Aerial
A shot taken from an elevated point, typically from a drone, helicopter, or plane, providing a bird’s eye view of a scene.
Altered State
Visuals designed to depict a character’s perception while under the influence of drugs, in a dream, or experiencing a mental shift, often featuring distortions, color changes, and surreal imagery.
Animation
A sequence of images or frames that create the illusion of movement when played in succession, often used to create visual narratives or effects.
Anthropo
Visual techniques that attribute human traits to non-human entities or objects, enhancing emotional connection or storytelling.
Arc
The path of the camera or a character’s movement that follows a curved trajectory, often used to add dynamism to a scene.
Bolt Cam
A high-speed robotic camera system that captures fast-moving action with precision, often used in sports or action scenes.
Boomerang
A short video loop that plays forward and then reverses, often used in social media to create a playful effect.
Breakdown
A sequence where a scene is deconstructed into its components, often used to highlight key elements or provide insight into the creation process.
Bullet Time
A visual effect that allows the viewer to see action in slow motion while the camera appears to move at a normal speed, famously used in “The Matrix.”
Camera Roll
A shot where the camera rotates along its longitudinal axis, creating a rolling effect that can disorient the viewer or convey a sense of dizziness.
Central Framing
A composition technique where the main subject is positioned in the center of the frame, drawing attention directly to it.
Choreo
Short for choreography, this refers to the coordination of camera movements with on-screen action, often seen in dance or action scenes.
Cinemagraph
A still photograph with a minor and repeated motion, creating a loop that gives the image a sense of life.
Close-Up
A shot that tightly frames a subject, typically the face, to capture detail and emotion.
Collage
A composition made by combining different images, texts, or objects into one cohesive piece, often used for artistic or narrative purposes.
Color Shift
A change in color tones within a scene, often used to signify a change in mood, time, or reality.
Conveyor
A technique where the camera moves alongside a subject on a conveyor belt or dolly, maintaining a consistent distance and perspective.
Crash cut
An abrupt transition from one scene to another, often used to jolt the viewer or emphasize a sudden change.
Cut-ins
Close-up shots that focus on specific details within a broader scene, providing emphasis or additional information.
Datamosh
A visual effect that intentionally distorts digital video by manipulating compression data, creating a glitchy or fragmented appearance.
Diorama
A miniature model representing a scene, often used in film to create the illusion of larger environments or to tell a story in a confined space.
Distortions
Visual effects that warp or alter the appearance of an image, often used to convey altered perception or to add surreal elements to a scene.
Dolly
A camera movement where the camera is placed on a wheeled platform (dolly) and moved toward or away from a subject.
Dolly Zoom
A camera technique that involves moving the dolly while simultaneously adjusting the zoom to keep the subject the same size, creating a disorienting effect known as the “Vertigo effect.”
Double Dolly
A technique where both the camera and the subject are mounted on separate dollies and move simultaneously, creating a surreal floating effect.
Double Exposure
The superimposition of two images, where both are visible, often used to convey a connection between them or to create a ghostly effect.
Dreamcore
A visual style characterized by surreal, dream-like imagery, often evoking nostalgia or unsettling feelings.
Duplication
A technique where the same element or subject is repeated within a scene, often to create a sense of repetition or to emphasize a particular aspect.
Dutch Angle
A tilted camera angle that skews the horizon, creating a sense of unease or tension.
Dystopian
A visual style depicting a bleak, oppressive, or dehumanized future, often associated with dystopian narratives.
Echo print
A technique where previous frames leave a ghostly trail, creating a sense of movement or time passing.
Epiphany
A visual moment that represents a character’s sudden realization or insight, often highlighted with lighting, focus shifts, or other effects.
Falling
A visual motif or shot that depicts a subject falling, often used to convey loss of control, fear, or transition.
Fast Motion
A technique where the action is sped up on screen, often used for comedic effect or to show the passage of time.
