Scene
Action
Character
Parenthetical
Dialogue.
B-ROLL is a way to designate additional cutaway shots or other generic footage the editor can use to tell your story.
CU is a Close Up. This framing is just above the head to the upper chest.
ECU is an Extreme Close Up and shows even more detail than a close up – which is why it’s also called a detail shot.
EST is an Establishing Shot. This is usually the first shot of a scene. It’s used to establish the scene and provide the context of where the action is taking place.
LS means Long Shot. Think of a really wide shot where the camera is far away from the subject. That’s a Long Shot.
MOS is shorthand for filming without sound and i’s origin is entertaining. In the 1920’s a German director was shooting a film in Hollywood and said to his crew, “Now ve vill film mit out sound!” which they thought was hilarious and it stuck.
MS is a Medium Shot, which is also called a waist shot because it frames in the actors waist.
OS tells you the actor is physically Off-Screen. This is often used when a character is serving as a narrator for a scene. In the script you’ll see their name followed by a parenthetical of OS.
OTS is another frequently used camera angle and is an abbreviation of Over the Shoulder. In on OTS shot, the camera is lined up behind an actors shoulder with a medium shot of another actor who is facing the camera.
TITLE is just text that appears on a screen. It might include sub-titles or titles superimposed over the video.
There you go. 10 abbreviations you’ll see in a video script. In our third and final installment on how to read a script I’ll give you 6 practical suggestions that will help you approve your script with confidence knowing you won’t need extra changes later on. That’s in our last installment of “How do I read a script?” Have questions about YOUR video? Let us know: Visit our website www.zappl.in/blog ___________________________________ Zero Aperture production Pvt. ltd. is an video communications company that brings businesses perspective through ideas, messages and stories. Product Photography | Zappl | Zero Aperture Production Pvt Ltd |www.zappl.in | Product Explainer | Product Photography | Corporates documentary | Video Production | Promotional Videos | Internal Videos | Corporate Videos | Training Videos |Animation Video Marketing | Video Distribution | Video Advertising | YouTube | Testimonials Video