Shot size, camera motion, focal length and pacing are the four dimensions of cinematographic vocabulary. Mastering them dramatically improves AI video success.
Shot size
| Term | Use |
|---|---|
| extreme wide shot | Show environment scale |
| wide shot | Subject in environment |
| full shot | Full body |
| medium shot | Waist up |
| close-up | Head and shoulders |
| extreme close-up | Eye / hand / detail |
Camera motion
| Term |
|---|
| locked-off / static |
| dolly in / push in |
| dolly out / pull back |
| tracking left / right |
| following shot |
| crane up / crane down |
| orbit / arc shot |
| handheld (not recommended for AI video) |
Focal length
| Length | Look |
|---|---|
| 14–24mm ultra-wide | Exaggerated perspective, depth |
| 35mm wide | Documentary feel |
| 50mm standard | Close to the eye |
| 85mm portrait | Compression, shallow DoF |
| 135mm long | Heavy compression, cinematic |
Pacing
- slow steady
- real-time pacing
- slow motion 120fps look
- time-lapse