Film and Video Production Glossary

In feature film production, a 1,000ft mag is a 1000 feet film magazine containing 35mm film. The film production cameraman will know that there are 16 frames per foot of film, with 35mm film. This term can be used by video production companies or film / documentary makers when shooting on film. In film production, a 1,000ft mag will last for approximately 10 minutes, based on using the standard feature film production frame rate of 24fps. This term is not used in video production as videos production and film production generally utilise different media and video media is not referred to as ‘mags’ in video production. (Camera crew)

In film production and video production output, 1080i is a form of high definition video output. PAL and NTSC which are classified as Standard Definition (SD) are lower definition than 108i, the lowest quality HD format, with PAL/SECAM (Europe) having 576 scanlines visible in the vertical resolution and NTSC (the standard used in the US), possessing 480 visible scanlines. The ‘I’ means ‘interlaced’ and 1080i is a lower quality output than 1080p, where ‘p’ stands for the term ‘progressive scan’. 1080i is output as 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high, which theoretically gives a higher screen pixel count of over 2 million, compared to PAL/SECAM (414,000 ) or in the US where the switch to HDTV has had the biggest visual difference, with an NTSC display only producing 345,000 pixels of information. 1080i is lower quality than the newer 1080p format of high definition. (Video production / broadcasting)

In film and video production output, 1080p is the best quality resolution that can be classified as being high definition in the home environment. The subject of how 1080p compares to the quality that is used to make many movies on 35mm film is a highly complex one and there are many factors determining the final output quality of film shot on 35mm. PAL and NTSC which are classified as Standard Definition (SD) used in many European homes are considerably lower definition than 1080p, the highest quality HD format, with PAL/SECAM (Europe) having 576 scanlines visible in the vertical resolution and NTSC (the standard used in the US), possessing 480 visible scanlines. The HDTV format 1080p is used by videographers using high-end commercial digital video cameras to make corporate video productions, however many home movie makers also can purchase 1080p cameras for making home movies. The subject of resolution doesn’t simply determine the final quality as the quality of the CCD, lens, sound and many other factors determine the quality of a camera’s output to a TV screen. This is often misunderstood by the general public who look for 1080p as being the only determining factor in believing one camera or TV set is better than another. The number 1080 is a reference to the number of horizontal scan lines which are displayed on screen. This term can be confusing due to it also being referenced as 1080 pixels vertical resolution. The insertion of the letter ‘p’ means that the scan is progressive ‘progressive scan’ or otherwise referred to as non-interlaced. (Video production / broadcasting)

The First Assistant Director is also known as the AD and is the individual who works seamlessly with the Director of a video, or film producer. Depending on the size of budget for a movie, corporate video, feature film or educational video, the crew may contain a 1st AD. The general idea of using a 1st AD in developing a video or film production is so that they direct the production on behalf of the Director, giving the video or film Director more time to concentrate on ensuring that their direction is being followed. The process of involvement of the 1st AD in the production of a video or film commences during pre-production, with analysis of the storyboard. The video or film storyboard is segmented into individual shots, giving the 1st AD the opportunity to examine the time required for shooting and ultimately from this, the order of filming is determined. During the production process it is often the 1st AD which will be heard shouting orders on set, as they are wholly responsible for keeping the filming and video production schedule to time. Video production companies will often employ 1st AD’s on their video productions, films, documentary productions or specialist productions such as corporate video, educational video or scientific films. (Film or video production)

2-D animation is often used by a video production company or multimedia agency. 2-D animation generally refers to animation made by using a computer-based programme such as video production editing software, like Adobe After Effects, or Adobe Flash. 2-D animation is significantly less expensive in the video production process, than 3-D animation. Depending on the programme used and the skill of the video production or video post-production / special effects technician, 2-D animation can be very effective in convincing the eye that the final result has a ‘depth of field’. A classic example of a simple 2-d animated video production technique used in feature films is the credits in the original Star Wars film. 2-d. Classic TV series South Park was made using 2-d animation video production techniques. (Post-production)

A term used in video production. 2:3 pulldown involves conversion of 24-frame-per-second film to video, through repeating one single frame as three separate fields, followed by repeating the following film frame as two fields. This term is used by video production companies or film makers. (Film production / broadcasting)

A term used in either video production or film production to denote ‘The Second Assistant Director’, who is also known as the 2nd. In film production and video production, it is the 2nd who is the assistant to the 1st Assistant Director. The Second Assistant Director sees that in the video production or film making process, that the First Assistant Director’s wishes are executed. During film production or in the making of video production such as a corporate video, the 2nd creates the Call Sheet, which provides direction to the film cast and film crew. The Second Assistant Director manages cast flow, notifying the talent (actors) to be in make-up, wardrobe, or on standby on the set, to fit in with the video production or film production schedules. 2nd are employed by video production companies or film makers during corporate videos, documentaries, films, educational video productions etc, where a larger budget exists for video production. (Film or video production)

3-D animation is used in the production of feature films, documentaries, corporate videos, technical videos and music videos, where there is a need to provide a life-like depth to characters or a visual perspective which allows the viewer to see an object from a variety of angles. 3-D animation also forms the basis of modern computer & TV video games. Entire movies such as Shrek were made using 3-D animation. 3-D animation is best reserved for higher budget productions when used in the corporate video or music video environments due to the time and expense in developing the 3-D animated characters or sequences. When used in situations such as medical videos or scientific films, it can be cost-effective, with relatively few 3-D models required, which ultimately minimizes video production expenses for commercial firms producing videos containing 3-D video output. (Post-production)

This is a video production term used by video production companies or film makers. In video production this it is a rare variation of 2:3 pulldown. This video production process uses the first film frame which is repeated over 3 fields rather than two. The term 3:2 pulldown is also used in video production incorrectly by individuals who are referring to 2:3 pulldown and say 3:2 pulldown, by mistake. (Film production / broadcasting)

A term used in video production and film production - ‘The Third Assistant Director’, also known as the 3rd. In film production and video production, it is the 3rd who assists the 2nd Assistant Director and the 1st AD. On large film or video productions, the 3rd will ensure that the Extras are coordinated, which can sometimes mean that they are responsible for directing the acting action of Extras or cars appearing on set. The 3rd will be busy conveying messages on the film set, relaying vital information to keep the video production or film production schedule to time. Generally 3rd ADs are used to make feature films or video productions and are employed by a video production services company to make productions such as corporate video, documentaries or educational video when the budget permits. (Film or video production)

In feature film production, a 400ft mag is a 400 feet film magazine containing 35mm film. This term can be used by video production companies or film / documentary makers. The film production cameraman will know that there are 16 frames per foot of film, with 35mm film. Therefore, in film production, a 400ft mag will last for approximately 4 minutes, based on using the standard feature film production frame rate of 24fps. This term is not used in video production as videos production and film production generally utilise different media and video media is not referred to as ‘mags’ in the video production environment, such as for production of small-medium corporate video productions. (Camera crew)

4K is defined as 4196 x 2160 pixels, which is a term which people often use interchangeably with UHD, which is slightly different (3840 x 2160 pixels). 4K is a format used in film production for cinema, whereas UHD is generally used more for home TV because the aspect ratio of televisions is normally 16:9 and therefore you can watch UHD at home without black bars at the top and bottom of your TV screen. There are 4-times as many pixels in 4K as there is in HD, therefore the quality of original footage filmed in 4K has 4x the amount of information that HD (1080p) has. The ‘p’ in 2160p and 1080p means ‘progressive’ with is a scan technology used on TV screens and this differs from the old technology of ‘I’ which means interlaced, used on the 20th century TVs which used phosphorescent screens.

This is a term used commonly by consumers, video production companies or film / documentary makers to describe surround sound – for example when purchasing video equipment or TV equipment. The term 5.1 is the film digital sound exhibition standard which describes 5 output speaker channels – denoted as left sound field, centre sound field (primarily used for speech in video production or film production), right sound field, right surround sound field, left surround sound field, and subwoofer for bass frequencies). (Sound)

In film and video production output, 720p is the lowest quality resolution that can be classified as being high definition. PAL and NTSC which are classified as Standard Definition (SD) are considerably lower definition than 720p, the lowest quality HD format, with PAL/SECAM (Europe) having 576 scanlines visible in the vertical resolution and NTSC (the standard used in the US), possessing 480 visible scanlines. The HDTV format 720p is often used by videographers using low-end commercial digital video cameras to make corporate video productions. The number 720 is a reference to the number of horizontal scan lines which are displayed on screen. This term can be confusing due to it also being referenced as 720 pixels vertical resolution. The insertion of the letter ‘p’ means that the scan is progressive ‘progressive scan’ or otherwise referred to as non-interlaced. Because each line is scanned progressively at a high frame rate (60 frames per second), 720p is seen by the human eye as being high quality and virtually indistinguishable by the average person, from higher forms of high definition pictures seen using 1080p equipment. Purists would always disagree with this view. (Video production / broadcasting)

8K is a recent format which records footage digitally using an 8k sensor. As the overwhelming majority of Films and TV shows are normally shown in HD today, with 4K being an emerging format, 8K isn’t going to be a common home format in the very near future. Production companies generally record in 8K to get extreme high-quality content and also so that they can zoom into the footage to obtain different shot sizes to use in productions. Today, 8K editing is extremely resource (hardware) intensive and requires large volumes of disk space to store footage, so only higher end productions use 8k at present.

An A-Wind is a roll of film where the emulsion faces towards the centre of the roll. (Film editing)

A term used in Film Editing in a Film or Video Production signifying two or more film rolls with alternate scenes intercut with opaque leaders. The A roll presents its own picture simultaneously with the B roll presenting its opaque leader. And, when the B Roll presents is own picture, the A roll presents its opaque leader. (Film editing)

This term is used in video production or film production to refer to creative elements of the video production or film production. ‘Above the line’ includes scriptwriters, producers, directors and the talent (actors). The term Above the Line has its origins in film production where there was a thick line drawn on a page, separating costings on a production budget sheet. The creative elements of the video production or film production budget were placed above this bold line on the production budget sheet. Video production companies, TV production companies and companies involved in film services or documentary making will use this term commonly. (Film or video production)

An electrical term known as Alternating Current (which is also referred to commonly as mains current). (Electricity)

A term used in video production or film production to denote a light unit capable of emphasising one particular subject. This kind of light, used by video production companies is also referred to by a specific type of Accent Light such as a backlight, key light, kicker. (Lighting)

In film making, the Acetate Base is a transparent cellulose acetate film used in the 20th Century as magnetic recording tape backing. (Sound recording)

A liquid otherwise known as 2-propanone or dimethyl ketone, an organic chemical liquid solvent used to make certain types of film cement. Acetone is used by film companies or video production services companies, to clean film splicing equipment, used in film production or video production. (Film editing)

Acoustics is the science interested in the transmission of sound waves. Acoustics will generally be used to directly indicate the type of sound generated in a room or chamber such as an auditorium, church or recording studios (which are generally acoustically neutral or ‘dead’). Video production companies use this term when making every kind of video production, including corporate video, educational film, documentary production, viral advertising or TV commercials. (Sound)

In film, TV or video production the Action Axis is an imaginary line which can be visually created, which lies between two subjects (or along the line of motion) and its purpose is to maintain continuity. Should a subject cross this line during film or video production, it creates a ‘jump’ or error in continuity. The term 180-degree rule can also be substituted for the term Action Axis, in film TV or video production. Note the Action Axis can be ignored to create an obvious effect, such as producers may want to give to viral advertising campaigns or music videos. Such effects used in viral advertising productions or music videos can give the finished edit an amateur look – which is often useful in situations such as viral advertising, when the production requires a home movie feel. Used in the professional setting such as a music video, the effect can look like it has been purposefully created. Generally speaking, outside the areas such as viral advertising or music video productions, the effect is undesired. (Film or video production)

When film or video is ‘cut’ from one shot to another using a manner which looks like the action is continuous, it is referred to as Action Cutting. This can be used by a video production services company in situations such as drama productions, educational video or corporate video, when creating a flowing action. Action Cutting can be created via one or multiple camera, dependent on the budget of a corporate video, film, music video or documentary. Action cutting used in corporate video is often a good way of keeping interest high in the subject matter, especially if the talent used is not professional, as is the case for many corporate video productions or music video productions, where the speaker often has little experience or understanding of how to behave on film or talk to the camera during the corporate video or music video production. (Film or video editing)

In Film Production or Video Production, the term Action Safe is referred to by a video production company, to signify the area on a monitor in which the essential parts of any action contained in a scene must be kept, in order for it to be certain that the final video or film output will definitely appear on screen - also see Title Safe – for titling. This is an essential term when used for making any type of production, from documentaries, music videos, educational videos or even corporate video productions. (Film or video editing)

Active Lines are the actual lines which can be viewed in a video output signal when displayed using apparatus such as video equipment or a television. (TV Broadcast)

A term used in sound production to refer to equipment which converts analogue sound into digital sound – this equipment is called an Analogue-to-Digital Converter or ADC. ADC’s can be used in a variety of applications such as CD players, camera, video equipment etc. ADC will most probably be used during the production of any corporate video, music video, educational video or film production, however the term is rarely referred to as it is generally an integral part of equipment used rather than a stand-alone device, though stand-alone ADC’s can be purchased. (Sound)

An Address Track is a control or timing track used by a video production services company, which is present on the edge of the video tape and can be used to identify material present on the video tape. This is a term used in the production of video such as for corporate video productions or educational video for example. (Film or video editing)

ADR or Automatic Dialogue Replacement is the term used to refer to re-recording spoken sound in a studio environment, in sync with the picture. This technique is sometimes used during documentary production, corporate video production or film making. The video production term ADR can also be called Looping. (Sound)

Used in photography, video production, TV programme making or film production to denote a shot taken from a high vantage point, looking down directly on a scene. An aerial shot used during video production, viral advertising production, music video (pop video) or film making may be taken from a vantage point such as a balcony, crane, cliff, helicopter or aeroplane. (Film or video production)

AFC is a term used for Video Recording or TVs - Automatic Frequency Control, which is an electronic circuit in Video Cassette Recorders or TV Tuners which automatically locks onto an incoming channel. These channels are then generally saved to create active Channels on a TV set or Video Recorder. (TV broadcasting)

AFM stands for Audio Frequency Modulation, commonly used on Beta HiFi and VHS HiFi VCRs for audio channel recording. The audio channel signals are recorded on tape by audio heads. (Sound)

AGC or Automatic Gain Control is used on a Video Cassette Recorder or TV Tuner to ensure that the input signal is at the correct level for recording or visual display. A Video Camera may also possess AGC to facilitate successful recording, particularly for the amateur or home video user. (Sound)

Alexa is a model of camera made by Arri, often used to make high-end productions such as feature films.

