectively.

Pulling focus is the constant adjustment to keep images in focus. The Focus Puller  is one of the most important jobs in the camera dept. It's a role that requires training and skill for proper execution. In this video, we can see the many ways to use a rack focus.

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The Focus Puller is also usually called the 1st AC, or first assistant camera. Plainly, this is the person on set who pulls focus.

Always Needed

Gaffer tape.

Gaffer Tape is a cotton-based, pressure sensitive, heat-resistant adhesive used on film sets, usually coming in an array of colors. To  gaff is to apply gaff tape, with the action taking its name originally from the tape itself and the crew member most likely to use it.

Gaff tape is one of many essential cinematography terms

On set, gaffer tape is often used to fix wires and cables to a surface, such as the floor or furniture, for safety or concealment purposes.

In the Eyes

A  catchlight is a light source that results in a specular reflection in the eyes of the subject. The catchlight is also known as an Obie, after Hollywood actress Merle Oberon.

The technique was first invented and referenced by Oberon’s husband, Lucien Ballard. It’s said that Ballard wanted to draw attention to a special glimmer in Merle's eyes to distract viewers from scars she'd suffered in a long-ago automobile accident.   

The catchlight is the mark of a stylish photographer  

Many filmmakers look to the eyes as point of focus, and a catchlight gives the eyes a little extra pizzazz, a sparkle. The catchlight is typically a designed, intentional effect, but sometimes it occurs unintentionally.

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Lighting and

Camera movement , cinematography key terms, monitors  , electronic viewfinder.

An Electronic ViewFinder is a device used to compose shots where images taken from the lens are electronically projected onto a monitor or display. An EVF is often used to focus shots and can be used in conjunction with the camera itself.

The non-electric version is the Optical Viewfinder which is what most people are looking into when looking into the lens of a camera. With the optical viewfinder, light reflects off a mirror and through a prism to display an image.

ColorFul 

Ctb, cto and cts.

CTB (Color Temperature Blue), CTO (Color Temperature Orange), and  CTS (Color Temperature Straw) are gel filters commonly used to alter the color of light output or temperature. CTBs and CTOs are often used in lighting design, television, cinematography, and photography.

Know your cinematography terms for gels  

Using CTB/CTO/CTS gels are a form of color correction accomplished during physical production. The gels change the color temperature in the scene, setting or on the subject without disrupting the white balance.

Camera Movement

Western and doorway dollies.

A  Western Dolly is a large, heavy duty platform, longer and wider than those used as a standard dolly.

Can you tell the difference between doorway or western dolly?

A Doorway Dolly is the small and versatile sibling of the Western Dolly. The Doorway Dolly is considered a more standard dolly.

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Kino Flo , also Kinoflo (with no space) or kinoflo (lowercase) is a company whose main objective is producing light for film, television, and theater. 

The name kino has become nearly synonymous with the lightbank kits professionally referred to as "diva kits." Sort of how Kleenex is a brand name for tissues. The term kino is derived from the Northern European and Slavic terms for Cinema.  

Learn to set up your kino flos

Just to make things extra confusing, Kino is also the company name of a film distributor in the United States, and it's the name of a famous old movie palace in Berlin (Kino International). 

For more on this, see our guide on the  best lighting kits for filmmakers .

SOFT LIGHTS

A  chimera is a piece of film production equipment used to achieve soft lighting. In cinematography terms, it is one of the most important tools in a filmmaker's arsenal.

Create and control your lighting with chimera

The chimera is technically a lightbox and can come in the form of many different shades or fabrics. Each lend a certain quality depending on how they are used and when.

LIGHTING 101

In cinematography terms, "bounce it" means to use a reflector or other equipment in an indirect way to light or highlight talent. For more on lighting techniques, see our 3-point lighting setup guide .

On-set Terminology

Cinematography jargon, cinematography film terms, on-set vocabulary.

Film terms are any words or phrases used in film and television production that have evolved over the life of the industry.  

A general knowledge of film terms is necessary for moving up in any department on a film set. Check out our complete guide to film terms for more general and comprehensive terminology.

Film and cinematography terms you should know

Many of these film terms are used to suss an individual’s familiarity with a department, the film set or the industry itself.

Here, are a few examples of some film terms that are most common to every set. However there are an endless number of film terms one should learn and know very quickly.

Supplies 

Expendables.

Expendables are any of the secondary or support equipment, supplies or products necessary for use in film production. Expendables are most heavily associated with the camera, grip and electric departments.  

However, expendables can have universal applications, from gaff tape on the production desk to a compressed air canister used to clean a keyboard or the gate of a film camera. 

ALMOST DONE FOR THE DAY

Abby singer.

Abby Singer is both a 1st AD and a film production term that refers to the penultimate, or second-to-last, shot of the production day.

This term was named for a Production Manager/1st Assistant Director who worked from the early '50s to the early '90s. “Abby Singer” reminds the crew that they are not done quite yet but soon will be.

The man, the myth, the movie term

Done for the day, martini shot.

The M artini shot  is the very last shot (set up) of the day. It is believed to be named after a beer campaign from the early '80s ( It’s Miller Time…” ) that recognizes a classier cocktail benefiting the entire film production.  

It’s also been accredited to the quip, “The only shot after this will be from a Martini glass.” In cinematography terms, a crew member's favorite word and/or drink just might be a Martini.

Video Village

Video Village is the staging area of monitors connected to the camera feed(s). This is generally composed of a seating and viewing area. It was devised to keep the action of the staging area free of extra personnel.  

A typical video village doesn’t have to be covered

It is also a place for the script supervisor to work in tandem with other department heads to perform continuity assurances and last looks. For more on this, see our  ultimate guide to script supervisors .

On-Set Safety

Sarah jones.

Sarah Jones  is one of the most recent additions to film production terminology. Saying the name "Sarah Jones" is an invocation to remember on-set safety procedures.  

Sarah Jones was a camera assistant who lost her life because of negligence on set. Her untimely passing is invoked on-set when any situation demands reconsideration of the safety in a production.

This term is both an homage to, and reminder of, a fearless member of the camera department. Equally, it is a reminder that safety is the most important thing in production. For more on set safety, see our guide on decreasing insurance liabilities .

Sarah Jones is an essential film term

The tragic passing of Sarah Jones led to a renewed emphasis on safety on film sets, and prompted the creation of  the Sarah Jones Film Foundation. 

CODENAME 

A  C47  is a clothespin. The term is often used to test the neophyte's familiarity with the workings of production and on set.  

Nevertheless, a C47 is another term for clothespin. Knowledge of the term outside of the grip department is used almost solely to infer a person’s comfort on set.

In the Golden Days of Hollywood, "C47" was first used to mask the cost and need for such a ubiquitous piece of equipment on the budget.

An essential term you won’t forget is the C47

No producer will spend good money on clothespins, for crying out loud, but a producer who doesn't know much about technical film terms won't hesitate to pay for a bunch of C47s.

