Signifier (shot)

Definition

Signified (meaning)

close-up

face only

intimacy

medium shot

most of body

personal relationship

long shot

setting and characters

context, scope, public distance

full shot

full body of person

social relationship

pan down

camera looks down

power, authority

pan up

camera looks up

smallness, weakness

zoom in

camera moves in

observation, focus

fade in

images appear on blank screen

beginning

fade out

images screen goes blank

ending

cut

switch from one image to another

simultaneity, excitement

wipe

image wiped off screen

imposed conclusion