Aliasing refers to a video signal which contains unwanted distortion. The video signal can contain aliasing in either its visual or audio component. Aliasing is not a desired effect when a video production services company is producing film or video. (Post-production).

Ambient light is the term in film, TV or video production which signifies light coming from a source which cannot be identified as a specific location. In film or video production, this type of lighting is also called general or non-directional lighting, such as room lighting. Ambient lighting is used in almost every type of production, from corporate video, music video (pop video) through to educational films and documentaries. (Lighting)

Ambient noise is the complete sound field in a given location or scene. Ambient noise is particularly important to ensure authenticity to any indoor or outdoor recording during film, TV or video production, especially if the subjects speaking are recorded using directional microphones or there are any sounds added during post-production. Ambient noise can also be referred to as room tone in the TV, film and video industry and will almost always be a factor when production outside broadcasts, documentaries or corporate video productions. (Post-production)

An Amplifier is used by a video production services company to manipulate audio signal strength. In video editing and production, amplification greatly affects the quality of the final video production output. (Post-production)

Amplitude is measured as the displacement of a waveform from zero, from the peak of the wave to the trough (bottom) of the wave – also can be called wave height. Amplitude is directly related to volume, for a given setting. It is vital when producing TV commercials, documentaries, music video (pop video) or corporate video productions, to determine the optimum amplitude for each soundtrack, in order to produce a high quality sound which can be used for a professional output. (Sound)

Amplitude distortion refers to sound which is not clear and has been distorted from its original source – it is distortion of the sound waveform, such as can be heard commonly when sound is ‘clipped’. Amplitude distortion may occur due to voltage fluctuations or power consumption problems. Amplitude distortion is an undesired effect when making film, TV, corporate video or documentary productions. (Sound)

An analogue signal refers to non-digital video and audio signals and must be converted to digital at some stage in the production, editing and or output of any TV broadcast or corporate video showing for example. (Sound)

Recording of audio or video whereby the recording is carried out using conventional or traditional analogue equipment. 35mm film is an analogue media, whereas Digital Video Tape is a digital medium. Many digital processes commence with conversion of an analogue signal such as when using a microphone, via an Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC). When sound is played back using speakers, a DAC or Digital to Analogue Converter is used to convert the digital signal back to analogue. (Sound)

Anamorphic is a film industry term used to refer to an optical system, possessing horizontal and vertical dimensions of differing magnifications that produces the image. The Anamorphic wide video image, such as found in widescreen is horizontally compressed, allowing more detail to be displayed on a non-widescreen format. When viewed using a widescreen video monitor or display system, the picture reverts to normal size and the aspect ration of the image is as normally intended. (Broadcast)

The Angle of View refers to the size of the field for any given video or film camera lens. It is measured in units called degrees. In reality, the film and video industry usually use lens height and lens width to communicate Angle of View. This is primarily due to the presence of aperture masks in film. (Camera crew).

When producing TV commercials, corporate video productions, films, documentaries or pop videos, the Answer Print is the initial draft print containing audio and visual, provided by the lab for review and approval. Answer Prints are often used by video production services companies. (Laboratory)

Anti-Aliasing is the process of reducing Aliasing – also referred to as smoothing or filtering. The overall intent when using anti-aliasing in the production of a corporate video, documentary or film production for example, is to minimise nuisance frequencies generated during digitisation. (Sound / picture)

Aperture is a term used by camera crew during the production of a corporate video, music video, live event, pop video, film making or documentary production, to refer to the variable opening inside a lens. The opening regulates the quantity of light which ultimately falls on the image plane. The term ‘Iris’, can often be used instead of Aperture. (Camera crew / lighting)

In film production or video production, an Apple Box is a large or small wooden box which is able to support weight. An Apple Box which is not very high is called a ‘pancake’ because it is almost flat. (Lighting / grip)

An Arc is a lighting unit used by a corporate video production services company or film production company, which lights an area via production of lighting from an electrical arc, produced by a pair of carbon electrodes. (Lighting)

Advanced Regional Copy Control Operating Solution. The Sony copy protection scheme for DVD-Video, developed to prevent 1:1 digital reproduction or ‘copying’. (distribution)

An Armourer is employed on the set of a video production, by the video production services company, when making corporate video, documentary productions, educational or feature films, if specialized props such as firearms are to be used within the video production. The armourer is a weapons expert who can show the talent how to hold and use weapons, to create a sense of realism in the final video production. (Film or video production)

During the process of video production, an Artefact is any unwanted or unnatural effect, which is absent in the original video footage or audio recording. Artefacts can be inadvertently introduced when transferring film to digital video, using any digital compression techniques or by external factors such as electrical interference, signal noise, and crosstalk. Artefacts can also be seen on some finished commercial DVD productions. (Post-production)

ASA is the term used in the US and has been replaced by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) terminology which denotes film sensitivity. It is an index of exposure / speed rating for any given film. ASA 100 film is the same as ISO 100 film. ISO is used for analogue or digital cameras, however analogue cameras require a change of film to change the ISO or ‘speed’ of the film, whereas digital cameras can achieve this purely via changing a digital setting on the camera. (Camera crew)

ASF is an abbreviation of the term Advanced Streaming Format, a format used to display video on the internet, which can store both audio and visual information. The ASF format can be used to display video or slide shows such as those used in viral advertising campaigns. ASF format allows viewers to commence viewing before the data is fully downloaded. This is a particularly useful format used by a video production services company when playing long video productions over broadband or small video productions over a low-bandwidth internet connection. (post-production / distribution)

In video production, TV broadcast, internet video or any other form of video, the term aspect ratio is used to refer to the ratio of the horizontal dimensions versus the ratio of the vertical dimensions of a TV, monitor or even the original video source production being used (such as a Blue-Ray player or DVD player). The traditional TV used for many years had an aspect ratio of 4 (horizontal):3 (vertical) and is referred to as 4:3 or more commonly ‘four three’ in the video production and film production industry. Widescreen TV’s and modern video cameras produce output or record at 16:9 (or sixteen nine in the video industry) aspect ration. Some purists prefer to talk about aspect ratios in terms of numbers which are normalised to ‘1’, for example 4:3 is the same as 1.33:1, and widescreen (16:9) can be referred to 1.78:1. When normalising to ‘1’, the ‘1’ is often dropped from the description, therefore terms such as 1.33 or 1.78 aspect ratios can be heard within a video production company or when making documentaries, music videos or corporate video productions. When making viral advertising campaigns aspect ratio is generally less important as the web or email is the preferred distribution method. However, sites such as YouTube publishes video with a preferred aspect ratio of 16:9 (Broadcast)

In video production or film production, this is a technical term for what is more commonly referred to as ‘Hiss’. Asperity Noise or hiss is caused by tiny imperfections in the analogue recording media (tape). (Sound)

In the video production industry or film making arena, organisation of film shots and compiling them in order or sequence in which they will be used in the final video production is known as assembling. This is an important process in the production of any corporate video, feature film, scientific film, music video or documentary (Film editing)

An Assistant Dubbing Mixer is simply a dubbing assistant to the Dubbing Mixer or Re-Recording Mixer (Sound)

In a film or video production company, an Assistant Producer generally reports into the Associate Producer and acts as their production assistant. (Film or video production)

An Associate Producer is often appointed by a video production services company to take care of the Producer’s interest in the production. In the film industry or when making high budget corporate video productions, documentaries, music videos, live event productions or educational productions, it is normally the Associate Producer who oversees any financial, administrative or creative interests that the Producer may have in the film or video production. It can be used as an egotistical title for an individual who makes a large financial contribution to the production or even a cheap alternative to a pay rise for a member of the cast, crew or administrative team. (Film or video production)

Associational Editing refers to the technique of ordering edited footage in the attempt to show stark contrast, or an instant noticeable comparison. (Film editing)

ASV is a technical term used in video production and the film industry to indicate that a video picture has been paused to display a still image – the term ASV stands for Audio Still Visual.

Asynchronous Sound is essential sound used in a scene which is not fully synchronized. For example, a video production services company when making a documentary may focus on the speaker in a room, whilst general room sounds or external street noises can be heard. These sounds are used to add ambience to the film production but do not need synchronisation. Whereas Synchronous Sound such as that generated when banging a table, closing a door, playing an instrument etc, must be synchronised in order to establish reality during a scene. (Sound)

The arrangement of Extras on set in a natural way is referred to as Atmosphere, within the film and video production industry. This is a common technique used in TV commercials, educational videos, corporate video production and even documentary production, to produce a desired atmosphere in keeping with the production (Production)

Attenuation of a signal refers to reduction or loss of that signal in a transmission system. (Post-production / picture / sound)

The Audible spectrum refers to the range of frequencies which can be heard by the average person. This is important when producing any video or film production and is a concept which is well understood by sound engineers. Low frequency bass sounds are around 20 cycles per second (20 Hz) with very high frequencies being around 17,000 Hz. Humans lose their ability to hear high pitched frequencies with age. The frequency of sound is not related to the volume that is heard. (Acoustics)

Audio is another word for Sound. Sound is generated by video production companies by sound waves, forming pressure in the air which is then converted by a recording device into electrical energy, prior to being converted to a digital format. In video production, audio quality affects the outcome of any video production, especially when producing music videos. Dedicated audio equipment and software is used by Audio Designers, Producers and Engineers to capture, convert and add audio effects during the various stages of post production by a video production company. (Sound)

The Audio Director is also known as a Sound Director in the video production or film industry. In a video production company, they are responsible for managing audio content, sound design and the recording and post production process involved to produce the final sound output for the video production. (Sound / production / post-production)

Editing the Audio signals is essential in video production or film making to ensure that the overall production is consistent throughout. When making a music video, corporate video or editing a live event recording, audio editing deals with optimising sounds, generating effects in post-production and bringing together the final audio to produce a professional result. A video production company will improve the sound quality, detail and even tone of speakers used in corporate video productions or outside broadcasts. The Audio Editing process is an essential part of any corporate video production, educational video, feature film or pop video. (Sound / production / post-production).

Audio Effects are more commonly known as Sound Effects. Sound Effects, when used sparingly, will enhance the quality and realism of any corporate video production or film. The use of Sound Effects by video production companies, music video producers or documentary film makers, enhance the overall production.

An Audio Engineer is the individual responsible for overseeing the technicalities involved with producing a sound recording or audio effect when producing corporate video, film, viral advertising campaign or TV commercial. Audio Engineers also work on feature films and help create realism of sound for video productions. (Sound / production / post production)

Audio Levels or ‘volume levels’ are essential when creating video productions, especially for broadcast TV, TV adverts viral advertising, corporate video or documentary productions. TV broadcasts and TV adverts are regulated in terms of the audio levels allowed. A good video production company will ensure that the Audio Levels are optimised when producing a video production. (Sound)

Audio Engineers are responsible for Audio Mixing during the video production process. Audio Mixing achieves correct audio balance for audio inputs, optimises recording levels and achieves the best blend of sound for the final video production. Audio Mixing is a skilled job and requires specialist knowledge of Audio Engineering, experience and the ability to use computer software, audio mixing equipment, and audio mixing desks. The final result of good Audio Mixing can make any corporate video, educational video, music video, documentary or film production significantly better than a video production which does not pay good attention to good Audio Mixing techniques. Live events often also require specialist Audio Mixing, especially if they are to be used for live broadcast. (Sound / production / post-production)

The Audio Signal to Noise ratio is a measure of a pure sound signal expressed as a ratio against noise present in the same signal. A video production services company may use such term to discuss the quality of sound. (Sound)

Audio TS is a file name used for a DVD Audio directory found on a DVD disc volume. DVD-Audio is a separate format from DVD-Video so on a normal DVD-Video the AUDIO_TS folder is generally empty.

Authoring is the process used by a video production services company when format video into a compatible form for recording onto disc or web streaming. (Distribution)

An Auto Cue is a monitor or device fitted to the end of a broadcast camera, which displays text in a scrolling format for the reader to read. This is used so that the speaker such as a newsreader does not have to refer to notes or memory. Video production companies often use Auto Cue facilities when shooting outside broadcasts, news, corporate events such as product launches or special events like award ceremonies. The auto cue gives the impression to the viewer that the presenter is looking at them, even when reading the script. (Camera crew / production)

Automatic Slating is the term used when a camera attachment is fitted, which is capable of automatically recording the film shot and take numbers. Automatic Slating also produces a visible sync mark which corresponds directly to a tone generated for audio recording. (Production / post-production)

AVC is known as Advanced Video Coding. Forms of the AVC codec are commonly called H.264, MPEG-4 Part 10, or AVC. AVC achieves very high data compression rates. (Distribution)

AVCHD is a high definition form of AVC - Advanced Video Codec High Definition, and is the Sony / Panasonic standard. AVCHD is a very high compression codec based on MPEG-4 AVC or H.264 standards and is more often used with storage media such as found in Hard Disk Recorder camera devices, Memory Stick devices and DVD-recorder camera devices. The AVCHD format is designed to replace HDV and Mini DV formats. (Camera crew)

A widely distributed common file format called ‘AVI by most people’. AVI, or Audio Video Interleaved is a Microsoft format used to make video recordings which can be compressed using a variety of codecs. This means that there is no common type of finished AVI and playback on a video device requires compatibility with the codecs used to compress the original file. (Distribution)

B-roll, or stock footage refers to general footage captured which is not used or intended for use in a particular production. For example, when making a sports training video, general footage may be captured of a stadium, an athlete or equipment, which is then used as stock footage by the video production services company. (Production)

A ’B-Wind’ is a roll of film where the emulsion faces outwards from the core of the roll. (Film editing)

A video production company may refer to a 1kW reference light unit as a baby. The expression is often confusing as it can be employed in the video services industry and film industry to refer to any lighting unit which is a compact version of a standard sized lighting unit. For example, a 2k light which is smaller than the average size used is also called a baby 2k. Grips can be heard using this expression in reference to anything equipment which has a baby plate (5/8 inch stud plate). (Grip / lighting)

A video production services company will sometimes use ‘Baby Legs’, which is a short tripod. (Camera crew)

A Baby Plate is used by the Grip of a video production company – it is a steel plate with a baby pin welded to it used primarily as a light mounting or to mount grip heads on a surface such as a box or wall. (Grip/Lighting)

When using a zoom lens, the Back Focus adjusts the distance of the camera’s imaging device relative to the lens, to allow lenses of different focal length to be used. (Camera crew)

Background can mean a number of different things in the film production and video production services industries. First, it can refer to the Atmosphere, in which Extras are arranged and organised to simulate a realistic situation. Whilst the same term used in sound editing refers to the ambience of a particular scene (Film or video production / sound)

A common term used to imply that a pre-recorded soundtrack is used to guide a voiceover artist or vocalist wearing cans in the studio. The backing track can be used by a video production company or film maker to mix with the voiceover or singer, or alternatively the backing track may simply be used as a guide reference. (Post production)

Backlights are used by video services companies or film producers to illuminate the rear of a subject or object. (Lighting)

Baffles are used by video producers to control sound reaching the microphones. Video production companies also use baffles to induce sound deadening in recording studios. Baffles are generally made from acoustically dead materials and their primary aim is to eliminate or reduce sound, in order to create a pure source from the direction intended to be captured by the Sound Designer. Sound Baffles are also a good solution for eliminating outside noise when filming in buildings. (Sound)

A Balance Stripe is a magnetic coating applied to the edge of a magnetic tape, enabling the tape to pass ‘flat’ through the magnetic sound heads, eliminating any bumps or distortion. (Sound)

In its simplest form, a Balanced audio cable carries three wires, two for sound and one for grounding the signal, which can be shielded. A common balanced connector is an XLR jack, as found in microphones. (Sound).

