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Glossary
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above-the-line  Costs for creative and performing personnel (such as the producer, writer, director, musicians, and actors).
A/B roll  A linear editing system that is capable of performing dissolves, wipes, and other transitions.
actors  TV talent who perform as someone other than themselves.
AD  See associate director and assistant director.
adapter  A connector that converts from one type of connector to another (e.g., from phone to RCA).
AFM  See audio frequency modulation.
AGC  See automatic gain control.
agents  People who find work for actors, writers, and others engaged in creative aspects of the media business.
air monitor  (1) In video, the TV set in the control room that shows the video signal currently on the air. The air monitor receives its signal not directly from the switcher but over the air (in broadcast situations) or through an RF cable (in nonbroadcast situations). (2) In audio, the speaker that allows an operator to hear the transmitted broadcast signal.
altering  Changing a video or audio signal so that it is different from the original signal that was transduced.
amplify  To magnify an audio or video electrical signal for mixing, distribution, and transducing purposes.
amplitude  The height of a sound wave. Amplitude determines the volume of the sound. The higher the amplitude, the louder the sound.
analog  A method of representing video or audio signals using a "wave" of continuously varying value.
animal handler  A person who makes sure dogs, cats, horses, and other animals do what they are supposed to for a TV production.
animation  A sequence of graphics that rapidly cycles to create the illusion of motion.
aperture  The opening in the camera lens that determines how much light will pass through.
arc shot  A combination trucking, panning, and dollying movement in which the camera is moved in a semicircle around a subject while the camera head remains pointed toward the subject.
arm move  To move the boom arm of a crane left or right.
art director  A person who deals with the look of sets and other artistic aspects of a television program.
aspect ratio  The ratio of the height of a television screen to its width.
assemble editing  A process in which video, audio, and control track information are simultaneously recorded onto a videotape.
asset management  The process of cataloguing and using video on servers in the most efficient manner possible.
assistant director  A person who helps a director; the term is most likely to be used in relation to a film director, whereas associate director is used in studio-based television.
assistant producer  See associate producer.
associate director  The person who keeps track of timing for a program and assists the director in other ways.
associate producer  A person who helps the producer with any of a number of production chores.
asymmetrical balance  An informal arrangement of elements in a camera shot or graphic in which an important object placed close to the center of the picture is balanced by one or more objects of lighter visual weight some distance from the center.
ATSC  A series of digital television formats developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee. ATSC formats are intended to eventually replace NTSC in the United States.
audio board  See audio console.
audiocassette recorder  A piece of equipment that uses tape encased in a small housing, which threads itself, as a recording medium.
audio console  The piece of equipment that is used to gather, mix, select, and amplify sounds and send them on to their next destination.
audio frequency modulation  A method of recording audio on a videotape by combining it with video information in helical-scan tracks. Using this method, the sound cannot be separated from video for editing.
audio operator  A person who sets mics in a studio or location setting and/or operates the audio console.
audition  A separate audio speaker that is not tied to what is being mixed by the audio console or sent over the air.
auto key  A key effect in which one source is used to establish the shape of the key hole, and another source or sources are then inserted into the hole.
automatic dialogue replacement  Rerecording dialogue for a production after the principal shooting is over because, for some reason, it was not recorded properly when it was shot.
automatic gain control  An internal control device, for either audio or video signals, that automatically increases or decreases the strength of the incoming sound or picture to maintain optimum signal strength.
automatic iris  A camera setting that continuously alters the aperture in response to changing light levels.
automatic white balance  A camera setting that automatically adjusts the camera's white-balance setting for differing lighting conditions.
auxiliary send  A routing bus on the audio console used to feed external processing gear, multitrack recording equipment, or other audio equipment.
axis of action  An imaginary line that extends the path in which a character or object is moving, with the result that 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 the person or object appear to change direction.
axis of conversation  An imaginary line that connects two persons talking to each other with the result that, 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 the person appear to change position.
background light  General lighting on the set behind the talent.
backlight  A highly directional light coming from above and behind a subject, adding highlights, shape, and separation from the background.
backplate  The part of a condenser mic that is electrically charged.
backtime  The process of timing a piece of audio and/or video so that it can be started at a precise time and end at the properly appointed time.
balance  In audio, the achievement of the correct ratio among several sound sources; in video, a picture composition where the various portions of the screen appear to have equal weight.
balanced cables  Audio cables that have three wires, one for positive, one for negative, and one for ground.
bandwidth  The amount of information that can be carried by a given method of signal transmission. The higher the bandwidth, the more information that can be carried.
bank  See bus.
barn doors  Movable metal shutters, attached to the front of a lighting instrument, that are used to limit the area of the projected light.
base light  An overall lighting that produces enough light for the cameras to yield an acceptable picture. It does not provide any modeling or effects; it is simply illumination.
batch capture  The automated recording of a series of video and/or audio clips to a nonlinear editing system.
batten  A counterweighted lighting grid that can be raised and lowered so that lights can be worked on near the studio floor.
beam splitter  The optical device in a color camera, consisting of a prism and mirrors, that separates the incoming visual image into the primary colors of blue, red, and green.
below-the-line  Costs for technical and production personnel and for equipment, facilities, and services.
bidirectional  A microphone that picks up sound from two directions.
bin  A storage area for clips on a nonlinear editing system.
bit  An individual unit of a digital signal that can have a value of either "off" (0) or "on" (1).
bitstream  A stream of digital information, such as video, audio, or other data.
black  (1) A synchronized video signal that contains no picture information-a blank screen. (2) To record control track and a synchronizing signal onto a videotape.
blocking  The process of planning and coordinating all movement and positioning of talent and production equipment before a production begins.
blocking diagrams  Drawings directors make to help them visualize where actors and cameras should be placed.
BNC connector  A bayonet-type connector used for video and sometimes for digital audio.
body time  The length of a program not including closing credits and titles.
boom  (1) Any device consisting of a movable base, an adjustable stand, and a long arm for suspending a microphone above and in front of a performer. (2) An arm of a crane that can be used to move a camera up and down or sideways. (3) To move a camera with a boom arm.
boundary mic  See pressure zone mic.
breakdown sheets  Different pieces of paper or computer screens that list what will be needed for each shot, such as actors, props, and special effects.
brightness  An indication of where a color would fall on a scale from light (white) to dark (black).
broad  A rectangular floodlight.
browser  A program that is used to view interactive media presentations on the World Wide Web.
burner  A device used to write digital data to a CD-ROM or DVD.
bus  A group of buttons on a video switcher representing the available video inputs.
business  Actions that actors perform while they are delivering their lines in order to add realism or strengthen particular ideas.
byte  A group of digital zeros and ones that have a particular meaning.
cables  Coverings that contain wires that transport the signals needed for audio and video production.
call sheet  A posted list that lets cast and crew know when and where they should report.
camcorder  An integrated unit that combines a camera and a videotape or other recorder.
cameo lighting  A type of lighting where the performer is lit but the background is not.
camera control unit  The part of a studio camera used to adjust the video quality of the camera.
camera mount  The support mechanism, such as a tripod, pedestal, or crane, that holds the camera mounting head and the camera itself.
camera operator  The person who frames the shots for a production.
capacitor  The part of a condenser mic that stores electrical energy and permits the flow of alternating current.
capture  Recording video and/or audio information to a nonlinear editing system.
cardioid  A microphone that picks up sound in a heart-shaped pattern.
carpenter  A person who builds sets.
carrier wave  A specific range of frequencies used to carry an electronic signal from a transmitter to a receiver.
cartridge recorder  Audio or video equipment that records or plays back material on tape that is on a continuous loop in a self-contained unit.
cassette  A plastic case containing reels that hold audio- or videotape.
cassette recorder  Audio or video equipment that records or plays back material on tape that has both the supply reel and take-up reel in a self-contained case.
casting  Deciding who will act various roles in a television program.
casting agencies  Companies that can be hired to select people for various roles in a production.
catwalk  A structure above or around a lighting grid on which technicians can crawl to position lights.