Feedback
A visual effect where the output of a video is looped back as input, creating recursive and often abstract patterns.
First-Person
A shot or sequence that is filmed from the perspective of a character, making the audience see what the character sees.
Fisheye
A wide-angle lens that creates a circular, distorted image, often used to create a sense of extreme perspective or surrealism.
Fixed Cam
A stationary camera that remains in one position, often used to create a sense of stability or to focus on action within a fixed frame.
Flash Cut
A very quick cut that is often used to create a sense of urgency or to introduce sudden, brief imagery.
Floating UI
A visual effect where user interface elements (like those from a video game or computer screen) appear within the scene, often used to represent a character’s interaction with technology.
Focal Shift
A technique where the focus within a shot shifts from one subject or object to another, directing the viewer’s attention.
Fourth Wall
A visual or narrative technique where characters acknowledge the audience or the fact that they are in a work of fiction, breaking the “fourth wall.”
FPV Drone
First-Person View drone footage, where the camera on the drone gives a bird’s eye view or flies through tight spaces, providing dynamic, immersive perspectives.
Freeze Frame
A single frame is held on screen, stopping motion to emphasize a particular moment.
Generative
Visuals created by algorithms or AI that generate unique content or effects, often used for dynamic or evolving patterns.
Gesture
A visual technique focusing on the movements or expressions of a character’s body or hands, often used to convey non-verbal communication.
Ground Level
A shot taken from the ground level, often used to create a sense of scale or to place the viewer in a specific perspective.
Halation
A glow or halo effect around bright areas in a shot, often used to create a dreamy or ethereal atmosphere.
Handheld
A camera technique where the camera is held by hand, resulting in a shaky, organic movement that can add realism or tension to a scene.
Hard Light
A lighting technique that produces sharp, well-defined shadows, often used to create a dramatic or harsh visual effect.
Haze
A visual effect where the scene appears foggy or misty, often used to create atmosphere or to suggest distance.
High Angle
A shot taken from above the subject, looking down, often used to make the subject appear small or vulnerable.
Infinite Loop
A visual or narrative technique where an action or sequence repeats endlessly, often used to depict a cyclical event or trap.
Interview
A visual setup where one or more subjects are filmed answering questions, often in a controlled environment.
Jump cut
A cut that abruptly shifts from one shot to another within the same scene, creating a jarring or disorienting effect.
Kaleidoscope
A visual effect that multiplies and reflects parts of an image, creating a symmetrical and often psychedelic pattern.
Lazy Susan
A rotating platform used to smoothly rotate objects or subjects, often used in product photography or scenes requiring smooth circular movement.
Levitation
A visual effect where a subject or object appears to float in mid-air, often used to convey supernatural or dream-like qualities.
Light Flash
A sudden burst of light in a scene, often used to signify a moment of realization, transition, or to startle the viewer.
Locked-On
A technique where the camera locks onto a subject and moves with it, keeping the subject centered even as the background changes.
Long Take
A single, continuous shot that lasts much longer than the typical shot, often used to build tension, show complexity, or immerse the viewer in the scene.
Low Angle
A shot taken from below the subject, looking up, often used to make the subject appear larger or more powerful.
Magical Realism
A visual style that blends realistic elements with magical or fantastical aspects, creating a world where the extraordinary is treated as ordinary.
Magnification
A visual technique that zooms in on a specific part of the scene, often used to emphasize details or create an exaggerated perspective.
Masking
A technique where part of the frame is obscured or “masked” out, often used for transitions or to combine different elements in a scene.
Match Cut
A cut between two visually similar scenes or objects, creating a smooth transition and highlighting a connection between them.
Match Motion
A technique where the movement in one shot is continued in the next, creating a seamless flow between different scenes or actions.
Match Split
A transition where two halves of different scenes are matched together, creating a split-screen effect that blends the two images.
Maximalism
A visual style characterized by an abundance of detail, color, and elements, often overwhelming the viewer with sensory input.