Bandwidth refers to the size of the frequencies that a particular piece of equipment can handle. It is used in both Audio and Video and the wider the bandwidth capabilities of equipment, the better the sound or audio capabilities in terms of dealing with a wide range of frequencies. (Sound / Picture)

Bar Sheets are sometimes called Lead Sheets and are used to chart dialogue along with frames duration for every spoken syllable recorded. (Film editing)

Barn Doors enable the shaping and control of illumination for video production companies, TV adverts, live studio audiences or any other kind of production such as indoor sports video productions. They are fully adjustable and mounted directly onto the front of a light unit, controlling and directing light. (Lighting)

A Barney is used during filming by a video production company. A Barney is a jacket which fits over the video or film camera body to make the camera sound proof. A Barney ensures that the sound recordist doesn’t hear the film turn over during filming. Some old cameras can sound like sewing machines and therefore a Barney is essential during video or film production. (Camera crew)

A Base-to-Base Splice is a splice containing the end of a piece of film overlapping the base side of another piece of film, when it is being attached. This is a term used by a video production company during film editing. (Film editing)

In video production, whether the production is for corporate, stage or film usage, Basic Lighting is the description given when using three lights, positioned approximately 120 degrees apart in a triangle. This common technique used in the making of video, corporate video or film is also called 3-poiont lighting. Each light used for Basic Lighting in video production has a special name – The light nearest the front is known as the key light; opposite light (not at the rear) is referred to as the fill light and light positioned at the rear is called the back light. Positioning lights in a video production studio in this way gives depth to the object or subject. The differentiator between the key light and the fill light is in terms of light strength with the key light being the dominant powerful light. The key light produces shadow, allowing the fill light to give soft definition. The backlight is used in basic lighting to ensure that there are highlights to the rear during video production. (Lighting)

Bass describes low frequency or deep sounds, often heard in the home environment through a sub-woofer. It is used in video or film production to describe frequencies within an audio track within a video. A video production company will enhance bass in the editing stage to give a production more punch and drama. Adding extra bass to live event or corporate presentations can significantly enhance the audience impact. (Sound)

A Bayonet is a lens mount for heavy lenses during film production. A Bayonet may be used for Zoom Lenses. Also referred to as a PL Mount. (Camera crew)

A Bazooka is a 2K stand used in video production and a Bazooka does not have any support legs. A Bazooka contains a junior hole at one end, with a junior stud at the opposite end. A Bazooka also is used for supporting a camera. A Bazooka normally has a sliding riser. (Grip / lighting / camera crew)

A Big Close Up during video production refers to a shot which is close enough generally to include the whole face. A Big Close Up is used to capture expression or change of expression. A Big Close Up or BCU is not as ‘tight’ as an Extreme Close Up (ECU) which is generally regarded as capturing a very small area such as an eye or mouth. A BCU can also be simply referred to in video production as a Close Up, dependent on the crew involved. (Camera crew)

The Beat is a musical part of a rhythm, and is generally expressed in Beats per Minute or BPM. A film production company’s sound engineer may talk of Beat when recording the film sound track. The Beat can be used during editing for synchronising events. Usage of the term beat is often used in corporate or sporting videos to describe the need for an ‘upbeat’ production, whereby the overall feel of the corporate or sports video requires a highly positive energy with a faster beat sound, which many corporate directors believe to have a more positive impact upon the effectiveness of corporate videos. (Sound / film & video editing)

A Beaver Board used during video or film production is a 2K pigeon on an apple box – a Pigeon is a large heavy circular disc with a lighting stud – The pigeon is used to position a light on the floor – the lowest form of light stand. (Lighting / Grip)

A Bed is the background music used behind foreground dialog or narration. A Bed is commonly used in corporate video, educational video, scientific films and also for certain styles of documentary productions. Also used for sports, non-musical live events and corporate presentations. (Sound)

The term used by a video production services company to refer to the output of a light used on the film set. (Lighting)

A Beefy Baby is a term used by the film crew during a production for a heavy duty 2K static stand. (Lighting / grip)

A Beep is used to align sound for sync purposes on a sound track. (Sound / video & film editing)

(see also Above the Line) – the term Below the Line means the technical, non-creative production personnel. The term originated during the early years in the film production industry when during the process of drawing the budget plans together, the film production staff were placed below a thick bold line drawn across a production budget form. (Production / finance)

The Best Boy is the assistant Chief Lighting Technician in a video production company or it can also be the position which is the assistant to the Key Grip. (Grip / lighting)

A Best Light is used in Telecine Transfer, a method for producing daily print of film. Best Light is similar to One Light, but the timer has gone through the film more thoroughly, selecting a timing light that is optimum for most of the footage. See ‘One Light’ and see ‘telecine’. (Labs)

BetaCam / BetaCam SP is a conventional tape and tape system reserved for professional usage and has been around since the early 1980’s. It has been extensively used for broadcast TV. (broadcast TV)

Betamax is the infamous victim of the VHS war. Despite VHS becoming the predominant format, prior to DVD and subsequently Blue-Ray, Betamax has a superior quality to VHS and has a number of die-hard enthusiasts who still use Betamax today. (Consumer)

A Bin is a cloth-bag lined storage container used to store cut film or sound media. The term is used today for the directory on the PC, Mac or storage device which contains stored shots or sound segments. (Film & video editing)

A Bit describes a minor role for an actor, usually involving only a few lines. A Bit part can also be a Cameo, depending on the fame of the actor, however the name Bit part is usually reserved for a jobbing actor rather than a famous one. (Acting)

Bitrate or Bit Rate is the average number of bits contained in second of video or audio data. Bitrates are important as they can indicate quality of video output or audio (for example MP3 files). Also high bitrate files are significantly larger, therefore this is important in situations where bandwidth is important in situations such as use on slow computers or during web streaming, etc.

A Black Leader is an opaque film, also called a Black Opaque Leader. A Black Leader is used for making A and B roll printing due to the fact that it is an emulsion leader which can be cement spliced - only emulsion not plastic can be cement spliced. (Film Editing)

Black Wrap is used for making small flags, in controlling light and for wrapping them. Black Wrap is a type of black aluminium foil. (Grip / lighting)

A Blimp is a housing made from glass fibre, which is used to dampen camera sound for a noisy camera which is being used in film or video production when filming in sync with sound. (Camera crew)

A Blimped Camera is a camera which has been purpose built with internal soundproofing. Therefore a Blimped Camera does not require a Blimp as it is already soundproofed in the design and manufacture process, without the need for a Blimp (Camera Crew)

A Blip Tone is used when filming or making video, to help with the process of synching during film editing. (Film Editing)

Blocking is the process of plotting the position of the talent, camera and audio pickup plus any movement, during any scene. (Production)

A Blonde is an open face 2kW lighting unit. (Lighting)

In film editing, a Bloop is the sound made when a film splice passes the audio heads in the studio. (Post production / sound)

Blooping refers to the removal of unwanted audio, caused by splices passing through the audio head. This was traditionally cured with adding an additional portion of tape over the splice. (Post Production)

Blooping Tape is used in film production to mask unnecessary parts of a sound track. (Post production / sound)

Blowing Up is the process of producing a film enlargement from smaller gauge film – for example, when blowing up from 15 – 35mm. (Labs)

Blu-Ray is the a format for displaying high definition video or archiving materials. The laser used in Blu-Ray is blue. Blu-Ray disks are identical in size to DVD disks, however they can contain over ten times more data than a conventional DVD. Blu-Ray disks are read using a blue laser beam, in contrast to DVD disks which are read using a red laser. Most film releases are now in DVD and Blu-Ray, the high definition version being Blue-Ray. There is often confusion when producing corporate DVD with clients specifying High Definition (HD) filming, when DVD players are incapable of showing high definition output. opportunities post production. Scientific, medical and nature film documentaries such as Blue Planet are also favourites for filming in HD and distribution or broadcast using HD formats. Downloads and streams are replacing disks for distribution in today’s world (Distribution)

Bluescreen is used in the process of Chromakeying by video production services companies. Bluescreen is a type of special effect (See also Greenscreen) which can be achieved using a painted Bluescreen or Bluescreen roll. Bluescreen can also be commonly referred to as Travelling Matte and is part of special effects. The process of Bluescreen enables a moving subject to be separated from the Bluescreen background, which is then replaced by a false background such as another video, static picture or most commonly in the film industry, a computer generated background, as in films produced with special effects. Bluescreen can be used to produce news programs when the presenter, newsreader or weather presenter is placed in front of a background which changes according to what they are talking about. Bluescreen and Greenscreen are used for Chromakeying due to their unique colours, which are most unlike skin tones. However, keying out backgrounds can be achieved with other colours as well as blue or green. Bluescreen must be lit effectively in order for the process to be effective, otherwise the Bluescreen end result will not appear realistic. (Film production, video production, special effects and post production)

The mesh cloth which used for grip scrims is a Bobbinet. A Bobbinet is black and can be used for reducing light from windows during the process of film, video or documentary production. (Grip / lighting)

A Boom is a telescopic arm used for a camera or microphone. Booms are available in a number of sizes and range from hand held to static in nature. (Sound, camera crew)

A Boom Operator is a part of the Sound Crew and is responsible for microphone position. The Boom Operator must work in tandem with the talent and camera crew, to allow the film or video production to proceed without interference, meanwhile capturing the best sound. Boom operators used for live events such as sporting events, music concerts, live shows or presentations have a particularly complex and challenging job to perform – especially when operating under the exacting conditions of major live event filming. (Sound)

A Bottom Chop is a cutter or flag employed in the film or video production industry, used to keep light off the floor. (Grip / lighting)

A Bounce Card creates soft lighting. A Bounce Card is usually a white or silver coloured card and works by simply channelling lighting (artificial or natural) during filming. (Lighting)

A Box Rental is the fee paid to crew who provide their own equipment in a video or film production. (Production / finance)

Bracketing is a common process used by film or video production companies involved in the production of corporate video, educational video, sports video, training videos etc. Bracketing involves filming a number of takes of the same scene, using a variety of f-stops in order to assess the results. (Camera crew / production)

A Branch Holder is a pipe-type device used to hold items such as poles, pipes or similar items during the production process. (Grip / lighting)

Breakdown is the separation of negatives or workprints into individual scenes. (Film & video editing)

A Breast Line is a wire attached to any item which is pulled up high by a crane or pulley. (Grip / lighting).

Brightness is a term used to describe luminosity, a measure of the amount of light in a particular picture. (Production)

A Broad is an open-faced light. (Lighting)

Broadcast quality means that a film or video production meets the stringent requirements for general broadcast television. Compared to non-broadcast quality, Broadcast Quality video productions have excellent colour definition in shadows, good low-light sensitivity, and low noise. Broadcast quality means that sound and visuals have both passed tests and are safer for individuals who may be prone to seizures (Broadcast TV)

A Brute is an arc light, which is powered by Direct (DC) Current. (Lighting)

A Bulk Eraser aligns iron oxide on magnetic tape or film, eliminating all data on the tape. (Editing)

The Bumper is a term used in the film industry to define the beginning section of a movie containing the trademark, logo or title identification. Examples of this are MGM, Universal, Rank, etc. (Distribution)

A Bungee is a term used to describe when a camera is suspended from a dolly, to give an edgy feel to the production, without using a hand held camera. This technique can produce a more cinematic effect especially when making corporate video or corporate DVDs.(Camera crew)

A tape which contains stamped time code information in the corner of the picture, to help in the post production process. (Film editing)

A Burst is a TV signal component carrying colour information. (Broadcast TV)

A Bus is found in a mixing environment and is generally the overall output of more than one channel (Electronics / film editing).