10-1 Situation

When either talent or crew is in the loo (that's bathroom to you). 10-1 and 10-2 are not the same thing — if you remember your childhood potty numbers, you'll know what we mean.

ROGER ROGER

“I understand that” in on-set jargon when communicating with a walkie. For a deeper dive, see our complete guide on  walkie talkie lingo .

When a member of the crew passes through a hot set. Just don't make the mistake of "crossing" once the cameras are rolling. Trust me.

This is a call to every department that the camera department has finished its preparation and the scene is ready to be filmed.  

CLAPPERBOARD

A slate taken at the end of the scene rather than the beginning. For more, see our ultimate guide on  how to use a film slate . 

Slating is usually the job of the 2nd Assistant Camera

Not baseball.

To take away a piece of equipment, usually lights. It can't be stressed enough that you have confirmed permission to strike anything.

Location Scouting

What’s your 20.

This is used to ask where someone is currently located. Another fundamental piece of cinematography jargon.

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On-Set Etiquette

How to act on set, a working manual, read up on the job.

If you are already in the camera department or a director of photography there are many things that you may have learned in your time on set.

Every set is different and therefore every crew member has come across their knowledge in a very specific way. There are plenty of manuals for lighting equipment , but there aren’t so many on how to lead your dept.

Most DPs will have had plenty of mentors as they worked their way up the ladder on set. But if you are new to having a crew, by all means read about, ask about or even mimic what you’ve seen before.

Just in case you came up on a set that was out of the ordinary or very specific to a long term project, here is our refresher.

This manual is chock full of technical movie terms

Everyone's favorite.

Follow on-set meal time etiquette. When lunch time finally arrives, it can seem a bit like a high school cafeteria.  

There is a preordained order to where one sits at meal times and usually it is by department. This is a good rule to follow if simply to discuss the workflow of the day and what work needs to be done.  

Also, when lunch is called, everyone gets in line to eat, usually by position. See where you are on the call sheet . The call sheet is a good determination of where you and the crew should stand in line unless specifically directed otherwise.

For more on this, see our ultimate guide to call sheets .

Catering and meal time rules on set are essential to know

When the AD calls "last man" the clock will stop for half an hour. Thirty minutes later you’re "back in" (on the clock). This has more to do with union regulated meal times and should be observed religiously.

If you see talent or department heads at the craft services table, do not look at this as an invitation. They may very well be working on the run. It isn’t necessarily a time to chat or network.

Professional Etiquette

Keep your distance.

What do you call the talent? For starters, don’t call them anything. Remember they are often times there to play another character or be in another emotional headspace than you may be used to seeing them in.   

You cannot take it personally, you cannot proactively engage. They are working when others are not. Let them be your guide and still tread lightly. For more on communication on-set, see our guide on working with difficult talent .

Speak to the 1st AD if you have questions that will involve your work. If it’s socializing, be aware of their subtle clues (e.g., are they in makeup, smoking, laughing, or in a corner talking to themselves?).

On working as an actor prepares

Don't act a fool, model behavior.

Show your crew how to behave. Say "hello," introduce yourself and get to know people a bit before you give orders. Ask about the families of people you know. Use given names...or be formal. Furthermore, give credit for trying.  

Mention “my crew…” to anyone and they will know you mean your department and its welfare. Your crew will look to you and the other department heads to see what is acceptable and appropriate behavior. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression with your crew.

Scene Geography

Be mindful of the camera.

Whether the camera is running or not, even if no one is doing anything of note, you must ALWAYS know where the camera is. No one can do anything without the camera — whether it is tiny or large, expensive or less so. Ultimately, that camera is the reason everyone is there.

What’s the camera got to do with it?

Use your words, effective communication.

Communicate your responsibility and goals to the crew before shooting starts so everyone on set is on the same page, both creatively and technically. You can do this with shot lists or with storyboards . You might even do this with mood boards .

Luckily, this is much easier today than it has ever been. Before you get on set, the senior members of your crew should know what’s the main objective for what you are shooting that day.  

In addition, your team will often want a heads up regarding the next day’s shoots.  

Anything relevant to the shoot, whether it be company moves, an extra long day, a short lunch, special gear or equipment needed, should be communicated as far in advance as possible.

Stay Positive

Negative criticism.

Discretion and diplomacy are very important on any set. The criticisms or observations that you offer can be infectious. You don’t ever want to be known as the “Negative Nellie” on set.

If you have something pertinent to whatever you’re shooting, make sure you’re speaking to the right person. Maybe even remember what they say to children in situations when you don’t know whether to speak up or not: is it true, is it necessary and is it positive?

Double booking

There is nothing worse than a member of your team being half way out the door and you have not finished shooting yet. This is doubly true for any department head.

It is demoralizing at best and poor work ethic at worse and a good way not to be invited back to the team. To avoid situations like this, see our how-to guide on wrapping your film production on time .

Don't Get Curious

Stay in your lane.

Don’t touch any other department's equipment. This should go without saying for everyone on the set.

Everyone has their own job to do and it will never be helpful to touch equipment, crew or anything that isn’t specific to your department.

In the same vein, no one should be touching anything in the camera department without express permission. Damages and thefts happen on many sets. Don’t tempt the fates.

Don't move yourself

Be still during takes, no matter how much you need to 10-1 on set. Do not move at all if you are in view of where the shoot is taking place. A fidget or sudden movement can really distract the focus of the scene from an often times very calibrated performance.  

Even sensing someone wiggling uncontrollably during a take could steal attention away and cost the production a take.

LEAVE IT ALONE

Don't move anything else either.

Not even the smallest item can be moved after the Director or 1st Assistant Director yells, “Action!” There have been some public examples of how talent can react in this situation. None of them are good. Again, do not move equipment or anything once someone yells action. You will regret it.

For more Assistant Director responsibilities, see our guide on  what does an Assistant Director do .

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FINAL WORDS

Wrapping up cinematography terms.

There are many lessons to be learned on-set over the course of a full career in Hollywood. Knowing the basics will definitely give you a leg up once you find yourself leading your own department.  

Just remember — everyone starts somewhere and more than likely it was at the very bottom of the on-set pecking order.

Treating everyone with respect, remaining curious and inquisitive, and being true to the craft you’ve undertaken, are the most important actions you can have. Perhaps you’ll one day be so at home on a film set that a new film term will be coined in your honor.

But for now, raise your Martini.

Ultimate filmmaking glossary

We've covered many film terms and cinematography jargon but this is just the beginning. Up next is our ultimate filmmaker glossary with terms covering every aspect of filmmaking and the film industry. This is a tremendous resource for any filmmaker who comes across a term, a technique, a piece of equipment, or just general jargon that they aren't familiar with. Bookmark this guide and you'll never need another Google search for film terms.

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How to Write a Movie Review

Last Updated: May 13, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Marissa Levis . Marissa Levis is an English Teacher in the Morris County Vocational School District. She previously worked as an English director at a tutoring center that caters to students in elementary and middle school. She is an expert in creating a curriculum that helps students advance their skills in secondary-level English, focusing on MLA formatting, reading comprehension, writing skills, editing and proofreading, literary analysis, standardized test preparation, and journalism topics. Marissa received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Fairleigh Dickinson University. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,618,671 times.