CCD  See charge-coupled device.
C-clamp  A metal clamp with a pivot adjustment for attaching lighting instruments to a lighting grid.
CCU  See camera control unit.
CD player  Equipment that plays back discs on which sound has been recorded digitally.
CD-R  A compact disc player that can also record once.
CD-ROM  An optical disc that can be used to store digital information. CD-ROMs can normally hold about 700 megabytes of data.
CD-RW  A compact disc recorder that can record over the disc many times.
CG  See character generator.
channeling  Moving signals from one place to another.
character generator  An electronic device used to display lettering on the television screen.
character generator operator  A person who builds computer-generated graphics and operates the equipment that enables them to appear on-air; often called a graphics operator.
charge-coupled device  A microchip inside a camera that transduces visual energy in the form of light into electrical energy.
choreographer  A person who designs dance movements.
chroma key  A special effect in which a designated color (usually green or blue) is used as a key to determine what picture information is to be cut out of the picture with the foreground image.
chrominance  The color information (hue and saturation) of a video signal.
clip  (1) A segment of video and/or audio stored as a discrete unit in a nonlinear editing system. (2) A digital audio phenomenon where sound that is overmodulated disappears or is intermittent.
clip window  A window on a nonlinear editing system used to manipulate video and/or audio clips.
close-up  A view of a subject from a relatively short distance. A close-up of a person, for instance, might include only the person's face.
coaxial cable  Camera and video cable with a central insulated conducting wire and a concentrically arranged outer wire.
codec  (coder-decoder) A device that performs the functions of both a decoder and an encoder.
coil  The part of a dynamic microphone that vibrates within the magnet, setting up an electrical charge.
cold edit  An edit made without setting in or out points but by simply pressing the "record" button. It is normally used at the beginning of a videotape.
color bar generator  The part of the camera or switcher or other piece of equipment that produces the basic colors-red, blue, green, yellow, cyan, and magenta.
color bars  An electronically generated pattern of vertical color strips that can be used to standardize and calibrate the color values of all cameras and monitors.
color temperature  The relative reddish or bluish quality of a light source, as measured in degrees Kelvin.
compact disc player  See CD player.
component  A method of video signal distribution in which the signal is separated into two or more separate signals representing chrominance and luminance elements of the signal.
composer  The person who creates the music for a production.
composite  A method of video signal distribution in which the three basic video elements (hue, saturation, and brightness) are combined into one signal.
compression  A process used to make digital audio or video data more compact.
compression ratio  The size of the original digital signal compared with the size of the compressed digital signal. The higher the compression ratio, the more effective the compression method.
compressor  An electronic device used to lessen the distance between the highest and lowest audio volume levels.
condenser  A high-quality mic whose transducer consists of a diaphragm, backplate, and capacitor.
connectors  Metal housings that allow audio or video or other signals to travel from one cable to another.
continuity  Maintaining a consistent and unobtrusive progression from shot to shot in terms of screen direction, lighting, audio, props, graphics, and other production details.
continuous image compression  A digital video effect in which a video image is shrunk to a smaller size in real time.
contrast ratio  The relationship of the brightest area to the darkest area in a given camera shot, as determined by reflected light readings.
control room  The area where all video signals are mixed. The director and technical director (and other crew members) control all program elements from this location.
control room rehearsals  A rehearsal with the director seated where he/she will be calling the shots, rather than in the studio.
control track  The portion of a videotape that contains the sync information that keeps all elements in a proper timing relationship.
convergence  A term used to define the coming together of technologies with previously differing applications to create a digitally based video system. This process involves such things as broadcasting, cable TV, telephones, satellite transmission, and the Internet.
cookie  See cucalorus.
copyright  The exclusive right to a production or publication.
corner insert  A video effect in which one video input is placed in the corner of another video input.
costume designer  The person who decides what the clothing that actors wear should look like.
countdown  Numbers from 10 to 2 that are placed on a videotape before the program material so that the program can be cued to come in at the right time.
crab dolly  A small studio crane that can move on tracks.
crane  (1) A large camera mount with an extended boom arm for a camera and a seat for a camera operator, all placed on a large, four-wheeled base. (2) To move the boom arm of a crane up and down. (3) A shot produced by craning a camera.
crawl  A graphic effect in which lettering moves horizontally across the screen.
crossfade  To bring in one sound slowly while taking another out slowly.
crossing the line  Having one camera shot come from one side of the axis of action/conversation and another camera shot come from the other side. If the two shots are cut together, the material in the shot will appear to change direction.
cross-keying  A lighting technique that uses one light for several purposes, such as a key light and a backlight.
cross-pair miking  A stereo mic setup that uses two cardioid mics placed like crossed swords.
CU  See close-up.
cucalorus  A metal or wooden cutout pattern that is placed in front of a spotlight to produce a shadow effect on a scenic background.
cue button  A control on an audio board that allows an operator to hear a sound without transmitting or taping it. It is used to prepare sound before it is to be aired or taped.
cue cards  Sheets of cardboard with the script written on them that are held next to the camera lens so that the talent can look at the camera and read the script.
cue track  A track on a videotape that can be used to record time code or additional audio information.
cut  An instantaneous change from one video source to another; also called a take.
cutaway  A shot edited into a program to prevent a jump cut. A cutaway shot does not show the focus of action, but rather something related to the main action. For example, a cutaway shot of the audience could be placed between two shots of a politician speaking at a podium.
cuts-only  An editing system, normally with only one playback tape machine and one record machine, that is capable of performing only cut transitions between edits.
cutting for information  Making a video edit in order to reveal new information to the viewer. For example, cutting from a medium shot of a magician on stage to a close-up when he holds up a particular card from a deck.
cutting on action  Making a video edit at a point when some action takes place; for example, when an actor turns toward another actor.
cyc  See cyclorama.
cycle per second  A basic unit of frequency measurement for electromagnetic and acoustic waves; now usually referred to as hertz.
cyclorama  A large, continuous, smooth backing, usually made of cloth, that may cover two or three walls of a studio.
DA  See distribution amplifier.
daily hire  Someone who is hired to work only one day or a few days at a time as opposed to someone who is a regular staff member at a particular company.
DAT  See digital audiotape.
data rate  The amount of information being sent simultaneously in a digital video or audio signal, usually measured in megabytes per second (Mb/s).
