Comprehensive Glossary of Film and Crime Terminology
Posted on Oct 3, 2025 in Arts and Humanities
Filmmaking Terminology Glossary
- Adaptation
- The process of converting literature or other source material into a script or screenplay for a film.
- Art Director
- The person in charge of the film’s overall visual appearance and aesthetic.
- Camera
- A photographic device that shoots film or records video digitally.
- Character
- A person portrayed in a film.
- Cinematographer
- The person responsible for capturing the film on camera, in charge of lighting and camera work. Also known as the Director of Photography (DP).
- Closed Captions
- A text transcript of the dialogue and other relevant audio, displayed on screen. (Subtítulos)
- Cutting
- The process of editing and assembling shots of the film into a logical sequence.
- Director
- The person on set who guides the actors and crew to shape and mold the film’s creative vision.
- Establishing Shot
- A wide-angle shot at the beginning of a scene that shows the setting and context.
- Eyeline Match
- An editing technique that cuts from a character looking at something to a shot of what they are looking at, adhering to the axis of action principle. (Alineación de la mirada)
- Film Language
- The collection of cinematic elements (e.g., camera angles, lighting, sound) that convey meaning to the viewer.
- Film Score
- The original music composed specifically for a film. (Banda sonora)
- Flashback
- A narrative technique used to show action that occurred at an earlier point in time.
- Foreshadowing
- A hint or clue about an event that will happen later in the story.
- Framing
- The use of the edges of the film frame to select, compose, and present what the viewer sees.
- Lighting
- The illumination of scenes, accomplished through the use of various light sources and devices.
- Media Literacy
- The ability to access, analyze, interpret, and produce communication in a variety of forms.
- Mise-en-scène
- The arrangement of everything that appears in the frame, including actors, lighting, décor, props, and costumes. (Puesta en escena)
- Pace
- The rhythm and speed at which the story is told and the scenes unfold. (Ritmo)
- Perspective
- The spatial relationship between objects in a shot, creating the illusion of depth.
- Point of View (POV)
- A shot that shows what a character is looking at, as seen from their perspective.
- Producer
- The person responsible for the financial and managerial aspects of making a film.
- Screenplay / Screenwriter
- The script for a film, including dialogue and action descriptions. The screenwriter is the author. (Guión)
- Setting
- The time and place where the story of the film occurs.
- Shooting and Assembly
- The two main phases of film production: shooting (filming the scenes) and assembly (editing the footage).
- Sound
- All audio elements of a film, including dialogue, music, and sound effects.
- Soundtrack
- The collection of all sound in a film, or more commonly, the collection of songs featured in it.
- Staging
- The process of directing the movement and placement of actors and cameras within a scene.
- Storyboard
- A sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a film or scene.
- Symbolism
- The use of objects, characters, or settings to represent deeper ideas or meanings.
- Themes
- The central, underlying ideas or messages explored in a film.
- Voice-over
- Narration by a voice that is not seen on screen. (Voz en off)
- Wardrobe
- The costumes and clothing worn by the actors in a film. (Vestimenta)
English Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
Order of Adjectives
- Opinion
- Size / Age
- Color / Pattern
- Nationality / Material
Prepositions of Place and Movement
- In front of / Opposite: Enfrente de
- Behind: Detrás de
- Beside / Next to / By: Al lado de
- Going up: Hacia arriba
- Going down: Hacia abajo
- Across: Al otro lado de, de un lado a otro
- Through: A través de, por
- Along: A lo largo de
- Going past: Pasando por delante
- Among: Entre, rodeado de
- Between: Entre dos puntos
- Around / Round: Alrededor de
- Under: Debajo de
- Above: Por encima (sin tocar)
- Below: Por debajo (sin tocar)
- Into: En, dentro de (con movimiento)
Crime and Legal Vocabulary
Types of Crimes and Offenses
- Abduction / Kidnapping
- Secuestro
- Alibi
- Coartada
- Armed Robbery
- Robo a mano armada
- Arson
- Incendio provocado
- Assault
- Asalto, agresión
- Attempted Murder
- Intento de asesinato
- Blackmail
- Chantaje
- Burglary / Breaking and Entering
- Robo en una casa, allanamiento de morada
- Child Abuse
- Abuso de menores
- Domestic Violence
- Violencia doméstica
- Drug Trafficking
- Tráfico de drogas
- Drunk Driving
- Conducir ebrio
- Fraud
- Fraude
- Hijacking
- Secuestro de un vehículo
- Manslaughter
- Homicidio involuntario
- Mugging
- Atraco, asalto en la calle
- Murder / Homicide
- Asesinato / Homicidio
- Rape
- Violación
- Riot
- Disturbio, motín
- Shoplifting
- Hurto en tiendas
- Smuggling
- Contrabando
- Speeding
- Exceso de velocidad
- Terrorism
- Terrorismo
- Theft
- Robo, hurto
- Torture
- Tortura
- Vandalism
- Vandalismo
- White-Collar Crime
- Delito de guante blanco
People Involved in Crime
- Cops
- Police officers. (Policías)
- Fences
- People who buy and sell stolen goods. (Perista, traficante de objetos robados)
- Hitman
- A hired assassin. (Asesino a sueldo)
- Mugger
- A person who attacks and robs people in a public place. (Atracador)
- Offenders
- People who commit a crime. (Delincuentes, criminales)
- Pickpockets
- People who steal from others’ pockets. (Carteristas)
- Plainclothes Officers
- Police officers who do not wear a uniform. (Policía de paisano)
- Rapists
- People who commit rape. (Violadores)
- Rat
- An informant. (Soplón, chivato)
- Serial Killer
- A person who murders three or more people over a period of time. (Asesino en serie)
- Smuggler
- A person who moves goods illegally into or out of a country. (Contrabandista)
- Witness
- A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place. (Testigo)
Legal Actions and Consequences
- Community Service
- Work done as a punishment for a minor crime. (Trabajos para la comunidad)
- Demonstrations
- Public meetings or marches to protest or show support. (Manifestaciones)
- Fine
- A sum of money paid as a penalty for an offense. (Multa)
- House Arrest
- A sentence by which a person is confined to their residence. (Arresto domiciliario)
- Jail Time
- A period of time spent in jail as punishment. (Tiempo en la cárcel)
- License Suspension
- The temporary withdrawal of a person’s driver’s license. (Retirada del carné)
- Life in Prison
- A sentence of imprisonment for the rest of the offender’s life. (Cadena perpetua)
- Traffic Ticket
- A notice issued to a driver for a minor traffic violation. (Multa de tráfico)
- Weapon
- An object used for inflicting bodily harm. (Arma)
Related Verbs and Phrases
- To get away with
- To escape blame or punishment for wrongdoing. (Salirse con la suya, escapar)
- To mug
- To attack and rob someone in a public place. (Atracar)
- To rob
- To take property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force. (Robar)