Whether a movie is a rotten tomato or a brilliant work of art, if people are watching it, it's worth critiquing. A decent movie review should entertain, persuade and inform, providing an original opinion without giving away too much of the plot. A great movie review can be a work of art in its own right. Read on to learn how to analyze a movie like a professional film critic, come up with an interesting thesis, and write a review as entertaining as your source material.

Sample Movie Reviews

Writing an Intro for a Movie Review

• Comparison to Relevant Event or Movie: "Every day, our leaders, politicians, and pundits call for "revenge"– against terrorist groups, against international rivals, against other political parties. But few of them understand the cold, destructive, and ultimately hollow thrill of revenge as well as the characters of Blue Ruin. "
• Review in a nutshell: "Despite a compelling lead performance by Tom Hanks and a great soundtrack, Forrest Gump never gets out of the shadow of its weak plot and questionable premise."
• Context or Background Information: " Boyhood might be the first movie made where knowing how it was produced–slowly, over 12 years, with the same actors–is just as crucial as the movie itself."

• Using stars, a score out of 10 or 100, or the simple thumbs-up and thumbs-down is a quick way to give your thoughts. You then write about why you chose that rating.
• Great Movie: ABC is the rare movie that succeeds on almost every level, where each character, scene, costume, and joke firing on all cylinders to make a film worth repeated viewings."
• Bad Movie: "It doesn't matter how much you enjoy kung-fu and karate films: with 47 Ronin, you're better off saving your money, your popcorn, and time."
• Okay Movie: "I loved the wildly uneven Interstellar far more than I should have, but that doesn't mean it is perfect. Ultimately, the utter awe and spectacle of space swept me through the admittedly heavy-handed plotting and dialogue."

• Great: "Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer's chemistry would carry Fruitvale Station even if the script wasn't as good. The mid-movie prison scene in particular, where the camera never leaves their faces, shows how much they can convey with nothing but their eyelids, the flashing tension of neck muscles, and a barely cracking voice."
• Bad: " Jurassic World's biggest flaw, a complete lack of relatable female characters, is only further underscored by a laughably unrealistic shot of our heroine running away from a dinosaur – in heels."
• Okay: "At the end of the day, Snowpiercer can't decide what kind of movie it wants to be. The attention to detail in fight scenes, where every weapon, lightbulb, and slick patch of ground is accounted for, doesn't translate to an ending that seems powerful but ultimately says little of substance."

• Does the film reflect on a current event or contemporary issue? It could be the director's way of engaging in a bigger conversation. Look for ways to relate the content of the film to the "real" world.
• Does the film seem to have a message, or does it attempt to elicit a specific response or emotion from the audience? You could discuss whether or not it achieves its own goals.
• Does the film connect with you on a personal level? You could write a review stemming from your own feelings and weave in some personal stories to make it interesting for your readers.

Composing Your Review

• When you name characters in your plot summary, list the actors' names directly afterward in parenthesis.
• Find a place to mention the director's name and the full movie title.
• If you feel you must discuss information that might "spoil" things for readers, warn them first.

• Cinematography: " Her is a world drenched in color, using bright, soft reds and oranges alongside calming whites and grays that both build, and slowly strip away, the feelings of love between the protagonists. Every frame feels like a painting worth sitting in."
• Tone: "Despite the insane loneliness and high stakes of being stuck alone on Mars, The Martian's witty script keeps humor and excitement alive in every scene. Space may be dangerous and scary, but the joy of scientific discovery is intoxicating."
• Music and Sound: " No Country For Old Men's bold decision to skip music entirely pays off in spades. The eerie silence of the desert, punctuated by the brief spells of violent, up-close-and-personal sound effects of hunter and hunted, keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat."
• Acting: "While he's fantastic whenever he's on the move, using his cool stoicism to counteract the rampaging bus, Keanu Reeves can't quite match his costar in the quiet moments of Speed, which falter under his expressionless gaze."

• Keep your writing clear and easy to understand. Don't use too much technical filmmaking jargon, and make your language crisp and accessible.
• Present both the facts and your opinion. For example, you might state something such as, "The Baroque background music was a jarring contrast to the 20th century setting." This is a lot more informative then simply saying, "The music was a strange choice for the movie."

• Great: "In the end, even the characters of Blue Ruin know how pointless their feud is. But revenge, much like every taut minute of this thriller, is far too addictive to give up until the bitter end.""
• Bad: "Much like the oft-mentioned "box of chocolates", Forest Gump has a couple of good little morsels. But most of the scenes, too sweet by half, should have been in the trash long before this movie was put out."
• Okay: "Without the novel, even revolutionary concept, Boyhood may not be a great movie. It might not even be "good.” But the power the film finds in the beauty of passing time and little, inconsequential moments – moments that could only be captured over 12 years of shooting – make Linklater's latest an essential film for anyone interested in the art of film."

Polishing Your Piece

• Ask yourself whether your review stayed true to your thesis. Did your conclusion tie back in with the initial ideas you proposed?
• Decide whether your review contains enough details about the movie. You may need to go back and add more description here and there to give readers a better sense of what the movie's about.
• Decide whether your review is interesting enough as a stand-alone piece of writing. Did you contribute something original to this discussion? What will readers gain from reading your review that they couldn't from simply watching the movie?

Studying Your Source Material

• The title of the film, and the year it came out.
• The director's name.
• The names of the lead actors.

• Make a note every time something sticks out to you, whether it's good or bad. This could be costuming, makeup, set design, music, etc. Think about how this detail relates to the rest of the movie and what it means in the context of your review.
• Take note of patterns you begin to notice as the movie unfolds.
• Use the pause button frequently so you make sure not to miss anything, and rewind as necessary.

• Direction: Consider the director and how he or she choose to portray/explain the events in the story. If the movie was slow, or didn't include things you thought were necessary, you can attribute this to the director. If you've seen other movies directed by the same person, compare them and determine which you like the most.
• Cinematography: What techniques were used to film the movie? What setting and background elements helped to create a certain tone?
• Writing: Evaluate the script, including dialogue and characterization. Did you feel like the plot was inventive and unpredictable or boring and weak? Did the characters' words seem credible to you?
• Editing: Was the movie choppy or did it flow smoothly from scene to scene? Did they incorporate a montage to help build the story? And was this obstructive to the narrative or did it help it? Did they use long cuts to help accentuate an actor's acting ability or many reaction shots to show a group's reaction to an event or dialogue? If visual effects were used were the plates well-chosen and were the composited effects part of a seamless experience? (Whether the effects looked realistic or not is not the jurisdiction of an editor, however, they do choose the footage to be sent off to the compositors, so this could still affect the film.)
• Costume design: Did the clothing choices fit the style of the movie? Did they contribute to the overall tone, rather than digressing from it?
• Set design: Consider how the setting of the film influenced its other elements. Did it add or subtract from the experience for you? If the movie was filmed in a real place, was this location well-chosen?
• Score or soundtrack: Did it work with the scenes? Was it over/under-used? Was it suspenseful? Amusing? Irritating? A soundtrack can make or break a movie, especially if the songs have a particular message or meaning to them.

