GLOSSARY

24p 24 frames per second, progressive scan.

5.1 audio Refers to the positions in a five-speaker set up, with five speakers placed to the right, center, left, right rear, and left rear of the TV set and one ban speaker. This kind of mixing is also called AC3 and Dolby Digital, and is prominent in DVDs, theatrically released films using SDDS and DTS systems, and in some television broadcasts. 5.1 audio requires a specially-equipped television set to hear it at home.

A

Above-the-line People on a project who are paid a fixed amount, such as producers, writers, directors, primary actors, and legal counsel. Each requires a negotiated fee, including union affiliation, time required, special perks, and star power. This group is also known as the “creatives.” This category includes acquisitions to script rights.

Account (or Key Budget Category) The accounts on a budget, including all the departments, all costs above and below the line, and all expenses.

Acoustics The quality of sound and noise in an enclosed environment used for recording sound during a shoot, such as a sound stage, or a room.

Actual In a budget, the amount actually spent as opposed to an estimated amount.

ADR (Automatic Dialogue Replacement) Also known as looping, this process involves actors recording, or rerecording, dialogue. In the controlled conditions of a recording studio or sound stage, clean dialogue is recorded to replace lines with noise interference, a bad reading, or a new line not in the original performance. The actor matches his or her performance in the scene by synchronizing to lip movements in the picture on a monitor in the studio.

AEA Actors Equity Association, a union for on-stage actors.

AFTRA American Federation of Television and Radio Actors, a union that represents actors in television and radio.

Agent (for talent) A talent agent suggests the actors or performers that he or she represents to casting directors, producers, and/or directors. The agent sets up auditions, negotiates contracts, and is responsible for the actor's schedule, makeup, and wardrobe calls, call times, and so on. The agent is generally franchised by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Actors (AFTRA), and commonly receives 10 percent of the actor's earnings.

AGVA American Guild of Variety Artists, a union that represents performers such as fire jugglers, sword acts, etc.

Ambient sound Sound effects or noise in the background that are natural to the location and don't include dialogue or production audio.

Angle The direction at which a camera or microphone is aimed at the subject that it is recording.

Art director Assists the production designer or, when there is no production designer, serves as the production designer.

Assistant director (AD) Depending on the project, the AD might hire and be in charge of background extras, as well as direct any action in the background. In a studio shoot, the AD works with the director in the control room and communicates the director's orders to the crew on the studio floor.

Associate producer (AP) Also called the assistant producer, he or she does specific jobs that the producer assigns, such as creating production schedules, providing budgets to departments, booking talent and/or crew, research, interviewing talent, finding locations, supervising union-related functions, etc.

Attached An actor, director, or other talent who has committed to an involvement in a project, thus adding extra value to a project's viability.

Audio crew The mixer and boom operators on the set/location.

Audio editing Includes editing, positioning, and mixing dialogue, music, sound effects, and other audio components.

Audio log A form kept by the producer and/or postproduction supervisor with details pertinent to the audio mix, such as the tape number with time codes (in and out point numbers), the scene number, and the take number with a short description of what's been recorded.

Audio mixer (or audio editor) The person responsible for mixing all audio sources, such as dialogue, music, and sound effects.

B

B-roll Extra footage that isn't the primary shot, used for montages or cutaways.

Back-end Revenue that comes at the end of the project, such as royalties or fees for participation.

Background People walking in the background, eating at tables around the actors, or as audience members in a talk show. They lend credibility and energy to the project.

Back light One of three main light sources, the back light helps illuminate the background and allows the subject to stand out.

Bars Color bars that are generated by the video camera and help in the edit process.

Below-the-line The costs involved in the actual production process, they are more easily predicted, and cover crew and equipment, resources, special effects, and other standard expenses such as overhead, insurance, and more.

Bible A standard set of guidelines for a television series that includes character outlines, plot progressions, and elements that can and can't go into the show.

Bins Digital storage folders in an NLE system in which sequences, clips, and blocks of footage are named and described to make editing easier.

Blocking Comparable to a sequence of steps and actions, like choreography in dance, the director or producer “blocks the scene” before shooting. Blocking examines the positions between actors that the camera is shooting, as well as the movement that takes place, where the camera is going to be, and what is it shooting. The final placement of the actors is often marked with masking tape on the floor as reminders.

Blue screen (or green screen) A screen or background material that is blue (or green) against which the action is shot. These screens can be hundreds of feet long, or can be 8′ × 8′ mobile traveling screens. In editing, the subject is “lifted” off the background and combined with other visual effects. This process is called a chroma key effect.

Boom A microphone at the end of a long pole that is aimed over or under the audio source.

Boom operator Person responsible for operating the microphone boom (a long pole with a microphone at the end and mic cables) that records an actor's dialogue during the filming of a scene. The boom operator follows the action with the microphone as the actors move around the set or location.

Bounce light Indirect light that results from deflected light off special reflectors, white cards, or set pieces.