A film editing company will refer to a Butt Splice when a splice is made without the film ends overlapping. (Film editing)

A non-overlapping end-to-end splice produced by a process of heat and pressure. (Film editing)

Butterfly Kits contain an assorted variety of silks, solids, nets and grifflons. Collectively, they are used for light control. Overhead kits are Butterfly kits with larger items. (Grip)

A slang term used generally in the USA which refers to a Producer who believes they know everything about a technician’s job. Also referred to a BS merchant among other terms, in the UK. (Slang used in US)

A Buzz Track is produced by a Sound Recordist during film or video production, when an ambient recording of a room or external location is required. This is used in the final film production, to give a scene a sense of realism. (Film & video production, sound, post-production)

C-47’s are simply standard wooden clothes pegs used in the video industry for video production or film making, to secure lighting gels to barndoors. They are sometimes called a number one wood clamp. (Grip / lighting)

Not to be confused with C-Stand (See Century Stand), a C-Mount is a standard mounting for cameras with 2/3" or 1" lenses. C-Mount lenses can be used on CS-Mount cameras, via adding an adapter. (Camera crew)

See Century Stand

A Californian Scrim Set is a standard scrim set with two doubles. (Lighting / Grip)

Commonly used by video production services organisations and film companies, the Call is the name given to the sequence ‘roll sound, roll camera, mark it and action’. (Film & video production)

The general form used by video production services companies and film companies during corporate video production, film making or specialist events such as product launches, employs the use of a Call Sheet. The Call Sheet lists every scene planned for filming on a given day and it also contains vital information such as the talent, staff and equipment required. (Film and video production)

A Cam-Lok is a feeder cable connector containing an integral locking mechanism. (Grip/Lighting)

A Cameo is generally a non-speaking acting role of short duration, played by an individual who is famous. The most famous of all Cameo roles were those played by Alfred Hitchcock, during his film-making of many of his classics. Cameo roles have been played by famous politicians, sports stars, acting celebrities and other celebrities. (Film making)

The Camera Angle in cinematography refers to the view point selected to film a subject or object. This term is a very important one used often by video production companies and documentary makers. (Cinematography)

Camera Blocking is the overall process of recording in detail, camera position, lens size, and focus during a scene. (Production / Camera crew)

A Camera Log is an official record containing scene or shot details, for a roll of negative. (Camera crew / lab)

A Camera Report is the same as a Camera Log. It is an official record noting shots taken, together with useful notes for the film processing lab or for. Every roll has its own unique Camera Report. Reports can instruct the lab to check colour, keep colour as filmed, or to check for particular problems noted by the camera crew. A Camera Report is also useful during the editing process, to help with film editing. (Camera crew / labs / film editing)

Every roll of film is defined as a Camera Roll. CR is used to abbreviate the term when film is forwarded to the lab, for example CR12 is the 12th roll of film from the camera. Video services and film companies regard it as vital within the film editing process when assembling the footage. (Camera crew / labs / film editing)

Camera Stock is another phrase for film. It is referred to as Camera Stock by film or video producers to ensure that it is never confused with Print Stock. Manchester and London branches of thinktank video services carry specialist camera stock when shooting on set. (Camera crew)

Similar to Gaffer’s Tape, Cloth Tape is used on film shoots by video services organisations. It is approximately 1 inch wide and used for labelling magazines, noting emulsion type and CR (Camera Roll) number. Gaffer’s tape and Cloth Tape are identical, differing only in description dependent on their use in film production. There are many suppliers to the video services trade and film industry in Manchester, London and throughout the UK. (Camera crew / labs)

Video services companies use Camera Wedges. The wooden wedges are around 10 x 1 cm, in a wedge shape. (Camera crew)

A Candela (also called Foot Candela) is a unit of light intensity, equal to one standard candle. This is known in the video services industry as one candela. (Lighting)

Canon is a leading manufacturer of production lenses, cameras and other film equipment

Cans are another word used by film services companies for what people call headphones. (Sound)

Also called Dutch Angle. A Canted Frame uses a camera angle which at an angle to the ground or horizon. It gives a certain feel to a video services production – a kind of edginess. Thinktank’s UK Manchester and London production teams choose the technique of using the Canted Frame in certain styles of production. (Camera crew / production)

The ability of a component to hold charge (using capacitors). (Electrical)

Capture is the process of recording a signal from Broadcast TV, DVD or a video camera. Capture is essential in video editing as it digitizes the film to allow the footage to be transferred and converted into a format which can be used by video editors. Thinktank’s Manchester video editing team capture footage daily, from camera crew in the production management process. (Consumer)

The Carpenter on a film services or video set is also called the Chippie. The Carpenter builds wooden fixtures and furniture on set, for example, they hang doors used in film making or video production. (Tradesmen)

For a successful production as in a feature film, corporate video, training video, product demonstration video, educational video or scientific film, casting is an essential part of the preproduction. When making corporate video or educational video productions, casting can help improve credibility for a company, with trained actors being used to present a corporate or educational message. A video production services organisation will often use its own network or even refer to reliable casting agencies for selecting talent for a corporate or educational video. Manchester and London offices of thinktank video have their own casting services for UK clients. (Pre-production)

CATV was originally used although has now been superseded in the UK and across the world by the term Cable TV. It stands for Community Antenna Television. (Broadcast TV)

CC or colour correction filters adjust the colour of the light, for example CTO and CTB change daylight to orange and tungsten to daylight to give a different look to the shot (Camera crew)

A Celo is a plastic-coated wire mesh cookie. (Grip / lighting)

Film Classification Boards within different countries determine the level of censorship required for any given film, video or video games production. Video services companies and film productions must be careful when producing films to make sure that it meets the criteria of the Film Classification Board, otherwise a feature film may not be allowed. In the UK there are around 12,000 films sent for classification every year with only a handful (usually less than ten films every year) which are rejected. Examples of Censorship classifications are U = unclassified, PG = parental guidance, 12 = at least 12-years old, 12A (advisory and to be viewed with a parent), 15 = at least 15-years old or 18 = at least 18-years old. (Distribution)

A Century Stand - also know in the video production industry as a C-Stand, is a grip stand used for holding and securing microphones, lighting, flags, cookies or scrims. C-stands are very versatile and can hold heavy equipment with extension arms. Sandbags are often used to secure C-Stands when used. (Grip / lighting)

See Computer Generated Imaging (Post Production)

A DVD Chapter is used on a DVD or Blue-Ray to indicate a new scene in a movie. There are generally between 10-50 chapters in the average DVD or Blue-Ray movie on average. (Distribution)

A Character is a real or fictional person, played by talent. (Cast)

An individual who is recognised for playing a particular type of character or personality within a film. (Cast)

Taking a second shot at a different angle in order to change the composition of the scene is called a Cheat. The technique is used in Corporate, Music, Sports, Documentary and Film productions to insert, involve or remove an actor or object. Items or actors are Cheated in or out of scenes using this technique - this is a very common term used by video production companies. (Production)

A Cheater Cut is a summary cut of a previous episode or end of previous series to refresh viewers so that they can enjoy the upcoming film. Cheater cuts can be also used as a summary when commercial breaks interrupt a film. (Broadcast TV)

An alternative name for a Director’s Finder (Production)

Chiraoscuro originates from the 17th Century renaissance painters. The word is a combination of two Italian words, chiaro meaning clearly and the word scuro meaning dark – ‘clearly and dark’. The term is used in by film producers and the video services industry to mean a film or scenes which make dramatic use of light and dark contrast, via use of skilled lighting techniques. Generally it is used in greyscale or monochromatic style video or film productions (Lighting / film & video production)

A young actor who establishes themselves during childhood and may or may not make a successful transition into adulthood. (Cast)

The Chinese Lantern generates a diffuse gentle light within a room, which may or may not have any additional lighting (Lighting)

The person responsible for directing and training cast and extras to dance, fight or co-ordinate other movements.

Chroma is a truncated term for chrominance. Chroma means the colour component of the video signal. Chroma is used in phrases such as Chroma Keying – the process of using Bluescreen or Greenscreen to separate a subject from its background and place on a new video background. (Production / post-production / special effects)

Chromakeying is using a certain colour, usually green or blue, to film cast against a uniformly lit background and then keying the uniform background out to place them in another place, such as a CGI background or a remote location. Chromakeying is commonly used in film, news or for corporate films which require a unique style. (Production/post production)

Chromakeying or Chroma Keying is the process whereby the subject is separated from the Bluescreen or Greenscreen background before mixing or placing the subject onto another background. The Chroma Keying process used by video production companies providing Bluescreen services can be real-time or non-linear, where computer software is used to very accurately remove and comp the subject away from the original Bluescreen or Greenscreen and mix with a new video backdrop. (Production / Post-production / Special effects)

A Chroma Keying Service is provided by a video production company specialising in Chroma Keying or Bluescreen & Greenscreen Chroma Keying – thinktank video provides Bluescreen and Greenscreen services. (Production / post-production / special effects)

Chroma Noise is random noise in the colour signal. A common cause of Chroma Noise is caused by traditional analogue video processing. (Video editing)

A light which is fixed to objects via use of a built-in clamp. (Lighting)

A clapperboard is used in film and video production to provide information to the development laboratories (or the editor in video production). Information contained on a clapperboard includes - scene number, slate number, roll number, interior / exterior, frame rate, time of day and filters used. The chevrons when brought together with the sound of the clap allow the editor to align the picture and sound in synchronisation.

A click track is used in video production or by musicians, especially when producing music videos. The click track is a pre-recorded track containing click beats, used to direct a drummer, singer or actor during a production. (Music)

Clipping is distortion caused by overload of an input signal, producing distortion. Clipping can damage speaker equipment and it is therefore wise to avoid clipping when producing video or music video productions. (Sound)

A Close Shot is a shot which is slightly further out than a Close Up and is a shot of head and torso, down to the waist. (Camera crew)

A Close Up is a camera shot with the subject or object viewed at close range. The screen view of an actor’s head would be regarded as a Close Up. Also refer to similar terms used in video and film production, Extreme Close Up (ECU) and Medium Close Up (MCU). (Camera crew)

A Coaster is a common name used for a DVD or CD which has failed during recording. It is called a Coaster because technicians in the film & video production industries generally use them instead of a standard tea or coffee cup coaster. This is a very common term in the northwest of England, especially in Manchester and Liverpool. (Slang term – UK)

Codec is a term used for compression in an audio or video signal. Codecs are used to compress audio and video so that it can be edited more easily and distributed or streamed without interruption. Uncompressed audio and video produce very large files which would otherwise be unplayable and difficult to edit without a codec being used. (Distribution)

Colourisation in the process whereby colour is added to video or film during post-production. Often this is done to older black and white footage. The process for correcting and changing colour within colour filming is known as colour grading. (Post-production).

A Combo Stand is used for lighting and reflectors and is a heavy duty 2K stand, without wheels. (Grip / lighting)

An audio compressor device which is used to minimise noise from an audio signal. It works by improving the signal to noise ratio. (Sound)

A Completion Bond is an insurance-backed assurance guarantee that a film will be completed. It provides indemnity for a video production company against unforeseen costs. (Finance)

Component Video is when video or signals are transmitted by separating the signals into individual components to improve quality. (Broadcast TV / consumer equipment).

Compositing is the merging of several images into a final single image. (Film editing)

Composition is the aesthetic look of a moving image. Used extensively in the video production industry, composition factors in framing, field of view, general texture, colour, contrast and visual balance. Composition needs to be consistent to produce a uniform end result. (Production)

Computer-Generated Imaging, also very commonly called CGI by film or video producers, is a special effect using 3-D images created by software programmes, that are rendered to look photorealistic. This technique is most commonly used in the making of corporate, educational, training, scientific video, computer games and motion picture films. (post-production)

Conceptualization is a key part within the pre-production phase of a video project. It involves determining the message, style, look, feel and other creative considerations, alongside a range of other factors which need to be agreed prior to filming commencement. (Pre-production)

A very powerful , high-end and effective type of microphone used in video production. (Sound)

A portion of the production budget, added to the costings, to account for unforeseen events, production changes and any overruns. (Finance)

Changes within scenes, sequences or individual shots need to be eliminated. Also when a scene spans a number of days or filming sessions continuity ensures that everything remains unchanged, such as hair, makeup, props, positions of lighting, equipment and actors positions. (Production)

A Control Track is a track used to ensure a uniform or constant speed of playback. (Post-production)

A Cookie or Cucolouris or Gobo, perforated material, used to create shadows or break up light by a video production company. The effect is sometimes referred to as dapple. (Grip / lighting)

Copywriting in video or film production is called scriptwriting (Pre-production)

Corporate video are films made by companies or organisations to promote the company, its services and/or products (Corporate video)

Corporate Video Production Companies are also called Corporate Film Producers. The role of a Corporate Video Production company is to work with blue chip clients and SME clients in preparation and production of a Corporate Video for promotional purposes. (Corporate Video producers)

The clothes or apparel worn by an actor or extra during video production (Pre-production / production)

The person responsible for designing costumes for a film production. (Wardrobe)

In video production a counter-zoom is produced by moving the dolly in the opposite direction to the the zooming. For example, pushing the dolly in and rolling out. The counter-zoom was made famous in the 1970s film Jaws. The move creates an eerie sense of drama (Camera)

A reserve location for filming, if the main area is unavailable or unsuitable. (Production)

A lightening quick zoom from a wide or wider shot to a close up of a person, a facial feature or object to create a dynamic feature or frame. (Camera)

Credits or end credits are lists of names of everybody involved in the production which are often displayed on TV screen at the end of a film or documentary production to formally acknowledge the cast, crew, companies, authorities and suppliers involved in the making of the production. (Post-production / distribution)

CRI is the measurement of colour and generally is used to assess the purity or a lightsource, where 100 equals sunlight or a pure tungsten light. LED lights are usually given a CRI number with values over 90 generally being reflective of a good LED light. In reality, CRI isn’t always a realistic assessment of quality of light and this has been proven in lab test results where lower value CRI numbers (as long as they are around 90+) can yeidl a truer and more beautiful result than other lighting fixtures with a higher CRI number. CRI is a good indictator and not an absolute guarantee of light quality. (Labs)

Crocodile Clips have small clips with teeth for clamping and are used by video production companies to affix gels to barn doors during lighting set-up. (Production)

Crop is the process used in video or film production, when sections of a video production are discarded or put to one side (Post-production)

The smooth transition of one sound into another. (Sound / post-Production)

The line or action axis is a theoretical line between different subjects during filming. If filming results in an actor moving from one side of the line to the other, this creates a breakdown or jump in continuity. (Film or video production)

A shot involving many people or extras. Crowd shots can also be CGI generated. (Production)

CRT monitors are old TVs, and CRT stands for Cathode Ray Tube, which is the main component in traditional TV sets. (Broadcast TV / consumer equipment)

