A shot is a continuous recording of a scene from one camera setup. It is the basic unit of film. A film is made of shots. Each shot has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It can be long or short. It can be static or moving. It can be a close-up, a wide shot, or anything in between. The shot is the raw material of the editor. The editor arranges shots into scenes. The scenes form the film.

Shots are described by their framing, angle, and movement. Framing refers to how much of the subject is in the frame. A close-up, a medium shot, and a wide shot are different framings. Angle refers to the position of the camera relative to the subject. A low angle, a high angle, and an eye-level angle are different angles. Movement refers to how the camera moves during the shot. A pan, a tilt, a dolly, and a tracking shot are different movements. Each choice affects the meaning of the shot.

The shot is not just a technical unit. It is a narrative unit. A shot can reveal information, create tension, or express emotion. A close-up of a face can show a character's inner state. A wide shot of a landscape can show isolation. A tracking shot can create a sense of journey. The director chooses the shots. The cinematographer executes them. The editor arranges them. The shot is the building block of the film. It is where the story is told.