Mixed Media
A composition that incorporates multiple forms of media (e.g., video, animation, photography) within a single piece, often creating a layered, complex visual experience.
Montage
A sequence of short shots edited together to condense time, space, or information, often used to show the passage of time or a series of related events.
Morphing
A visual effect where one image gradually transforms into another, often used to show a change over time or to connect different elements.
Motion Blur
A visual effect where moving objects appear blurred, often used to convey speed or movement.
Night Vision
A visual effect that simulates the look of night vision technology, often with a green tint and high contrast.
Object Portal
A visual effect where an object serves as a portal or gateway to another scene, often used to transition between different locations or realities.
Object POV
A shot from the perspective of an inanimate object, giving the viewer a unique angle on the scene.
Omnidirectional
A camera or shot that captures or can move in all directions, providing a 360-degree view of the environment.
Overhead
A shot taken from directly above the scene, looking down, often used to provide a comprehensive view of the action.
Over the Shoulder
A shot taken from behind a character, over their shoulder, often used in dialogues or to show a character’s point of view.
Pan
A horizontal camera movement where the camera pivots from left to right or vice versa, often used to follow action or reveal a scene.
Parallax
A visual effect where objects closer to the camera move faster than those further away, creating a sense of depth and dimension.
Pass Through
A technique where the camera appears to move through an object or barrier, often used to transition between scenes or to create a seamless flow of action.
Pedestal
A vertical camera movement where the camera moves up or down, often used to follow a subject or reveal different levels of a scene.
Photogrammetry
A technique where multiple photographs are used to create a 3D model or scene, often used in visual effects and virtual environments.
Photography
The art and technique of capturing images with a camera, often used in both still images and in motion pictures to create a visual narrative.
Pixel Art
A digital art style characterized by the use of small, blocky pixels to create images, often associated with retro video games.
Point of View (POV)
A shot that shows what a character is seeing from their perspective, often used to put the audience in the character’s shoes.
Probe
A camera technique where the camera is inserted into a small space or close to an object, often used to reveal detail or create a sense of intimacy.
Product
A visual technique focused on showcasing a product, often highlighting its features, design, and functionality.
Profile
A shot that shows a subject from the side, often used to highlight facial features or create a sense of mystery.
Projections
A technique where images or videos are projected onto surfaces within a scene, often used to create dynamic backgrounds or add visual layers.
Quick Cuts
Rapid edits between shots, often used to create a sense of urgency, chaos, or fast-paced action.
Ratio Switch
A visual technique where the aspect ratio of the image changes within a scene, often used to signify a shift in perspective, time, or narrative.
Reflections
The use of reflective surfaces (like mirrors or water) to create visual symmetry, highlight duality, or add depth to a scene.
Scale Shift
A technique where the size of objects or characters is manipulated, often used to create a sense of surrealism or to emphasize power dynamics.
Screen in Screen
A visual effect where one screen or image is embedded within another, often used for layered storytelling or to show multiple perspectives simultaneously.
Set Transition
A technique where the entire set or environment changes within a single shot, often used to move between different scenes or realities seamlessly.
Shadow Box
A composition technique that uses shadows to create depth, layers, and contrast within a scene.
Shallow Focus
A technique where only a small part of the image is in sharp focus while the rest is blurred, often used to direct attention to a specific element.
Silhouette
A shot where the subject is shown in shadow, with little or no detail, often against a bright background, used to create a striking visual effect.
Slit-scan
A visual technique where an image is progressively scanned and distorted, often used to create surreal or abstract effects.
Slow Motion
A technique where the action is slowed down on screen, often used to emphasize details, create drama, or heighten emotional impact.
Snorricam
A camera rig that attaches to the actor, keeping them centered in the frame while the background moves, creating an intense, subjective viewpoint.
Speed Ramp
A technique where the speed of the footage changes within a single shot, often used to accentuate moments of impact or transition between different tempos.
