• Straight Cut: Where one shot is directly replaced by the next shot without any visual effect or transition. It creates a quick and smooth transition between shots, maintaining the visual continuity and advancing the narrative.
• Jump Cut: A cut that creates a noticeable jump in time or space within a scene. It involves removing a portion of a shot and joining the remaining sections together, resulting in a disorienting or jarring effect. Jump cuts are often used to convey the passage of time, show a character’s thought process, or create a sense of unease or tension.
• Cross-Cut (Parallel Editing): Cross-cutting is a technique that alternates between two or more scenes happening simultaneously in different locations. It creates a sense of parallel action or builds suspense by juxtaposing different events or perspectives. Cross-cutting is commonly used in action sequences, suspenseful moments, or to illustrate cause-and-effect relationships.
• Match Cut: A match cut is a type of cut that establishes a visual or thematic connection between two shots. It involves aligning similar visual elements, such as shapes, colours, or movement, to create a smooth and seamless transition. Match cuts can be used to convey continuity, contrast, or to emphasise a specific idea or motif.
• Montage: A montage is a sequence of rapidly edited shots that condenses time or presents a series of related events. It is often used to compress a large amount of information or to show the passage of time in an efficient and visually engaging manner. Montages are commonly employed in films to depict training sequences, character development, or to convey the progression of a story.

Dialogue

Dialogue is a fundamental film technique that involves the exchange of spoken words between characters. It plays a crucial role in conveying information, developing characters, advancing the plot, and establishing the overall tone and style of a film. Effective dialogue requires strong writing, thoughtful characterisation, and skilled performances by actors. When employed strategically, dialogue enhances the storytelling experience, bringing characters and narratives to life on the screen.

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is a film technique that refers to the sounds that exist within the fictional world of the film. It includes all the sounds that the characters within the film can hear, such as dialogue, ambient noises, footsteps, and music playing from a visible source. Diegetic sound is essential in creating a realistic and immersive cinematic experience. Diegetic sound helps to ground the audience in the fictional world of the film, making it feel more believable and immersive. It adds realism, depth, and texture to the audio experience, complementing the visual storytelling.

Digital effects

Digital effects are a film technique that involves the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create or enhance visual elements in a film. These effects are used to achieve visuals that are difficult or impossible to capture with traditional filmmaking techniques. Digital effects have revolutionised the way films are made and have opened up a world of creative possibilities.

Here are some key aspects of digital effects as a film technique:

Editing sequence

Editing sequence is a film technique that involves the arrangement and manipulation of individual shots or scenes to create a cohesive and meaningful sequence. It is an essential aspect of film production that influences the pacing, rhythm, and overall flow of a film. Through the careful selection, ordering, and arrangement of shots, editing sequences contribute to the storytelling, characterisation, and emotional impact of a film.

Establishing shot

The establishing shot is a film technique used to introduce a new location, setting, or environment to the audience. It is typically a wide or long shot that provides an overview or context of the scene. The purpose of an establishing shot is to orient the audience, establish the spatial relationships within the scene, and set the visual and narrative tone for the upcoming sequence.

Fade in/ Fade out

Fade in and fade out are film techniques used in the editing process to transition between scenes or shots. They involve gradually increasing or decreasing the opacity of the image, resulting in a smooth transition between two visuals.

• Fade In: A fade in is a transition that starts with a black screen or a blank frame and gradually reveals the image. It is commonly used at the beginning of a film or a new scene to gently introduce the visuals to the audience. A fade in can create a sense of anticipation or set the tone for the upcoming scene.
• Fade Out: A fade out is a transition that gradually decreases the opacity of the image, resulting in a gradual disappearance of the visuals. It is often used at the end of a scene or a film to signal the conclusion or create a sense of closure. A fade out can also be used to indicate the passage of time or a change in location.

Flashback

The flashback film technique is a narrative device used in films to present events that have occurred in the past. It involves interrupting the chronological order of the story and transitioning to a previous time period to provide context, backstory, or additional information about the characters or plot. Flashbacks in films serve as narrative tools to deepen the storytelling and enhance the audience’s understanding of the characters and plot.