Branding The specific process of attaching an image, a personal association, and/or a powerful meaning to a product or company. Branding results in higher consumer comfort for buying the product or using the company's services.

Breakdown sheet A form used by the producer, director, and/or key department heads that lists all the elements needed in a scene, such as actors, furnishings, props, etc.

Break down At the end of a shoot, the crew disassembles, or breaks down, all the lights, cameras, and audio equipment, and whatever isn't needed for the next shot is packed away. On locations, the crew removes protective coverings, and masking tape, puts items back in their original positions, and cleans up the location.

Business Physical movements and actions performed by an actor that add to the character's nuance, such as smoking a cigarette in anger.

C

C-stand (century stand) A metal pole with a secure base that is strong enough to hold lighting equipment, sound blankets, and other devices during production.

Call back The second or third audition for an actor for the same part.

Call sheet The daily production schedule that tells each person in the cast and crew what time to arrive on set or location and what scenes are scheduled to be shot.

Camera crew Works under the direction of the director of photography to capture action on film/video of the scene, as it will appear on film.

Camera operator The camera man or woman who operates the camera. Also called the shooter, he or she either works with the DP or doubles as the DP.

Camera setups Each time the camera and microphone is moved for a new angle.

Casting Finding actors for all the principle roles, as well as supporting actors and extras through the audition process.

Casting director A professional who is familiar with a variety of actors and their performance range. He or she first interests the actor's agent or manager in the role, arranges for auditions, and works with the producer and director in the selection.

Cathode ray tube (CRT) An electronic vacuum tube that transmits a focused stream of electrons onto a phosphorous screen, and results in an image on a television set, computer monitor, and other devices.

CCD (charge coupled device) An electronic chip in most recent video cameras that converts light and images to electrical impulses. For example, a three-chip video camera has three separate CCDs, and produces a sharper, higher-quality color picture than the standard single-chip cameras with only one CCD.

CG (character generator) Often called chyron, the CG is used to “write” text electronically on the video picture, in opening and closing credits, show titles, and in the lower third of the picture to identify a speaker or what's happening on the screen.

CGI (computer generated imagery) The creation and manipulation of images through digital computer technology.

Character actor An actor or performer who specializes in playing secondary roles that are more focused on character than star power.

Choreographer The person responsible for the planning and staging of the dance number(s) for a show.

Chroma A video term relating to true color, with no blacks or grays.

Chroma key backdrop See blue screen.

Clearance Obtaining legal written permission to use music, a script, footage, or other aspects necessary in a project.

Close-up (CU) A camera frame that shows a close view of a face or an object.

Closing credits Text that details the cast and crew of a program, along with other production information.

Co-executive producer An additional executive producer who may share some of the responsibilities of executive producing, or who may bring funding or other added value to the production.

Color bars The traditional test of a video signal, this series of vertical bars—white, yellow, cyan, green, magenta, red, blue, and black—appears at the beginning of a reel.

Color correction Changing or correcting the color, hues, or tones of footage by using a color corrector or time base corrector.

Completion bond A form of “insurance” that guarantees that the project, usually a film, will be finished on schedule or else the bank and/or investors will get their money back.

Component video A video signal that separates the chrominance (the color) from the luminance (the blacks and whites), resulting in sharper detail and color.

Composer Responsible for the project's musical score, he or she works closely with the producer and director in finding the musical direction of the project, and writes music that matches the picture, as well as opening and closing themes.

Composite video The luminance and chrominance are combined to form one analog signal.

Compression A digital video storage system that reduces, or compresses, the data in the footage, which facilitates storage space.

Conform In the editing process, the editor takes the final cut from the NLE or offline and matches it with the original, high-resolution footage in an online session.

Conglomerates Large corporations that are involved in and control a variety of media, such as television stations, film studios, newspapers, magazines, and more.

Content Another word for a show, program, or project for distribution on cable, network, nonbroadcast, and Internet.

Content provider A media company or independent producer who produces program material, or content for delivery.

Contingency A back-up fund, usually about 10% of the final budget total, that covers mistakes on the shoot, bad-weather days, and other realities in production.

Continuity The seamless movement from one shot or scene to the next that isn't interrupted by mismatched clothing, actions, set pieces, etc.

Co-production A partnership or joint venture formed for the production of a specific project or projects.

Copyright The exclusive legal right of a writer, author, composer, artist, or publisher to control and dispose of his or her work.

Courtesy credit The acknowledgment of contributors, investors, or services by listing their names or businesses in the closing credits of a program.

Coverage The variety of angles at which a scene is shot.

Cover set A fully-dressed interior location that the production can move to in case of sudden problems from an exterior location, such as equipment failure or bad weather.

Craft services Catered food, snacks, and beverages brought on set or on location.

Crane Similar to a dolly, a crane moves the camera using a balanced arm. Unlike a dolly, a crane has more mobility to rise or descend.

