Film Making Reference
Cinematic Compositions & Camera Techniques
Shot Types
Different shot types used to establish scale, context, and emotional connection with the audience.
Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
Establishing shot showing entire environment
Prompt:
vast desert landscape with tiny figure walking, extreme wide shot, establishing shot, cinematic scope, epic scale
Very Wide Shot (VWS)
Large environmental context, human figures small
Prompt:
medieval castle courtyard with small group of knights, very wide shot, environmental context, dramatic architecture
Wide Shot (WS)
Full body shot with surrounding context
Prompt:
detective standing in rain-soaked alley, wide shot, full body visible, film noir lighting, urban setting
Medium Wide Shot (MWS)
From knees up, showing body language
Prompt:
business woman in office, medium wide shot from knees up, professional attire, corporate environment
Medium Shot (MS)
From waist up, standard conversation shot
Prompt:
two characters in conversation, medium shot from waist up, intimate dialogue, restaurant setting
Medium Close-Up (MCU)
From chest up, intimate conversation
Prompt:
protagonist looking determined, medium close-up from chest up, dramatic lighting, emotional intensity
Close-Up (CU)
Face and shoulders, emotional focus
Prompt:
woman's face showing surprise, full face closeup shot, emotional expression, soft lighting, detailed features.0 --raw
Big Close-Up (BCU)
Forehead to chin, intense emotion
Prompt:
man's eyes showing fear, big close-up forehead to chin, intense emotion, dramatic shadows
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
Eyes, mouth, or specific details
Prompt:
single eye with reflection, extreme close-up, macro detail, mysterious lighting, cinematic
Insert Shot
Detail shot of objects or hands
Prompt:
hands opening antique locket, insert shot, detailed close-up, dramatic lighting, story detail
Cutaway
Related but separate action or object
Prompt:
clock on wall showing midnight, cutaway shot, atmospheric lighting, suspense building
Reaction Shot
Character's response to previous action
Prompt:
character's shocked expression, reaction shot, emotional response, dramatic lighting
Two-Shot
Two characters in frame together
Prompt:
couple sitting on park bench, two-shot composition, romantic lighting, intimate framing
Three-Shot
Three characters in frame together
Prompt:
family at dinner table, three-shot composition, warm lighting, domestic scene
Group Shot
Multiple characters in frame
Prompt:
team of superheroes assembled, group shot, heroic poses, dramatic lighting, epic composition
Master Shot
Wide shot covering entire scene
Prompt:
entire courtroom scene, master shot, wide angle, dramatic lighting, legal drama
Coverage Shot
Additional angles for editing flexibility
Prompt:
same scene from different angle, coverage shot, alternative perspective, consistent lighting
Pickup Shot
Detail or reaction shot added later
Prompt:
character's subtle gesture, pickup shot, detail emphasis, dramatic lighting
Camera Angles
Different camera angles create various psychological effects and emotional responses from the audience.
Eye Level
Natural, neutral perspective
Prompt:
character walking down street, eye level shot, natural perspective, documentary style
High Angle
Camera above subject, diminishing effect
Prompt:
looking down at character in maze, high angle shot, diminishing perspective, overhead view
Low Angle
Camera below subject, empowering effect
Prompt:
hero standing triumphant, low angle shot, empowering perspective, dramatic sky
Bird's Eye
Directly overhead, god's view
Prompt:
city intersection from directly above, bird's eye view, geometric patterns, urban planning
Worm's Eye
Directly below, dramatic upward view
Prompt:
skyscraper from ground level, worm's eye view, dramatic perspective, architectural power
Dutch Angle
Tilted camera, creates unease or tension
Prompt:
dutch angle, tilted frame, villain in shadow, psychological unease, film noir
Over-the-Shoulder
From behind one character looking at another
Prompt:
conversation between two people, over-the-shoulder shot, intimate dialogue, depth
Point of View (POV)
Camera as character's eyes
Prompt:
first person view through character's eyes, POV shot, subjective perspective
Reverse Angle
Opposite perspective of previous shot
Prompt:
opposite side of previous conversation, reverse angle, continuity, dialogue scene
Canted Angle
Slightly tilted, subtle unease
Prompt:
character feeling dizzy, canted angle, subtle tilt, disorientation
Oblique Angle
Extreme tilt, disorientation
Prompt:
chaotic action scene, oblique angle, extreme tilt, dynamic movement
Aerial Shot
High above, shows geography
Prompt:
mountain valley from helicopter, aerial shot, landscape photography, epic scale
Ground Level
Camera at floor level
Prompt:
ant's perspective of giant, ground level shot, dramatic scale, low perspective
Profile Shot
Side view of character
Prompt:
character in contemplation, profile shot, side view, dramatic silhouette
Three-Quarter View
Angled between profile and front
Prompt:
portrait at angle, three-quarter view, dimensional depth, classic pose
Subjective Angle
Character's emotional perspective
Prompt:
drunk person's distorted view, subjective angle, emotional perspective
Objective Angle
Neutral observer viewpoint
Prompt:
neutral news report view, objective angle, documentary style, unbiased
Forced Perspective
Manipulated depth perception
Prompt:
giant hand reaching for tiny person, forced perspective, surreal scale
Camera Movements
Dynamic camera movements that add energy, reveal information, and guide the audience's attention.
