Basic glossary of cinematography terms

Mise-en-scene is everything on screen. This is both the digetic and non-digetic sound, cinematography, editing and any props or costumes that are used.

 

Costumes/props: physicals objects and things that are used to achieve an effect.

Editing: the use of software to manipulate the original film and order them in a way that makes sense.

Cinematography: how the shot is laid out eg lighting

Digetic music: dialogue and sound effects; things that the characters can hear.

Non-digetic music: soundtracks and other sounds that the viewer can hear but the characters can't.

 

Low-angle shot: shot is taken from below. This gives the subject a sense of authority or power.

High-angle shot: gives the subject a sense of helplessness, or a lack of authority.

Trading shot: Camera follows action on a trolley. This gives a sense of speed to the action.

Pan: The camera moves from left to right. This gives a sense of movement or speed

Tilt: Camera pans up and down. Gives a sense of size.