Not to be confused with C-Stand (see Century Stand) or with C-Mount (see C-Mount). A CS-Mount is a modern lens mount used on cameras with 1/3”, ½” and 2/3" lenses. Generally, CS-Mount lenses cannot be used on cameras with a C-Mount. (Camera crew)

Another name for a Cookie – a material used to create shadows or break up light .(Grip / lighting)

A Cue is an audible or visual prompt used during video or film production. (Production)

Cue Cards or Video Cue Cards are used by actors during live or pre-rehearsed performances. Video productions such as for corporate, educational or training videos often incorporate the use of Cue Cards, especially if the speakers are delivering long lines or are not familiar with the skills of acting. Cue Cards provide a means of a visual references or prompts for the actor or presenter. Cue Cards should not be confused with Auto Cue – a system designed to display scrolling text for conference presenters, politicians and news presenters. (Production / Broadcast TV)

See Changeover Cue

See Changeover Cue

Cueing can be used to describe the prompt used for talent to begin their entry into a scene. Cueing can also be used in the context of voice-over narration or to replace dialogue during post-production. (Production / post-production)

A Cut is a change from one scene to another or the end of a particular shot during production. The term is also used in video editing to indicate the physical cutting of the film. The term can also mean the ‘version’ of the entire film, such as a rough cut or final cut or director’s cut. (Production / editing)

A Cutaway is a shot (often without sound called a non-sync cutaway) which can be used to detail things in a film or to break-up the monotony of one person remaining constantly in-vision during monologue or dialogue. It is used to create contrast or to show what a contributor or acting is talking about. (Production / editing)

Cutting is the editing assembly process where rushes are cut using in and out points and placed into an editing sequence, which is a long assembly of shots. (Film & video editing)

A pale blue colour. (Colour)

Cyclorama Lights, produce a uniform light across a Cyclorama – see Cyclorama. (Lighting)

A Cyclorama is generally a term used for a permanent studio fixture which is a large wall curved at the floor to eliminate shadows. A Cyclorama can also be a portable device, also called Infinity Screen / Grad. Cycloramas are used by video production houses and film companies to create an environment where the subject or object to be filmed, is shot against a view which seems to be infinite, as there is no floor/wall line present. Video companies providing Bluescreen or Greenscreen filming facilities use a Bluescreen or Greenscreen Cyclorama or Infinity Screens to assist in the Chroma Keying process. (Grip / lighting / production)

Dailies are the positive prints made by the film labs, directly produced from the negatives. It can be very confusing as in video production, it can also be used to mean the video which is transferred from the original film negative. Dallies are generally used in film making for productions such as feature film and corporate films or coporate video. (Laboratory)

Day for Night is the phrase used when shooting during the day to give the impression that it is night-time. Usually achieved by shooting using filters on camera and use of tungsten balanced film during the day to give a moonlight style effect. This is a common technique used in broadcast and non-broadcast productions such as soap operas, corporate video and similar style video or film productions. (Camera crew)

The form used for cast or crew’s assignment of the days they are being employed on the production. (Production / finance)

When making film productions and shooting outdoors, daylight balanced film is used – for example in a live outdoor event, an outdoor product launch or sports training video. Colour film used for outdoors is daylight balanced and if used indoors without a correction filter, the scene will appear orange. (Production / camera crew)

A comedy actor who is also called the straight man, meaning that during the funny moments, the actor keeps a straight face with no emotion.

An acoustic anomaly, the Dead Spot is any area where sound cancels itself out. (Production / sound)

Dead Sync is the perfect synchronisation of sound and vision. (Film & video editing)

The pay and conditions form. The Deal memo normally includes details of working agreements. (Finance)

A standard unit of measurement used to measure loudness of sound in the film and video sector. An increase of 6 dB represents a doubling in the power output. (Sound)

A decoder turns one kind of signal into another which is more useful to work with in the film production workflow. (Production)

A French film style or video production style. (Production)

Deep Focus refers to the depth of field. Cinematic films generally employ a shallow depth of field to focus attention on the actors or scene, whereas Deep Focus is a technique using wide angle lenses combined with small lens apertures. This technique used in video production (corporate, film etc.) keeps objects in the extreme background and foreground focused at the same time. (Cinematography)

Deinterlacing is the way in which two single frames, consisting of alternating lines are converted into one single image – mainly used for older-type broadcasting equipment. (Broadcast TV & consumer equipment)

Deleted scenes are scenes which have been removed following the final decision for what material should be included in the final cut of a film.

The showreel or demo reel is a montage of work by a production company, highlighting different skills that they possess to showcase their capabilities to prospective clients. (Marketing & promotion)

Demodulation conversion of the carrier signal to produce the required end audio and video signals for broadcast television. (Broadcast TV / distribution)

Demux or Demuliplexing is separation of video and audio signals into separate files. This is used in every type of video production from corporate video through to feature film production. (post-production)

Following the climax of a film or production denouement is the resolution where the story comes together to produce an explanation for viewers. It is often the final scene in a film. (Production)

Depth of Field (DoF) is the size of the area (from the camera lens to infinity) which is in focus at any single time. Cinematic footage generally has a shallow or short depth of field, meaning that the foreground and background are blurred. A deeper depth of field is used for establishing a scene or showing a location where viewers need to see more things in focus. (Camera crew)

A Deuce is a 2K fresnel light. (Lighting)

Quite simply this is a sound track, incorporated within the film or on an external recorder which contains speech. (Sound)

This is the term used for a gel (sometimes a frosted gel) which is positioned in front of a light source to reduce its overall brightness. Diffs are generally measured in ‘stops’. (Lighting)

Video or sound recorded on media which isn’t film. Digital video or sound uses mathematics (numbers) to create the image or sound, in contrast to film or magnetic tape which are older and non-digital ways of recording.

A format introduced by Sony and popular in the late 1990s. This format is now considered historic due to the introduction of digital technologies stored on flash media which have largely outdated the original tape formats of yesteryear for the video production industry. (video production)

The current method of recording pictures and sound in feature film (sometimes), and nearly always for live work, documentary production or corporate video. Digital recordings rely on the re-encoding of analogue signals (visual and sound) into digital format. The classic examples of commonly used digital recording formats used in the home are MP3 and MP4 formats, used for music production and video production.

A Digital Signal is a signal that is carried optically, without an analogue component. A Digital Signal may have been originated either digitally for example in the event of a musical synthesizer or through an analogue source, such as a video feed, prior to being converted into a digital form by an Analogue to Digital converter. (Post-production)

Digital Video Camera is a camera which records using digital media such as flash data cards or SSDs. Thinktank uses the latest digital video camera technologies and industry standard lenses to produce corporate videos and documentary productions.

Digital Video Editing: Digital video editing refers to the techniques of editing digital images and sounds. To enhance or improve a video/film, videographers use specialized digital video editing equipment, hardware, and software. It is crucial that digital video editing is completed, for a more refined film or video.

DVI signals are commonly found on high-end monitors where the signal can be DVI-A or DVI-D (with the A standing for Analogue and the D standing for Digital). Dual-Link DVI is another example of the DVI connector format. DVI links are often found on in-house video systems and on live event multi-camera systems which require the use of High Definition monitors for faithful playback of incoming signals from cameras, VT playback etc. (Hardware)

The services commonly provided by a video production company. The term can be misleading as digital video production companies can also use film cameras, depending upon the size, expertise and nature of the film company (video production)

A device, normally a fader or round button which is used for controlling the amount of light, between minimum and maximum light levels. (Lighting)

These are branches with leaves, which are placed in front of a light as a cookie would to cut the light and provide a shadow pattern. (Grip/Lighting)

A diopter helps correct vision for camera operators without perfect vision. Helps camera crew with less than perfect vision.

The director is the individual leading the creative process of telling the story. The crew work under direction from the director who has overall control of the film. The director works alongside the producer to ensure that the film is delivered with the original vision in mind, within agreed budgets. A producer sometimes overrules the director in deciding on what the final edit should look like and therefore, films sometimes have an alternative version or director’s cut. (Film/ Video production)

In film and video production, the Director of Photography or DoP, DOP or DP, is the individual responsible for creating the artistic and technical leadership for overall creative direction of the Film, following the Director’s guidance.

The director’s cut is often the non-commercial favourite version of the film, preferred by the film director. These cuts are often included with distributed Blu Rays and a director’s cut is sometimes significantly longer than the original film. (Production / post-production / distribution)

This is a tool used by a film director or DOP for taking a quick look at what a shot is likely to look like using a certain prime lens, at a certain distance, angle or position. (Production).

A Dissolve is a video transition when one cut gradually dissolves directly into the next cut. (Film editing)

A Dolly is simply a platform which can be used to hold a camera in a steady position. A variety of dollies exist, at a variety of price points from £1,000 - £100,000+ in video and film production. They can be used for a hand-held camera shot, shots from static platforms on the dolly, or the dolly can move with electronic control up/down to give greater flexibility for shots. Dollies are often moved along a track by a grip or they can also be used on free-moving pneumatic wheels for maximum flexibility. (Crew / Grip)

A travelling shot or tracking shot which is captured using a dolly can also be referred to as a dolly shot (Crew / Production)

This is a dolly made out of light-wood and with rubber tyres. It is also generally fitted with handles to facilitate easy moving by a grip. It is used for filming and can be also used for moving equipment around a location (grip) A plywood dolly with four soft tires which is narrow enough to fit through a doorway. It is used to carry a camera on a tripod or for transporting other heavy items. (Grip)

See Director of Photography. (Crew)

Dots are flags or small nets used in controlling light. (Grip / lighting)

This is the opposite of a single system. The double system records sound and picture to different devices, such as a camera and a separate field recorder. This is the standard methodology used for making high-end productions or feature films. (Film)

See Director of Photography. (Crew)

Also known as Digital TV, which is the standard for broadcasting picture and sound digitally, which is superior quality to traditional analogue TV.

Dubbing: An actor’s voice synchronization with lip movements which are not the originally recorded sound. This is used to replace unusable dialogue or recordings, and also used to prepare foreign films for new markets. (Post Production)

A Dupe is an exact copy of a negative or positive. Short for duplicate negative or duplicate positive. (Film editing)

Also called Canted Angle, a Dutch Angle is where a camera is placed at an angle so that the horizontal frame line is not parallel to the horizon during video or film production. (Camera crew / production)

See Dutch Angle. Also see Canted Angle (Camera crew / production)

Is a heavy black fire retardant cloth, used for blacking out windows, making teasers, hiding cables, and other unwanted items. (Grip)

See Digital Video Interface

Dynamic Distortion is the change of a volume range during sound transmission. (Sound)

The Dynamic Range is the difference between the peak and audio troughs of a track, measured in units of decibels. (Sound)

An Ear is to erect a flag up on the side of a lighting unit, with the purpose of controlling or blocking out light. Video production companies and film & documentary makers, also call this a Sider. (Grip / lighting)

EBU is the European Broadcast Union. The EBU standard means that 25 FPS time code is used by video production companies in Europe as standard. (Film & video production)

An Echo is caused by the reflection of sound waves from within a room or tunnel. An Echo is a repeating sound which can be a desired or unwanted effect, dependent on the circumstances in video production. (Sound)

See Extreme Close Up

Used in corporate video production editing, the EDL or Edit Decision List is simply a list of SMPTE codes, with specific directions for effects, dissolves, fades etc, for use in the final cut (Corporate Video Production Editing and film editing).

This is a common corporate video production company term for the tape which contains a finished production. (video editing)

The start and end points in a sequence are referred to by corporate video production companies as edit in and out points.

See Edit Decision List

A measure which is employed by sound engineers to rate or gauge microphones in corporate video production. Also, it can indicate whether a microphone pre-amp is needed, if required and also indicates the decibels of power available in relation to the pressure of sound. (Sound engineering)

Better known as Action Safe area within the corporate video industry, the essential area is the region on screen which directors, camera operators and video editors must all ensure contains the action. Anything outside this area may appear on TV sets or may be off the edge of the set (depending on the set), that’s why it’s called the safe area. No two different types of TV set are ever the same! (TV Broadcasting and Distribution)

The name for the first scene of a film or the start of a new sequence which is used to communicate to viewers that they are watching something new or specific to a different element of the story. Corporate video production techniques used by corporate video companies will ensure that establishing shots are used when necessary in a production. (Corporate video production and TV production)

Depending on the video company or film which is being made the executive producer can be the individual who runs the entire production or in some circumstances, their names are used as a credit for generating the financial interest in the film, providing a ‘main name’ or simply for ensuring that the production is well promoted. At thinktank, an executive producer within the corporate video productions teams is the individual responsible for project managing and running the production, in collaboration with a director of photography, who is responsible for the overall creative feel of the production. (corporate video production and feature film production).

A creative way of shooting close up shots is to use an extension tube to place the lens further away from the camera than normal. This gives a macro-effect and only a slight compensation by the camera operator is required to achieve this (Crew)

Extreme Close Ups or ECUs are used in corporate video productions, feature films and documentary productions to show an on-screen image of a person or object which is very close up. This is often used to show emotion or intense detail. Moving into an ECU from far away, a type of zoom or crash zoom can be used for dramatic effect, when used very sparingly or if at all by a producer or cameraman. (corporate video production and film)

The eye line is where talent or a contributor is told to look towards, during filming.

Sometimes also referred to as a teddy bear’s a*hole the eyepiece cover is changed in feature film production practically every day. They generally have a top surface like a soft leather and a sponge-like underside. Film crews change them regularly to avoid unwanted eye infections. (Crew)

Used in every type of film production including corporate videos, a fade is the ‘fading in’ or ‘fading out’ slowly of a clip, at the beginning or end of a movie it is generally from black (or any colour) or to black (or any colour). During a corporate video a clip may be faded (or cross faded) to another gently, giving a smooth transition (Video editing)

Very simply, when a camera assistant is used in feature film or corporate video production, the term FAST means Focus; Aperture; Shutter; Tachometer – this is the domain of the camera assistant to check and adjust accordingly. (Crew)

The relative speed of a lens is a measure of the lens’ maximum aperture. The faster the lens, the more light crosses from outside the camera to behind the lens. Aperture is denoted as F Stop numbers, the lower the number, the quicker or ‘faster’ the lens (Crew).