Crawl Also known as end credits or closing credits, the graphic text information moves vertically or horizontally on the screen.

Creatives Above-the-line personnel, writers, actors, directors, or other key union members.

Credits The complete list of all the cast and crew who worked on a project, from its beginning to end, and who are given “credit” for their work.

Cross-boarding Shooting scenes consecutively from two or three different episodes that all take place on the same set or location.

Cross-cutting See parallel editing.

Crossfade In an audio mix, one sound is faded out as another sound fades in; similar to a visual dissolve.

Cue sheet A list of any music used on a project that includes the titles of the music selections, the composers and performing rights society affiliation, etc.

Cutaway A shot that is inserted between two other shots. It can prevent a jarring jump cut, enhancing and adding to the edited sequence.

Cyc (cyclorama) A backdrop, like a curtain, that acts as a background for action.

D

Dailies The footage shot by the end of each working day.

DAT (digital audio tape) A high-quality system for recording digital sound with no distortion, used in professional audio recording and for storing computer data.

DAW (digital audio workstation) An electronic system that uses digital audio for mixing sounds, dialogue, music, and effects.

Deal memo An agreement between two parties, usually between the producer and the cast, crew, writer, director, or other people who are part of the production. It defines the time to be worked and the rates to be paid, and other details.

Deferment payment When, or if, a project makes money down the line, all who agreed to defer their payments are paid later, often with interest or bonuses on top of their original salary agreement.

Demographics A precise measurement of a specific population to determine their level of interest, as consumers or viewers.

Demo reel Similar to a portfolio of short clips from a producer's projects that show a potential client examples of the producer's work.

Deregulation Removing government restrictions on media-related industries.

Detailed budget This budget addresses every aspect of the project's production. Each detail in a project translates into a cost that's part of a key budget account.

DGA Directors Guild of America.

Dialogue track An audio track on which an individual actor's dialogue is recorded and stored. There is no other interference of music or sound effect.

Diegetic music Also called source music, music that is heard by the characters in a scene, such as a radio or a live band.

Digitize To download footage into data storage.

Directional microphone A microphone that is pointed at a specific actor or source of sound, and picks up only that dialogue or sound.

Director In some television programs (such as dramatic series, sitcoms, movies of the week, etc.), the director is the primary artistic influence, or is more of a technical director who works from a control room.

Director of photography (DP) The DP works with the producer and/or director to actualize the visual images and textures of the footage. The DP may supervise the camera operator(s), or may double as the shooter, and shots, lighting, and camera setups.

Dissolve The overlap of one shot over another, one fades out and the other fades in.

Distributor A company or individual who owns or licenses the rights to a project for rentals, lease, broadcast, or final sale.

Dolly A small vehicle, like a mobile platform with stabilized wheels, on which a camera is mounted.

Domestic territory Specifically, the United States and Canada, usually referred to as North American territory.

Downconversion The HD footage is converted to an NTSC, or standard definition, tape that can be inputted into your NLE system.

Download The transfer of digital data into a nonlinear editing storage system.

Draft A version, or revision, of a script or program idea.

Dubs Both audio and video are duplicated and copied, onto a variety of video formats.

E

E & O Insurance (Errors and Omissions) An insurance against third-party claims, such as ownership, chain of title, as well as protection from unanticipated problems.

Editor The person responsible for the assembly of the various film, video, and audio elements into a cohesive and creative finished visual representation of the story.

EDL (Edit Decision List) A sequential list compiled by the editor of all reel numbers, time code locations, music cues, and other data in the final cut.

Effects track A track of audio that is assigned to a specific audio effect, such as chirping crickets or background conversations.

Equalizer An audio device that can increase, decrease, or modulate high, medium, or low frequencies when mixing dialogue, music, ambient sound, etc.

Establishing shot (also called a master shot) Usually the opening scene, it sets up the scene and what's happening in it. Generally a wide shot establishes the action.

Executive producer (also known as the showrunner) The job varies considerably from project to project. Often, the executive producer has the final word on decision-making, and maintains overall control over a TV project, from acquisition and financing, to developing and selling an idea, marketing it, to its final delivery to the network.

Exteriors A location that is outside, rather than inside (interiors).

Extras People who provide a nonspeaking background atmosphere to a production, like passers-by in a street scene or as background people in a crowd scene.

Eyeballs An informal term used as measurement for viewers watching a show.

Eye line The line of attention that begins in an actor's eyes and follows the direction in which the actor is looking.

F

Fade in An image slowly emerges from a black screen.

Fade out An image slowly fades into a black screen.

Favored nations A legal contractual term in which everyone involved in a project is paid the same amount, or in other ways share in equal parity.

Fields A video frame is made of two parts, or fields.

Fill light Light that is positioned or reflected to fill in shadows on a face or location that are cast by the key light.

Filmlook A special effects design program used in postproduction that can treat video footage to give it the grain, texture, and scratches usually associated with film.

