MS (MidShot)

The MS shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. In fact, this is an approximation of how you would see a person "in the flesh" if you were having a casual conversation. You wouldn't be paying any attention to their lower body, so that part of the picture is unnecessary.

MCU (Medium Close Up)

Half way between a MS and a CU. This shot shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.

CU (Close Up)

In the CU, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face.

ECU (Extreme Close Up)

The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail. For people, the ECU is used to convey emotion.

CA (Cutaway)

A cutaway is a shot that's usually of something other than the current action. It could be a different subject (e.g. these children), a CU of a different part of the subject (e.g. a CU of the subject's hands), or just about anything else. The CA is used as a "buffer" between shots (to help the editing process), or to add interest/information.

Cut-In

Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

Cut-In

Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

Ride on Op