24 bit color
Computer display where each pixel can have 256 levels of red, green, and blue resulting in 16+ million colors (256x256x256).
3/4-Umatic
Videotape format that uses 3/4-inch cassette tape.
3-D modeling
Graphics software based on drawing a wireframe outline of an object which can be rendered into a fully-formed, three-dimensional object. The appearance of the object can be rotated in space, artificially lit in various ways rendered with a variety of surface characteristics.
3-to-1 rule
Rule designed to eliminate phase cancellation that stipulates that a mic used by a speaker should be at least 1/3rd the distance of the next nearest mic.
8 bit color
Color display limited to 256 colors.
8mm film,
8mm video.
Video for film format that is 8mm wide.
A/B Roll
Editing
Editing from two source VCRs to a third recording VCR. A switcher or mixer is used to provide effects such as dissolves.
A/B Story
"A" story is the main story/theme while "B" story refers to the background story.
Above-the-line
Costs for creative and performing personnel (producer, writer, director, musicians, actors, etc.).
Aberration
Any optical or electronic distortion of an image.
A-Wind
Emulsion position of the film. Holding up a piece of film, if the emulsion faces you, then the image will appear correct. If its reversed (mirror image), it is considered B-Wind.
Academy
Aperture
The full frame of a 35mm image that is exposed by the camera. Aspect ratio = 1.33:1.
Academy
Leader
AKA "S.M.P.T.E. leader." The countdown leader used at the beginning of a film which allows the lab to line up the sound.
Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards
The coveted annual award, the "Oscar," which is presented to the "best of the best".
Academy of
Motion Picture Sound
A UK-based organization whose aims are to promote and encourage the science, technology and creative application of all aspects of motion picture sound recording and reproduction, and to promote and enhance the status and recognition of the contribution of those therein engaged.
Action
"Action" is called during filming to indicate the start of the current take.
ATSC
Advanced Television Systems; Committee formed to establish technical standards HDTV and other U.S. ditigal television systems.
Acceleration
editing
Condensing or expanding time through editing. In a dramatic production several hours of activity can be condensed into a few short scenes. Conversely, some directors will "drag out" an event beyond its actual time in order to heighten dramatic impact.
Access
In the context of newsgathering, the legal right a news reporter to go onto private property to obtain information or videotape footage.
Access
channel
Cable TV channel reserved for local community programming.
Access time
Delay between time information or action is requested from equipment and the desired response.
Acoustics
Characteristics added to basic sound resulting from reflective interactions within a room or studio.
Acquisition
format
Typically, footage shot on S-VHS or Hi8 intended to be transferred to a higher quality format in order to retain quality during subsequent editing and copying.
Action
cutting
Using editing to cut from one shot and camera angle to another during an action scene, giving the impression that multiple cameras are being used. During single-camera production action is repeated for a single camera positioned at different angles and distances and footage is cut together in editing giving the impression that there is uninterrupted action covered from a variety of camera angles.
action still
A still-frame captured during a production by an electronic still-store device. Sometimes used at the end of a production to key credits over.
Active lines
The total number of visible scanning lines in a video frame, or the total number of lines, minus the lines devoted to vertical blanking.
Actual malice
Broadcasting or publishing something with is either known to be false or with reckless disregard for its truth or accuracy. Often used during public elections.
Actuality
Tape or film of a non-studio event done as it is happening.
Acutance
The measure of sharpness of a clearly defined object in a scene as reproduced by a lens.
AD,
Associate or Assistant Director.
Individual who performs numerous functions assigned by director, including scheduling, supervising crews, conducting rehearsals, etc.
Actor/Actress
The "talent" who plays the role of a character.
Adaptation
Rewriting of fact or fiction for film presentation, usually in the form of a completed screenplay, or a proposal treatment.
Adapter shell
A holder for the VHS-C cassettes which allows their cassettes to fit into a standard VHS and 8mm players.
ADC
Analog-to-Digital Converter; Circuit designed to convert analog video or audio to a digital signal.
additive
color
Process used in color television in which colored light is combined in various proportions to create a full spectrum of colors. See additive primaries
additive
primaries
Red, green and blue. Colors added together in different combinations to create white and all other colors.
address
code, SMPTE/EBU time code
Digitized eight-digit coded information recorded on a film/tape which identifies each video field or frame.
address track
An approach to recording SMPTE/EBU time code within the basic video signal.
addressable
Cable or satellite decoder with a unique identity that can be used to deliver unscramble programming intended for a particular TV/subscriber.
