Basic Media Terminology

Camera Shots:

- long shot - shows the character head-to-toe;

- extra long short (also known as an establishing shot) - usually presents the setting/location to the audience;

- mid shot (medium shot) - shows the character from the waist up;

- close up - can be at a face, but also at an action (such as picking something up);

- extreme close up - usually at character's eyes;

- shot/reverse shot - used in a conversation between two characters;

- two shot - shows two characters in the same frame (usually from waist up);

- point of view shot - shows the scene from the character's point of view (hence the name).

Camera Movements:

- tracking (both in and out);

- tracking sideways (also known as crab) - often used to follow movement of a character/object;

- zoom in (can simulate a tracking shot, if done properly);

- arc - camera moves either in a full or a semi-circle;

- crane; 

- tilt - movement of the camera upwards or downwards on an axis;

- panning - the camera is moved left or right on a tripod.

Camera Angles:

- high angle;

- low angle;

- over the shoulder (conversations).

180° rule

The 180° rule is a cinematography guideline that states that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another . When the camera passes over the invisible axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line and the shot becomes what is called a reverse angle.