{ "title": "MovieLabs Creative Vocabulary", "version": "1.0", "creativeAreas": [ { "name": "Cinematography", "slug": "cinematography", "categories": [ { "name": "Lens", "slug": "lens", "synonyms": [ "Field of View" ], "definition": "Classifies lenses by their lens design and horizontal field of view expressed in terms of a focal length range", "notes": "Focal length ranges for specified fields of view are based on the 35 mm 4-Perf Camera Aperture (1.33:1 aspect ratio, 24.89 mm x 18.67 mm, 31.11 mm diagonal). Spherical lens design is implied unless explicitly stated. The horizontal field of view of an anamorphic lens with a 2x squeeze (implied) is twice that of a spherical lens of the same focal length.", "terms": [ { "term": "Fisheye Lens", "slug": "fisheye-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 6 mm to 8 mm, produces extreme distortion, mapping a broad field of view, typically between 160 and 280 degrees, into a hemispherical image", "creativeIntent": "Create stylized, surreal, warped compositions, or surveilliance camera look", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Ultra Wide Angle Lens", "slug": "ultra-wide-angle-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 8 mm to 18 mm, mapping an extremely wide field of view, typically between 70 and 115 degrees", "creativeIntent": "Emphasize scale of expansive vistas and landscapes", "synonyms": [ "Super Wide Angle Lens", "Extreme Wide Angle Lens", "Panoramic Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Commonly used for Establishing Shot framing" }, { "term": "Wide Angle Lens", "slug": "wide-angle-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 18 mm to 35 mm, capturing more of the scene than the human eye field of view, typically between 40 and 70 degrees", "creativeIntent": "Include environmental context, distort foreground for dramatic effect, and capture large groups of people", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Sometimes used for Establishing Shot framing" }, { "term": "Medium Lens", "slug": "medium-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 35 mm to 100 mm, roughly capturing human eye field of view, typically between 15 and 40 degrees", "creativeIntent": "For human POV shots", "synonyms": [ "Normal Lens", "Portrait Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "The alternative name 'Normal Lens' is applicable when the focal length roughly corresponds to the diagonal of the image format (e.g., 30 mm lens on 35 mm 4-Perf Camera Aperture format)" }, { "term": "Telephoto Lens", "slug": "telephoto-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 100 mm to 300 mm, magnifying distant subjects, mapping a narrow field of view, typically between 5 and 15 degrees", "creativeIntent": "Flatten and compress space, isolate action, draw viewer's attention to distant elements", "synonyms": [ "Long Shot Lens", "Long Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Super Telephoto Lens", "slug": "super-telephoto-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths above 300 mm, extreme magnification for very distant subjects, mapping a extremely narrow field of view, 5 degrees or less", "creativeIntent": "Compress vast distances, capture wildlife or distant action", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Specialist lenses, often very large and heavy, and requires stabilization" }, { "term": "Anamorphic Ultra Wide Angle Lens", "slug": "anamorphic-ultra-wide-angle-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 14 mm to 30 mm, mapping an extremely wide field of view, typically between 70 and 110 degrees", "creativeIntent": "Emphasize scale of expansive vistas and landscapes, create wider aspect ratios with different compositional options as compared to spherical lens design, oval bokeh, horizontal lens flares, and edge distortion", "synonyms": [ "Super Wide Angle Lens", "Extreme Wide Angle Lens", "Panoramic Lens", "Scope Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Anamorphic Wide Angle Lens", "slug": "anamorphic-wide-angle-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 30 mm to 60 mm, capturing more of the scene than the human eye field of view, typically between 40 and 70 degrees", "creativeIntent": "Include environmental context, distort foreground for dramatic effect, and capture large groups of people, create wider aspect ratios with different compositional options as compared to spherical lens design, oval bokeh, horizontal lens flares, and edge distortion", "synonyms": [ "Scope Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Anamorphic Medium Lens", "slug": "anamorphic-medium-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 60 mm to 175 mm, roughly capturing human eye field of view, typically between 15 and 40 degrees", "creativeIntent": "For human POV shots, create wider aspect ratios with different compositional options as compared to spherical lens design, oval bokeh, horizontal lens flares, and edge distortion", "synonyms": [ "Portrait Lens", "Scope Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Anamorphic