Film-to-tape A process of transferring film (super 8, super 16, 16mm, or 35mm) to video via a telecine, also called a film chain.

Final cut The last and final version that reflects all visual and sound edits and creative decision.

First look deal A network or production company that has the right to be the first to negotiate for a project, or to buy the option to purchase certain rights to the project.

Floor plans An overview of a location, drawn to scale and often from an overhead perspective, that guides the crew in positioning the cameras, lights, and actors.

Foley Additional sound effects that are performed and recorded, like footsteps, or doors closing.

Foley mixer Mixes and records the sounds created by the Foley artists (see Foley).

Format Includes several genres—a quiz show, reality-adventure, talk show—that have specific script formats, sets, musical themes, or lighting that can be packaged, sold, and adapted by local programmers.

Format The aspect ratio of a television screen or motion picture frame.

FPS Frames per second.

Framing An aspect of composition of an image in the camera's frame, the framing can range from a close-up to an extreme long shot.

Freelancers Independent contractors who are employed on a per-project or an as-needed basis, with no benefits or full-time compensation.

Freeze frame A single frame of video is held on, or frozen, on the screen.

Fringes The extra costs for union personnel and talent, it includes pension and welfare (P&W), health benefit, union payments, etc.

G

Gaffer Often the primary lighting technician who works with electricity, and assists the DP, adjusting the “barn doors” on free-standing and suspended lights.

Gels (gelatins) Durable, translucent material that is available in various colors and hues. Gels are positioned in front of lights to create different colored light.

Genny (generator) A supplemental source of power for video equipment.

Genre In television, the format, style, content, and pacing generally marks its genre, such as a sitcom, drama, talk show, etc.

Gobo Durable, opaque material that hangs from an adjustable arm on a stand with a firm base, and directs or deflects light to specific areas.

Graphic artist A person trained in visual artistic representation through illustration, painting, drawing, font design, photography, and/or printing.

Green light Getting the OK from a client or network to start a project.

Green room An area set aside for actors and talent that is comfortable and quiet.

Greens Plants, real and/or fake, that are used in a scene.

Greens person The individual responsible for all plants seen on the screen. This can be as simple as houseplants, or as detailed as a life-size English country garden.

Grid In a studio or sound stage, an overhead system of pipes from which hang lighting equipment and occasionally, microphones.

Grip Works with the camera and camera equipment, and other mechanical aspects of production, like setting up C-stands, maintaining and moving the dolly, and tripods.

H

HDTV (High Definition Television) Video signals with a high resolution (roughly twice the lines of standard TV) and a sharp visual clarity similar to film.

Hand-held camera A camera that is held in the shooter's hand or on the shoulder, rather than on a tripod.

Hard light Lighting that is strong and directed, resulting in sharp-edged, distinct shadows.

Headshots Professional photographs of actors and talent. They are usually close-up vanity shots, with a resume of their experiences on the back.

High-key light Lighting produced by the combination of less key light and more fill light, resulting in almost no shadows.

Honey wagon A vehicle with several portable toilets, sinks, and showers on-location.

Hook An aspect of an idea that is unique enough to grab the reader's attention.

Hyphenate Double tasking, such as a writer-producer, writer-director, etc.

I

Independent production company A small business usually formed by a producer(s) that produces programming for a network, studio, or corporate client, and also handles all the administrative and technical requirements needed to satisfy the client.

Indirect costs The additional money that is factored into a production budget that covers areas such as legal fees, accounting services, insurance, and contingency fees.

In point In the editing process, the starting point of a specific edit.

Insert shot A shot, usually a close-up, that reveals an important detail in a scene.

J

Jib A crane with a camera at the end that can fly over an audience or into a set or location. It can be either manually controlled or by remote.

Jump cut An obvious edit made by putting two very similar images together that share identical angles and framing.

K

Key The head, or most important person, of each department.

Key light The most important light source in the three-point lighting system. Its illumination of a subject is bright and hard, and produces deep shadows.

Kinescope A process developed before the invention of videotape in which a 16mm camera filmed television programs that were broadcast live.

L

Lav (lavalier) An easily concealed small microphone that clips onto clothing; it's generally omnidirectional and picks up dialogue clearly.

Layback In postproduction, the process of joining the final completed audio track to the finished picture.

Letterbox format On a television screen, a black strip above and below the picture frames the image in a film-style aspect ratio.

Lighting board The piece of equipment that controls all the lighting dimmers in a studio or remote location.

Lighting director The person responsible for the lighting design of a television production.

Linear editing A traditional system of editing video in which shots are edited together in a linear fashion, moving forward.

Line item Each entry in a budget that relates to a specific cost.

Line producer Beginning in preproduction and continuing through completion of principal photography or through the completion of postproduction, the line producer is responsible for the day-to-day running of the production.

Lip sync To speak or sing in synchronization with a picture, with the appearance of an exact match.

Load in The transfer of footage and audio into a data storage device, such as a nonlinear editing system.