Jump cut

The jump cut film technique is a type of editing technique that creates a discontinuous and jarring effect by abruptly cutting from one shot to another. It is often used to convey the passage of time or to create a sense of unease or disorientation.

Lighting

Lighting is a fundamental film technique that involves the use and manipulation of light to create mood, enhance visuals, and convey meaning in a scene or film. It plays a crucial role in shaping the overall look and feel of a film, setting the tone, and directing the audience’s attention.

Non-diegetic sound

Non-diegetic sound is a film technique that involves the use of sound elements that do not originate from the world of the film’s narrative. These sounds are added during the post-production stage and are typically used to enhance the storytelling, create mood, or evoke specific emotional responses from the audience. Here are some key aspects of non-diegetic sound as a film technique:

• Background Music
• Narration or Voiceover
• Sound Effects
• Musical Montages
• Soundtrack

Non-diegetic sound is an important film technique that allows filmmakers to manipulate the audio elements of a film to heighten the emotional impact, create atmosphere, and enhance the overall cinematic experience.

Mise en scène

Mise en scène is a comprehensive film technique that encompasses various visual elements within a scene or film to convey meaning, set the mood, and enhance the storytelling. It refers to the arrangement of all the visual components, including the setting, props, costumes, actors’ performances, and their placement within the frame. It involves careful choices and coordination of setting, props, costumes, lighting, performances, and framing to enhance the storytelling and convey specific meanings or emotions to the audience.

Montage

Montage is a film technique that involves the assembly or juxtaposition of different shots or scenes to create a cohesive sequence that conveys information, compresses time, or evokes specific emotions. It is a powerful tool used by filmmakers to convey complex ideas, create dynamic narratives, and evoke a particular response from the audience.

Montage is a versatile film technique that allows filmmakers to manipulate the sequencing of shots, their duration, and their relationships to create a desired effect. It can convey information quickly, evoke emotions, highlight contrasts, or explore abstract concepts.

Mood

Mood is an important aspect of filmmaking that helps create a specific emotional atmosphere or tone within a film. While it is not a specific film technique, there are several visual and auditory elements that filmmakers use to establish and enhance the mood of a film.

Music

Music is a powerful film technique that greatly influences the mood, atmosphere, and emotional impact of a scene or film as a whole. It can enhance the storytelling, evoke specific emotions, and create a deeper connection with the audience.

• Background Music: Background music, also known as underscore or film score, is composed specifically for a film. It is used to enhance the overall mood, heighten tension, evoke emotions, and support the narrative.
• Leitmotif: A leitmotif is a recurring musical theme associated with a particular character, place, or concept in a film. It helps to establish continuity, provide character identification, and reinforce certain story elements.
• Musical Transitions: Music can be used to bridge scenes or indicate a shift in time, location, or mood. It helps to smooth the transition and create a cohesive flow between different parts of the film.
• Source Music: Source music refers to music that originates from within the story world. It can be music played by characters on-screen, such as a band performing at a concert or a radio playing in the background.
• Musical Cues: Music can be used to cue specific actions or emotions in a film. For example, a suspenseful scene may be accompanied by tense and escalating music, building anticipation in the audience.
• Musical Genre and Style: The choice of musical genre and style can greatly influence the tone and atmosphere of a film. Different genres, such as classical, jazz, rock, or hip-hop, evoke different moods and associations.

Panning shot

A panning shot is a film technique in which the camera rotates horizontally from a fixed position. It involves moving the camera from one side to another while keeping the camera’s orientation fixed. The purpose of a panning shot is to capture a broader view of a scene or to follow the movement of a subject across the frame.

Examples of panning shots in films:

• In an action film, a panning shot might follow a speeding car as it moves through the streets, giving the audience a sense of the vehicle’s velocity and the environment it passes through.
• In a nature documentary, a panning shot might scan across a vast landscape, showcasing the beauty and scope of the natural surroundings.

Props

Props refer to objects or items used by actors or placed within a scene to enhance the storytelling and create a more immersive visual experience. Props serve various purposes in a film, including establishing the setting, revealing character traits, conveying symbolism, and advancing the plot.