DAW  See digital audio workstation.
dB  See decibel.
decibel  (1) A unit of measurement of sound that compares the relative intensity of different sound sources. (2) A unit of measurement for video that relates to the output gain.
decoder  A device used to uncompress a digital video signal.
defocus  A camera transition in which the picture on the on-air camera becomes fuzzy.
demographics  Information that pertains to vital statistics of a population group, such as age, marital status, income, and geographic location.
depth of field  The distance between the nearest point at which objects are in focus and the farthest point at which objects are in focus in a camera shot.
diaphragm  (1) The vibrating element in a microphone that responds to the compressed air molecules of sound waves. (2) The adjustable mechanism that controls the size of the lens aperture.
digital  A method of representing video or audio signals that uses discrete "on" and "off" pulses. The value of a digital signal at any point can be either "off" (0) or "on" (1). G4 Digital material can be reproduced with little to no degradation of signal.
digital audiotape  Tape that gives high-quality sound because it records information in numerical data bits and bytes. It is a small tape because it records horizontally.
digital audio workstation  A standalone computer that can be used to record, store, edit, sweeten, and mix sounds.
digital cart  A piece of equipment meant to replace the analog cartridge player. It stores audio selections in files on a hard drive and can be programmed to bring up any files in any order.
digital delay  A unit that holds a signal temporarily and then allows the signal to leave. It is often used for talk shows so that something a participant says can be halted before it goes on the air.
digital versatile disc  An optical disc that can be used to store digital information. Digital versatile discs can normally hold between 4.7 and 10 gigabytes of data. Depending on how data is written on the disc, it can be played back using either a computer or a set-top DVD player.
digital video effects  Special effects accomplished through digital technology in which elements of video can be manipulated, resulting in pictures that change size, move across the screen, or are altered in other ways.
digitization  The process of converting analog data, such as an audio or video signal, into digital form.
digitizing pen  An electronic pen used to create computer graphics by "drawing" on a graphics tablet.
dimmer board  A lighting control unit, operated on the same principle as a rheostat, that determines the intensity of a light by controlling the amount of electric current flowing to the instrument.
dimmer circuit  One fader of a dimmer board that brings up one or several lights.
director  The person in charge of the creative aspects of a TV program and all the procedures that occur in the studio or field.
dissolve  A simultaneous fading out of one picture while fading in to another.
distortion  A muddy sound caused by playing a sound at a higher volume than the equipment can handle.
distribution amplifier  A power amplifier that increases signal strength as an electronic signal is traveling from one place to another.
dolly  To move the camera and its mount closer to or farther from the subject.
dolly shot  A shot produced by dollying the camera.
downloading  Transferring digital data from a computer network such as the Internet to a personal computer.
downstream keyer  Part of a switcher used to create a key on a signal after it has gone through all other switcher manipulations.
dress rehearsal  The final, full rehearsal before the actual production take-using all sets, props, and costumes-designed to be conducted straight through without interruption.
drop frame  A mode of time code that periodically "skips" a frame number to compensate for the fact that NTSC color video actually runs at 29.97 frames per second, and not exactly 30 frames per second.
dry run  A session where the director and talent work together on the basic staging of a program without actually doing a full rehearsal.
dub  (1) To make a copy of a tape or disk. (2) A copy of a tape or disk.
DV  A compression system that uses only intraframe compression and is thus particularly well suited to editing.
DVD  See digital versatile disc.
DVD-R  A digital versatile disc player that records.
DVE  See digital video effects.
dynamic  A rugged microphone whose transducer consists of a diaphragm connected to a movable coil.
dynamic content  A characteristic of interactive media that allows a presentation to change according to a user's wishes.
dynamic range  The difference between the softest and loudest sounds a piece of equipment can handle.
earphones  Tiny speakers that cover or are inserted in the ear so that one person can hear sound coming from equipment.
ECU  See extreme close-up.
edit controller  An electronic unit used to synchronize and operate the videotape recorders in a linear editing system.
edit decision list  A computerized file containing information about edits. The file can be used within the computer, printed out, or used to re-create an edited program using another editing system.
editor  The person who assembles raw footage into a final program.
EDL  See edit decision list.
electron gun  A device in the rear of a television picture tube that shoots electrons to the front, making phosphors on the front of the screen glow.
electronic news gathering  The use of single-camera portable equipment to record news events and other actualities.
electronic still store  A system of storing video frames in digital form, indexed for each retrieval.
ellipsoidal  A spotlight with a reflecting mirror at the back of the housing that enables it to create a very directional, well-defined beam.
ELS  See extreme long shot.
encoder  A device used to compress a digital video signal, or to digitize and compress an analog video signal.
ENG  See electronic news gathering.
equalization  Emphasizing, lessening, or eliminating certain audio frequencies.
equalizer  A unit that adjusts the amount of amplification given to certain audio frequencies, such as high, middle, and low frequencies.
ESS  See electronic still store.
essential area  The area left after cropping 25 to 30 percent from the outer edges of the screen. Graphics and other crucial screen elements Glossary G5 should always be placed within the essential area, as the edges of the screen may be lost by the time the image is seen by the home viewer.
establishing shot  A long shot used at the beginning of a scene or program to relate the subjects and/or circumstances to one another.
event video  The production of tapes dealing with special occasions, such as birthdays and weddings.
executive producer  A person who oversees several TV productions.
extender  An optical device placed between the lens and the camera to extend the focal length of the lens. A 2X extender, for example, doubles the focal length of a lens.
external key  See auto key.
extreme close-up  A very close shot of a person or object used to intensify drama or to show close detail.
extreme long shot  A shot in which the characters are so far away that they are not distinguishable as specific individuals.
facilities request form  A sheet that someone fills out to reserve studio and/or equipment time.
FACS  See facilities request form.
fade  The gradual bringing in or taking out of an audio or video source.
fade-in  (1) For video, a dissolve transition-normally used at the beginning of a program or program segment-in which a picture gradually fades in from a black screen. (2) For audio, the gradual bringing in of a sound.
fade-out  (1) For video, a dissolve transition-normally used at the end of a program or program segment-in which a picture gradually fades away to a black screen. (2) For audio, taking a sound from full up to silence.
fader  The audio console control that raises and lowers volume by controlling the amount of resistance going through the system.
fader bar  A handle unit on a video switcher that allows the operator to manually change from one bus to another.
fc  See foot-candle.
feedback  A high-pitched squeal that results from accidentally feeding a program monitor into a live microphone, causing an instantaneous overamplification of the system.
fiber optic  A transmission cable that uses transparent strands of glass or plastic instead of copper or other metallic wire.
fibre channel  A network system that is popular for use with digital video and audio data.
field  In interlace scanning, one-half of a complete frame of video. NTSC interlace scans the odd-numbered scanning lines, then the even numbered scanning lines, creating a complete frame every 1/30th of a second.
field of view  The size or scope of a shot, indicating how much is encompassed.
field production  Television production, usually consisting of single-camera recording and postproduction editing, that takes place outside of the studio.
fill light  An unfocused and diffused light used to complement the key light, coming from the side opposite the key to fill in dark areas and soften the shadows.
film-style script  A script that is organized by scene with description written on the width of the paper and dialogue centered in the middle.
film-style shooting  Taping the way movie makers have traditionally filmed by using one camera and resetting the camera and lights for each shot.
filter  (1) A glass or gelatin element mounted in front of a light or in front of a camera imaging device that compensates for changes in color temperature, or in other ways changes the color of the light. (2) Equipment or code within a computer program that cuts out a particular frequency or frequency range of an audio signal.