Telephoto Lens", "slug": "anamorphic-telephoto-lens", "definition": "Focal lengths typically from 175 mm to 500 mm, magnifying distant subjects, mapping a narrow field of view, typically 15 degrees or less", "creativeIntent": "Flatten and compress space, isolate action, draw viewer's attention to distant elements, create wider aspect ratios with different compositional options as compared to spherical lens design, oval bokeh, and horizontal lens flares", "synonyms": [ "Long Shot Lens", "Long Lens", "Scope Lens" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null } ] }, { "name": "Shot Size", "slug": "shot-size", "synonyms": [], "definition": "How much of the subject and/or object and environment are visible in the frame", "notes": null, "terms": [ { "term": "Establishing Shot", "slug": "establishing-shot", "definition": "A frame that establishes the location and time of day", "creativeIntent": "Introduce and curate the mood of the scene and set scene context", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Extreme Wide Shot", "slug": "extreme-wide-shot", "definition": "Framing that establishes the scale of the environment and sometimes the relationship with the story and characters", "creativeIntent": "Introduce the mood and scale of the scene", "synonyms": [ "EWS" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Wide Shot", "slug": "wide-shot", "definition": "Framing that establishes the scale of the environment and the relationship with the story and characters", "creativeIntent": "Introduce the relationship with the characters", "synonyms": [ "WS" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Full Shot", "slug": "full-shot", "definition": "Framing that covers head to toe of a character with some background", "creativeIntent": "Define the physical presence of the character within the context of the environment", "synonyms": [ "Head to Toe Shot", "Body Shot" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Medium Wide Shot", "slug": "medium-wide-shot", "definition": "Framing from knees up of a character", "creativeIntent": "Define the environment and how the characters interact with each other or fit in the environment", "synonyms": [ "Three Quarter Shot", "MWS" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Cowboy Shot", "slug": "cowboy-shot", "definition": "Framing from mid-thigh up of a character", "creativeIntent": "Show how the characters interact in the environment and is used to typically hide what is below the frame", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Alternative to Medium Wide Shot" }, { "term": "Medium Shot", "slug": "medium-shot", "definition": "Framing from waist up of a character", "creativeIntent": "Emphasize multiple characters, and sometimes a single character, while keeping the environment visible", "synonyms": [ "MS" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Typically used for Two Shot, Three Shot, and Group Shot Framing" }, { "term": "Medium Close-Up Shot", "slug": "medium-close-up-shot", "definition": "Framing from chest up of a character", "creativeIntent": "Show facial expressions and gestures of the character", "synonyms": [ "MCU" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Close-Up Shot", "slug": "close-up-shot", "definition": "Framing dominated by a character's face", "creativeIntent": "Intensify the drama by drawing the viewer's intimacy with the character and their emotional state", "synonyms": [ "CU" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Extreme Close-Up Shot", "slug": "extreme-close-up-shot", "definition": "Framing that fills specific detail", "creativeIntent": "Draw attention to tiny details, especially the character's eyes or mouth or hands, to convey emotion or intent", "synonyms": [ "ECU" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Macro Shot", "slug": "macro-shot", "definition": "Framing that shows a close up of an object with an object to image magnification ratio of 1:1 or greater", "creativeIntent": "Show a physically small object and fill the frame", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null } ] }, { "name": "Camera Angle", "slug": "camera-angle", "synonyms": [], "definition": "How the camera is positionally angled relative to subject or environment", "notes": null, "terms": [ { "term": "Overhead Shot", "slug": "overhead-shot", "definition": "Camera directly or close to directly above the subject or environment", "creativeIntent": "Create an objective and impersonal view of an environment or an object.", "synonyms": [ "Bird's Eye View", "Top View" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "High Angle", "slug": "high-angle", "definition": "Camera looking down, high above subject, but not directly above", "creativeIntent": "Project drama or vulnerability of the subject or environment", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Sometimes used for Establishing Shot" }, { "term": "Eye Level", "slug": "eye-level", "definition": "Camera at character's eyeline and pointed at the