Examples of props in films:

• In the “Harry Potter” series, the wands, broomsticks, and magical objects serve as essential props that contribute to the fantasy world and help define the characters’ identities as witches and wizards.
• In the film “The Godfather,” the iconic prop of the orange represents impending danger or death. Oranges appear in scenes where violence or tragedy is about to occur, serving as a symbolic foreshadowing element.

When using props as a film technique, it is important to ensure their seamless integration into the narrative and their alignment with the overall visual style and storytelling goals of the film.

Scene

Scene refers to a sequence of events that take place in a specific location or time within a film. It is a fundamental unit of storytelling within a film, typically consisting of multiple shots and encompassing a specific location, time, and narrative development. Scenes are essential for structuring the story, conveying information, and creating emotional impact.

Scenes are the building blocks of a film, allowing for the effective storytelling and communication of the filmmaker’s vision. They contribute to the overall structure, pacing, and emotional impact of the film, immersing the audience in the narrative world being presented.

Setting

The setting in film refers to the time, place, and overall environment in which a story takes place. It plays a crucial role in creating the atmosphere, establishing the context, and enhancing the visual and narrative elements of a film. The setting can greatly influence the mood, tone, and overall impact of a film.

Sequence shot

The sequence shot, also known as a long take or continuous shot, is a film technique where an entire scene or sequence is filmed in one continuous shot without any cuts or edits. It involves choreographing actors, camera movement, and other elements in a seamless and uninterrupted manner. The sequence shot technique can create a sense of realism, immersing the audience in the unfolding events and allowing for a fluid and uninterrupted viewing experience.

Shot type

Shot types are an essential visual technique in filmmaking that involve the specific framing and composition of a shot. Each shot type serves a distinct purpose and can convey different emotions, perspectives, and information to the audience.

Sound is a crucial element in filmmaking that can greatly impact the audience’s experience and emotional engagement with the story. Filmmakers strategically employ sound techniques to enhance storytelling, create atmosphere, and immerse the audience in the cinematic world. By combining various sound elements effectively, filmmakers can evoke emotions, convey information, and shape the overall sensory experience of the film. Some sound film techniques include dialogue, sound effects, background sound, music, silence and voiceover.

Transitions

Transitions are an important film technique used to smoothly transition from one shot or scene to another. They help create a seamless flow and enhance the overall visual and narrative coherence of a film. Here are some commonly used transition film techniques:

• Cut
• Dissolve
• Fade In/Fade Out
• Wipe
• Crossfade
• Split Screen

Transitions are essential in film editing to maintain visual interest, convey meaning, and guide the audience through the story.

Voice-over

Voice-over is a film technique in which a narrator’s voice is heard over the visuals on the screen. It involves the use of a spoken commentary or monologue to provide information, express thoughts, or offer insights into the story, characters, or events depicted in the film. Here are some key aspects and examples of voice-over film technique:

Zoom

The zoom film technique involves changing the focal length of the camera lens to adjust the size of the subject in the frame. It is a visual technique that creates an effect of moving closer to or farther away from the subject without physically changing the camera’s position. Here are some key aspects and examples of the zoom film technique:

• Zoom In: A zoom in involves adjusting the camera lens to increase the focal length, making the subject appear larger and closer in the frame. It can create a sense of intimacy, intensify emotions, or draw attention to specific details or expressions on the subject’s face.

Example: In the film “Jaws,” there is a famous zoom-in shot on Chief Brody’s face when he sees the shark for the first time. The zoom-in enhances his shock and fear, emphasising the impending danger.

• Zoom Out: A zoom out, also known as a reverse zoom or zoom out, involves adjusting the camera lens to decrease the focal length, making the subject appear smaller and farther away in the frame. It can create a sense of distance, isolation, or reveal the larger context of a scene.

Example: In the film “Lawrence of Arabia,” there is a zoom-out shot that starts with a close-up of T.E. Lawrence blowing out a match and gradually zooms out to reveal the vast desert landscape, emphasising the grandeur and isolation of the setting.