Ddjacent
channel interference
When two images from different analog TV stations simultaneously appear on a TV screen. Normally, the station you're viewing is overpowered by another station one channel number higher or lower than the one you are viewing.
ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line; a high-speed data connection using standard telephone lines.
Added scenes
Material, shots, sequences, or scenes written into a script during its principal filming or after its completion.
Additional
Camera
An extra camera operator, often needed for complicated action sequences or stunts.
Additional
(Automatic) Dialogue Recording
AKA "A.D.R." The dubbing (re-recording) of additional dialogue in a film.
Additional
Photographer/Photography
Handles the secondary shooting or reshoots.
Advance
Advanced
Television, High Definition Television
Television that will have higher resolution than standard NTSC system.
Ad Lib
Improvised lines, phrases, or even action bits used by an actor in spontaneous reaction to the given situation of a scene.
Aerial Shot
Camera shot from the point-of-view of an airborne craft, such as an airplane or helicopter.
Affiliate
A broadcast station with a contract with one or more networks to carry their programming.
AFM
Audio Frequency Modulation, a technique used in VHS, SVHS, 8mm and Hi 8 VCRs to record high quality sound within the video information.
AFM
American Federation of Musicians; A musicians' union.
AFT
automatic fine tuning; An electronic circuit in a receiver that "locks onto" a station and (within limits) doesn't allow it to drift off frequency.
AFTRA
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; The union to which broadcast artists belong.
AGC
automatic gain control; Circuit that automatically maintains a pre-set audio or video level. Although convenient, the use of AGC circuits does not achieve the best results in some situations.
Agency
Meeting
Gathering in which a potential client of an agency meets with the agents to discuss the agents' plan and goals for creating a career for the potential client.
Agent
Manager responsible for the professional business dealings of an actor, director, screenwriter, or other artist. An agent typically negotiates the contracts and often has some part in selecting or recommending roles for their client.
Air check
A recording of an on-air segment done by or for a particular announcer to evaluate dictation, voice quality and general effectiveness.
Air date
Day on which specific program is to be broadcast.
Air monitor
TV set that shows what is being transmitted or recorded, or, in audio, the speaker that allows an operator to hear being transmitted or recorded.
air quality
Program material that meets technical (generally FCC) standards for quality.
ALC
Automatic Level Control Same as AGC.
Aliasing
Distortions occurring in the analog-to-digital conversion resulting from the creation of false signal components during the sampling process. Can be eliminated with filters.
alignment
tape
An audio or videotape containing picture and/or sound reference signals. Used for physically and electronically aligning a tape machine.
alpha channel
A signal generated from an image in video graphics (often a CG) that is used to cut out an area in a background image into which information (often text) will be inserted.
alpha wrap
Tape configuration around the video and audio heads associated with helical scan videotape machines. The tape partially surrounds the head drum.
alphanumeric
Referring to both numbers and letters.
Ambient
light, Base light, Fill light
Existing or created light that partially fills in shadows.
ambient sound
Prevailing background sound at a specific location.
American
Cinematic Editors
Union guild for film/video editors; also known as ACE
American
Society of Cinematographers
Organization dedicated to advancing the art of cinematography.
amortization
Dividing the cost of an expensive item over a specific number of years, generally for income tax write off purposes.
amp/ampere
A measure of electrical current volume. Fuses are rated in terms of the maximum amps they are designed to carry.
Amplifier
A circuit that increases the amplitude or level of an electronic signal.
Amplitude
The strength of a video or audio signal.
Analog,
Analogue
A signal that varies smoothly between certain ranges. An analog signal bears an exact, continuous relationship to the original information as opposed to a digital signal. Analogue does not use numerical storage or processing unike digital.
Anamorphic
A system which creates a widescreen image from a standard image, usually a lens used that has different magnifications in the horizontal dimensions from the vertical dimensions of the image. Anamorphic also commonly reffers to the aspect ratio of 2.35:1 which is generally achieved by the use of anamorphic optics though other anamorphic aspect ratios exist.
Ancillary
Rights
Enable the screenwriter to receive a percentage of the profits generated by the film in areas such as posters, action figures, books, records, T-shirts, etc.