character", "creativeIntent": "Show neutral view of the character", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Shoulder Level", "slug": "shoulder-level", "definition": "Camera at character's shoulder height", "creativeIntent": "Give subtle power to the character", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Low Angle", "slug": "low-angle", "definition": "Camera below eyeline of the character and tilted up", "creativeIntent": "Suggest character's power or dominance", "synonyms": [ "Heroic Angle" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Hip Level", "slug": "hip-level", "definition": "Camera at character's hip or midline height and tilted up", "creativeIntent": "Give the character more dominant posing or prestigious positioning", "synonyms": [ "Waist Level", "Cowboy Shot", "Cowboy Draw" ], "broaderConcept": "Low Angle", "notes": null }, { "term": "Knee Level", "slug": "knee-level", "definition": "Camera at character's knee height and tilted up", "creativeIntent": "Show the environment from a child's perspective or create tension in horror, thriller, or action sequences", "synonyms": [ "Child's Perspective" ], "broaderConcept": "Low Angle", "notes": null }, { "term": "Ground Level", "slug": "ground-level", "definition": "Camera at ground level and tilted up", "creativeIntent": "Show the character in the most dominant, powerful, or menacing position to enhance drama", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": "Low Angle", "notes": null }, { "term": "Worm's Eye View", "slug": "worm-s-eye-view", "definition": "Camera at ground level with exagerated perspective of the foreground elements and looking straight ahead", "creativeIntent": "Exotic and immersive perspective that exaggerates the scale of the subject within the environment", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Dutch Angle", "slug": "dutch-angle", "definition": "Camera rotated to present a non-level horizon", "creativeIntent": "Create strange, unusual, or disorienting framing of the scene", "synonyms": [ "Dutch Tilt", "Canted" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null } ] }, { "name": "Camera Movement", "slug": "camera-movement", "synonyms": [], "definition": "How the camera physically moves during a shot", "notes": null, "terms": [ { "term": "Static Shot", "slug": "static-shot", "definition": "No camera movement", "creativeIntent": "Concetrate on performance or composition", "synonyms": [ "Fixed Shot", "Locked Off Shot" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Static Handheld Shot", "slug": "static-handheld-shot", "definition": "Camera maintains subtle movement", "creativeIntent": "Concetrate on performance or composition, bringing a sense of documentary realism", "synonyms": [ "Breathing Fixed Shot" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Pan", "slug": "pan", "definition": "Camera pivots on the horizontal axis", "creativeIntent": "Capture character and object motion or reveal the environment", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Pans left or right on the horizontal axis" }, { "term": "Whip Pan", "slug": "whip-pan", "definition": "Camera performs an extremely fast Pan", "creativeIntent": "Create a dynamic transition or disorientation, often conveying tension or passage of time", "synonyms": [ "Swish Pan" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Pans left or right on the horizontal axis" }, { "term": "Tilt", "slug": "tilt", "definition": "Camera pivots on the vertical axis", "creativeIntent": "Reveal vertical information, often the subject's grandeur or dominance", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Tilts up or down on the vertical axis" }, { "term": "Push In", "slug": "push-in", "definition": "Camera moves closer to the subject", "creativeIntent": "Draw the viewer deeper into a subject's emotional state or to create tension", "synonyms": [ "Dolly In" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Dependent upon the camera support moving towards the subject" }, { "term": "Pull Out", "slug": "pull-out", "definition": "Camera moves away from the subject showing more of the environment", "creativeIntent": "Move the viewer from intimate detail to a broader perspective", "synonyms": [ "Dolly Out" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Dependent upon the camera support moving away from the subject" }, { "term": "Tracking Shot", "slug": "tracking-shot", "definition": "Camera moves in a straight line through space, frequently to track a moving subject or environment", "creativeIntent": "Create immersion and fluid continuity as characters or objects move through the environment, or use for a POV shot", "synonyms": [ "Trucking Shot" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Dolly Shot", "slug": "dolly-shot", "definition": "Camera moves smoothly in a fixed path (straight or curved) through space", "creativeIntent": "Emphasize intensity or reveal with a smoothest physical change of the camera position", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Crab