Expert Q&A

• If you don't like the movie, don't be abusive and mean. If possible, avoid watching the movies that you would surely hate. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Understand that just because the movie isn't to your taste, that doesn't mean you should give it a bad review. A good reviewer helps people find movie's they will like. Since you don't have the same taste in movies as everyone else, you need to be able to tell people if they will enjoy the movie, even if you didn't. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Structure is very important; try categorizing the different parts of the film and commenting on each of those individually. Deciding how good each thing is will help you come to a more accurate conclusion. For example, things like acting, special effects, cinematography, think about how good each of those are. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about writing, check out our in-depth interview with Marissa Levis .

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/terminology_and_starting_prompts.html
• ↑ https://www.spiritofbaraka.com/how-write-a-movie-review
• ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/9-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/
• ↑ https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/writing-help/top-tips-for-writing-a-review
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/summary-using-it-wisely/
• ↑ https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/film-review-1.original.pdf
• ↑ https://www.dailywritingtips.com/7-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/film_writing_sample_analysis.html
• ↑ https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/onnyx.bei/dual-credit/movie-review-writing-guide
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-movie-review/
• ↑ https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/handoutdocs/editing_proofreading.php
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://edusson.com/blog/how-to-write-movie-review

About This Article

To write a movie review, start with a compelling fact or opinion to hook your readers, like "Despite a great performance by Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump never overcomes its weak plot." Then, elaborate on your opinion of the movie right off the bat so readers know where you stand. Once your opinion is clear, provide examples from the movie that prove your point, like specific scenes, dialogue, songs, or camera shots. To learn how to study a film closely before you write a review, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Movie Review

Writing a Film Review

Movies have become a cultural mainstay of our society. Not only are they art and entertainment, but they have also become a way for people to bond and make connections. Finding someone who has a similar taste in movies can create new friendships and start interesting conversations. That's why understanding how to analyze a movie and write movie reviews is such a useful skill. 

Do you need to know how to write a movie review for college? Or how to write a movie critique? Or maybe just how to do a movie review? In this article, you will learn how to write a movie review step by step, as well as get an in-depth guide into each section of a movie review.

What is a Movie Review?

A film review essay is more than just a plot summary followed by a recommendation. A movie review analyzes different elements of a movie and mixes personal opinion with objective analysis. The goal of the movie review is to tell the reader about the details of a movie while giving them enough information to decide for themselves whether it's worth watching or not. Of course, a good movie review also has to be interesting and engaging! 

How to Write a Good Movie Review

More than most other pieces of writing, there are a lot of steps to take before actually getting into writing a movie review. But don't worry though, most of these steps are pretty fun and if you follow them, you will know how to review movies. 

Watch the film! 

It goes without saying that you need to watch a movie before you write a review for it, so, before you do anything else, watch the movie at least once. Don't worry about trying to pick up specific details on your first watch, just enjoy the movie and get a general impression of whether you liked it or not and what you liked or disliked. Ideally, you should watch the movie at least two times. On your second and third viewings, pay attention to movie review criteria like cinematography, acting, dialogue, character development, deeper meanings, etc. Read some film review examples to get a sense of the things they talk about.

Pause the movie on your second and third viewings and take notes on things that stand out to you. Don't be afraid to take as many notes as you want, after all these notes are just for you.  You might not use all the notes you have taken, but they will help you compose the main part of your body paragraphs.

Express your opinions

Once you have watched the movie a few times and taken notes, make a list of the strongest opinions you have about the movie. If you think that the quality of acting was one of the best parts of the movie, use your notes to come up with specific examples. You should have between 3 and 5 key opinions that you will elaborate on when writing a film review along with examples to back up your claims.

Think about your audience

The language you use is going to change based on who you are writing the movie review for. If it is an assignment for school or university, then you may have to use more technical language.  If you're writing an article for a website or personal blog, then think about who the audience is and use language appropriate for them. Keep in mind that your audience also depends on the genre of the movie you are critiquing. A movie review for a serious period drama will have a different audience than a buddy cop comedy and therefore different language. Look at a movie review sample from different genres to get an idea of the type of language to use. 

Research the actors

Having big movie stars associated with a film is often one of the main selling points of a movie.  If an actor is critically acclaimed, it’s especially important to mention the awards they have won as this is often a sign of the overall quality of the movie. It's also possible that you didn't like the movie overall, but one of your favorite actors was in it so you enjoyed the movie and another fan might enjoy it too. 

Do background research

An easy way to make a movie review interesting is to search for interesting details about the making of the movie. It may be worth mentioning if it was shot in a particularly beautiful place or a unique location, or if the special effects were practical rather than CGI. Include interesting casting decisions or other actors that were considered for a particular role. Think about what information could be interesting to someone who might want to watch the movie and include those details. Go over some movie critique examples to get inspiration. 

Research the professionals

People can be fans not just of the actors, but of directors, writers, cinematographers, costume designers, and many other elements of filmmaking. Many directors are auteurs, which means they have a very particular visual style or storytelling method. How much time you spend on this section is dependent on your audience. If you're writing for social media or a blog for general people, then this might not be interesting to most. But if you're writing for film school or for a specific audience interested in filmmaking, then this section will need to be more elaborate. Look at a film review example written for different audiences to understand the differences. 

Draft an outline

Now that you've done all the required research, it's time to come up with a review outline. An outline is always useful when doing any piece of writing because it gives you a  chance to visualize the structure and plan how you want to incorporate information. This is the general film review format.

Introduction

• Brief summary of the film
• Discuss plot, tone, characters
• Discuss creative and technical elements
• Your opinions

Conclusion 

Come up with a catchy title.

Almost more than any other piece of writing, a movie review’s title needs to be engaging. A title like ”film review of (name of the movie) might be to the point, but isn't going to stand out. A good title should grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more. A few ways you can do this is by talking about a specific actor or director, or by using one of the main plot points of the movie. For example, “A Romantic Comedy for the Unromantic”,  or “Chris Pratt Plays Against Type in the Best Possible Way”. Look at the titles of some movie review examples for inspiration!

Write your review

It's finally time to get to the actual writing! The next part of this article talks in-depth about each section of a film review. 

People aren't going to take a review seriously if you have spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. If it's an assignment for school, then you’re going to lose marks because of mistakes like that. Make sure you reread your paper a few times and check for typos and other silly mistakes.  Read the paper out loud once or twice to get an idea of if it has a good flow. Don't be afraid to move sections around if you think it helps you build a stronger case.

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How to Write a Film Review

Do you want a ‘how to write a movie review’ template? Let's go over the specific parts of a film review and what to include in each one.

