Film & Video Glossary

An animatic is a moving version of a storyboard that combines still images with timing, sound, and motion to pre-visualize films, animations, and videos before final production begins.

Anime is Japanese animation known for colorful visuals, expressive characters, and storytelling that spans all ages and genres from adventure to romance.

Aspect ratio defines the width-to-height relationship of video frames, shaping how content appears across different screens and platforms.

A B movie is a low-budget film known for genre storytelling, campy effects, and cult appeal that often transcends modest production values.

A character actor specializes in distinctive supporting roles that bring depth and authenticity to films through memorable secondary characters.

Cinematography is the art of visual storytelling through deliberate camera and lighting choices that shape mood, guide emotion, and translate scripts into compelling visual experiences.

A close-up shot tightly focuses on a subject's face from the shoulders up to highlight emotion, detail, and expression for maximum visual storytelling impact.

Unlock the secret visual language of movies. Explore how master filmmakers use strategic color palettes to guide audience emotions and create memorable cinematic moments.

Keyframe animation defines specific frames to mark motion start and end points, with software automatically filling in-between frames to create smooth movement.

Montage is a film editing technique that pieces together separate shots to condense time and create emotional impact through strategic visual storytelling.

A short story is a compact narrative under 10,000 words that focuses on one central theme, character, or event, often adapted into compelling films.

VFX are techniques for integrating live-action footage with digital effects during post-production to create imagery impossible to capture during filming.