Shot", "slug": "crab-shot", "definition": "Camera changes direction to move sideways from original path", "creativeIntent": "Navigate smoothly through an environment to reveal different perspectives of the environment", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Arc Shot", "slug": "arc-shot", "definition": "Camera moves along a curved path", "creativeIntent": "Show relationship of the subject to the environment and amplify emotion", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "For outside-in variation of Arc Shot, see Orbiting Shot" }, { "term": "Orbiting Shot", "slug": "orbiting-shot", "definition": "Camera moves along a curved path with fixed radius around an approximate focal point", "creativeIntent": "Establish the subject's emotional state or physical position in the environment", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Zoom Shot", "slug": "zoom-shot", "definition": "Lens focal length changes, altering image size and perspective", "creativeIntent": "Draw attention to or away from a subject or alter narrative focus", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Unlike a Dolly Shot, the background and foreground scale uniformly" }, { "term": "Dolly Zoom", "slug": "dolly-zoom", "definition": "Camera dollies while zooming, usually along the same axis", "creativeIntent": "Enhance or reduce the zooming effect to amplify viewer interest by increasing dynamism and parallax", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Vertigo Shot", "slug": "vertigo-shot", "definition": "Camera dollies in one direction while typically zooming in the opposite direction, altering the perspective of the scene while maintaining the subject's framing", "creativeIntent": "Create disorientation, unease, or heightened psychological tension often to convey subject's shock or dread", "synonyms": [ "Zolly Shot", "Push Pull", "Contrapuntal Zoom" ], "broaderConcept": "Dolly Zoom", "notes": null }, { "term": "Handheld Shot", "slug": "handheld-shot", "definition": "Camera is held by an operator, while standing or moving, creating subtle or sometimes erratic movement bound to operator movement", "creativeIntent": "Immerse the viewer in the action, highlighting the subject's emotional state", "synonyms": [ "Shaky", "Float" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Steadicam Shot", "slug": "steadicam-shot", "definition": "Camera moves on a stabilized rig to isolate operator movement", "creativeIntent": "Create immersion and fluid continuity, combining the mobility of a handheld with the smoothness of a Dolly", "synonyms": [ "Gimbal Shot" ], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Boom Shot", "slug": "boom-shot", "definition": "Camera moves on vertical axis", "creativeIntent": "Reveal or conceal environment", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Jib Shot", "slug": "jib-shot", "definition": "Camera moves on a boom arm, typically used for limited range of vertical movement but capable of movement across multiple axes", "creativeIntent": "Reveal or conceal environment in a smooth, but constrained motion", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": "Boom Shot", "notes": "Has less vertical travel compared to a Crane Shot" }, { "term": "Crane Shot", "slug": "crane-shot", "definition": "Camera moves on a crane with greater range of movement compared to a Jib Shot", "creativeIntent": "Emphasize scale dramatically and dynamically or create epic reveals or conclusions", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": "Boom Shot", "notes": "Has more vertical travel compared to a Jib Shot" }, { "term": "Pedestal Shot", "slug": "pedestal-shot", "definition": "Camera moves up or down on a pedestal often in a studio space", "creativeIntent": "Perform smooth movement without disrupting the composition", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": "Mostly used in TV studio work like news broadcasts" }, { "term": "Camera Roll", "slug": "camera-roll", "definition": "Camera moves in a circular motion on the lens axis", "creativeIntent": "Create a dizzying, unnatural effect to grab the viewer's attention", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Aerial Shot", "slug": "aerial-shot", "definition": "Camera moves through overhead air space", "creativeIntent": "Establish expansive geography or dynamic motion", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": null, "notes": null }, { "term": "Helicopter Shot", "slug": "helicopter-shot", "definition": "Camera moves through outdoor space from an elevated vantage", "creativeIntent": "Establish expansive geography or dynamic motion in multiple directions", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": "Aerial Shot", "notes": null }, { "term": "Drone Shot", "slug": "drone-shot", "definition": "Camera moves through indoor and/or outdoor space with unrestricted movement", "creativeIntent": "Establish expansive geography or dynamic motion allowing gradual or dramatic reframing", "synonyms": [], "broaderConcept": "Aerial Shot", "notes": null } ] } ] } ] }