Location scout The person responsible for finding the necessary locations for a project, as well as securing permits, negotiating location agreements and rentals, and obtaining all other permissions required for filming.

Locked When the editing has been finalized, the project is considered locked.

Locked down camera A camera that is stationary, usually on a tripod or a pedestal, and not hand-held.

Log Taking notes of each pertinent shot, with its description and time code number.

Log line Also called a one-liner or tag line, a log line is a concise sentence that grabs the reader's attention and sums up a project idea.

Logo A distinctive graphic designed to give a television show a graphic identity.

Long-form contract A substantial, detailed agreement that includes all the provisions of the contract.

Long shot (LS) Camera framing that captures an image from a distance, usually from a substantial distance.

Long take A continual, uninterrupted shot, usually lasting at least 20 seconds.

Low-key lighting A style of lighting produced by the contrast between key light and fill lights, resulting in darker light marked by shadows and occasional high-light.

Lower thirds Electronic text that appears under a person's face on screen, giving his or her name, location, or profession.

Luminance In a video image, the measurement of pure white in the picture.

M

M & E (Music and special effects) Two important areas of audio components in a mix.

Magic hour Twilight, or dusk, that limited time between sunset and dark when the light has a special luminescent quality to it that's ideal for certain effects.

Making the day Accomplishing what's been planned for each day's shoot.

Makeup artist The person who works closely with the producer and director to design the makeup for the cast, including special effects, aging, wounds, etc.

Manager The manager oversees an actor's career, and may hire an agent, lawyer, accountants, etc. The manager works with the actor on career decisions, such as scripts to review, and advises in a range of professional areas.

Marketing Presenting an idea or product to potential viewers or consumers, using methods that sway or convince the target audience.

Markup fee A percentage added to the costs that covers office and personnel overhead, expenses, and any profits.

Master shot (also called an establishing shot) Establishes the scene and the actors’ movements and their relationships to each other.

Master In video, the original footage; also, the completed high-quality first-generation version of a project that is used for dubbing.

Matching time code The time code on the original footage is exactly the same on the screening cassette. It's visible time code, also called vizcode or VTC, that's displayed in a small box on the bottom or top of the screen.

Media buy Purchasing airtime (usually in 30- or 60-second blocks) on a network or channel in which to air a commercial.

Medium shot A camera framing in which the person or object is shown almost in its entirety.

Meme Trends and ideas that are propagated—usually virally—and either mutate and expand, or eventually die off.

Merchandising Adapting the likeness of a popular TV or film character to nonmedia products such as T-shirts, hats, and pencils, and cashing in on that character's branding.

Mic (“mike”) A shortened version of microphone.

Mix The combining together of various audio tracks—dialogue, music, effects—and merging them into a single track.

Montage A story telling device that can compress time or impose a narrative over images, and is built by editing together a series of quick shots to tell the story.

MOS “Mit out sound,” shooting video only, with no audio being recorded.

Most favored nation See Favored nations.

Motion control camera (also called title camera) A computer-controlled camera designed to pinpoint details, with zooms, pans, and other camera angles.

Music clearance Written legal permission to use pre-existing music in a project

Music director Works with the pre-existing music (including popular recordings) to craft together a musical score for a production.

Music supervisor The supervisor of the overall creation of a musical score that uses original music and/or existing or prerecorded music, he or she is often responsible for the legal clearances and licensing of any music needed in the project.

N

Narration Also called voice-over, narration is provided by an off-camera person who records the script at a recording studio.

Needle drop During audio postproduction, various sound effects and music cues from a sound effects or music library might be added and dropped into the mix.

Network A national broadcasting entity made up of many stations in various locations, usually larger cities.

Neutral-density (ND) filters A grayish filtering material often used in shooting video, placed over windows to filter the natural outdoor light.

Niche marketing A specific smaller television market with precise demographics and interests for which a broadcaster creates programming. Also narrowcasting.

NLE (nonlinear editor) Referring to both the editor and the editing system itself, a digital system that edits footage in a random, nonsequential way, like film-style editing.

Noise In video, noise on the video signal is created by distortion, and results in the visual effect of “snow” or a hissing sound in the audio.

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) A national standard for American color television, consisting of 525 interlaced scan lines per frame, and running at 30 frames per second.

O

Offline edit Versions of an edited project, cut at a low resolution, that require much less storage space and usually conformed in an online session.

Omnidirectional A microphone that can pick up audio from all directions.

Online edit The final cut from the offline session is brought into an online session, during which the original high-resolution footage is assembled. The final audio track along with graphics or other elements are also married to the picture.

On-set dresser A person responsible for dressing a set with appropriate furnishings.

One-off A program that is self-contained, usually one or two hours in length. An example might be a documentary or a news-oriented special.

Opening titles (also known as opening credits) The name of the show and a limited list of the creatives, such as the producer, writer, director, principal actor(s), etc., written in text at the beginning of the program.