Relationship between the camera and the subject(s) of the shot.
Angle of acceptance
Vertical and horizontal angle of view of a lens. AKA “field of view”.
Angle On
Direction in a shooting script which indicates that another camera angle is to be made of a previous shot, usually to emphasize a specific object in the shot.
Animation/Animator
Process of creating (or person responsible for) the illusion of motion by creating individual frames, as opposed to filming naturally-occurring action at a regular frame rate.
animation
stand
Adjustable structure that holds and controls camera and drawings (or objects) for creating animation.
Anime
Animated movies produced in Japan.
ANNCR
Script abbreviation for announcer
Annotation
Comment specifying the source of each script element that is not wholly fictional, including all characters, events, settings, and segments of dialogue.
announce
booth
A small, soundproofed room or enclosure with a microphone where voice recordings or on-air announcements are made
Answer Print
First completed edited-dubbed-scored, color-and-sound print of a film ready for initial scrutiny by the production team.
Antagonist
Villain of the film or script who is in conflict with the protagonist.
Anthology
A collection of short segments or stories assembled into a single production
antenna
Device which either receives or radiates an radio frequency signal.
anti-aliasing
The process of smoothing the jagged effect around curved and diagonal lines in electronic graphics through the use of filters.
Anticlimax
Anything that happens in the final few moments of a film that dulls down the story crescendo and leaves the audience feeling let down and unsatisfied.
Antihero
Protagonist who has pronounced personality or character defects or eccentricities which are not usually associated with the hero archetype.
Aperture
1. Measure of the width of the opening allowing light to enter a camera. The apparent diameter of a lens viewed from the position of the object against a diffusely illuminated background is called the "effect aperture". The ratio of focal length of a lens to its "effective aperture" for an object located at infinity is called the "relative aperture", or "f/stop". Higher apertures allow more light to enter a camera, hence darker scenes can be recorded. Conversely, lower apertures allow less light to enter, but have the advantage of creating a large depth of field.
2. The size of the "gate" which determines the size of the actual image captured on film.
approximate
color consistency
The human ability to visually correct for changes in color temperature. For example, a white piece of paper will appear white under both daylight and incandescent light even though the actual color will vary more than 2,000oK.
arc light
Intense light produced by electricity passing between (arcing across) two electrodes.
arc
The movement of a camera on its dolly along a curved path.
archive
Long-term, off-line electronic storage, generally on some form of disc or magnetic tape.
Arm
Metal rod (arm) which attaches to a C-Stand.
Arri
Abbreviation for the Arriflex Camera, a brand of lightweight reflex motion-picture camera which comes in both 16mm and 35mm sizes
Art
Department
Crew concerned with visual artistry of a production. Members of art dept. include: Art director, assistant art director, draftsman, leadman, production designer, production buyer, property master, set dresser, special effects supervisor, among others.
Art Director
Individual who oversees the artists and crafts people who build sets.
artifacts
Any type of visible or aural defect resulting from aberrations in the television/film processes.
artist
permission
Authorization from a recording artist to use their copyrighted works in a production.
A.S.A.
Sensitivity to light which measures the film's speed. (Example: ASA 400.) "ASA" stands for American Standards Association.
Aspect Ratio
Measurement of the relative sizes of the horizontal and vertical components of an image.
Assembly
Edit
In contrast to insert editing, an editing process whereby a new video or audio sequence is consecutively added to a previously edited scene, complete with the associated control track.
assignment
editor
The individual in a broadcast news room who has the responsibility of assigning news and ENG stories to specific reporters.
Assistant
Art Director
Assistant to the art director.
Assistant
Cameraman
Member of the camera crew who assists the camera operator and is responsible for the maintenance and care of the camera. Also may do duties of clapper-loader and/or focus puller.
Assistant
Director/Associate Director
Duties include tracking the progress of filming versus the production schedule and preparing the call sheets.
Assistant
Film Editor
Editing room crewmember responsible for providing logistical assistance to the editor. Duties vary, depending on whether picture or sound is being edited.
Assistant
Production Manager
Assistant to production co-ordinator.
Associate
Producer
Producer who shares responsibility for creative and business issues.
Association
of Film Commissioners International
Non-profit educational organization that assists the needs of on-location film, television and commercial production.
