Back to scene—After focusing on one character or action within a scene, the camera returns to the larger scene

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

Ext.—Exterior; an outside location

Flash cut—An extremely brief transition shot, sometimes as short as one frame

High wide—The camera is placed above, “looking down” on the subject or scene from a wide angle

Hold on—The camera rests on a person or object

Int.—Interior; an indoor location

Jump cut—Cutting from one important moment to the next from the same angle. This transition is usually used to show a very brief time-lapse.

Montage—A series of shots in a sequence condensing space, time, and information, often with music accompanying it

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

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

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

Sotto voce—Spoken at a whisper or under one’s breath

Time cut—Cutting to later in the same scene

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

Wide shot—The camera shows the entire object or human figure, usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings. It is often used to set the scene of the film.