Option/optioning Obtaining exclusive ownership and/or rights to a script, book, or story for a period of time long enough to develop and hopefully sell as a project.

Out of sequence During a shoot, the scenes are seldom shot in the sequence in which they appear in the script or in the final product.

P

PA (Production Assistant) An entry-level position on a project that involves every aspect of work, from running errands to making copies to getting lunch.

PAL Phase Alternating Line is used in the United Kingdom, Australia, China, and parts of Western Europe. This video format is 625 lines and runs at 25fps.

Pan A camera movement in which the camera moves smoothly, either horizontally (from right to left, or vice versa) or vertically (from top to bottom, or vice versa).

Paper cut (editing storyboard) A paper cut gives the editor the sequence of shots for the final product, including exact in-points of selected shots, their descriptions, time code locations, reel numbers, and the duration of each shot.

Paper edit See Paper cut.

Parallel editing Two separate yet somehow related events appear to be happening at the same time, shifting back and forth between one scene and another.

Pay-or-play A contractual agreement stating that if the talent is not used in a project for whatever reason, he or she will still be paid the agreed-upon fees.

Pay Per View (PPV) In television, paying a fee for watching a single program or event on a specific PPV channel.

Petty cash (PC) Cash kept on hand during a production that pays for expenses on set, such as meals, supplies needed for the crew, props, and other costs that arise.

Perma-lancers Permanent freelancers who are employed full-time, but aren't paid employee benefits or given any contractual certainty.

Pistol grip A special mounting device for a hand-held camera.

Pitch Selling an idea for a television show to a network, client, independent producer, or other end-user.

Pixels (picture element) The smallest resolvable rectangular area of an image, made of three close dots of color: red, green, and blue.

Point of view shot (POV shot) A shot taken from roughly the same place that the actor's eyes would be.

Postproduction supervisor In larger or more complex projects, he or she is responsible for the coordination of all aspects of postproduction.

Presale contracts Selling specific rights of a project, such as international sales or for DVD distribution, in order to interest investors or to obtain a loan.

Prime time In television, the hours in the programming schedule that attract the highest number of viewers, usually 7:30 to 11 P.M.

Principal cast The main actors or central characters in a television show.

Principal photography The actual process of shooting that can begin when everything is ready to go.

Producer The producer deals with creative and technical logistics, administrative details, often hires the talent, writers, and director, additional producers, and others. The producer may create or acquire the idea, and obtains funding or sale to a broadcaster, and most or all details, from the beginning to the end of the project.

Product placement The use of a specific product (such as a cereal box, a car, sports gear) in a scene in return for a fee.

Production designer Creates the environment for a project and designs the space in which the action takes place. He or she hires the set builders, scenic artists, set dressers, and prop masters to actualize the design plans, and more.

Prompter An individual who helps actors or talk-show talent when needed by holding up signs, or cue cards, on which their lines are written in large print.

Prop master The person who designs, buys, or rents each prop needed in a production. Generally, he or she is the head of the property department.

Proposal A written prospectus or pitch that details the idea of a project, and is given to a network or potential buyer or investor.

Props An object on a set or on location that will be handled by the actor as part of the action. A prop can be anything from a telephone to a toothbrush.

Protection copies Duplicate exact copies of original footage or the final master that can act as backup protections in case of damage or loss in shipping.

Public domain When the copyright has elapsed on specific footage, it has no owner, and it can be used with no clearances or royalty fees.

R

Rack focus A shot in which the camera changes focus from a person or object in the foreground to the background, or vice versa.

Ratings A measurement of the number of viewers who are watching a television program.

Reaction shot A close-up of an actor's face that registers a reaction to the shot before it or to actions in the storyline.

Reality TV A form of television program that is theoretically unscripted, and relies on “real people” in real-life situations.

Recce (“recky”) A shortened version of “reconnaissance” in the preproduction phase that involves scouting for a location and looking all aspects of the location.

Reel A cassette of video tape.

Reflected light During a shot, light that is deflected or bounced off objects.

Release A legal agreement between the producer and an on-camera person, allowing the producer to use his or her likeness in ways stipulated on the release.

Resolution In video, the level of detail and clarity in an image.

RGB In video, the primary colors of red, green, and blue.

Rotoscope An animation process that involves projecting live action by an actor onto a software drawing pad and creating realistic-looking animation.

Room tone Refers to sounds that are a natural part of each and every set or location.

Rough cut The rough cut reflects the overall sequence of shots and audio in editing, with the approximate in and out points of the edits and the order in which they'll appear.

Royalty A fee paid to an actor, author, composer, performer, or other artist, for the use of his or her copyrighted material.

S

Safety In video, the inner area of the television screen that will be seen on a broadcast or standard monitor.

SAG Screen Actors Guild, a union protecting on-camera actors and talent. The SAG contract also protects members of SEG, AFTRA, and AGVA.

Scale The lowest minimum wage allowed under a union contract.