Association
of Film, Television and Radio Artists
Association with jurisdiction over some works that can be recorded by picture or by sound.
Association
of Motion Picture and Television Producers
Union guild for Film/TV producers.
associate
director
An individual who assists the director during a production with such things as keeping track of time, seeing that camera shots and tape and film inserts are ready when needed, etc.
Atmosphere
Tone or dimension added to the action by concrete or nebulous qualities or elements such as rain, wind, heat, cold, danger, spookiness, tranquillity.
atmosphere
introduction
Beginning a video segment with a scene or series of scenes intended to establish the conditions, habitat, environment, spirit, or climate of the central subject matter.
attenuate
To decrease the level or of a signal, either audio or video.
Auction/Bidding
War
Situation in which a spec script, book, or written material is presented to several studios, all wanting to buy the work.
audio board
(see audio mixer)
audio channel
A single audio circuit, generally consisting of an amplifier and one or more audio controls.
audio
compressor
Audio-processing circuit that reduces dynamic range by simultaneously raising low audio levels and lowering high levels so that a more consistant level is achieved.
audio
console (see audio mixer)
audio
control booth
Small room where all audio is controlled and mixed.
audio dub
Making a copy of an audio tape. In television, the recording of sound only, without disturbing the picture.
audio
expander
An electrical circuit which increases the dynamic range of an audio signal. The opposite of a compressor
audio-follow-video
A switch that simultaneously switches both video and audio.
audio limiter
An electronic device intended to restrict the maximum amplitude of a signal. Similar to a compressor
audio mix
Audio track created through combining multiple sound sources.
audio mixer
A device that allows the simultaneous combining and blending of several sound inputs into fewer outputs, typically one or two outputs.
audio monitor
An audio amplifier and speaker system used to check and listen to audio during a production.
audio slate
Voice track information recorded at the start of a tape identifying the production. This might include the series title and episode number, the director, the production date and the planned air date. Generally a video slate is also included with essentially the same information.
audio speaker
A electro-mechanical device for reproducing audio which changes electrical energy into sound.
audio
sweetening
A postproduction process designed to correct problems in audio as well as to enhance and supplement audio tracks.
audio
technician
A person who is in charge of some phase of audio. Generally, a person who operates an audio board.
Audio track
The portion of the videotape/film that records sound.
audition
channel
An audio monitor circuit enabling a technician to listen to, preview and cue audio sources before sending them through the audio console.
autofocus
Electronic system in some cameras that attempts with varying degrees of success to automatically focus subject matter.
auto key
tracking Chroma key tracking
Ability of a video effects system to retain the appropriate size of a keyed-in image when the camera supplying the background video is zoomed in or out.
auto-assemble
Automatic editing of videotape to conform to previously-generated edit-decision list (EDL).
auto key
A type of key effect in which one video source is used to establish the external shape of the key.
Automatic
Dialogue Replacement (ADR)
Re-recording of dialogue by actors in a sound studio during post-production, usually performed to playback of edited picture in order to match lip movements on screen.
automatic
exposure control
System that responds to varying light conditions by adjusting a camera's iris in an effort to automatically attain optimum overall exposure.
automatic
gain control
Circuit for audio or video that automatically increases or decreases (as needed) the strength of the incoming sound or picture to maintain optimum signal strength. Very similar to a compressor in audio applications.
automatic
iris control
Electronic device that automatically alters the lens aperture in response to the level of light.
automatic
transition
A feature on many switchers that automatically executes dissolves, wipes, and other transitions without the use of the fader levers.
aux/auxiliary
An output or input channel on mixers that allows a signal to be sent to, received from, or manipulated by an external device.
available
light
The naturally-existing light which illuminates a scene.
Avant Garde
Experimental or highly independent film that is often the forerunner of a new artistic genre
AVID
A particular software for use on a non-linear editing system.
axis of
action ("the line")
An imaginary line on one side of subjects. If one camera is on one side of the line and another is on the other side, cutting from one camera to another will make objects appear to reverse direction.
Azimuth
Refers to the left-right or east-west adjustment in tracking satellites. Also used for the ammount of slant to tape recorder heads.
B Roll
Cutaway shots which are used to cover the visual part of an interview or narration.
baby boom
Small suspension device for holding a microphone.
Backdrop
Artificial background, usually painted on a cyclorama, curtain, or flats, used to achieve the effect of a natural environment such as a forest, beach, prairies, mountains, or other landscape in a shot or sequence.