Your first sentence needs to capture the reader's attention. You can do this by stating an interesting fact about the movie, starting off by expressing your opinion of whether it's good or bad, mentioning some of the important actors, comparing it to other movies in the genre or to real-world events, whatever it is, make sure it's catchy!

Next, give background information about the movie. This includes things like the title, release date, studio, important cast members, director, budget, etc. Make sure to highlight any achievements of the movie, for example, if it was nominated for any awards. The same goes for the director as well as important members of the cast. This shouldn't just be a dry stating of facts, rather this should be a collection of interesting information about the background of the movie. 

Finally, end your introduction paragraph with your thesis. In the case of a film review, your thesis is essentially what you thought about the film. Without giving away too much, express your overall impression of the movie noting particular things that you thought stood out or were weak.

Summary of the story

The trick to writing the summary of the story is giving readers an idea of what to expect without giving away any important plot points or spoilers. The goal of this section isn't to explain the plot of the movie, It's to make sure that people have a basic understanding of the story so that the rest of the review can make sense. Describe the setting of the movie, which includes the main locations and time period. Introduce the main characters (including the name of the actor in parentheses after the name of their character). And go over the general storyline. 

Plot elements

This is when you start explaining what you thought about the movie. Start with an analysis of the plot itself. Did it have a rising action that builds suspense? Was the climax a good payoff? What were your overall impressions of the movie? How did it make you feel? What do you think the purpose of the movie was and did the director succeed in their goal? 

This is also the section where you get to talk about the different characters in the movie. Why did you enjoy certain characters? Were some characters better developed than others? Could some characters have benefited from more development? Was the villain particularly interesting? 

Think about the overall mood of the movie, did it change over time? How did the tones and symbols of the movie emphasize elements of the plot? Remember that any point you make in this section has to be backed up by examples. So if you say that there are several plot holes that make the movie complicated to understand, mention the specific scenes.

Creative elements

There are a lot of technical and creative elements in a movie that can stand out even if the overall plot and story weren’t the best. On the other hand, even a great story can be spoiled by bad dialogue or set design. These are some of the creative elements you should pay attention to especially when rewatching the movie and taking notes.

Dialogue : This can refer to the overall writing of the movie as well. If you can get your hands on a script then read it! When thinking about dialogue ask yourself, did the conversation between characters seem natural and flow easily? Or did it seem choppy and unnatural? 

Cinematography : Cinematography refers to the camera effects and the choices of how to film a certain scene. The lighting, the choice of camera angles, essentially the unique perspective of the story as told through the camera. 

Editing : Editing refers to the transition between different scenes as well as how well the movie flows together. This could include things like clever montages, longshots, different perspectives, etc.  

Costumes : Some movies, especially historical movies, fantasy films, and science fiction films, depend heavily on costume design. Costumes are an integral part of making a character stand out or making the world seem more real.

Set Design : Set design refers to the backgrounds of scenes. Some sets might be more elaborate whereas others can be minimalistic. Each choice has its pros and cons and effective set design creates proper ambiance, setting the tone and mood for a scene or the movie.

Music and Sound : Sometimes the movie has a great soundtrack or just incredible sound effects that help make it stand out.

Stunts : More important for action movies, but in general stunts and action sequences can be a major selling point for a film.

Special Effects : Most movies rely on some amount of special effects, and whether it be CGI, or practical, or a combination of the two, the quality is important.

Once you have analyzed multiple different elements of the story from its plot, characterization, and other technical and creative elements, you can state your opinions and provide evidence for them. Make sure you refer to specific scenes or specific situations when looking for substantiating evidence. Remember that the goal of a movie review is not to just state whether you liked or disliked a movie, it is to analyze it in an objective way, and give information so that somebody else can decide whether they want to watch the movie or not.

In the conclusion you express your main opinion of the movie along with the most important pieces of evidence. You can talk about the purpose of the movie and whether the director was successful in showing that purpose. End with a recommendation of whether the movie should be watched or not, along with suggestions of movies that are similar to it.

Did you like our Film Review Guide?

For more help, tap into our pool of professional writers and get expert essay editing services!

Mistakes to avoid

You now know how to write a review on a movie but let's take a look at some mistakes that you should be careful to avoid.

Not focusing on the film

It's easy to start writing about things like the historical events the movie you loved is based on or the importance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe overall rather than focus on the movie itself.  While those elements can be interesting to include as background information, the point of a film review is to go over a particular movie so that is what you should spend the most time on.

Not providing evidence 

A common mistake people make when they write movie reviews is to state their opinions without any objective analysis. An easy way to overcome this mistake is to make sure that you provide evidence for any claims that you make.

Spoilers are an easy way to make sure that people will be upset with your movie review. It is common to accidentally give away too much, especially when writing the plot summary. Find the line between giving enough information so that people understand the general story and revealing important plot twists and turning points. Read some sample movie reviews for examples of how to avoid spoilers.

Using personal pronouns

Statements like “I did not like the special effects” or “I did not like the pacing of the movie” are clearly expressions of opinion. It is better to make statements like “the special effects in certain action scenes were cartoonish and took away from the realism of the film”. 

A movie review essay can be incredibly fun to write, especially if you have a strong opinion about the movie. But keep in mind that a movie review isn't just about your opinion, it has to include an objective analysis with claims backed up by evidence from specific scenes. It's difficult to have a movie review definition, but a great movie review is a blend between personal opinion and objective analysis. It informs the reader about the strengths and weaknesses of the movie while letting them make the decision whether they want to watch it or not. 

If you found your way to this article because you were looking for help on how to write a movie review for college, then you're in the perfect place. If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out to the experts at Studyfy. At Studyfy, we offer a wide range of custom writing services, coursework writing services, and essay writer service . Our team of experienced writers is well-equipped to handle any writing task you may have, no matter the complexity or urgency. Just say, " write a paper for me ," and we will ensure that you receive a high-quality custom essay that meets all your requirements. Trust us to provide you with the best coursework writing services and custom essay writing that will help you achieve your academic goals.

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6 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week

Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or an avid buff, our reviewers think these films are worth knowing about.

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By The New York Times

CRITIC’S PICK

He’s got killer charisma.

Gary (played by Glen Powell) is a reserved philosophy professor who finds himself posing as a hit man for a sting operation in this Richard Linklater comedy. While in disguise, he falls for one of his clients (Adria Arjona).

From our review:

If I see a movie more delightful than “Hit Man” this year, I’ll be surprised. It’s the kind of romp people are talking about when they say that “they don’t make them like they used to”: It’s romantic, sexy, hilarious, satisfying and a genuine star-clinching turn for Glen Powell, who’s been having a moment for about two years now. It’s got the cheeky verve of a 1940s screwball rom-com in a thoroughly contemporary (and slightly racier) package. I’ve seen it twice, and a huge grin plastered itself across my face both times.

In theaters. Read the full review .

It’s worse than Mondays.

‘the garfield movie’.

The grouchy tabby gets another big-screen adaptation, this time following an unexpected reunion with his father.