Split Diopter
A lens technique where the focus is split between the foreground and background, allowing both to be in sharp focus simultaneously.
Split Screen
A visual technique where the screen is divided into two or more parts, each showing different scenes or perspectives simultaneously.
Spotlight
A focused beam of light directed at a specific area or subject, often used to draw attention or create dramatic emphasis.
Step-print
A technique where frames are duplicated or held longer, creating a stuttering or jittery motion effect, often used for stylization.
Stop Motion
A technique where objects are photographed frame by frame and then played back in sequence, creating the illusion of movement, often used in animation.
Stylistic Suck
A deliberately exaggerated or “bad” visual style, often used for comedic effect or to parody certain genres or tropes.
Tableau
A shot where characters are arranged in a still composition, often resembling a painting or photograph, used to convey a specific mood or message.
Thermal
A visual effect that simulates the look of thermal imaging, often with a heat map-like color scheme, used to depict temperature differences.
Tilt
A vertical camera movement where the camera pivots up or down, often used to follow action or reveal details in a scene.
Tilt Shift
A visual effect that simulates a miniature look by blurring parts of the image while keeping a narrow band in sharp focus.
Tracking
A camera movement where the camera follows a subject, maintaining a consistent distance and angle, often used to immerse the viewer in the action.
Transformation
A visual technique where an object or character undergoes a significant change in appearance or form, often used to symbolize growth, change, or a shift in reality.
Transitions
Techniques used to move from one scene or shot to another, often involving cuts, fades, or effects to create a seamless flow or highlight a change.
Trucking
A lateral camera movement where the camera moves horizontally along a track, often used to follow action or reveal different parts of a scene.
Two Shot
A shot that includes two characters, often used to establish relationships or to show interactions between them.
Typography
The use of text and fonts within a visual composition, often used to convey information, style, or mood.
Ultra Wide
A shot or lens that captures a very wide field of view, often used to show vast landscapes or large scenes.
Underwater
A visual technique that involves filming below the surface of water, often used to create a submerged, immersive perspective.
Video Game
A visual style or technique inspired by video games, often characterized by pixelated graphics, heads-up displays (HUDs), or first-person perspectives.
Video Portraits
A type of video that focuses on capturing the likeness and personality of a subject, often in a controlled environment with careful attention to lighting and composition.
Vignette
A visual effect where the edges of the frame are darkened or blurred, often used to focus attention on the center of the image.
Vintage
A visual style that mimics the look of older film or photography, often characterized by faded colors, grain, and nostalgic elements.
Void
A visual technique where the background or environment is removed or rendered as an empty space, often used to focus attention on the subject or create a surreal atmosphere.
Voyeur
A shot or sequence that gives the impression of spying on the subject, often from a hidden or distant perspective, creating a sense of intrusion.
Wandering
A camera movement that roams or meanders through a scene, often used to create a sense of exploration or to mimic a character’s point of view.
Weirdcore
A visual style characterized by surreal, unsettling, and often nostalgic imagery, often evoking a sense of discomfort or disorientation.
Whip Pan
A rapid camera movement that blurs the image as it moves from one subject to another, often used to convey speed or sudden changes.
Wide shot
A shot that captures a broad view of the scene, often used to establish the setting or show the scale of action.
Wigglegram
A 3D visual effect created by rapidly alternating between two slightly offset images, creating a “wiggling” motion that simulates depth.
Worms-Eye
A shot taken from very low to the ground, looking up, often used to make the subject appear large and imposing.
X-Ray
A visual effect that simulates the look of an X-ray, often used to reveal hidden structures or to create a stylized, skeletal appearance.
Zoetrope
A pre-film animation device that produces the illusion of motion by displaying a sequence of drawings or photographs in a rotating cylinder, often used to create nostalgic or artistic visual effects.
Zoom
A camera technique where the lens magnifies or reduces the image, often used to focus on a specific detail or to change the viewer’s perspective within a scene.
