Media Arts: Film and TV Word Bank | Artopia

composition – the arrangement of the elements (subject and other objects) in a scene or photograph

contrast – the range of difference between highlights and shadow areas in an image

focus – the clear and sharply defined condition of an image, as in “this image is in focus,” meaning it is sharp and well defined.

camera angle – the position of the camera relative to the position of the subject

close-up – a shot in which the subject takes up a large portion of the frame— focusing on detail and expression

long shot or wide shot - a shot which shows an overall view from a distance

shot – a segment of footage without cuts or edits—the basic unit from which a film or video is constructed

scene – a group or series of shots, which belong together or show a continuous action in one place and time

soundtrack – the dialogue, sound effects, and music—should reveal more about the scene than visuals alone

sound effects – sounds that are neither dialogue nor music

lighting – effects created by the use of artificial lights, natural lighting, reflection, and color filters

editing – the way the shots are put together and combined with sound

line – a long thin continuous mark or stroke

color – a component of light, the sensation of primary and secondary hues, tints, and shades as created by light and pigments, reflecting or absorbing light and being received by the eye

value – the relative lightness or darkness of a color

texture – the way something feels or looks like it would feel

shape – two-dimensional outline of an object, height and width

form - a shape that is three-dimensional, height, width and depth

space – the area or distance between forms or shapes

emphasis – is used to draw attention to particular areas or the focal point of an artwork

balance – an arrangement of opposing parts or elements of an artwork in equilibrium to create harmony – symmetry – like sides and asymmetry – unlike sides

proportion – the size or apparent size of an object as seen in relation to its other parts or to other objects in the environment

movement – the use of lines, colors, values, textures, forms and space to direct the eye of the viewer from one part of the artwork to another

unity – when everything works together in an artwork

variety – provides diversity in a work of art

pattern – something that is repeated throughout a work of art (e.g. shapes, lines)

rhythm –suggests motion by regular use of patterns of recurrent elements