MA Film Practice glossary

This refers to a film’s overall feel, style, mood, or look. Visual elements, such as lighting, colour grading, and costume all influence the aesthetic quality. Audio, for example a soundtrack, can also play an important part in a film’s aesthetic.

A term used to describe a filmmaker who has substantial (if not complete) creative control over a project. Due to the highly collaborative nature of filmmaking, the term is widely contested but has been used to refer to Hollywood directors with a strong vision such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and Quentin Tarantino.

Where the actors stand on set, how they’re positioned within the frame, and their movements once the camera is rolling – think of it as the actors’ choreography. Blocking not only ensures a film is visually pleasing; it impacts the audience’s perception of the story, the characters, and the atmosphere even without the need for dialogue.

A great film is about more than just plot and action. It’s about how these are captured through the lens. Sometimes known as a Director of Photography, a Cinematographer’s job is to tell the story visually, to manage the photography and camerawork, and nurture the film’s aesthetic.

Sound that both the audience and characters can hear. It can be on- or off-screen, for instance an explosion or a conversation between characters, and differs from non-diegetic sound, which is added in post-production for only the audience to hear, such as a film score or a narrator.

Sometimes incorrectly used to describe all tracking shots, and often confused with a zoom. By definition a dolly shot is a filming technique where the camera is moved on a cart or dolly, towards or away from the subject, usually along a set of rails known as a dolly track.

This is a key part of the film supply chain that connects the film to its audience. It involves the release, licensing, and marketing of the film to maximise revenue and reach new communities or audiences.

A device made from plastic, glass, or gelatine, which is placed in front of a camera’s lens to create a particular effect. For example, a filter might alter the light, colour balance, or sharpness of an image.

A category used to define a film (or any other piece of art or literature) based on narrative, thematic, or stylistic components and conventions.

Translated from French, this literally means putting onto stage, or in short, staging. It can be highly subjective and intricately nuanced but refers to the effect that everything in front of the camera has on the look and feel of the film (or the aesthetic). From set design and props, composition and lighting, to the actors and their hair and makeup – anything that helps to create or elevate meaning contributes to mise en scène.

An artistic and philosophical movement formed in the second part of the 20th century. It subverted convention and rejected traditional beliefs and styles. Pastiche, irony, non-linear narratives, and hyperreality are all characteristic of postmodern cinema.

A group of scenes in running order is known as a sequence. Sequences are put together to create a film.

A piece of camera equipment, either hand-held or attached to the user’s body, designed to stabilise and capture smooth footage.

This has two very different meanings, even within the context of filmmaking. The visual effect of darkening or lightening an image’s edges is known as vignetting. Alternatively, vignette might refer to a scene within a film that’s capable of standing alone. The vignette might divert briefly from the main plot, or a film might be made up of multiple vignettes that jump or interweave.