Below is our glossary. The list is endless and we will be continually adding to it, so why not let us know if you have any we have not thought of yet.
A
Aerial Shot
Footage that is filmed from the air. This can consist of a number of methods including Helicopters, Airplanes or Quadcopters.
Amendments
Revisions to a script, video etc. When editing a video the client will often be given a number of times you can make amendments. For example the client will have 2 sets of amendments from the first draft to final draft.
Animation
Animation is the process of creating motion. This can be a 2-D or 3-D artwork, which is them animated.
Aperture
The measurement of the opening of the camera lens that allows light to enter, often referred to in terms of F stops.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio refers to the ratio of the video height and width. Older footage had an aspect ratio of 4:3 however, nowadays, 16:9 is much more common.
B
Boom Mic
A microphone that is supported by a boom pole and is hand held by the sound recordist.
Broadcast Quality
Standards developed by the National Association of Broadcasters. To ensure consistency across to industry
Broadcast Video
Video that is produced for the purpose of Broadcast
B Roll
Shots Captured that are used as cut away shots in post-production.
Binaural Sound
This is a method of recording a 3-D sound sensation. The viewer will need to wear headphones to listen to the audio and will create the effect of the viewer being in the room.
C
Cameraman / Camera Operators
The person that is filming the subject matter and operating the camera.
Call Sheet
A sheet that has information for cast and crew about locations, contact details and times on a shoot.
CF Cards
Compact Flash cards used on some camera’s to record footage.
Colour Temperature
The light source colour, which is measured in K (Kelvin)
Corporate Video
Video that is produced for a corporate company,
Composition
The layout of a shot which can include shot size, framing and focus.
Crew
The team that work behind the camera, such as cameramen, lighting technicians, sound recordists etc.
D
Deinterlace
This is the process of converting an interlaced video.
Director
Member of the production crew, who is in charge of organising the visuals of the shoot.
DSLR
DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. These are still cameras with the capability to record HD video, such as the Canon 5D.
DOP (DP)
Stands for Director Of Photography. This is main person in charge of the camera and lighting team on set. They will also be trained as a Lighting Cameraman and will often be operating a camera during the shoot.
Dedo Light
Lights which are often used in interview settings, to create a soft light on the subject matter.
Drone
A light weighted propeller aircraft that can carry a light camera, from go pro size to c300 size. They are often manned by 2 crew and can give amazing aerial shots rather like a helicopter.
Diffuser
Used for lighting, a diffuser diffuses or scatters the light to give a soft light.
Dissolve
An editing trasition where one image is gradually replaced by another.
E
Editing
Editing is the post-production process. This will involve an editor inputting all the rushes, laying the footage down in the edit suite and cutting the footage together under the director or producers instruction.
Edit Suite
This is the system the editor works on and will have the relevant editing software such as, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Affects, Avid or Final Cut Pro.
Establishing Shot
These are the shots at the beginning of a video or sequence that set the scene for the viewer.
F
First Draft
This will be the initial document or video file, which is created. This will then be reviewed by the client and production team before making the first set of amendments.
Final Draft
This is the final piece, which is produced for the client. This could either be the final draft of a script or final draft of a finished video.
Format
This refers to the type of video you are shooting. For example this could be referred to as standard definition or high definition. May also be referred to as 1080p or 920p
Frame Rate
This is the number of frames you are shooting in and are often referred to as a number followed by the letter p for progressive. For example full HD would be referred to as 1080p
Focus
The sharpness or bluriness of a shot by manipulating the lens of the camera.
Foley
The creation of sound effects by recording sounds and mixing them together and adding effects.
G
Gels
Often used for lighting, this is a sheet of paper, which is placed over the light to create a different colour.
Graphics
Graphics is often confused with animation. Graphics can be either 2-D or 3-D text or imagery, which can be left still or then be animated to create motion.
Green Screen
This is a screen, which is behind the subject matter and is green in colour. Then in post production the green background is replaced with another background, such as an image.
GoPro
Small, portable camera that is extremely versatile. It is often used in extreme sports, wet conditions or situations that require a camera that is lightweight and durable.
H
Handheld shot
A shot without the use of a tripod or equipment to stabilize movement. The camera is literally ‘handheld’ and is often purposefully used to exaggerate shakiness or instablilty particularly for action scenes.
HD
Abbreviation for High Definition. Commonly used in television and film making and watching.
HDMI
Abbreviation for High Definition Multi Interface, which is a cable that is commonly used between a video device and monitor. To send and receive picture and sound.