Firewire  (IEE-1394) A digital interface that allows the simultaneous transfer of audio and video information.
fishpole  A small lightweight arm to which a microphone is attached, to be handheld by an audio assistant outside of the picture frame.
fixed-focal-length lens  A lens that is one specific focal length, as opposed to a zoom lens.
flag  A rectangular cloth-covered or metal frame placed in front of a lighting instrument to produce a precise shadow on one side of the light beam.
flat  (1) A standard staging unit, constructed of a frame covered with cloth or hardboard, often used to represent walls of a room or the exterior of a building. (2) When all audio frequencies are recorded equally well.
floodlight  A lamp fixture that creates diffused light that covers a wide area.
floor director  See stage manager.
floor manager  See stage manager.
floor plan  A drawing done to scale that shows where various set flats and furniture are to be placed in the studio for a particular production.
floor rehearsals  Rehearsals where the director is in the studio rather than in the control room.
floor stand  A microphone holder that rests on the floor and has a pole that can be adjusted to various heights so that someone standing can talk into the mic; a stand that holds a light that projects from ground level.
focal length  The viewing range of a given lens. The higher the focal length numerically, the narrower the field of view.
focus  To make an image look sharp and distinct.
follow shot  A camera shot in which the camera follows a moving subject, usually keeping the same distance from it.
follow spot  A light of high intensity that is most commonly used to follow a performer as he or she moves around a stage area.
font  A set of consistently designed lettering and characters.
foot-candle  A unit of light measurement equivalent to the amount of light falling upon a surface one foot away from a standard candle.
fps  See frames per second.
frame  A complete television picture.
frame rate  The number of frames in each second of video. The NTSC frame rate is 30 frames per second, while ATSC formats have frame rates ranging from 24 to 60 frames per second.
frames per second  The unit of measurement for frame rate.
frame synchronizer  An electronic component that is used to synchronize external video sources such as satellite feeds with the synchronization created by inhouse components.
freelance  Working by the hour or day on one project at a time and without being an employee of any particular organization.
free run  A time code mode in which the time code numbers continue to increment even when video is not being recorded.
frequency  The number of oscillations per second (hertz) of an electromagnetic wave that, in the audio range, determines the pitch of the tone and, in the light range, determines color.
frequency response  The range of pitches (frequencies) that any particular piece of audio equipment can pick up or reproduce.
Fresnel  A light with a well-defined lens; the beam width is varied as the bulb is moved toward and away from the lens.
front focus  The lens focus that is obtained by zooming in tightly on a subject and then focusing.
f-stop  A notation that indicates the size of the lens opening; the higher the f-stop number, the smaller the opening and vice versa. The smaller the lens opening, the less light that enters the lens.
full screen  A graphic that covers the entire area of the screen.
fundamental  The main frequency of a particular sound.
gain  Volume of an audio signal or amount of amplification of a video signal.
gel  A thin translucent, colored material such as gelatin or plastic that can be mounted in front of lighting instruments to produce specific color effects.
generation  The term used to denote a taped copy of another recording. A copy of a first-generation (original) tape recording, for example, is called a second generation.
giraffe  A small boom that consists of a counterweighted arm supported by a tripod on casters.
graphics generator  An electronic device used to create and display titles, charts, and other graphics on the television screen.
graphics operator  A person who creates words, drawings, and some visual effects that are incorporated within a production.
graphics tablet  A pad used with an electronic pen to create drawings on a computer.
green room  The place in a studio complex where people who are about to appear on a TV show can wait.
greensperson  Someone who keeps plants looking alive and fresh on a set.
grid  Pipes near the studio ceiling from which lamps are hung.
grip  A person who carries things such as cables and set pieces.
group assign switch  A control on each input channel of an audio board that allows the operator to group some audio inputs together so they can be controlled separately from other audio inputs.
guide pin  The part of an XLR connector that is used to line up the male and female conductors accurately.
guilds  Organizations that set wages and working conditions that production companies must adhere to for people (usually above-the-line people) whom they hire.
hand mic  A microphone that a person holds to speak or sing into.
hard drive  The part of the computer on which information is stored.
harmonics  See overtones.
HD  See high-definition television.
HDTV  See high-definition television.
head clog  A problem caused by small particles from a videotape becoming lodged in the video heads. Leaving a videotape recorder in "pause" mode for long periods of time can lead to head clogs.
headroom  The space between the top of a subject's head and the upper edge of the camera frame.
headsets  Ear coverings and small mouthpieces connected together; crew members wear them so they can communicate with each other, and equipment operators wear them to hear the sound from their equipment without disturbing others.
helical scan  A method of videotape recording that records video and/or other information in a slanted pattern on the tape.
hertz  A basic unit of frequency measurement for electromagnetic and acoustical waves, named after Heinrich Hertz.
HID  See high-intensity discharge lamp.
high-definition television  A television format with more lines of resolution and a wider aspect ratio than standard-definition NTSC television.
high-frequency fluorescent lamp  A low-energy, long-lasting light that puts out reds, greens, and blues in a consistent manner to produce 3,200 K light that oscillates between 25,000 and 40,000 cycles per second.
high-intensity discharge lamp  A 5,600 K light that does not use much power.
high-key lighting  Lighting that is generally bright and even, with a low key-to-fill ratio.
high-speed fluorescent lamp  See high-frequency fluorescent lamp.
HMI  A hydrargyrum medium-arc-length iodide lamp that is balanced for daylight and is often used outdoors as a supplement to the light from the sun.
home page  The main menu of a World Wide Web-based interactive presentation.
horizon line  The horizontal line in a camera shot that indicates that the camera is level. Glossary G7
horizontal sync pulse  A video signal that controls the movement of a scanning beam from the right side to the left side of the screen at the completion of a line of scanning.
HSF  See high-speed fluorescent lamp.
HTML  See Hypertext Markup Language.
hue  The color tint.
hydrargyrum medium-arc-length iodide lamp  See HMI.
hypercardioid  A narrow pickup pattern in an elongated heart shape.
hypertext  In interactive media, text that is designated as a link.
Hypertext Markup Language  A text-based computer language used to author interactive media presentations for the World Wide Web.
hyphenate  A person who undertakes two jobs, such as producer-director or writer-director.
Hz  See hertz.
IFB  See interruptible feedback.
image expansion  A digital video effect in which a portion of a video input is "magnified" to a larger size.
image map  In interactive media, a picture that is designated as a link or series of links; different parts of a picture may trigger different links.
image stabilization  An internal camera feature that keeps the image relatively still through digital or optical means.
image stretching  A digital video effect in which a portion of a video input or the entire video input is stretched to a larger size or shrunk to a smaller size vertically and/or horizontally.
import  To bring digital video, audio, or other information into a nonlinear editing system or computer program.
incident light  Light coming directly from the source of illumination.
indecency  Something that is offensive (usually in a sexual way) to members of the community in which it is shown.
ingest  To bring digital video data into a video server.
in-house  Producing a program using equipment and facilities that belong to the company desiring the production.
in point  The designated start point for an edit.
input selector switch  A switch on a videotape recorder used to select from among inputs to be recorded.
insert editing  An editing process that allows video and individual audio tracks to be recorded independently of one another.
insert track information  An area of the videotape used in some formats to record data for automated functions, editing, and audio dubbing.
interactive  Methodology whereby the person operating a media program has control, to some extent, over the content of the presentation.
intercom  A closed-circuit audio network connecting all production personnel with headsets.
interformat  A videotape editing system that uses tape machines of two or more different tape formats.
interframe compression  A video compression method that analyzes each individual frame of video as a separate entity.
interlace scanning  A scanning method in which half of a frame is scanned at a time, creating a field. Two fields combine to create a complete frame every 1/30th of a second. Interlace scanning is used in NTSC television, and in some ATSC formats.
internal key  See self key.