The film, directed by Mark Dindal, is an inert adaptation that mostly tries to skate by on its namesake. In other words, it’s a Garfield movie that strangely doesn’t feel as if Garfield as we know him is really there at all. Part of this can be attributed to the voice — Chris Pratt, an overly spunky casting choice that was doomed from the start — but there’s also a built-in defect to the very concept of the big-screen Garfield treatment. An animated, animal-centric children’s movie tends to require a narrative structure of action-packed adventure — the antithesis of Garfield the cat’s raison d’être.

An A.I. movie that sticks to the script.

In this sci-fi thriller, Jennifer Lopez plays Atlas, a data analyst with a distaste for artificial intelligence, who must help capture an A.I. robot that wants to destroy humanity.

Lopez, who was also a producer on the movie, flings herself into the role with abandon, the kind of performance that’s especially impressive given that she’s largely by herself throughout. … At times “Atlas” feels like pure pastiche, and it looks, in a fashion we’re getting used to seeing on the streamers, kind of cheap, dark, plasticky and fake, particularly in the big action sequences. Science fiction often earns its place in memory by envisioning something new and startling — but with “Atlas,” we’ve seen it all before.

Watch on Netflix . Read the full review .

The sorrow and the surreal.

‘kidnapped: the abduction of edgardo mortara’.

Based on a true story, this film follows a Jewish child, Edgardo Mortara, in 19th-century Italy who is kidnapped by the papal state and raised as Roman Catholic.

The director, Marco Bellocchio, anchors the period with a somber visual elegance and employs surreal gestures to tease out the psychological and spiritual aspects of the tragedy. Political cartoons lambasting Pope Pius IX come to life through animation. During an especially sorrowful moment in the boy’s confinement, one of the figures of the crucified Christ in the Roman dormitory for child converts takes leave of his cross with the help of little Edgardo.

Shantay, you stay.

In Montreal, Simon (Théodore Pellerin) pursues a career as a drag queen and contends with two thorny relationships: a destructive crush on a fellow performer and a reunion with his absentee mother.

“Solo” is a subtle snapshot into a gay man’s profound yet familiar upheavals. Simon’s drag spectacles may be intentionally fierce and operatic, but there’s something refreshing about this drama’s intimate scale and lack of interest in sweeping tragedies, especially in the context of queer cinema.

Inspirational, not necessarily insightful

A man who endured a traumatic childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution becomes a world-renowned eye surgeon in this fictionalized account of the life of Dr. Ming Wang.

As is the custom with inspirational medical movies, however, the new film “Sight,” directed by Andrew Hyatt, leans hard into uplift — it provides only the narrative-necessary minimum of the science. Wang’s achievement in developing innovative technology is central to one of the stories here, yes. But the dominating narrative is one of personal growth.

Compiled by Kellina Moore .

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Rebecca Ferguson Thinks ‘Dune’ Could Be the Next ‘Star Wars’

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The Big Picture

• Dune: Part Two star Rebecca Ferguson is proud of how well the series has been received by audiences.
• Ferguson sees Dune as the next Star Wars with endless possibilities for future films.
• The story is set to continue with Dune 3 , expected to follow the events of Dune: Messiah .

Rebecca Ferguson is fully living in the glory of saying “I told you so” after the staggering success of Dune: Part Two . During an interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub , during which the pair primarily discussed Apple TV+’s Silo , the Doctor Sleep actress said she’s been relishing those four glorious words since the movie came out back in March. Reflecting on its critical praise, gargantuan box office earnings, and its overall gift to cinema, Ferguson recalled doing press junkets for the film and teasing what was to come from Denis Villeneuve ’s second chapter in the epic franchise.

“I think for me, because I had watched Dune, and I was doing interviews - you and I did interviews - and I remember sitting there going, ‘I just want people to see it.’ I heard myself say, ‘If you think Dune is good, wait until you see Dune 2 ,’ and I remember thinking, ‘I really mean it.’ I mean, the challenges, the angles, the storyline, the music, the scope, the Harkonnens, the graphics, it’s all there. It’s a masterpiece . And the fact that I know people have seen it and the response is what it is, it’s a bit of me going, ‘Told ya.’”

Rebecca Ferguson Thinks ‘Dune’ Could Easily Become The Next ‘Star Wars’

Early reactions to Dune: Part Two were quick to compare it to movies like The Empire Strikes Back , The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , and The Dark Knight , proving that sequels are absolutely where it’s at. As far as space epics go, Dune has already given Star Wars a run for its money (literally) at the box office, and with Dune Messiah on the way, the hype will continue to flow as heavily as the spice. Like fans, Ferguson understands what a third Dune film means not only for the franchise but for all aspects of cinema and sees things only getting better from here.

“It’s a universe. It’s kind of what Star Wars was when it happened. I don’t want to jinx it, but there’s a lot that can be done here. This is a world. It’s a sexy world, and it’s dangerous, and it has different cultures and life and visions, and Patrice [ Vermette ], who is the designer, and the costumes. I mean, it’s a spectacle in every aspect. It’s just phenomenal.”

While we certainly hope you caught Dune: Part Two when it was in theaters and IMAX, if you still need to see it or just want to rewatch it, the movie is now streaming on Max, where you can also find Dune .

Dune: Part Two

Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

Watch Now on Max

• Rebecca Ferguson

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Lawmakers look at allowing judges to resentence people serving long prison terms

Washington Senate lawmakers on Thursday discussed legislation that would enable judges to review and shorten long prison sentences, including life sentences.

House Bill 2001, also known as the Judicial Discretion Act, was written by Charles Longshore, a criminal justice activist incarcerated in a prison north of Olympia. It’s sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Kitsap, the first formerly incarcerated lawmaker in Washington.

“There’s nothing more (the Department of Corrections) can offer me. I’ve been deemed a low risk to re-offend,” said Longshore, who is serving time for killing two people in 2012. “I’ve reconciled all broken relationships. I’ve taken responsibility for my actions, and I’ve heard the words ‘I forgive you’ from survivors in my case.”

“But even after this message I give you, I still have two decades to serve. At what point is our state going to begin taking a second look at sentences imposed?”

The Judicial Discretion Act passed the House but did not make it to a Senate committee hearing during the 2024 legislative session, derailing the bill this year. In the interim, lawmakers can still hold work sessions to learn more about legislation. The next session begins Jan. 13, 2025.

Under the Judicial Discretion Act, people convicted of aggravated first-degree murder or considered “persistent offenders” would not be eligible for resentencing. Otherwise, prisoners are eligible if they’ve served 10 years if convicted as an adult or seven years if convicted as a juvenile. Petitioners would have to demonstrate “substantial rehabilitation,” “minimal risk of reoffense” or evidence of facts that weren’t available at the time of the conviction.

The state abolished parole in 1984 with few exceptions during the national “tough on crime” movement.

Prosecutors can petition for a new sentence under a law that took effect in 2020, Senate Bill 6164, but have only filed 43 petitions out of 1,292 requests, according to data from public records requests presented by the Washington State Office of Public Defense.