Head Room
The term used to describe the amount of room in shot between the top of the subject and the top of the frame
H4N Zoom Recorder
Device which records sound. These are often used on camera such as the Canon 5D.
I
Initial Concept
The first brief or idea that outlines the key visions for a video or show. This is then build on to form the basis of a production.
Interlace
A common way to compress a file. When a video is interlaced this doubles the frame rate and the video signal alternates between odd and even lines creating a smooth image on the viewers eye. Occasionally interlaced videos can create blurring from the fast motion on screen and will then therefore require deinterlacing.
J
Jib
This is a piece of kit, which is used to balance the camera on one end with the controls at the base, to achieve shots in the air and can be maneuvered by the jib operator.
Jump Cut
A cut used in editing that abrubtly jumps to a later part of a continuous shot. it can often look jarring for effect.
K
Kit
Terminology for equipment used for filming, such as camera’s lights, sound etc.
Key Light
A light that is used to light the main subject matter.
L
Lighting Cameraman
Cameraman who is also trained in lighting. They will set up lighting on a shoot as well as operating the camera. On large shoots they report to the DOP.
Looking Room
The space in a shot between the subject and the edge of the screen. Looking room is often on the side where the subject is facing.
Lens
Part of a camera that can either be fixed or interchangeable. This focuses on the image to be able to capture the footage
M
Monitor
A screen to view the footage on. Small monitors or I pad systems are often used by directors and producers to view the footage live whilst filming.
Monopod
Similar to a Tripod, but with a single extendable locking leg rather than three.
Movi Rig
Camera rig that stabilises the camera. You are able to move about freely without a tripod getting angles you would not otherwise capture.
N
Natural Light
Use of light that occurs naturally on a set i.e. sunlight.
NTSC
O
OB
Abbreviation for outside broadcast.
Outside Broadcast
Live feed, which is mixed on location. This is often mixed in an OB truck with a vision mixer and director. It can then be fed to a projector for concerts and live events or a live feed in broadcast.
Offline Editing
Editing which is done outside of an edit suite on a laptop or small computer to enable fast turnaround on a project, such as news stories.
P
Pre-Production
The planning process in video production. There are three parts pre production, production and post-production. The pre-production phase ends when the content starts being produced/ filmed.
Production
The action of making a product, in this sense production is the action of filming the footage. This takes place after pre-production has ended and before post-production begins.
Post Production
The final stage in video production. Once the footage has been filmed it will be given to the editor to begin the editing stage. Post production includes both online and offline editing. This is the stage where the final product will be produced and then delivered to the client.
Producer
Props
Items used for the set such as furniture, decorations or handheld objects.
Q
Quadcopter
A remote controlled piece of equipment which has rotors to lift it up and fly above the ground. Camera’s can be attached to this for overhead filming. Also referred to as a drone.
R
Radio Mic
A microphone that does not require the use of connecting wires and therefore can transmit and receive audio wirelessly. Often used for interviews.
Rough Cut
A simple cut of the production with the shots edited into order but lacks attention to detail
Real Time
The actual time the process took to occur.
Rushes
The footage produced from filming, which are in raw, unedited, form. Also referred to as Dailies
S
Shot
A continuous take of unedited footage.
Script
A written piece that details the story, setting and dialogue.
SD
Abbreviation for Standard Definition.
Sticks
Tripods are commonly referred to as this.
Static Shot
A shot that has no camera movement.
T
Time-Lapse
Time Code
A sequence of numbers that are generated at intervals to sync with the footage filmed.
Tracking Shot
This refers to a shot that is captured whilst the camera is moving, this can be done by using kit such as a track and dolly and mounting the camera onto this.
Talent
The main person on camera; presenter, actor, actress etc.
Tilt-shift
A technique used to turn a wide shot of a large area into a ‘miniature’ scene. This can be done with a tilt shift lens or by editing in post-production.
U
Upload
This refers to the process of transferring the rushes to the edit suite.
V
Voice Over
Recorded dialogue, usually narration, that is added on top of a sequence to add information to the narrative.
View Finder
Eye piece that you look through to compose and focus the shot.
VT
Abbreviation for video tape, this refers to an insert that is played back for the viewer or audience to watch during a video or live recording.
Vimeo
A platform to showcase video
W
Wide Angle
This refers to the focal length that the lens is able to cover. A wide angle will be a short focal length covering a wide angle.
Wrap
The completion of a shoot.
X-
XLR cable
A cable that is used when recording audio.
Y-
You Tube
A platform to showcase video.
Z-
Zoom shot
A shot in which the magnification is increased or decreased (i.e zoom in or zoom out) to capture the detail on camera.