| 180-degree rule (“the line”) |
Full shot |
Pan |
| Close-up (CU) |
Headroom |
Point-of-view (POV) shot |
| Composition |
High-angle shot |
Profile shot |
| Continuity |
Insert shot |
Reverse shot |
| Cowboy |
Lead room |
Rule of thirds |
| Dolly shot |
Long lens close-up |
Three shot |
| Dutch angle |
Low-angle shot |
Three-quarter back shot |
| Establishing shot |
Master shot |
Tilt |
| Extreme close-up (ECU) |
Medium close-up (MCU) |
Tracking shot |
| (Big close-up [BCU]) |
Medium shot (MS) |
Two shot |
| Extreme wide shot |
Negative space |
Wide lens close-up |
| Eye-level shots |
Overhead shot (bird’s eye view) |
Wide shot (WS) |
| Eye room (Look room) |
Over-the-shoulder (OTS) |
|
Every film finds its own visual language to convey character, story, and emotion. Mastering basic shots is essential for understanding filmmaking grammar and telling stories well.