Internet  A worldwide network of computers.
interruptible feedback  An audio setup that allows the talent, wearing a small earpiece, to hear program audio or receive instruction from the director or someone else.
intraframe compression  A video compression method that analyzes frames of video in groups, discarding information that does not change from frame to frame.
invasion of privacy  Not leaving someone alone who wants to be left alone or presenting information about a person that he or she does not want divulged.
inverse square law  A principle of physics that states that when the distance between a light (or an audio source) and its point of perception is cut in half, its intensity will be increased fourfold.
iris  The part of the lens that allows light to pass through.
ITI  See insert track information.
jack  (1) A hinged stage brace attached to the rear of a flat. (2) A female connector.
jog/shuttle knob  A control on a videotape recorder used to visually search through a videotape at rapid or slow speed.
jump cut  An effect-usually undesirable-in which a person or object changes position from one shot to the next.
K  See Kelvin.
Kelvin  The scale of measurement used to measure frequencies so that color temperature can be determined.
key  A generic term for any number of special visual effects whereby video signals from two or more sources are electronically combined in such a way that one image looks like it has been cut out and placed on top of the other image.
key bus  A bus on a video switcher used to select from among various key sources and create various types of key effects.
key light  The primary source of illumination falling on a subject that is highly directional and produces a definite modeling or shaping effect with well-defined shadows.
keystoning  An undesirable distortion created when a camera is not precisely perpendicular to the flat object being shot. Keystoning is normally undesirable but can be used intentionally for artistic effect.
kicker  Additional light, usually a spotlight, coming from the side and slightly to the rear of the subject. G8 kinescope An old-fashioned film recording of a TV program made by adapting a film camera to record from the face of the TV tube.
kook  See cucalorus.
lav  See lavaliere.
lavaliere  A small mic that can be worn near the neck.
layering  The process of placing video elements "on top" of existing elements during the editing process.
LCD  See liquid crystal display.
LD  See lighting director.
lead room  Additional framing space in a camera picture on the side toward which a subject is looking or moving.
LED  See light emitting diode.
libel  To say something destructively negative about a person that is false.
light emitting diode  An electron tube that puts out light; it can be used in audio to show the amount of volume a sound has.
lighting director  The person who oversees the lighting of the set and makes lighting changes, if they are needed, during production.
lighting grid  See grid.
light meter  A photoelectric device that measures the amount of light falling on a specific area.
light plot  A floor plan that indicates the lighting requirements-location, type, and function of each instrument-for every staging area in the studio.
limbo lighting  A type of lighting where the performer is seen clearly, but the background appears to be vague or nondescriptive.
limiter  An electronic device used to cut off audio levels when the volume is too strong.
linear  Progressing in a specified order over time; used to describe a program such as a TV show that has a specified beginning, middle, and end.
linear editing  A method of video editing that progresses from the beginning to the end and usually uses videotape for playback and recording.
line feed  An audio amplification input for equipment, such as a videotape recorder or an audiotape recorder, that has already been amplified.
line level  An audio amplification level for equipment, such as a videotape recorder or audio recorder, that has already been amplified.
line producer  A person who is on the production set representing the producer by making sure the program finishes on time and on budget.
lines  The number of horizontal rows of pixels in a video picture. The more lines, the higher the resolution of the picture.
link  In interactive media, an object that-when activated by the user- triggers an event.
liquid crystal display  A television display composed of crystal cells that can be electrically charged to display a picture.
location scout  Someone who looks for appropriate places to shoot a remote TV production.
logging  Writing down what is on a videotape, including the content of each shot, the in points and out points, and comments about the quality of the shot.
longitudinal time code  A method of recording time code into one of the horizontal tracks on a videotape.
longitudinal tracks  Information tracks on a video- or audiotape that are recorded parallel to the edge of the tape.
long lens  A lens with a high focal length, creating a narrow field of view.
long shot  A camera view of the subject from a relatively great distance, usually showing the subject in its entirety.
lossless  A method of compression that does not degrade the quality of the signal.
lossy  A method of compression that causes degradation in the quality of the signal.
low-key lighting  Lighting that is dark and shadowy with a high key-to-fill ratio.
LS  See long shot.
LTC  See longitudinal time code.
luminance  The brightness information in a video picture.
luminance key  See self key.
macro flange  The part of a zoom lens used to set macro focus.
macro focus  A feature found on some zoom lenses that allows the operator to focus on objects very close to the lens.
magnet  The part of a microphone that creates a field that produces an electric current.
main menu  The opening screen of an interactive media presentation.
makeup artist  The person who applies makeup to performers and actors.
manual white balance  Setting white balance on a camera by aiming the lens at a pure white object, then pressing the appropriate button on the camera.
master  An original videotape recording.
master control  The primary engineering control center where all video and audio signals are ultimately channeled; program input, camera controls, and transmitter distribution often are handled from this location.
master fader  The volume control on an audio board that is located after all the input channel controls and after any submaster controls.
M/E  See mix bus.
medium shot  A view of the subject from a comfortable distance between a wide shot and a close-up.
menu  In interactive media, a screen that allows a user to choose from a series of options.
metadata  Additional information that can be saved with digital video and audio clips to help in identifying and indexing them.
mic feed  The relatively low strength for an electronic signal produced by a microphone prior to several stages of later amplification.
microwave  High-frequency radio waves that are often used to send Glossary G9 signals from a remote location back to the TV studio.
mid-side miking  A method of stereo miking with the mic forming an upside-down T. The stem of the T is a supercardioid mic, and the top can be either one bidirectional mic or two supercardioid ones.
MiniDisc  A 2.5-inch optical-magneto disk that can be used to record, store, and edit digital audio material.
miniphone connector  A small audio connector with a sleeve and tip.
mix  To combine and balance two or more audio signals through an audio console or two or more video sources through a switcher.
mix bus  A bus on a video switcher used to set up special effects and transitions.
mix/effects bus  See mix bus.
mix-minus  An output from an audio board that is missing at least one of its elements so that the element can be recorded.
modem  A device that allows computer-generated information to be sent over phone lines.
moiré effect  Distracting visual vibration caused by the interaction of a narrow striped pattern and the television scanning lines.
monaural  Sound coming from only one direction.
monitor  A TV set for viewing material produced during TV production as opposed to broadcast signals; also used to refer to audio speakers.
monitoring  Listening to or viewing sound or picture as it is being manipulated.
mono  See monaural.
Motion-JPEG (M-JPEG)  The first compression method designed for video information. It has since been largely replaced by newer compression methods.
mounting head  A device used to attach the camera to the camera mount. A mounting head facilitates camera movements such as pans and tilts.
MPEG-1  A compression method designed to store VHS-quality video on CD-ROM discs. It is also used often for video on the Internet.
MPEG-2  A series of compression schemes for digital video. It is the most widely used method of compression for digital television.
MPEG-4  A compression method designed for video, audio, and multimedia transmitted over computer networks.
MP3 player  A piece of equipment that can play compressed audio that can be sent over a computer.
MS  See medium shot.
multiple source  See A/B roll.
multitrack  Tape or a tape recorder capable of holding a large number of audio signals, such as 8, 16, or 24, in parallel with each other.
music licensing company  An organization that collects money from stations or production groups that use music and then distributes that money to composers and record companies.
mute  A control that turns off an assigned channel of an audio console.