A FAY is a 650W balanced daylight lamp (Lighting)

Talent can be given off-screen or verbal cues to remind them of what their lines are .(Talent)

In video production, fill or a fill light is placed on the opposite side to the key (main) light. Fill light can be used to reduce contrast or simply fill areas where the light needs to be enhanced. (Lighting)

Films and corporate video are produced by producers. The process of film production outlines the entire realm of services from initial scoping and project management, through to end-distribution. It includes the management of all video production services in between such as filming, scripting, and post production. (Production)

A company (such as a film company or a corporate video production company) which provides video services or film services to clients for a range of productions. (Production)

The tiny flags used in video production and film-making are called ‘Fingers’ in the video industry. (Lighting)

A fixer is either a company or generally an individual who has extensive contacts within a particular country. For example if you are filming in a remote location or a country which has cultural or language differences, a fixer will have all the contacts to enable video productions to be completed without the need to visit the country to pre-arrange talent, locations, hire equipment, permissions etc. In corporate video production, a company for example in Manchester or London may wish to employ the services of an Australian fixer or a fixer from South Africa, if the company doesn’t have an office in the region itself. (Production)

In corporate video production companies a flag is a piece of dark material used to restrict light from being in the frame (Lighting / Grip).

This refers to either a set-design construction wall or a fixed-price fee, used by corporate video producers in Manchester or London video production companies. (Set design / Finance)

A type of light which has a very wide angle spread of beam is called a flood. They are different than spot lights or other forms of controlled lighting. (Lighting)

Light within an filming environment is measured in Flux or lumens. (Lighting)

A style of video production, which can be reality TV, reality corporate video production or documentary-style, which gives a warts-and-all view of what is supposed to be reality. A good video production company London-based, such as thinktank can deliver results for corporate video fly-on-the-wall documentary or corporate video productions. They have become increasingly popular over the past decade in the UK. (Production / broadcast TV)

A plastic layer (foam /polystyrene) contained between paper-backed surfaces. Propriety examples include Foamex which can be used to deflect or reflect light sources. For more hardy materials, Forex, which is a more plasticated version of Foamcore can be used. This withstands more heavy duty use. (Grip/Lighting)

The technical definition of focal length is different to what film crew usually mean. Film crew use focal length to determine how narrow, wide or telescopic a lens will be. Lenses with a fixed focal length (eg 35mm) are called prime lenses. The Director or DoP will select a lens of a given focal length for a particular scene. The technical definition involves the distance between the glass optical lens and the video camera sensor. (Crew)

The Focal Point is used by video production companies to indicate the actual point or area which is the main focus for the frame. (Crew).

A focus pull is when a subject or object is brought into focus, from an out of focus start point. The pull adjusts the distance from the camera which is in focus and a focus pull is used for shooting using a shallow depth of field. If lights or reflections can be seen, the out of focus start point may contain beautifully shaped ‘bokeh’ which sometimes looks like circles of light or shapes of light which change into a fully focused sharp image when focus is pulled. (Crew)

The member of the camera department who works on larger productions to pull focus is called a focus puller. Focus pullers can use a variety of devices to pull focus, using the follow focus if required, or focus may be pulled electronically for some setups. (Crew)

The focus wheel is used to alter focus on a camera (Camera crew)

When a scene calls for additional sounds to add realism, or create a more realistic ambience for the video production, the Foley Artist introduces sounds for the particular sequence. (Sound)

A Follow Focus is a device which controls the video camera focus ring, to enable pull-focus control of the camera, operated by the camera operator in situations such as corporate video production, or by an independent focus puller, such as in corporate video productions on film. The Follow Focus basically ensures that the appropriate action remains in focus. (Crew)

The footcandle is a measure of the amount of light, measured in lumens, within a square foot. Also known as Lumens per square foot. (Lighting)

The format can refer to the absolute aspect ratio of a screen (for example 16:9, 4:3 etc (Distribution). It can also refer to the style of video production used by the corporate video production company in Manchester (Production), plus it can be used in edit or distribution to talk about the file format or media format, eg DVD is a format for media, mp4 is a file format. (Edit / Distribution)

FPS, or Frame Rate, is the number of frames in one second. Feature film generally uses 24 FPS, PAL 25 FPS and NTSC uses approximately 30 FPS. A ramping sequence used for slow-motion camera work can work with FPS rates of several thousand, which when slowed down provide a dramatic effect for corporate video production.

A frame has a number of meanings. In video production it is the smallest full part of a video sequence, and in film production refers to the actual ‘frame’ of the film. There are a number of frames in every second (minimum 24 to make up feature films or higher). A frame generally refers to moving images (for producing video) rather than sound where it is regarded as the audio contained within one second. The frame can also refer to whatever the director of photography decides should be ‘within the frame’. Anything inside the frame can be seen, outside the frame is not seen on screen. (Editing / Production / Crew)

This is the number of frames per second. Feature films commonly use 24 frames per second (fps). UK standards are 25fps and US standards are around 30fps. Higher frame rates can be used to achieve slow motion filming or for a ‘game-play’ style like 48fps feature films which lose their cinematic look.

Framing is the art of composing the shot, trying to balance and stylise what is visible in-frame. (Camera)

Using a single frame for more than one frame to ‘freeze’ the action (Editing)

A frech flag is a relocatable metal arm on the end of a camera to remove unwanted light from entering into the lens. Often used to avoid lens flare.

A stepped convex lens used for lighting units It is most commonly used to shape, enhance and focus tungsten-incandescent lamps. (Lighting)

The Gaffer is the name used for the chief lighting technician on a video or film set. The Gaffer is the person who is in charge of the electrical department throughout the entire duration of the video production. (Production / crew / electrical)

A versatile non-sticky tape using in video production. Generally the tape is black and 2 inches wide.

Gain is the ratio of output signal, compared to the same signal’s input. Film or video production companies use the term gain and when discussing units, they are always decibels. (Sound)

Gamma is the measurement used to determine the ratio or amount of contrast in a negative, print or on screen. (Picture)

Gels are known as colour gels and change the colour, intensity or hardness of light. (Lighting)

General Views are a selection of shots of the location. GVs are used to establish a scene within a location during a video, TV or film production. (Camera crew)

A device used to stabilise cameras for handheld or use on a remote device such as a drone. (Camera)

A gobo (go between) is a metal, glass or material object used for shaping light. For example logos, leaf shapes, blinds, doors, window shapes can be superimposed on a person, wall or floor using a gobo (Grip)

Grading is the process of adjusting colour within a film edit. The grading process gives a finished look and feel, for example, grading can enhance or reduce colour contrast, saturation and enhance or reduce highlights. Midtones or shadows. Grading is used in most film productions and also is used if a production is filmed using LOG footage, which expands the dynamic ability of the footage to hold data which can be better adjusted during the grading process. (Post production)

Green Room: A green room is a private room for talent to wait, relax and be touched-up for make-up/hair.

Greenscreen: See chromakeying.

A grip works on a film set to maintain and operate equipment used in production. In the UK the term can apply to camera mounting equipment, such as tracks, platforms etc.

Hand held is an expression used in the film and video services production industries to indicate that a piece of equipment such as a camera, is held by hand rather than using a tripod. This can give a production an edgy look when used well or enable a camera operator to move freely and follow the action. (Camera crew)

An expression used by film production companies to indicate extra frames attached to the head & tail of an optical print. The Handle is used purely as a safety precaution. (Laboratory)

See High Definition

HD ready normally means not full HD, and mainly refers to 720p (the lowest form of high definition)

High Definition TV

Head Shot: A headshot is a framed shot focusing on the talents face within a video production.

This is the physical space between the top of a subject's head and a monitor's upper-screen edge. Too much headroom makes the subject appear to fall out of the frame.

High-Definition is a screen resolution higher than traditional television systems (standard-definition TV, or SDTV). Full HD is 1920 x 1080 pixels and also known as 1080p.

Well-lit frame without significant areas of darkness. This is non-cinematic lighting, and contrasts with Low Key lighting where shadows and contrast are used to draw viewers into a production and create a more meaningful viewing experience. (Lighting)

A HMI or Hydrargyrum Medium-Arc Iodide lamp is very expensive, high quality powerful light source for simulating daylight. The colour temperature is similar to daylight, at around 5,600 kelvin. Lighting)

Hue describes the strongest colour element within an image. For example, a colour image may be more orange, blue, green, red, etc than expected so in the case of the hue being red, the image would lean towards being more red than expected, which describes hue.

In the creative industries such as video production, documentary production, advertising or design, illustration is used to create logos, icons, or other forms of vector artwork. Illustration can also be used for decorating the set. (Creative)

An image enhancer is used by video production companies to electronically enhance a video signal, improve picture definition for the video production.

Image stabilization is the reduction or elimination of camera movement through a digital or electronic system in the lens.

Incident light is the level (amount) of light which reaches a subject.

A transition between two clips (using a clean cut, wipe, dissolve, etc) has an outgoing and incoming scene. The incoming scene is the second (last) image after the transition, because the film has come into this scene.

See Cyclorama. (Film & video production)

See Cyclorama. (Film & video production)

An Inkie is a small 250 watt Fresnel light. (Lighting)

An editing technique using related shots are cut into a series of different shots to produce an effect of contrast or for another reason. (Film Editing)

This is a cut during the movement of a performer which is achieved by overlapping the action or by using multiple cameras, before matching the action during the edit process. (Film Editing)

The iris is a variable aperture that controls exposure or the amount of light which is released from a lighting unit. (Camera/Lighting)

Iris pull ensures that during moving from a light to a dark (or vice versa) environment, correct exposure is maintained.

A circular transition or wipe used in video editing (Editing)

J-Lar is transparent tape for splicing gels together. (Grip / lighting)

Jam Sync is the process of locking a time code generator with a coded tape, to extend or replace the code. The Jam Sync is used in the video production industry when the original code is poor quality. Jam Sync is also the process of synching the sound recordist with a film camera. (Camera crew)

A paper-covered wire frame globe into which a socket and bulb may be placed. (Lighting)

A Jib is term for the movement of the crane arm, which is known as the jib arm in the video production industry. (Camera crew)

A Jib Arm is used on a jib and supported by a dolly, tripod, or other device. The Jib Arm has a counterweight to allow camera movement for an increased range of motion during film or video production. (Production)

A term used by a video production company for an electrician (Tradesmen)

A Jump-Cut is used to advance in time during video production, to create a noticeable or exaggerated effect. (Film & video editing)

A Junior is a 2kW Fresnel light unit. (Lighting)

The technique used in film or video production to include in scenes footage which compares and contrasts, thereby creating a relationship between the subjects or objects. (Production)

The Kelvin is the definitive unit of temperature, with zero degrees Kelvin representing absolute zero. Freezing point is approximately 273 degrees Kelvin and 1 Kelvin is equivalent to 1 degree Celsius. Video Production Companies and their lighting departments refer to the colour or temperature of lamps used for lighting. Therefore, Kelvin can be used as a unit of Colour Temperature Measurement. A 10K light will not mean 10 kW, but this means 10,000 Kelvin.

The chief grip who works directly with the gaffer in creating shadow effects for set lighting and who supervises camera cranes, dollies and other platforms or supporting structures according to the requirements of the director of photography. (Production) The Key Grip is in charge of a group of Grips. Key Grips may also by the construction co-ordinator and a back-up for the camera crew.

The main light on a subject, see Basic Lighting. (Lighting)

A Kick is an object which has a light reflection cast on it, caused by another object. (Grip / Lighting)

A light beam which gently touches a subject. (Lighting)

The Ladder Pod is a British invention used to generate static camera shots from a high position. They look like three ladders tied together at a 120-degree angle with the camera position at the very top. They extend up to 20 feet high and are sometimes used by film or video production companies where budget is an issue or a high vantage point does not exist for allowing high camera shots. (Camera crew)

A lamp is simply the bulb inside a lighting unit. Video production services companies can sometimes call the entire lighting unit a Lamp and may say something like, are we using a 2K lamp? (Lighting)

The Latitude is the range which video production companies produce viable images when using a camera – outside this range, images are regarded as either underexposed or overexposed. (Camera crew)

A small, discreet and sometimes hidden microphone used for film production.

Library shot is stock footage used within a production which is either quicker or more cost-efficient to rent than it is to film from scratch. (Film Editing)

Line Producer is a key member of the production team.

Linear video editing is selecting, arranging, and modifying the images and sound recorded on video tape, whether captured by a video camera or recorded in a studio, in a linear fashion.

The synchronisation between speech and sound in a film or video production. (Production / post-production)

Recording sound and/or vision during a live performance or event.

The primary scout for finding, exploring and recommending filming locations for productions.

Filming outside a studio at another place e.g., office, stadium, hall, factory, field, city centre etc.

Sound recorded at the actual location and not within an studio environment. (Sound)

The final cut of a TV series, film or video production after which no further changes are allowed before transmission.

Locked down or lock-off is when the brakes on the tripod head are engaged to keep the camera still so that it cannot move during a shot.

A telephoto lens much greater than human (around 50mm) vision. A long lens is generally something upwards of 200mm. It refers to the focal length of the lens rather than how long the lens is, however often a longer focal length lens is also longer in length. (Camera)

A view of a scene or character from a distance (Camera)

Low key lighting is opposite to high key lighting. Low key is generally full of contrast and shadows, creating mood and a more cinematic experience. Low key lighting has a lot of shadows and contrast. High key lighting has very little contrast and therefore shadows are minimal. (Lighting)

This describes the brightness (higher light value) of a visual image.

Lux and Footcandles are units of measurement for lighting. Lux is the the metric equivalent of footcandle.

A Macbeth Chart is used in the film and video production services industry as a visual means to check colour for camera profiling. It is ideal for rostrum work. (Camera crew)

A Machine Leader is a strong leader which is threaded through a film processing machine and used to pull film through the machine. A video production company will use a Machine Leader in the film labs. (Laboratory)

A Macro-Focus lens is used by video production companies to enable extreme close ups of a subject or object. The Macro-Focus is an essential part of a video production company’s kit when videoing tiny objects such as small insects, jewellery or other such items. Macro lenses require a lot of light and generally are used at higher apertures, otherwise the depth of field is too shallow. (Camera crew)

Is red-pink- purple colour which is the complementary colour of green.

