Long Shot (LS)
A Long Shot (LS) is a camera framing showing a subject from head to toe within a significant portion of their surrounding environment.
Master Shot
A Master Shot is a continuous wide-angle take covering an entire scene from beginning to end, serving as the editorial foundation before closer coverage is filmed.
Matching Actions
Matching Actions is the practice of performing physical movements consistently across takes and camera angles so that footage can be cut together seamlessly in editing.
Medium Close Up
A Medium Close-Up (MCU) is a camera framing from approximately the chest up, combining the intimacy of a close-up with enough body to capture physical performance.
Minors on Set
Minors on Set refers to the legal requirements and safety protocols governing how productions employ and protect child performers under 18 years of age.
Moment of Decision
A Moment of Decision is an acting concept identifying the specific point in a scene where a character makes a choice that drives the action forward.
Moment of Discovery
A Moment of Discovery is an acting concept identifying the instant a character learns or realizes something new, requiring the actor to experience the reaction genuinely on every take.
Multi-cam
Multi-cam is a production format using multiple simultaneous cameras to capture performances in a single pass, standard in sitcoms, talk shows, and live television.
Night for Day
Night for Day is a filmmaking technique where daytime scenes are filmed at night using artificial lighting to simulate natural daylight.
Non-Diegetic Sound
Non-Diegetic Sound is audio that exists only for the audience and cannot be heard by characters — including film scores, voiceover narration, and added sound effects.