ND  See neutral density.
network  A group of computers linked together electronically so that they can share data.
neutral density  A camera filter that reduces the amount of light hitting the charge-coupled device without affecting the color temperature.
neutral shot  A "head-on" shot of a moving object that can be placed between two shots in which the object's screen direction has changed.
noise  Unwanted sound or static in an audio signal or unwanted electronic disturbance or snow in a video signal.
nondimmer circuit  A switch that turns a light off and on but cannot adjust its brightness.
non-drop frame  A method of time code that does not "skip" any frame numbers. Using this method, one hour of video according to time code will actually be one hour + 3.6 seconds long due to the fact that NTSC color video actually runs at 29.97 frames per second and not exactly 30 frames per second.
nonlinear  Having the ability to progress independent of time constraints and in a number of different ways; used to describe an interactive media presentation in which the user can control what parts of the program to view and when.
nonlinear editing  A method of video editing that uses computers and random-access media for recording and playback.
normaled  Having inputs and outputs of an audio patch bay permanently wired so that sound goes from one to the other if it is not sent somewhere else by a patch cord.
NTSC  The original television standard approved in the United States in the 1940s that is still in use today. The letters stand for National Television System Committee.
obscenity  Material that depicts sexual acts in an offensive manner, appeals to prurient interests of the average person, and lacks serious artistic, literary, political, or scientific value.
off-line  An editing mode used to create a preliminary rough cut of a product before the final product is edited using on-line editing.
off-mic  Distorted sound that occurs when noise from outside a mic's pickup area is transduced and amplified.
omnidirectional  A microphone that picks up sound from all directions.
on-line  An editing mode used to create a finished product.
open-ended edit  An edit in which no out points are set. At the conclusion of the edit, the operator must manually stop the tape machines.
outboard equipment  Pieces of equipment that are used in conjunction with the audio board, such as CD players, DAT recorders, and digital carts.
outline  A general listing of what will be included within a program, usually in sentence fragment or paragraph form.
out point  The designated ending point for an edit.
overtones  Acoustical or electrical frequencies that are higher than the fundamental tone.
pacing  The overall speed at which edits are made in a program. Fast pacing means there are a lot of edits.
package  A self-contained news story that includes a reporter's voice, sound bites, and video footage.
packets  Small "chunks" of digital data that travel over the Internet or other computer networks.
paintbox  A device used to create graphics for television.
painter  A person who applies paint to a set either before or after it is assembled.
pan  (1) To turn a camera horizontally by rotating the camera mounting head. (2) The shot produced by panning a camera. (3) A rectangular floodlight.
pan handle  The handle extending toward the rear of the camera with which the camera operator controls movement of the camera.
pan knob  A control that shifts an audio signal from the left speaker to the right speaker for stereo mixing. For a mono mix it is usually placed at the 12:00 position.
patch bay  A board with numerous terminals (inputs and outputs) through which various audio, video, or lighting signals can be connected by patch cords to other channels or circuits.
patch board  See patch bay.
patch cord  A cable with connectors on both ends that is used to go from one connector on a patch bay to another.
PCM  See pulse code modulation.
peak  In audio, to reach the high point of volume level for a particular sound sequence; the ideal place to peak is at the 0 position on the VU meter.
pedestal mount  A camera mount, usually used in studio productions, that facilitates smooth movement of the camera across the studio floor and a limited range of camera height adjustment.
perambulator  A large three-wheeled movable platform that holds a mic operator and a mic in such a way that the mic can follow action throughout a studio.
performance release  A form signed by people appearing on video giving the production company the right to distribute their performances.
performers  TV talent who are on as themselves, not acting the part of someone else.
persistence of vision  A human phenomenon whereby the brain retains images for a short period of time so that still images that are projected very quickly look like moving images.
perspective  In audio, the matching of visual and sound distance.
phantom power  Current sent to a condenser mic from the audio console.
phase  The relationship of the positive and negative portions of the sine waves of two different electrical signals to determine to what extent their oscillations are synchronized. Sounds that are out of phase tend to cancel each other out, resulting in silence or on and off sound.
phone connector  A connector with a sleeve and tip that is used for patch bays, among other things.
pickup shots  Material recorded after an entire program or sequence is recorded that can be edited in to correct some element of what was shot.
pilot  A taped production of one representative program from a proposed series of programs.
pinned  Rays of a spotlight focused into a narrow beam of intense light.
pitch  (1) A meeting during which people with a program idea try to convince other people to buy their idea. (2) The highness or lowness of a sound, determined by the frequency of the sound wave.
pixel  One of the small, illuminating "dots" that make up a picture on a television or computer screen. Short for "picture element."
PL  See intercom.
plasma  A technology for TV screens that consists of two glass panels with gas between them; voltage activates the gas, which then activates colored dots.
playback  The process of retrieving electronic signals from a tape or disk and turning them into sound and/or images.
playout  The server in a television station designed to play the information appearing on air.
plug  A male connector.
pop filter  A metal or foam ball placed over the top of a mic to minimize plosive sounds.
position jump  A cut between two cameras in which a person or object appears to change position from one side of the screen to the other.
posterization  A digital video effect that reduces the number of color shades in a picture, raising the contrast level.
postproduction  The period of time, after individual program segments have been produced and recorded, when elements of a program are assembled.
pots  Round knobs on an audio board that control the volume.
preproduction  The period during which preparation and planning are undertaken for a television program.
preread  The capability of some digital videotape recorders to simultaneously read existing information on a tape while recording new information onto it. Preread allows dissolves, wipes, and other transitions to be achieved using only a single playback and a single record machine, as well as the layering of video elements.
preroll  The process by which an edit controller rewinds source and recording decks before performing an edit. This allows all machines to achieve proper speed and synchronization before the edit is performed. Normally, an edit controller prerolls 3 to 10 seconds before the in point of an edit.
presence  The authenticity of a sound in terms of perceived fidelity and distance.
preset bus  A bus on a video switcher used to select the next video input to be placed on the air.
preset white balance  A camera setting that allows the user to select one or more predetermined white balance settings for various lighting conditions.
pressure zone mic  A flat microphone that consists of a thin pickup plate that, when mounted on a table or ceiling, uses the surface it is mounted on to collect sound waves.
prestudio rehearsals  Rehearsals with the talent in a rehearsal hall or other location before coming into the studio.
preview  To look at an edit before it is actually recorded to make sure it is correct.
preview bus  A bus on a video switcher used to set up video effects and transitions before they are put on the air.
preview line  An output of a video switcher that allows the operator to set up and view effects before they are put on the air.
preview monitor  A video monitor that shows the preview line output of a video switcher.
primary colors  Red, blue, and green.
private line  See intercom.
process amplifier  An electronic component that stabilizes the levels and removes unwanted elements from a video signal.
producer  The creator and originator of a television program, usually in charge of elements such as writing, music clearance, financial considerations, and hiring the director.
production  The stage during which all the shooting for a TV program is undertaken.
production assistant  A person who undertakes small miscellaneous duties during a production such as getting people coffee and distributing scripts.
production designer  A person in charge of the overall look of a film or video.
production house  An organization that produces various types of video material-commercials, corporate videos, broadcast programs, educational programs.
program bus  The bus on a video switcher used to select the video input(s) that are put on the air.
