establishing shot
Opening location view
An establishing shot is a wide or long camera shot at the beginning of a scene that shows the audience where and when the action takes place.
Typically appearing at the start of a film, television episode, or new scene, it orients viewers by displaying a location's exterior, skyline, or distinctive features before cutting to closer shots of characters.
The establishing shot of the Manhattan skyline told us we'd left Los Angeles behind.
Encompassing broad vistas
- aerial viewScene from altitude
- steadicamFilm stabilization apparatus
- panShallow cooking vessel
- tiltAngular deviation from level
zoom out · time-lapse · mise-en-scène · reveal · composition · framing · aspect ratio
View of urban architecture
- skylineUrban profile against atmosphere
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- exteriorOuter portion
- landmarkNotable point of reference
streetscape · aerial view · panorama · vista · horizon · terrain · geography · metropolis
Systematic explanatory presentation
- contextCircumstances shaping meaning
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- setupHow something is arranged
- scene-settingCreating initial context
introduction · grounding · geography · time of day · world-building · dramatic irony · foreshadowing
View from high above
- panoramicOffering unobstructed wide view
- tableauStriking pictorial arrangement
- depthDistance below surface
- scaleMeasure of relative size
scope · atmosphere · mood · lighting · silhouette · foreground · background · negative space
wide-angle
Encompassing broad vistas
- aerial viewScene from altitude
- steadicamFilm stabilization apparatus
- panShallow cooking vessel
tilt · zoom out · time-lapse · mise-en-scène · reveal · composition · framing · aspect ratio
cityscape
View of urban architecture
landmark · streetscape · aerial view · panorama · vista · horizon · terrain · geography · metropolis · countryside
exposition
Systematic explanatory presentation
- contextCircumstances shaping meaning
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- setupHow something is arranged
scene-setting · introduction · grounding · geography · time of day · world-building · dramatic irony · foreshadowing
bird's-eye view
View from high above
- panoramicOffering unobstructed wide view
- tableauStriking pictorial arrangement
- depthDistance below surface
scale · scope · atmosphere · mood · lighting · silhouette · foreground · background · negative space · production value
- comicscomic books, comic book, comic strip, comic art, comic panel
- beginningsbegin, beginning, start, first, opening
- scenesopening scene, closing scene, final scene, death scene, love scene
- cinematographycamera, lens, shots, lighting, exposure
- camera shotsclose-up, close up, zoom in, zoom out, dolly zoom
- film techniquesdolly zoom, closeup, close-up, fade, depth of field
shot, establish, established, establishment, reestablish, establishing, disestablish, reestablishing, disestablishment