Backend
Film's profit from theater ticket sales, video rentals, and ancillary markets.
back focus
Adjusting the distance between the back of a lens and the camera target to attain the sharpest image possible of an object at infinity. Back focus adjustment determines whether a zoom lens will stay in focus when moved through its focal length range.
Back (REAR)
Projection
Photographic technique whereby live action is filmed in front of a screen on which the background action is projected.
Background
Artist
Individual responsible for designing or constructing the art placed at the rear of a set.
background
generator
Electronic circuit that adds color to a blank background area
backhaul
Sending a video feed from a local area via satellite back to the main distribution area for retransmission via satellite.
back light
Light directed from behind and above the subject used to separate and add dimension to a scene. Slightly stronger than front light.
back-up
schedule
A "plan B" schedule of shots or scenes that can be substituted for planned shooting schedule in case of illness of a principal actor, bad weather, mechanical or technical problems, etc.
backlight
compensator
BLC A camera control that opens up the lens aperture two-to-three f-stops. Used to compensate for the error made by automatic iris circuits when shooting into light or against a bright background.
background
light
Light intended to illuminate a background. Generally about two-thirds the intensity of the key light.
background
music
Sound track music intended to enhance drama or visual elements during a production.
background
projection (See rear projection)
backlight
switch
Camera control which overrides auto iris system and opens the iris two or three f-stops. Commonly used in backlit situations where auto-iris would result in dark skin tones and underexposure.
backtime
Calculating time for a show backwards from the end to determine when segments should start in order to bring the show out on time.
balanced
input/output
An audio input or output for devices that consists of two conductors surrounded by a grounded shield.
balanced
mic/balanced line
Typically, a two-conductor audio cable enclosed in a metal shield, which, as a result is relatively immune to hum and other electronic interference. Unbalanced lines have only two conductors.
Balance
Stripe
A second stripe opposite of the magnetic sound stripe on film used to prevent warping. Some people use this stipe to record secondary audio information.
Ballast
An electrical transformer that changes electrical voltage for HMI lights.
Band
Range of audio or radio frequencies.
banding
A picture artifact or fault whereby smooth brightness or color gradients appear to be comprised of bands of brightness or color, often the result of too few bits used to represent each sample of a picture. Banding could make a billiard ball look like a sliced onion. This is very common on DVD.
bandwidth
The difference in Hz between the highest and lowest frequency components of a radio frequency (RF) signal. The total radio frequency range used by a signal.
bar chart
A graphic consisting of vertical bars which show the relative difference between selected variables
Barn Doors
Hinged metal flaps attached to tops and/or sides of lighting devices in order to control the light, create desired shadows, or block unwanted shadows
barney
A cover for a video or film camera designed to protect it from dirt, rain, snow, sand, etc.
bars and tone
A carefully-controlled audio and video signal generally recorded at the beginning of a videotape and later used to properly setup playback equipment. "Bars" consist of a test pattern of color bars "tone" consists of an audio signal of 1000 Herz at 0dBU.
barrel
connector
An adapter that allows two cables to be connected together.
Base
The clear perforated strip of a piece of film.
baseband
audio and video
Composite audio and video, as opposed RF modulated.
base light
Even lighting used over a set or production area. Often a set is initially lit with basic (base light) illumination, and then the key and back lights are added.
base station
Central digital control system used for adjusting levels, color balance, etc. of several studio cameras.
basic make-up
Primary or elemental make-up. As opposed to corrective or character make-up, make-up intended to significantly alter or enhance appearance.
bass
Audio tones of low frequency--typically below 300Hz.
battery light
A battery operated, portable light commonly used for ENG work. Often mounted on top of camera.
bayonet mount
A camera mount that locks a lens securely into place with only a partial turn. This contrasts with the C-mount that requires numerous turns to secure.
BBS
Electronic bulletin board system. An electronic source of text, images, real-time discussions, and computer programs available over telephone lines by computer modem hookups.
beam
projector/beam spot projector
A spotlight that projects a focused, hard and generally narrow beam of light often used to simulate sunlight coming through a window.
beam splitter
A prism or dichroic mirror device used behind a camera lens usually to divide the light into the three primary colors.
Beat
Directional word used to indicate a pause in an actors speech or action.