program line  (1) The output of a video switcher that is the signal being put on the air or recorded. (2) A window on a nonlinear video editor used to assemble audio and video elements.
program monitor  (1) A video monitor that shows the program line output of a video switcher. (2) An audio speaker on which you can hear the output of the audio board.
program time  The total length of a show.
progressive scanning  A scanning method that scans a complete frame with each complete pass of the scanning beam. Many ATSC formats and most computer monitors use progressive scanning.
promotion  Calling attention to something in an appealing and formal way so that people will watch.
prompter  The generic term for TelePrompTer, a mechanical device that projects the moving script, via mirrors, directly in front of a camera lens. It allows talent to read the script as they look into the camera lens.
prompter operator  The person who makes sure the script is appearing on the right part of the prompter screen so the talent can read it properly.
prop  Something on a set that is actually used or manipulated by an actor during a production.
propmaster  The person who sees that all props are purchased and in their places on the set.
proposal  Several written pages that describe the purpose, goals, objectives, target audience, and planned segments of a proposed TV series or program.
proximity effect  The boosting of bass frequencies as a sound (particularly a male voice) gets closer to a cardioid mic.
psychographics  Information pertaining to lifestyle characteristics of a group of people, such as their desire to preserve nature.
public domain  The legal condition covering copyright that says that when material is old enough it can be used without copyright clearance being obtained.
pulse code modulation  A method of sampling analog audio information and converting it to digital form. It is used in some digital videotape formats to record audio information along with video information in helical-scan tracks. However, unlike audio frequency modulation, pulse code modulation allows separation of the audio information for editing.
push-off  A digital video transition in which the first picture is "pushed" off the screen by a second picture.
PZM  See pressure zone mic.
quantization  The number of bits that each sampled unit of an analog signal is placed into. All else being equal, higher bit levels result in a digital signal that is a truer representation of the original analog wave.
quartz-halogen lamp  See quartz lamp.
quartz lamp  A lamp with a tungsten filament and halogen gas in a quartz or silica housing.
rack focus  A camera shot that starts with one object in focus, then changes to focus on another object.
radio frequency  A carrier wave on which radio and television signals can be superimposed for transmission.
RAID  A series of computer hard disks wired together to act as one large hard disk. Often used in video servers.
random access  A storage medium that allows nearly instantaneous access to any portion of the stored data.
rate card  A listing of costs for renting equipment or a facility.
ratings  Data based on statistical sampling that tells the percentage of people who watch a particular program.
RCA connector  A connector with an outer sleeve and a center shaft.
reaction shot  A shot that shows someone responding to what someone else is saying or doing.
recording  Using audio and/or video electronic signals to arrange ironoxide particles on the magnetic recording tape or computer disk or laser inputs on a disk so that they can be retrieved later.
recording head  The part of an audio or videotape recorder that records information onto the surface of the tape.
recording tab  A small plastic tab on a videotape that is used to prevent accidental erasure (recording over) of a tape. When removed or in a designated position, the tab prevents a videotape recorder from recording on the tape.
record run  A time code mode in which the time code numbers increment only when the video is being recorded.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks  See RAID.
reel-to-reel  A type of audiotape recorder for which the tape must be threaded from the source reel to the take-up reel.
reference white  A white object, such as a piece of paper or a T-shirt, that can be used on location to white balance a camera.
reflected light  Light bounced back from the surface of an object.
reflector  A shiny device or light-colored surface used to bounce light back into a scene.
remote/local switch  A switch on a videotape recorder used to select how the machine is controlled. When in "local" mode, the machine responds to controls on the front panel; when in "remote" mode, the machine responds to signals coming from a remote source connected electronically to the recorder. Remote mode is used to allow an external edit controller or computer to control the videotape machine.
remote production  Taping video material or airing it live away from the studio usually with numerous cameras and a truck that serves as a control room.
rendering  The process by which a computer creates a complex video transition or other effect.
residuals  Payments that actors, producers, and others receive when a program is rerun.
resolution  The fineness of detail that can be produced by a given television system. The higher the resolution, the more detail that can be reproduced. Higher resolution systems use a greater number of pixels to reproduce pictures.
reverberation  Sound that has bounced off a surface or various surfaces more than once or sound that has been processed so it sounds like it has bounced off surfaces.
review  To look at an edit after it has been recorded to make sure it was executed correctly.
RF  See radio frequency.
robotic camera control  A computerized unit that allows one or more cameras to be controlled from one location.
robotic cameras  Cameras that are controlled remotely and do not have a camera operator behind them.
roll  A graphic effect in which lettering moves vertically on the screen. A roll is often used at the conclusion of a program to show closing credits.
roll-in  A short bit of material, such as a news story, that is played, usually from a VCR, into a longer program, such as a newscast.
rough cut  An assemblage of video and audio, created with off-line editing, that will eventually be used as the model for creating the edited master of a program with online editing.
router  A device that allows a digital signal to be sent to a number of different locations.
routing switcher  A simple audio or video switcher used to select from among two or more different signals.
rule of thirds  A principle of composition that divides the TV screen into thirds, horizontally and vertically, and places objects of interest at the points where the lines intersect.
rundown  A list of various segments that will be included in a program.
SA  See studio address.
safety chain  A steel chain on a lamp housing that should always be attached to the lighting grid so that the housing will not fall if it comes loose.
sampling  The process used to convert an analog signal into digital form by measuring the value of the analog signal at various temporal points and converting that value into digital information. All else being equal, a higher rate of sampling results in a digital signal that is a truer representation of the original analog wave.
sampling rate  The frequency at which an analog video signal is sampled to convert it to digital form.
sandbag  A heavy weight placed on the brace of a flat to hold the flat in place.
saturation  The strength or intensity of a color-how far removed it is from a neutral or gray shade.
scanning  The process of reproducing a video picture by illuminating individual pixels that make up the screen; also, the process that a charge-coupled device uses to transduce visual energy into electrical energy.
scoop  A floodlight that contains a single bulb in a bowl-shaped metal reflector.
screen  In interactive media, the building block of an interactive presentation; the amount of information that can be displayed on a computer monitor at one time, including various media elements such as video, text, or graphics.
screen direction  The direction a subject is facing or in which a subject or object is moving.
screenplay  A script that is for a movie.
scrim  A translucent filter, often made of fiberglass or fine screening, used in front of either a spotlight or floodlight to soften and diffuse the light quality.
script  The written guideline from which a TV program is produced.
script supervisor  A person who keeps notes during production so that continuity is maintained and the material shot can be edited properly.
SD  See standard-definition television.
SDI  See serial digital interface.
SDTV  See standard-definition television.
search  A method of moving quickly from one point on a videotape to another while viewing the images contained on the tape.
secondary colors  Colors created by combining two primary colors in equal amounts. Secondary colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow.