“(Bill) 6164 is frankly a low priority,” said Chad Enright, representing the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in front of lawmakers on Thursday. “We do not have the staffing to do substantial resentencings.”

The impact on victims, people in prison

Enright said he supports the bill but worries about the implications for crime victims, who may have to relive trauma during a prisoner’s petition, and prosecutors, who are struggling with staffing shortages. Enright said a third of the positions in his office in Kitsap County are empty. The Washington State Association of Counties said that if the bill is passed, the Legislature will need to provide counties with significant resources to implement it.

One sexual assault survivor, identified only as Lynne, pleaded with lawmakers to not allow those convicted of sexual assault to be eligible under the act should it pass.

“Should conduct in prison outweigh the gravity of the crime? Must sexual assault victims break open old wounds in order to respond to an offender’s petition for early release?” Lynne said. “We must not heap more wrongs on innocent survivors.”

But groups representing survivors testified in support of the legislation and praised the victim fund it would also create to support survivors through services and training. Em Stone, public policy director at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, referenced surveys suggesting crime victims are twice as likely to support rehabilitation over incarceration.

“What we hear most from survivors is that they want the abuse to stop, and for the person who harmed them to get help,” said Stone, who also pointed out that the majority of women incarcerated are survivors of domestic violence, and many of them are in prison for crimes related to their abuse.

Currently and formerly incarcerated people said the Judicial Discretion Act would give prisoners hope and encourage rehabilitation. Jacob Schmitt, who was freed from prison under Senate Bill 6164, called the system created by the 2020 law a “failed process” and said his release took an “enormous amount of leveraging.”

“I don’t know how we make this into a recipe that works well for county prosecutors or for defense attorneys,” Schmitt said. “But I want to emphasize to the committee those should not be the deciding factors on how we administer justice – particularly when we know better.”

The Washington State Office of Public Defense, the Washington Defender Association and the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission also testified in support, pointing to the disproportionate impacts of incarceration on communities of color and cases where they’ve seen people grow and change in prison.

“We don’t have discussions on how much it costs to imprison people,” said King County Superior Court Judge Veronica Galván, co-chair of the Minority and Justice Commission. “When it comes to correcting injustice, it’s always ‘correcting our errors is too great a cost.’ I submit that not correcting them is an even greater cost.”

Fast heart attack care saves Spokane man from a widow-maker

In August 2022, Rick Hosmer was mountain biking in Mount Spokane State Park, one of his favorite hobbies.

We review laptops at Reviewed: These are the best laptop sales during Memorial Day

Level up your productivity and gaming with these laptop deals.

Updated May 27, 2024

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

We are the laptop review team here at Reviewed. We put each new model through a range of tests to determine which are actually worth your money, whether you're looking for a gaming laptop or a new machine for work.

Shop the best laptop deals

1. lenovo legion slim 5 (2024).

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 packs a brilliant OLED screen, good battery life, and solid gaming chops at a very reasonable price.

2. Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro (2022)

The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro is a bit older but remains a valid super slim and light option for productivity-minded buyers.

If you need a simpler productivity laptop that doesn’t lack for power and comes with an OLED display, the $900 Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro fits the bill. This 15.6-inch laptop is 0.46 inches thick and weighs only 2.45 pounds, but still packs an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. If you’re looking for a Windows-based alternative to the MacBook Air, this is it. Plus, it comes with a 90-day free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited.

3. Dell XPS 14 (2024)

The 2024 Dell XPS 14 is a refresh of a stalwart productivity line with a great keyboard and premium feel and finish.

The 2024 Dell XPS 14 is a high-quality machine and one that we quite enjoyed testing. Unfortunately, its astronomical price held it back from receiving a strong recommendation at the time. Now Dell has slashed the cost for Memorial Day, and you can pick up this 14-inch laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, Intel Arc integrated graphics, 32GB of exceptionally fast 7467 MHz LPDDR5x RAM, and 1TB of storage for only $1,999. That’s $300 off the normal price, and it even comes with a 3200 x 2000 OLED panel.

4. Lenovo Slim Pro 7 (2023)

The Lenovo Slim Pro 7 is a solidly built 14-inch productivity machine that can squeeze a little gaming in after work.

In our review of the 2023 Lenovo Slim Pro 7, we aptly called it a business laptop that plays as hard as it works. It’s thin at 0.61 inches, but still packs in an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It’s solidly built and can net you 10 hours of battery life, and once you're done with your work for the day, it can tackle a bit of Fortnite or Cyberpunk 2077 . Not bad for $900, or $300 off its regular MSRP.

5. HP Omen 16t-wf100

The HP Omen gives you great gaming performance on a budget.

Size up to a 16-inch gaming laptop without spending an arm and a leg with the $1000 HP OMEN 16t-wf100. At $450 off its normal price, you get a competent gaming machine equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700HX processor, Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The 16.1-inch, 165Hz display included in the base configuration is only 1080p, but you can bump that up to a 240Hz, 1440p IPS panel for only $50 more, vastly improving the responsiveness. It isn’t the thinnest or lightest option at 0.93 inches thick and 5.23 pounds, but that’s still portable enough to tote to work and beyond.

6. Asus Vivobook Go 14

The Asus Vivobook Go 14 is a budget Windows laptop that doesn’t skimp on the basics.

7. Apple MacBook Air 15 M2 (2023)

The 15-inch MacBook Air is a great option for those that want a premium laptop without forking over for a MacBook Pro 16.

If you’ve been waiting for a 15-inch MacBook to go on sale, now’s your chance. For $1,000, the MacBook Air 15 M2 packs a gorgeous 2K Liquid Retina display, one of the fastest processors for productivity, and 13 hours of battery life. Even at full price, it’s one of the most enjoyable laptops we’ve reviewed, and for a $300 discount the deal feels even sweeter.

The base configuration with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage should be enough to accommodate everyday computing, but if you need to upgrade to 512GB of storage you can get the MacBook Air 15 M2 for $1,200 (also $300 off) or the smaller, but otherwise identical, MacBook Air 13 M2 for $1,049 ($150 off).

8. HP Pavilion Plus 16t (2023)

The HP Pavilion Plus 16t is one of our favorite laptops, and it’s almost half off.

Thanks to its phenomenal performance, battery life, display, and build quality, the HP Pavilion Plus 16t is one of our favorite laptops. Right now, you can catch it for 43% off at HP’s website, bringing this $1,100 laptop all the way down to $620. The Pavilion 16t’s 16GB of memory, a bright 16-inch 2K display, and 512GB of storage are usually reserved for more expensive laptops. It’s already quite the powerhouse with its Intel Core i5-13500H processor, but you can add discrete graphics to turn it into a decent gaming machine, too.

9. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 16

The IdeaPad Flex 5 is a great 2-in-1 for productivity.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a stellar 2-in-1 laptop on sale for $650, down from $970. It comes with a stylus, a fingerprint reader, and some powerful specs: an AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage. Productivity tasks are a breeze, and you can use it as a tablet to write on or watch videos whenever you want (although it may be a bit awkward with the 16-inch display size). Although its display can’t compare to the MacBook Air, its massive storage capacity and processing power more than make up for it.

