GLOSSARY OF FILM TERMS

Angle on—The camera focuses on a particular character or object

Back to—The camera returns to a particular character or action within a scene, after focusing on another

Close on—The camera films a person or object from close range

Cut to—Move to another scene with no transition

Dissolve—A transition between scenes in which one image gradually fades out while another fades in to take its place

Ext.—Exterior; an outdoor location

Int.—Interior; an indoor location

O.S.—Off-screen; action that takes place off-screen or dialogue that is spoken without seeing the character on-screen

Pan—Camera movement involving the camera turning on a stationary axis moving slowly from one subject to another

POV—Point-of-view; the camera films from a particular character’s point of view

Sotto voceSpoken at a whisper or under one’s breath

V.O.—Voice-over; dialogue spoken by a character not present in the scene on-screen