Static Shot
No camera movement, stable frame
Pan Left/Right
Horizontal camera rotation
Tilt Up/Down
Vertical camera rotation
Dolly In/Out
Camera moves toward/away from subject
Tracking Shot
Camera follows subject laterally
Zoom In/Out
Lens adjustment, not camera movement
Crane Shot
Vertical camera movement, usually high
Handheld
Shaky, documentary-style movement
Steadicam
Smooth movement through space
Push In
Slow dolly toward subject
Pull Back
Slow dolly away from subject
Whip Pan
Fast horizontal pan with motion blur
Rack Focus
Shifting focus between subjects
Follow Shot
Camera follows moving subject
Parallax
Camera movement revealing depth
Circular Track
Camera moves in circle around subject
Pedestal Up/Down
Camera moves vertically on tripod
Truck Left/Right
Camera moves sideways
Arc Shot
Camera moves in curved path
Boom Shot
Camera moves up and down on crane
Jib Shot
Small crane movement
Slider Shot
Smooth lateral movement on track
Composition Techniques
Visual composition principles that create compelling, balanced, and engaging frames.
Rule of Thirds
Subject positioned on grid intersections
Leading Lines
Lines that guide eye to subject
Framing
Using elements to frame the subject
Symmetry
Balanced composition
Depth of Field
Focus on foreground/background
Negative Space
Empty areas that emphasize subject
Golden Ratio
Mathematical composition guide
Center Composition
Subject directly in center
Diagonal Composition
Dynamic angled arrangements
Triangular Composition
Arranging elements in triangles
S-Curve
Flowing curved lines through frame
Radial Composition
Elements radiating from center
Pattern Composition
Repeating elements
Texture Emphasis
Focus on surface qualities
Color Blocking
Large areas of solid color
Contrast
Light vs dark, large vs small
Scale
Size relationships between elements
Perspective
Creating depth illusion
Layering
Multiple depth planes
Isolation
Single subject in empty space
Fill the Frame
Subject occupies entire frame
Breathing Room
Space around subject
Tension
Elements pulling viewer's eye
Balance
Visual weight distribution
Advanced Cinematic Techniques
Sophisticated camera and editing techniques used in professional filmmaking for complex storytelling.
Split Diopter
Dual focus planes, foreground/background sharp simultaneously
Dolly Zoom
Simultaneous zoom and camera movement, creates vertigo effect
Whip Pan Transition
Fast pan creating motion blur between scenes
Invisible Cut
Hidden edit within camera movement or obstruction
Match Cut
Visual similarity between shots, seamless transition
Cross-Cutting
Parallel editing between simultaneous actions
Montage
Rapid sequence showing passage of time
Freeze Frame
Motion stops, dramatic emphasis on moment
Slow Motion
Reduced speed for dramatic effect
Multiple Exposure
Overlapping images in single frame
Crash Zoom
Rapid zoom in for dramatic emphasis
360-Degree Shot
Complete circular camera movement
Overhead Shot
Directly above for god's view
Underslung
Camera below normal height for unusual angle
Steadicam Reveal
Smooth movement revealing surprise