Cinematography Terminology

Pan
- This is when the camera is rotated to the left or the right, and at the same time the camera mount stays still.
- This is good for:
         - Revealing an entire environment.
         - Revealing a spatial relationship.
         - Introducing multiple objects in a close-up.
         - Simulating subjective view.

Tilt
- This is when the camera is rotated up ro down, and at the same time the camera mount stays still.
- It is a similar fuction to the pan, but isn't used as often.

Zoom
- This maginfies the subject, or reduces the subject.
- This can help to simulate a psychological process or a love story.

Close-Up
- This is a full face shot from below the shoulder line.
- It shows how the character looks and emphasises their facial expression.

Extreme Close-Up
- This shows only part of a subject, typically the face (e.g. eye/mouth etc.)
- It creates a powerful impact.

Long Shot
- This shot shows an entire body, and reveals any body movement.
- You are able to recognise the person, but you can also see the background and environment they're in.
- You are most focused on the atmosphere, the relationship between the character and the environment.
- It's also known as an establishing shot, and is usually the first shot of a scene.

Extreme Long-Shot
- This shot emphasises the environment, usually the subject is too small to be recognised.
- It tells you the location, the natural characteristics of the scene, the atmosphere etc.
- It also sets a general tone for the whole film/video.

Medium Long-Shot
- This shot descirbed the body language and movement of a character, and you are still able to see their facial expression.

Medium Shot
- This is the most widely used shot.
- It reveals facial expression and body language as well as the environment.

Two Shot
- This is when two people are placed in a shot together.
- It is most often framed as a medium shot or a long shot.