10. Acer Chromebook 516 GE

This is our favorite Chromebook without a doubt—they’re not usually this powerful or well built.

If you’re in need of a reliable Chromebook for work or school, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is one of the best Chromebooks we’ve tested. For $450, you’ll get a laptop with a brilliant 120Hz 2K display, 8GB of memory, 256GB of storage, and an Intel Core i5-1240P processor—one of the fastest you’ll find in a Chromebook. Its 7-hour battery life may not sound like much compared to other Chromebooks, but in exchange you get more powerful hardware than you’d expect to find in a typical Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 516 is normally $650, and it has little to envy from its Windows-based rivals like the Dell Inspiron.

Related content

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Madame Tea Sweet House

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Located in:

Thailand's Center Point

6319 Woodside Ave

Thailands Center Point

Queens, NY 11377

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Tara C. said "Stopped by this restaurant because of the great ratings on Yelp. It is small so like others said you may wanna call to make a reservation, especially if there's more than 2 in your party. We stopped in at 9 pm on a Tuesday so we…" read more

Lemongrass Brooklyn

6.2 miles away from Madame Tea Sweet House

Shaima C. said "I came here with two of my coworkers and I was a bit hesitant because the reviews are either a hit or miss. We each ended up getting something from the lunch special menu which is an appetizer, main course and a drink all for $9.…" read more

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Does it need reservation?

They take walk ups but the space is small and I would definitely recommend calling ahead to check availability and to reserve a table.

Recommended Reviews

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• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

Nice casual experience here with Thai style afternoon tea! There was a good variety of afternoon tea options! The sweet and savory pastries were really cute and fun to try. It would be nice if they had a written list that labeled out what each pastry was and what was in it. There was also fruits and curry chicken sandwich (tapas size) included with the set. We were allowed to order food on their regular menu, too, if we wanted. There is a good amount of seating too because there's two sides to the restaurant. One side was more decorated than the other side, though. I held a birthday afternoon tea here, and I felt that it could be more decorated because my group sat on the less decorated side. The service was also low because there was only one person working there at the time. I think this place has the potential to be better. Overall, I thought the tea set was good value! Looking forward to coming again!

Really fun take on afternoon tea with their thai inspired flavors in their "East Meets West Afternoon Tea" set! Note there are only 4 tables, would recommend calling for a reservation ahead of time. Service is also on the slower side, as the waitress is serving both the tea customers as well as the restaurant on the other side.

East Meets West Afternoon Tea

Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Terrible service. The worst services we've experienced in a long time. Not worth it.

A really cute tea / dessert spot sharing a space with a Thai restaurant. I made reservations in advanced for a Sunday tea time. When I arrived they were hosting a birthday party at the restaurant so service to seat me was pretty slow. My friend and I got our menus and picked the tea (the set comes with 1 pot and additional is $5). It took awhile to take our tea orders but they were understandably occupied with the party. Once we placed our tea orders, our tower of savory / sweet items came shortly. It was definitely unique tasting but I'm from Malaysia so I was aware of the spices. My friend however, was definitly a newbie to these spices but she enjoyed it! We both really liked the curry puff, curry sandwich, and the sticky rice. I think this tea set $40 was definitely worth the travel for me all the way from Brooklyn!

I'm a sucker for afternoon high tea service and wish that there were more places that offer it here in NYC. The ones I know about in Manhattan are a bit on the higher end in terms of prices, so it was great to hear about Madame Tea Sweet House. They recently opened in Woodside, Queens and are offering their version of afternoon tea service. The tea service is called East Meets West ($39.99) and is Thai focused. You have your choice of tea and includes both savory and sweet items like chicken and meat dumplings, cupcakes, coconut mango jelly, steamed banana cake, sticky rice balls (Bua Loi), grated coconut, and layered pandan dessert (Khanom Chan), just to name a few. The items are petite sized and perfect for those who want to try a variety of Thai desserts both traditional and new. The presentation was on point and was so visually stunning. I loved the fact that a lot of the items in the tea service were new to me. My favorite items were the three savory sweet bird dumplings (Chor Muang) filled with ground meat, and radishes. They were shaped like tiny birds, had a silky, chewy dough filled with ground chicken & pork. It was so very tasty. Funnily enough, the tea was actually the least exciting component of the whole thing. We chose to get Jasmine green and it was surprisingly just a tea bag and not house blend loose leaf tea that is usually served with high tea. Along with the tea service, we also ordered Larb Pork Nachos ($16.95). Larb is usually served with sticky rice or lettuce wrap so I really loved their version with nachos. The larb was tangy, full of flavor with lots of fresh herbs, and had a slight spicy kick. It was so perfect with the nachos which added a crunchy element to each bite. I could have eaten this whole dish by myself. We very much enjoyed our visit. The space, while small with about 4-5 small tables, was decorated so cute. The staff and owner came by several times to check on us. They even put the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's on the screen for us to watch while we waited for our food. It was just a very lovely time, and we will be coming back.

Food is amazing here. I love their afternoon tea set which costs 39.99 per set, enough to share between 2 people. Decoration is beautiful - you will feel like you're in a garden. Service is also great. Highly recommended to try! You have to call to make reservation. It's usually from 2-6 pm on weekends.

See all photos from Phyu T. for Madame Tea Sweet House

Came here on a Sunday afternoon with 2 kids and a friend. We did not have reservations and were seated immediately. They seemed pretty unorganized even though they were not full. We came for the experience that we did not get we were not greeted at the table to select teas given a breakdown of what the tray tower came with nothing. My girls wanted the experience and I was a little disappointed that I had to keep getting up to ask questions. I will come back again to try to get the experience hopefully it would not be the same. The food was cool.

This place is very small but it was cool. The staff/owners were nice! Tea was tasty and the pork that came with the sticky rice was really really good!

Can't remember the name but it was really really good. Suggested that they should sell the teas and they just might!

Sweets and things

Came here as a party of 3 to try the high tea. We were slightly confused with the set up. Essentially its $40 for a pot of tea and the tower of treats. Typically suited for 2 people. We initially thought each person was charged like a normal high tea place but thats not the case here. The restaurant is small and very nicely decorated. The food display was appetizing and most of the stuff that was included in the tea set was delicious. The restaurant has an awesome thai menu with tons of selection all very reasonably priced. We were very disappointed in the tea. Inside the tea pot is one single tea bag and if u wanted refill they just add hot water but the tea bag already has no more flavor. Our server was super nice but the poor guy was running around the whole restaurant with no additional help. Every table was full. Not only did he forget to put in an order but we ended up waiting a long time for a dish that he kept saying was coming that we never came. We ended up canceling and asking for the check. We definitely enjoyed the food and would love to come back to try the rest of the menu. Hopefully next time it will be better

See all photos from Sandy T. for Madame Tea Sweet House

Try the afternoon tea. You can't beat the presentation. Very friendly staff and convenient location. Love the flowers above.

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