180-degree Rule: A guideline in filmmaking that ensures consistent screen direction by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary line between two subjects, preventing confusion or disorientation for the audience.

ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement): The process of re-recording dialogue in post-production, often used to improve audio quality or make changes to the original script.

Aperture: The adjustable opening in a camera lens that controls the amount of light entering the camera. It is measured in f-stops, with smaller numbers representing larger apertures and vice versa.

Blocking: The process of determining the movement, position, and actions of actors and camera within a scene.

Boom Microphone: A directional microphone mounted on a long pole, used to capture dialogue and other sounds from a distance.

B-roll: Supplementary footage used to provide visual variety, cover edits, or complement the main footage (A-roll) in a film.

Cinematography: The art and technique of capturing images on film or digital media, including aspects such as framing, lighting, and camera movement.

Color Grading: The process of adjusting the colors, contrast, and overall look of a film during post-production to achieve a desired visual style or mood.

Continuity: The consistency of elements in a film, such as narrative, visuals, and audio, across different scenes and shots.

Diegetic Sound: Sound that originates from within the world of the film, such as dialogue, sound effects, or music that characters can hear.

Dolly: A wheeled platform used to smoothly move the camera during a shot, creating fluid and dynamic motion.

Establishing Shot: A wide shot that shows the location or setting of a scene, often used at the beginning of a sequence to provide context.

Foley: The creation of sound effects during post-production, often performed by artists who recreate sounds in sync with the visuals.

Gaffer: The head of the lighting department on a film set, responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan.

High Angle Shot: A shot where the camera is positioned above the subject, often used to make the subject appear smaller or more vulnerable.

Iris: The adjustable diaphragm in a camera lens that controls the size of the aperture (also known as the f-stop or t-stop).

Jump Cut: An abrupt edit that creates a visual discontinuity, often used for stylistic effect or to compress time.

Key Light: The primary light source in a scene, typically used to illuminate the subject and create shadows.

Long Shot: A shot that shows a subject from a distance, often used to establish the location or setting.

Montage: A sequence of shots edited together to condense time, space, or information.

Narrative: The story or sequence of events in a film, including plot, characters, and themes.

Non-diegetic Sound: Sound that is added during post-production and is not heard by the characters in the film, such as background music or voiceover narration.

Over-the-Shoulder Shot: A shot where the camera is positioned behind one character, with their shoulder in the frame, showing the perspective of that character.

Pan: A horizontal camera movement that pivots around a central point, creating a sweeping motion.

Pre-production: The stage of filmmaking that occurs before principal photography, during which elements such as scriptwriting, casting, location scouting, and budgeting are completed.

Post-production: The stage of filmmaking that occurs after principal photography, during which elements such as editing, visual effects, sound design, and color grading are finalized.

Principal Photography: Also known as Production, this is the stage of filmmaking during which the majority of the film’s footage is captured, involving actors, crew, and equipment on set.

Quick Cut: A rapid succession of shots, often used to create a sense of urgency or to emphasize action.

Rack Focus: A camera technique where the focus is shifted from one subject to another within the same shot.

Scene: A continuous action or series of actions in a film, usually taking place in a single location and time.

Shot: A single, continuous recording of a scene or action, captured from a specific camera angle and position.

Tilt: A vertical camera movement that pivots around a central point, creating an up-and-down motion.

Tracking Shot: A shot where the camera follows a moving subject, often using a dolly or other stabilizing equipment.

Two-shot: A shot that frames two subjects, often used to show the interaction or relationship between them.

Underscore: Background music used to enhance the mood, atmosphere, or emotion of a scene.

Voiceover: Offscreen narration or dialogue that provides additional information or commentary, often used to convey a character’s thoughts or feelings.

Wide Shot: A shot that captures a large area or multiple subjects, often used to show the scale or scope of a scene.

XLR Connector: A type of audio connector commonly used in professional audio equipment, such as microphones and mixing boards, known for its durability and balanced audio transmission.

Y-axis: The vertical axis in a film frame, often used in reference to camera movement or composition.

Zoom: A camera technique that changes the focal length of the lens, allowing the image to appear closer or farther away without physically moving the camera.