A magic articulating arm can be used to hold small cameras, monitors, lights, flags, etc in place. Magic arms can be affixed by screwing into clamps, vacuum mounts or a variety of different grip devices (Grip)

They change the look, character of age of talent and are often used to make talent look their best or for special effects such as injuries.

Marks are exact places that the camera department give the talent to hit for focusing. Normally can have different colours – Marks can be Flat or raised – See Sausages.

The entire scene filmed end-to-end. The master shot is followed by filming close-ups or other shots, which can be cut within the scene in edit (Production)

Match Cut or match action cut is when two shots are taken to provide a smooth transition from one into the other cut. This can be used for a single camera shoot, moving from a wide shot to a close up for example. (Film Editing)

A dissolve linking images which have similar content. (Film Editing)

A matte box is placed on bars, directly in front of the lens to control light entering the lens. They often have flags to stop light sources from reaching the lens.

MCU is a Medium close up shot

An open faced 1K lighting unit. Also known as a ‘Redhead’. (Lighting)

A studio designed to mix film or sound. (film & video editing)

A monitor used in video production is a video display which may look similar to a TV, however it generally has no tuner built-in. Monitors may be with or without speakers. (Production / post-production / editing)

Black and White (Broadcast TV)

Motion Omit Sound – or commonly known as silent filming. (Production)

Medium Shot (MS): Defines any camera perspective between long shot and closeup, viewing the subjects from a medium distance.

Narration is the process of telling a story, often used by documentary production companies to give a solid understanding to viewers. Narrators generally don’t feature in the film, documentary or video production, instead simply telling the story in voiceover style. (Cast)

A Narrator is the individual used in a documentary production, educational video, public information broadest or corporate video production who tells the story. Video production companies and documentary makers refer to the Narrator as a Voiceover artist, however on-screen credits are expressed as a Narrator or Narrated by. (Cast)

ND Filters, also known as neutral density filters are used as a sunglasses over the lens (or in-camera as many modern video/cinema cameras have fitted internally). This enables camera operators to achieve a shallow depth of field in bright lighting conditions such as outdoors, without having to alter the aperture of the lens, which would increase depth of field.

Neutral Density Graduation or ND Grads as they are commonly referred to in the video and film industry are used for landscapes – to match exposure across the film, thereby balancing the overall picture (Camera crew)

Negatives are used in film or camera (non-digital) and represent a greyscale (black and white) image. Transparencies are colour versions of negatives. (Film Editing)

A bobbinet scrim is used to cut lighting intensity by either a half stop or full stop. (Grip/Lighting)

Usually refers to a classic black and white film noir style used in period films, typically employing harder lighting and the feel is dark - using low key camera lighting. (Camera/Lighting)

Non-linear or NLE editing is a method of editing digitized footage using computer software as opposed to analogue hardware video editing, where edits follow a succession from beginning to end. NLE editing platforms include Avid, Premiere, Final Cut and Resolve

A very old expression used to lubricate the pressure plate by wiping it along the side of the nose.

This is the distance between the subject and the edge of the frame in the direction the subject is looking. Also known as look room.

A recess on the film edge which automatically triggers a mechanism effecting modification of the duplication process, commonly a change of exposure / light intensity. (Film Editing)

National Television Standards Committee. The organization that sets the American broadcast and videotape format standards for the FCC. Colour television in the US at 525 lines per frame, 29.97 frames per second.

A lighting term used to mean an eyelight mounted a camera. (Lighting)

An octave is referred to by musicians in the video production industry (and all other musicians too) to mean a note with the same sound but higher or lower frequency. The technical interval between two sounds having a basic frequency ratio of 2 to 1 will produce one octave difference. (Sound)

Conversations between people or companies which are not recorded and should not be used for any purposes except for being a private and confidential conversation. Off the record is a term commonly used when producing documentary productions, political meetings or similar, where any recorded footage may not be used by a video production company, when both parties agree that it is strictly ‘off the record’. (Production)

It is off-scale if parameters are outside the range of the standard light values of a printer. (Laboratory)

Off-screen is an action or sound that occurs out of the range of view in a video or film. Off-screen action or sounds can be distracting and reduce the quality of the finished video, unless they are part of the planned process and add to the overall production values.

The editing process whereby the final edit list is compiled, usually in a more inexpensive edit room, in preparation for the on-line edit. (Video)

The online editing process takes the video tapes and creates the final video edit master, including effects, from the offline edit list. (Video)

How much you can see through something like a window, a material or a layer in video production. It is defined as the ratio of the amount of light falling on a surface to the amount of light which is transmitted. (Lighting)

Not to be confused with Visual Effects (VFX) – it is a lab procedure in which where shots are modified by the optical printer. These are most commonly seen as fades and dissolves, however, it can include a wide range of special effects procedures. Generally, this is done by computer generated effects today. (Laboratory)

This is a take which isn’t used in the final production.

Video Production term used for scene change. The first scene (of two scenes) of a dissolve or wipe effect which then changes into the second scene, known as the incoming scene.

A film and video production term with the same meaning as Ramping (see Ramping). Over-cranking produces slow motion effect because it films more frames per second (e.g. 100 frames a second). (Camera crew)

A type of shot which is slightly different to the POV (point of view) shot. This can be used in film or video production to show a moving subject walking within a scene or used in interviews to create a intimacy between the contributor and interviewer.

Overdubbing is the process of adding recorded sound to the original recording.

Repeating a section of the action in one shot at the beginning of the next, or using two cameras to match any overlap. This can produce a realistic scene transition. (Film Editing)

Overlay is the imposition of two or more video recordings, CGI, titles or graphics over one another. Sound may also be overlaid with foley or other recorded sounds such as ADR.

CRT (old screens) use overscanning to make sure images fill the screen area.

A video production company will refer to the Packaging of a production as being the mix of the script, key actors and the Director, used to attract financial backing for a film. (Production / financing)

PAL refers to Phase Alternating Line, the European, Australian and South African colour television standard - 25Hz frame rate and 625 lines per frame.

Pan is the horizontal movement of a camera left or right, generally used to enter a scene or follow movement. It can create a dynamic feel to a video production.

Pan handle is the arm which extends from the tripod head towards the camera operator and is used to move the camera smoothly for camera moves.

A PTZ is a device which remotely (or on tripod) is used to create horizontal, vertical or 3-D movement of the camera, plus controlled zoom speed. A PTZ controller can be used to more a remote head when operated on a camera crane or from a camera in the distance.

This is temporary scaffolding, for cameras, lighting, or other rigging. (Grip/Lighting)

A method of remotely powering a microphone/preamplifier or impedance converter which is built in into many microphones by sending a voltage along the audio cable. Generally, in video production this is 48V. (Audio)

A pick up or pick-up shot is when part of a production or part of a scene is re-shot, after filming is complete. Pick-ups can be used to augment the edit or to give additional emphasis or narrative to part of the production. (production)

Picture in picture is a viewing a screen with more than one video feed at the same time, with one screen smaller than the other on the monitor.

A Pigeon is a large heavy circular disc with a lighting stud – The pigeon is used to position a light on the floor – the lowest form of light stand. Also see Beaver Board (Lighting / Grip)

This is a signal used within audio production using a known frequency for sync or for standardising audio desk input levels – or a general tone use for testing. (Audio)

This is different than white noise because it has a proportionately equal level of energy (per octave of sound) (Sound)

The playback technique is used when filming music videos where music is played back to the artist whilst they are performing or miming. Playback also refers to playing back live or pre-recorded video footage either during live broadcasts or when filming or editing.

The Point-of-view shot (POV) shot is any shot filmed from the perspective of the person, a POV can be filmed without an actor present or for sports video, the wearer can wear the device on their head, their car windshield or bike etc. It gives the viewer of the video an idea of what the actor or sportsperson sees.

Post Production Supervisors are responsible for looking after the post production process and communication between edit, script and producers. (Post production)

Post-Production is the period following the completion of filming.

This refers to any light that can be seen on screen, such as a table lamp, chandelier, etc. (Lighting)

a tape with a control track, normally containing with SMPTE encoded time code, but without any picture or sound for helping in edit assembly.

Is the planning phase of a video or film project where concept, storyboards, scripts, casting and location scouting etc are carried out.

Pre-recorded sound or music for the video which is used for the production. Commonly used in animated films. (Sound)

A lens with a focal length which is ‘fixed’ and cannot be changed, which is different than a zoom or telephoto lens. Prime lenses used for video are different than photographic lenses as they have smooth and continuous changes between stops, whereas photographic lenses often have clicked stops. Prime lenses for film and video are generally rated in T-Stops rather than F-Stops. Common sizes include 14mm, 35mm, 50mm etc.

This is the main cinematography (camera work) recorded during the making of the video. (Production)

The producer is the main person (or team of producers for larger productions) who is responsible for managing all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production to ensure that quality is maintained, crew are managed effectively and budgets are adhered to throughout the making of the video. There are many types of producer from executive producer, supervising producer, series producer, line producer, assistant producer and sometimes the job title may not indicate the responsibility or scope of the producer’s role within a production.

Demo videos are made to showcase how a product works or to sell the main features and benefits of a product.

Used to accompany salesforce and distributor activity to showcase the highlights of a new product or service. Product launch videos can often include experts who give their opinion.

Production is the process of making a video or film and the end-goal of production is to make the finished video to an agreed standard, in agreed timescales, to an agreed budget.

Production assistants do a great deal of the day-to-day organisation for producers to make sure that each video production runs smoothly.

The production co-ordinator has a similar role to the production assistant and can be responsible for crew, equipment hire and organising administrative duties for the production.

The production manager can be responsible for managing all production issues outside directing the film or edit. The role is very flexible and demanding.

The production sound is the recording of sound for the video production. (Sound)

The physical equipment used by a sound recordist to mix dialogue or other location sounds during filming. (Sound)

Is a specialised suite where recording and processing of video and/or sound is made.

Is the individual responsible for managing and resourcing props for the video production.

This is special make-up effects using materials such as latex, gelatine, rubber, plastics or other materials to alter the appearance of a person to create a special on-screen character (e.g.the film Alien).

Quarter Inch is used by the video production industry to denote the width of traditional audio tape, used to record film production sound. (Sound)

Quartz tungsten halogen lamps are a type of lighting which transmits light rich in particular frequencies. (Lighting)

A frame carrying film in a processing machine. Rack can also refer to frame edit alignment - where a projected film remains properly framed on screen (in rack). (Lab)

Rack Focus is a technique often used by camera operators to shifting focus between subjects in the background and foreground so that the viewer's attention moves from subject to subject as the focus shifts. Rack Focus can also be used for objects also. It is often an effect which is used to create a dramatic or subtle change. (Camera crew)

When a different frame rate is used in the film production industry for example, to create slow motion, useful for filming sports video or live events. Shooting at a standard frame rate and then Ramping the frame rate to 100 fps will mean that the sports video or subject in a corporate video production will appear to be in slow motion when played back. (Film & video production)

The process of managing all dialogue, audio, music., foley etc into the master recording.

Any filming carried out not in the original schedule. It can be within the timescales of the filming schedule or done again afterwards if there are things which need to be done again or done differently.

A shot of an actor watching or listening while another actor does something. Reaction shots can be filmed as drop-ins if required within the video process. (Production)

Editing in real-time using hardware which is capable of playback at full frame rate whilst editing. (Editing)

Red is a term generally used for the RED brand of production cameras, used for making corporate, documentary and TV films.

Is a 1kW lighting unit. Also known as a ‘Mickey’. (Lighting)

Reflectors can be made of white or coloured materials, eg, silver, gold and used to bounce lighting (or natural sunlight) for creating fills or to enhance the shot. They range in size from as small as a hand up to many metres wide. Walls and ceilings can also be used as a reflector for shaping light. (Lighting)

A camera mount which is usually on la crane/jib and operated by remote control (wired or wireless). These are operated by the camera department specialists and are able to do repeated movements for special effects or when any element of repeatability is required

Video shoot away from the main studio or corporate offices, or in the open air on location, away from a controlled studio environment.

The colour remaining in an image after the video camera has been grey/white balanced. The less colour, the better the lighting and better the balance.

Resolution: The clarity or sharpness of the picture. Resolution is most often stated in the number of total lines that make up an image or in MHz.

A 180-degree shot, relative to the preceding shot. Reverse shots are generally best if filmed on the same side of the line. (Production)

In video production a rim light is used to cast a light on the edge (hair, shoulder) of a person or on the edge or rim of an object to make the subject stand out and separate it from the background, or simply to beautify the individual and make the production more appealing. (Lighting)

A riser or camera riser is equipment used to place distance (to lift) between the camera base and the tripod or track. A riser can be used to raise set height, lighting or camera equipment on set. (Grip/Lighting)

Is the ambient background noise of any location/room where audio recording is taking place. Also known as a Buzz track.

Rough cut: The first cut of a video production. Today, many rough cuts for corporate films are finely polished video productions for client approval and have been round the production company for changes before presentation to clients. (Film Editing)

The rule of thirds is when you divide the length of the frame into three and also the height and use the intersection points between the ‘thirds’ to place interesting points within the frame. For example, eyes, special objects etc.

The first level entry point into video production. A role supervised by the production crew such as a producer or an AD, the runner literally runs about doing essential things to keep the film set going and making the production more efficient.

Unedited Printed film or digital footage which is used to give to the editor for use/evaluation within the production (Laboratory)

Signal to Noise Ratio: This is the amount, expressed as a ration, of the wanted signal (sound) to the unwanted sound (noise). (Sound)

An additional take, done after a successful take, as an alternative choice. A safety wide is a fixed (or operated) camera used for cutting between and for establishing shots for productions such as live events.

Sandbags are used in a video production company’s lighting department to weigh down stands, which may have heavy lights attached to them (Lighting)

Saturation is a measure of strength or amount of a certain colour present. Removing the saturation of any colour turns the colour to greyscale in a television picture. Saturation in the film production industry determines the purity of colour. (Editing, post-production, broadcast)

When Marks are used which are raised, the term used in the film & video production industry is Sausages. Sausages allow the talent to hit the mark (the place where they need to stand) with more precision. (Production)

A continuous sequence of shots within a video production or film which separates it from the previous or upcoming sequence of events. For example, a car chase would be a scene in a movie.

The musical score is an original piece of work composed and arranged for a motion picture or TV production.

