Glossary
Comprehensive glossary of filmmaking terms, concepts, and techniques.
Showing 13 terms
C
3Catchlight
A small specular highlight reflected in a subject's eye from a light source, which gives the eyes depth, life, and vitality on camera.
Composition
The deliberate arrangement of visual elements within a film frame to guide attention, convey meaning, and create aesthetic impact.
Coverage
The full range of shots filmed for a scene from multiple angles and sizes, giving the editor options in post-production.
D
2Dialogue
The spoken words exchanged between characters in a film, written in the screenplay and performed by actors.
Dynamic Frame
A frame whose composition changes within a single continuous shot through camera movement, subject movement, or both.
M
2Martini Shot
Film crew slang for the very last shot of the filming day, after which the next shot is 'in a glass' — meaning the crew goes to the bar.
Mise-en-Scène
Everything visible within a film frame — actors, sets, lighting, costume, and camera position — as a unified expressive whole.