Scene A segment in a program that happens in one space and period of time, and consists of one or more shots. A scene is often known as a sequence.

Scenic artist The scenic artist's job includes painting sets, aging walls or floors, creating the look of stone or other materials, and achieving textures or moods on a set.

Scratch track A preliminary track of narration read by the producer or someone else that helps determine final timings and beats in a rough cut.

Screen time A period of time in which events are happening on screen. It might be an hour, a day, or a longer time span, depending on the storyline.

Script supervisor Also called continuity, the script supervisor observes each shot for details of continuity from one scene to the next.

SECAM (Sequential Color with Memory) The video standard of 625 lines that runs at 25 fps, used in Russia, eastern Europe, and France.

Second assistant director (2nd AD) The person who helps the director and 1st AD, usually preparing the call sheets for the next day's shoot.

Second unit A smaller production team that independently shoots extra footage, like exteriors, background reactions, etc., to be tied into primary scenes in the editing.

Set decorator Creates the visual look of the project, including the purchase, rental, and placement of furnishings that add to the set environments.

Set designer Takes the production designer's rough drawings and creates working blueprints and construction drawings that guide the building of the sets.

Set dressing The physical and aesthetic placement of furnishings and props in preparation for rehearsals and the actual shooting.

Set mixer The set mixer records the dialogue and any other production sound that is produced on the set, as clearly as possible.

Setup All the elements needed for a specific shot, such as the placement of the camera, the lenses and microphones, and the composition of the frame.

Sphooter Another term for a camera operator or cameraman.

Shooting out In production, all the shots needed in one location are grouped together and shot before moving on to the next location.

Shooting ratio The amount of material shot in production in relation to the actual footage used in editing.

Shooting schedule A mapped-out plan for the shoot, generally given to all cast and crew for each day's shoot.

Shorts Projects that are usually less than 30 to 40 minutes in length.

Shot A short, single take that is edited into a longer sequence or scene.

Showrunner Might also be the executive producer of a weekly television show, and is responsible for the creative direction of a series, guiding the writers along with the script, casting the actors, pitching a show idea to a network, and more.

Signatory A person or company that has agreed to comply with the regulations of any union that covers writers, directors, talent, and/or crew members.

Silks Medium to large squares of translucent material that can be strategically hung and positioned to filter the sunlight and maintain lighting consistency.

Single system The audio that is recorded directly onto the videotape.

Slo mo (slow motion) In video, the speed of a shot is slowed down to create a slower action or other desired effect.

SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) In addition to being the acronym for this organization, SMPTE time code is the standard 8-digit time code used in video that represents hours, minutes, seconds, and frames per second.

Soft lighting Also called diffuse lighting, it is the lighting on a subject that avoids extreme bright and dark areas, a gradual transition between highlights and shadows.

Sound blankets Large moving blankets made of a dense absorbent material that can be hung or placed on a set or location to muffle sound.

Sound effects (SFX) A sound effects track includes natural sounds from the production (such as background ambience) or Foley, or audio effects from a sound effects library.

Sound stage A building specially equipped for shooting a production; generally soundproof, often furnished with video and audio equipment, lighting grids and equipment, rooms for talent, set construction, and other amenities.

Spec script A script written on speculation. The writer uses it as a sample of his or her work, and does not get paid unless the screenplay is sold.

Special effects makeup Makeup that might include artificial wounds or body parts (prosthetics) used to change an actor's appearance.

SPFX (special effects) Special effects created on the set or location—like fog, rain, snow, an open flame—that are not added later in postproduction.

Split screen The screen is divided into boxes or parts, from two to eight, that are all active at the same time. Each box shows an image of a character or action.

Splits During production, the producer might divide the day and night shooting into splits that are then sectioned into a half-day and half-night shift.

Spotting session Starting audio postproduction, the producer or director reviews the show for areas in which to add music, narration, ADR, Foley, and SFX.

Stand-in A person who bears a strong resemblance to an actor “stands-in” for the actor in technical rehearsals and often in a long shot when the actor isn't available.

Star The lead actor or performer in a production.

Steadicam A counterbalanced rig worn by a camera operator that allows for smoother camera movement, midway between hand-held and tripod camera mounts.

Step deal A contract for writers that indicates a series of incremental payments for each version of a script or story.

Still photographer Takes photographs during rehearsals or actual production that may be used for publicity purposes.

Stills The photographs taken with a still camera that catalog various aspects of the production, like actors in scenes, the director working with the actors and crew, etc.

Stock The unused videotape or audiotape on which images or sound are recorded.

Stock footage Pre-existing, high-quality footage that is sold by a stock footage company for a negotiated fee and licensing agreement that is dependent on its final use.

Stock music Royalty-free prerecorded music that is sold by a stock music company. The fees for its use are dependent on its final use.

Storyboard Simple, cartoon-like sketches of each scene in a script.