The process for developing a screenplay for TV, film or gaming

In video production a screen-splitter is used to separate/combine camera images which are then synchronised

Is the script written to perform on-screen for film, TV or for gameplay (rather than a printed book)

A scrim is a metal object which is placed in front of a light to shape the light. It works by allowing light through or blocking light to produce the desired effect (lighting)

The Script is the general story for the video production.

A script editor gives guidance and advice for screenplay productions and is a common link between parts of the production team and the scriptwriter.

The script supervisor maintains continuity and tracks props, blocking and other details to avoid re-shoots. Script supervisor annotations can speed up the edit process during video production.

Scriptwriters create dialogue or narration in the production of corporate films, TV productions and feature films. Often in corporate film-making scripts are a collaborative effort with clients contributing technical or other expertise to enhance the story and make it more realistic.

Scrubbing is moving tape or video rushes back and forth to help in assembling the video cut.

The second unit is a film unit often used to get cutaways or incidental shots not involving the main actors. Second units can help big productions reduce costs and improve production times as there is no need for the main crew or main actors to be present during filming (crew)

A senior light is a 5K Fresnel (lensed) lighting unit. (Lighting)

Is a junior stand which is braced and able to be used for large light fittings such as a 5K, 10K, etc lights. (Grip/Lighting)

The individual responsible for making the set it look like the Art Director or Set Designer intended during film production.

The individual responsible for designing the set and ensuring architectural integrity of the design

The individual responsible for furnishing and decorating the set.

The overall position of the camera when filming. (Crew)

The production process which involves filming (or video camera footage) being recorded. (Crew/Production)

This is the ratio of film recorded (shot) expressed as a ratio in comparison to the total finished production length. For example, if a 6 minute film requires 2 hours of shooting the ratio is expressed as 120:6 or in simple terms 6:1.

The recorded image in a frame between the start and end of the recording.

A long, directional microphone to focus the captured audio to within a narrow direction, for example to capture a person’s voice. Generally speaking, the longer the shotgun mic, the more directional the sound. The idea behind the shotgun microphone is that the noise outside the area you want to capture is reduced or eliminated, to enable a better quality of sound from your actor or contributor (in corporate film). (Sound)

A piece of white cardboard used as a reflector or to make special rigs. The showcard can be easily cut to shape. (Grip/Lighting)

The exaggerated hiss within a particular voice patterns. (Sound)

The line of sight between the actor/contributor and what they are looking at.

This is a material which provides diffusion or reflection. Lighting)

A silver lenticular screen, is a slang reference to a movie screen which originally contained tiny amounts of silver.

A shot with one one person in the shot. (Production)

Used in small corporate films or ENG (Electronic News Gathering) when sound is recorded onto the same media as the video image. (Camera)

The marked or electronic clapper board placed in front of the camera at beginning of a take.

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

SMPTE Time Code: Also known as Longitudinal Time Code. A high frequency signal that allows the accurate “locking” of film audio and video equipment. With numeric locator information.

Interference on the image/picture within a production.

Soaking up, muffling or dampening sound is called sound absorption. This can be used to reduce reverb (sound reflection) or to reduce or eliminate external sound sources during video production. The ultimate sound absorption occurs in anechoic chambers, designed to completely eliminate reflected and unwanted sounds

A member of the Sound Department who helps other members of the team such as the Sound Recordist.

A sound designer generally works on feature films and is creatively responsible for the way in which the production sounds, to assist soundtrack development.

A Director of Audiography (DOA) or Audio Director (AuD), The Sound Director is the head of sound experience within a production and oversees every aspect of sound.

The sound editor creates, mixes and repairs sounds to produce a coherent overall sound for the film production.

Sound FX is a pre-recorded, mechanical or electronically simulated sound to make the on-screen visual experience more realistic. (Sound)

The sound expert responsible for setting up recording equipment including microphones, mixers and monitors to capture authentic quality audio.

Sound supervisors work with the directors, and senior producers to organise and supervise sound department needs throughout the production.

A method of superimposing sound from one track onto another, to add new sound and mix the sound together.

Can mean the musical tracks from a film however it also refers to the total dialogue and mixed audio. (Sound)

Special Effects, Special FX Audio FX/Visual FX (VFX) are elements of visual or audio enhancements introduced to a film. It is done where re-creating the real thing may be impossible, very expensive or too time consuming.

Specular light is reflected light, such as the highlights in an actors eyes. Specular surfaces are generally uniform to reflect light directly as the original light source intended it to be shaped. (Lighting)

In traditional film cameras, the ‘call’ was ‘Speed’ to inform the director that the roll had reached the correct speed for filming.

Light spill is light that emerges or spills from the side of a lighting unit and generally is an undesired effect which may need to be corrected. (Grip/Lighting)

A theatric/feature film adhesive for prosthetics. Spirit Gum is strong but can be removed easily.

A side-by-side view within a single frame showing two or more different videos or sequences.

A lighting term which means a highly focused light. For example, on a Fresnel, it is the point where the light is tightly focused in one place and is regarded as the smallest spread possible for a particular light source. (Lighting)

Points where music cues will take place.

Another individual used to stand or sit in place of the real actor or contributor. This allows better camera/focus/lighting set-up before filming commences. (Camera)

A visual representation of the production to be filmed, showing roughly how the video or story will unfold during the video. Storyboards are useful in high-end film or corporate video productions.

Streaming video or streaming is the process of broadcasting video to mobile phones, tablet devices or desktop computers. Streams can be pre-recorded or recorded live (live streams), or for complex productions streams can be a mix of live and pre-recorded materials.

At the end of the filming session, striking is the process where the equipment is broken down, packed and moved away from the filming location.

The person responsible for coordinating the setup of stunts, working between various filming departments.

Matching up sound and vision in time is known as sync or synchronisation.

Sound which must be heard at the same time as an event, eg knocking on a door, etc.

Cinema lenses are rated in T-stops, whereas photo lenses are in F-Stops. The T-stop represents the real amount of light passing through the lens and the T-stop is generally always a higher number than the F-stop because of the difference between theory and actual light passing through the lens. (Camera crew)

Take down is the way light is dampened during video production through dimmers, nets, flags or scrims.

Actors, Musicians and Voice-over artists are called Talent in the film industry.

A Talking Head or Vox-Pop is an individual who generally talks to the camera to give a view, such as in News.

A detailed user-guide or technical insight into how a product functions. It is likely to be a promotional film which highlights the main features and benefits of the product in detail. (Promotion)

A lens with a long focal length, used for taking closeups from a distance, for example for wildlife filming or sports videos where the subject needs to be a lot bigger than they would appear with the naked eye if the viewer was standing next to the camera.

Teleprompters are sometimes called Auto-Cue, which is a brand of teleprompter. It displays scrolling text which is reflected towards the presenter’s face, as if it was being projected from the camera lens itself. This allows the presenter to talk directly to the camera and read a long script at the same time.

A tenner is a standard studio 10K lighting unit, as opposed to a baby 10 or a Big Eye, which are also 10K lighting units. (Lighting)

Testimonial films, also known as customer reference films, are filmed featuring a like-minded product or service user, which had similar problems to the target audience for the film, but solved their problem by using a particular product or service. They are very powerful sales tools because it is a respected third-party telling the sales story in a way which engages well with the viewer.

The area of the screen where titles or subtitles will be displayed, without being chopped off on different screens.

Equipment which enables the camera operator to film very low from the floor, using a fluid head.

This is the rail that a Dolly rides on during filming

A moving shot which tracks the subject or action (the camera is moved rather than panned or tilted).

A short publicity film which advertises a film or forthcoming presentations.

A Two-Column Script is a type of video script used by scriptwriters for films. (scriptwriting)

A camera view which includes two subjects, such as political interviews, corporate video interviews or educational video interviews.

UHD or Ultra High Definition is also sometimes called ‘4K’ by people although the formats are slightly different – 4K has a screen aspect ratio (format) more suitable to cinema screens, whereas UHD is 16:9 ratio which is the same as most home TV screens. UHD is 4x the quality of HD (1080p) TV. UHD is also known as 2160p (3840 x 2160 pixels).

An Ultrasonic Cleaner is equipment used by film and video production companies to clean film by using sound waves, without application of any pressure, solvents or abrasive techniques. (Lab)

Unbalanced Frame Rates will produce errors in production, for example if shooting at 22 frames per second. Video companies often use Ramping when choosing to shoot slow motion, however this should not be confused with Unbalanced Frame Rates (Camera Crew & editing)

Undercranking is filming using a low frame rate, which when played back, produces a fast-motion action.

The musical composition that provides emotional or atmospheric background to the primary dialog or narration onscreen.

Upscaling: Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of a standard or non-hi-def signal (such as standard DVD) to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280x720 (720p) or 1920x1080 (1080i or 1080p).

A device used to create variable Alternating Current from a standard mains voltage – Variac stands for Variable Alternating Current. (Lighting)

Varispeed is a methodology used in video production, to increasing or decrease the overall tape speed to allow matching with the musical pitch of tape playback. (Editing)

A white cardboard box for storing 1,000 feet of 35mm film is called a Vault Box. (Camera crew / labs)

A Veeder Counter is the brand of mechanical counter which is actuated using a rotary shaft movement. A Veeder Counter may be calibrated to systems of measurement like feet or frames. (Film editing)

See Visual Effects

A name given to a camera operator, DoP, Shooting Director – the name simply means a person who films video.

Visual Effects: are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects often involve the integration of live-action footage and computer-generated imagery (CGI) in order to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on film. They have become increasingly common in big-budget films, and have also recently become accessible to the amateur filmmaker with the introduction of affordable animation and compositing software.

Voice-over is the narration of a film or TV advert, which takes place in a studio, recording non-synchronously to any dialogue or footage recorded. The Voice-over artist is the talent whose voice is used.

Vox Populi are generally talking head interviews with members of the public on a radio or television programme.

An abbreviation short for Video Tape

A meter displaying audio levels in volume, used to monitor volume and distortion, to assist in optimising sound levels during video or film production. (Sound)

Produced by a Walla Group (a group of people used to create a Walla), a Walla is a sound effect used to simulate a crowd murmuring. This is a type of ambient background noise effect used in the film production industry to make documentaries, films, corporate video, sports video productions or educational video. A Walla Group can also be used in TV commercials or viral advertising campaigns to generate crowd noise or murmuring. (Sound)

Waste is a lighting term used in the video production and film industries to denote lighting which initially shines on a subject or object, then turns away producing a spilling or waste of light. (Lighting)

A Wave is a regular electromagnetic emission such as light or a sound pressure wave. The frequency, amplitude and minute changes in wavelength produce light and sound variations (Sound / picture / electronics)

Whip Pan (swish pan): Extremely rapid camera movement from left to right or right to left, appearing as an image blur. Two such pans in the same direction, edited together one moving from, the other moving to a stationary shot can effectively convey the passage of time or a change of location.

A white balance is when the camera is adjusted for the temperature (in kelvin) of the light within a scene. Light varies from warm (around 2,800k) through to values in excess of 10k (cold). A grey balance card (or white balance card if grey cards are not available) is used to reflect the light at the focal point of the scene and automatic white balancing can then be made, so that whatever the lighting temperature, white looks white, rather than too cool or too warm.

A signal having an equal amount of energy per hertz.

A wide angle shot is taken from a wide angle lens (like a 12mm, 14mm or 28mm lens for example), which enables a wide area to be captured within frame. Wide angle lenses can also be used to create distorted effects on faces or objects.

Wide open is what a DoP or camera operator refers to when the aperture of the lens is fully open (eg 1.4, 2.8) and the value of a lens which is wide open depends on the minimum f-stop of the lens, with some lenses being described as fast if they can achieve a low value such as f/1.2. When ‘fast’ lenses are wide-open, they can be used to film extreme shallow depths of field, where only a small part of the area filmed is in focus. Wide open lenses also let more light in and can be used in darker conditions or in light conditions when a Neutral Density (ND) filter has been added to reduce or stop light entering the camera.

A general term for film presentation in which a film is shown in an aspect ratio of greater than 1.33 to 1. In today’s terms, this now means in an aspect ratio of greater than 1.85 to 1.

Is like a wild track or wild sound, but is a line of dialogue, recorded either on set or at a looping stage, without any picture running.

Wild Track or wild sound is non-synchronous audio which is recorded to without being in sync with the moving picture. (Sound)

A wipe is an editing transition effect where there is a wipe between one shape to the next to cut between scenes or sequences. (Editing)

Stopping filming in said to be a wrap, which stands for WRAP stands for : wind roll and process. (Production)

The abbreviation sometimes used for wide shot, which is a wide angled lens revealing the scene location or used for establishing the start of a new scene. (Camera)

And X-Y Pattern is used for stereophonic pickup by video production companies. Two (cardioid) microphones are placed in crossed directions, producing a stereo pickup. (Sound)

Xenon is an inert gas, a chemical element, used in high intensity lighting. Xenon lighting used in video production and film-making, is further strengthened by use of a polished parabolic reflector to intensify the light source. (Lighting)

A triple conductor connector commonly found in studios and can be commonly seen connected (an XLR jack) to a microphone. An XLR jack has three or more conductors plus an outer case, shielding and locking the connectors together. (Sound)

YMC Numbers are ‘timing lights’ that a negative is printed at. The YMC Numbers indicate the value of the red, blue and green lights used in the printing process. (Lab)

The Zero Cut is a method of preparing A and B rolls for printing. The original shots in a Zero Cut overlap several frames. The roll change, to another roll to match the edited workprint is achieved automatically by the printer. (Film editing)

A Zip Pan is a quick pan from one shot quickly through to another – a form of transition performed by camera movement (Camera crew)

Zoom is generally achieved using a Zoom Lens. It is an optical effect used in video production and by film companies in which the image changes over time to be smaller or larger than the original view. Common terms such as Zoom in and Zoom out are often used when making film, corporate video, sports video or documentary productions. Zoom can also be created digitally in post-production for example when making an educational or scientific video production, where an image of the Earth or human body suddenly zooms in to display a town or an organ in the body. (Camera crew / production / post production)

A zoom lens is a lens with an adjustable focal length. A zoom lens is used in video production by a video production company to change and enhance the view of the image, making the overall effect more interesting.