Storyboard artist The artist responsible for rendering a sequence of drawings based on a script to aid in planning and coordinating action, drawn by hand or with software.

Striking the set The breaking down of a set, including the removal of furnishings and props after shooting, and disassembling the equipment.

Stunt double A person of about the same size and look of an actor who is capable of substituting for an actor to perform difficult or dangerous action sequences.

Superimpose The layering, or superimposition, of one image over another.

Supporting actors Secondary cast members in a production whose characters and roles support those of the primary cast.

Sweeten In audio postproduction, the process of mixing the audio tracks of narration, music, and sound effects with the master audio track.

Swish pan Also called a whip pan, a camera movement that pans rapidly from right to left or vice versa, as an editing transition from one scene to another.

Sync Short for synchronization, an exact match between the video and the audio.

Synopsis A brief and compelling distillation of a story idea into a short form, usually in one or two paragraphs.

T

Take Each repetition of a specific scene that is shot.

Talent Anyone who appears on camera, such as an actor, performer, host, guests, etc.

Target audience The specific audience for whom a show is developed or produced.

Technical director The person, generally in the control room of a studio, who takes in the various camera feeds, graphics, and special video effects, and “edits” them, live.

Telecine Also called a film chain, this device facilitates the transfer of film to videotape. During this process, film images and audio are converted to a format that is used by a broadcast network, or for nonlinear editing purposes.

Teleprompter A small device that is mounted directly under the camera lens that displays the performer's lines in a roll-down scroll.

Textless copy A “clean” copy of the final project with no text or graphics superimposed on it.

Time code (TC) A signal “burned on” the videotape that gives every frame a specific number in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames per second.

Time-of-day time code TC that can be set in the camera itself that records the actual time of day as opposed to an arbitrary time code numbering system.

Thirteen outline A comprehensive outline of the first thirteen episodes of a series, agreed upon by the producers, prior to the start of production.

Three-point lighting A standard lighting set up that utilizes the three sources of lighting—the key light, fill lights, and back lights.

Top sheet A quick summary of the costs in each department that provides an overview of necessary information at a glance.

Tracking shot Usually accomplished by using a dolly, crane, or a jib, a tracking shot travels forward, backward, or laterally through space in order to capture movement.

Trades Entertainment publications, such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Transition In editing, the moving of one shot or scene to the next by using a cut, dissolve, wipe, etc.

TRT The “total running time” of a program or show.

Treatment An abbreviated narrative outline of a script, story, or idea, shorter in length than a script.

Turnaround When a studio or network has abandoned a project and removed its support for further development, a producer is free to take it to another studio who can buy it by reimbursing the original studio or network for any incurred costs.

Turnaround time Actors’ unions requirements for a 12-hour break of time between the end of one shooting day and the call time for the next day.

Two-shot A scene with two actors in the frame. Three-shots and four-shots have three and four actors in the frame, respectively.

U

Underlighting Placing lights under the people or objects in a scene.

Up-fronts An annual gathering of the networks and their affiliates, during which new shows and pilots are unveiled and camaraderie is maintained.

UPM (Unit Production Manager) Acts as the right hand of the producer(s), and works with administrative below-the-line issues, technical equipment, and the needs of the crew.

V

VCR A machine that can play and/or record on half-inch VHS tapes. VTR A videotape recorder.

Video monitor In production, a small video monitor attached by a cable to each camera that shows what the camera sees as it's being shot, and can also provide instant playback of what was just shot.

Visible time code (also called Vizcode or VTC) Time code that matches the original footage, and is visible on a screen.

Voice-over (VO) A recorded voice of a commentator in a documentary or a narrator of a storyline.

W

Wardrobe designer Does a wardrobe breakdown of all characters and their roles, their time period, the time that wardrobe or costumes are needed, and more.

Wardrobe supervisor Supervises the costume department with the wardrobe designer, keeps track of the budget, maintains the wardrobe, and more.

WGA Writers Guild of America, the union that represents and protects writers of film, television, and radio projects.

White balance In shooting video, a white card or piece of paper is often held in front of the camera lens to adjust its sensitivity to a light source.

Windscreen An absorbent fuzzy material that can be wrapped around a microphone. The windscreen helps deflect or absorb the noise from wind or breezes.

Wipe A special effects transition used in video editing that wipes out one scene and brings in another, such as a page turn or one image that drops down over another.

Wireless microphone Also known as a radio microphone, a cordless microphone that operates on a battery-powered pack hidden on the person speaking, under clothing.

Wrangler A specially trained person who manages the activities and work of a specific kind of talent, such as a child, an animal, or a stunt person.

Wrap the project Tying up all the loose ends, after completion of the production.

Writer The writer creates the story, action, and characters for TV narrative programs, like sitcoms, drama series, and mini-series. He or she may have created the original material, or may have been brought in to work with an existing script or story outline.

Z

Zoom A movement by the camera lens that allows it to move quickly either into an object (zoom in) or away from an object (zoom out).