SEG  See special effects generator.
segue  To cut from one sound at full volume to another sound at full volume.
selecting  Choosing which audio or video signal is to be recorded or aired, usually through an audio board or a switcher.
selective attention principle  The ability of the human ear to filter out unwanted noise so that a person can concentrate on the particular sound he or she wants to hear.
self key  A key effect in which the video source cutting the key is also inserted into the key hole.
serial digital interface  A method of transporting digital video and audio information over a cable.
serif  A small extension found on the tips of letters in some font styles.
server  A computer-based unit used to store and retrieve video signals in digital form.
servo capstan  The part of a recorder that pulls the tape through the machine at the proper speed.
set designer  The person who determines the environment where the production takes place.
set dressing  Something on a set that is similar to a prop but is not essential to the action. It is there to add atmosphere or interest.
set light  General lighting on the scenery or other background behind the talent.
setup  The electronic adjustment of a video signal.
shader  See video operator.
shaping  Altering an audio signal by controlling volume, filtering out certain frequencies, emphasizing upper or lower pitches, creating an echo effect, and so forth.
shooting schedule  A sheet that lists what is to be accomplished each day of production and the major elements needed to accomplish it.
short lens  A lens with a low focal length, creating a wide field of view.
shotgun  A highly directional microphone used for picking up sounds from a distance.
shot log  A list of shots contained on a videotape.
shot sheets  Lists of shots in a program that can be attached to the back of a camera so that the camera operator knows what he or she will be shooting.
signal processing  Changing elements of sound or picture, such as frequency response and gain, so that the resulting signal is different from the original one.
signal-to-noise ratio  The relationship of desired sound to undesired electronic sound. The higher the ratio, the purer the sound.
silhouette  A type of lighting where the background is lit but the performers are not.
skew  A control on a videotape recorder that adjusts the tension on a tape to correct for when the top part of a video picture appears to "bend" to the right or left.
slant-track recording  See helical scan.
slate  An identification procedure whereby date, scene, segment, and other information necessary for editing or for identifying a tape are recorded at the beginning of the taped material.
sleeve  An outer part of a number of connectors, such as phone, miniphone, and RCA.
slug  A title for a news story, usually written at the top of the page.
SMPTE  Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Usually used in conjunction with time code.
S/N  See signal-to-noise ratio.
snake  A connector box that contains a large number of microphone input receptacles.
snap zoom  A camera shot that very quickly (almost instantly, in some cases) zooms in or out. Snap zooms are normally performed manually, after disengaging the zoom control's motor drive.
snoot  A circular metal object placed in front of a light to pinpoint the light onto a particular area of the set.
soft contrast filter  A camera filter used to create a fuzzy effect.
softlight  A lamp that has the bulb positioned in such a way that the light is reflected on the back of the lamp housing before leaving the fixture.
solo  The control on the audio console that silences all channels except the one that has been selected.
sound designer  A person who decides the overall effect of all the aural elements of a show, such as sound effects and music.
special effects  Complicated actions, such as flames or flying people, executed on a set by people qualified to do them.
special effects generator  The part of the video switcher that can be used to create special electronic effects, normally through the use of digital video effects.
speech bump  A frequency response characteristic of a mic that enables it to pick up speech frequencies better than other frequencies.
split edit  An edit in which the video and audio portions have different in or out points.
split screen  A special effect with the screen split into two or more sections, with a picture from a different input filling each portion of the screen.
spotlight  (1) A concentrated light that covers a narrow area; it usually provides some means for varying the angle of the illumination by moving the bulb within the housing. (2) A special effect in which one part of the picture is lighter (brighter) than the rest of the picture; it is often used to highlight a particular portion of the screen.
spot server  A server used to store commercials.
spread  To focus the rays of a spotlight to a relatively wide area so that the light is less intense than when the light is in the pinned position.
staff  People who are employed by a particular production organization and receive regular weekly wages regardless of what project they are working on.
stage manager  The director's key assistant in charge of all production concerns on the studio floor.
staging  See blocking.
standard-definition television  With the advent of high-definition television, this term is used to refer to NTSC television and ATSC formats that have a 4:3 aspect ratio.
star filter  A camera filter used to create a "star" effect that radiates from bright spots on the screen.
start-and-stop rehearsal  A full facilities rehearsal with cameras operating, designed to be interrupted to work out problems as the production progresses.
stereo  Audio that is recorded, transmitted, and played back through two separate (left and right) channels to simulate binaural hearing.
stock footage  Scenes of various types that can be purchased to insert into a production.
storyboard  A series of simple drawings or computer-generated frames that lay out visually the content of a commercial or program.
streaming  A method of sending video, audio, or other digital data over a computer network in sequential form so that the end user can begin playing the information before it finishes downloading.
streaming video  A method that allows moving video to be viewed over the World Wide Web or an intranet.
strike  Cleaning up a set after a production.
stripboards  Large boards or computer-generated sheets that summarize the scenes, locations, and actors needed for each day of production.
striping  The process of recording time code onto a videotape.
strip lights  A series of pan lights or low-wattage bulbs mounted in a row of 3 to 12 lights in one housing, used as a specialized floodlight for lighting a cyclorama or other large background area.
studio  The primary room devoted to video production containing all the paraphernalia for sets, lighting, cameras, microphones, and so forth-the space where all acting or performing takes place.
studio address  A public-address loudspeaker system, allowing those in the control room to talk directly to the studio floor.
studio production  TV program creation that takes place in a controlled environment meant for it as opposed to production that takes place in the field.
subcode  An area on a videotape used by some formats such as DVCPRO to record time code information.
submastering  Controlling groups of sound inputs, such as separate inputs from each percussion instrument in an orchestra, separately from other groups of sound inputs, such as all the strings.
super  See superimposition.
supercardioid  A very narrow microphone pickup pattern, often used to record sounds that are at a distance.
superimposition  A picture resulting from the simultaneous display of two pictures that are partway through a dissolve.
super video CD  A CD-ROM-based disc that can hold about 20 minutes of video at a quality higher than VHS but lower than DVD.
supervising producer  See line producer.
surround sound  Audio that comes from five or six speakers or more placed around a room.
SVCD  See super video CD.
sweetening  The process of adding pickup shots and enhanced audio information after a production has been shot.
switcher  A device consisting of selection buttons and control levers that permits the selection and combining of incoming video signals to form the final program picture.
symmetrical balance  A formal arrangement of elements in a camera shot or a graphic, usually with the most important element centered in the picture and other objects placed equidistant from the center.
sync generator  A device that produces a synchronizing signal (sync pulse) that serves as a timing pulse to coordinate the video elements of all components in a video system.
syndication  A process by which programs are distributed to individual stations that air them when they wish as opposed to network programs that are generally aired by all network affiliated stations at the same time.
table stand  A mic holder that sits on a table or tablelike setting so that one or more people can talk into it.
take  An instantaneous switch from one picture to another; also called a cut.
talkback mic  A microphone located in the control room that allows the director, audio operator, or others to communicate with people in the studio who can hear the studio monitor.
tally lights  Small red indicators on a camera to let the talent and camera operators know that the camera is on the air or recording.
TBC  See time-base corrector.
TD  See technical director.
technical director  The production person who operates the switcher.
technical rehearsal  A rehearsal intended mainly for the equipment operators so they know how to position their equipment during the recording of a program.
telas  An interruptible feedback system that can be used in a studio but not out in the field because its sound cannot travel that far.
telephoto lens  See long lens.
TelePrompTer  See prompter.
three-point lighting  The traditional lighting setup that incorporates a key, a fill, and a backlight.
three-to-one cutting ratio  A principle that states you should not take to a shot that is three times larger or three times smaller than the preceding shot.
three-to-one rule  A microphone placement principle that states that, if two mics must be side by side, there should be three times the distance between them that there is between the mics and the people using them.
tilt  (1) To pivot the camera vertically by pointing the camera mounting head up or down. (2) The shot produced by tilting a camera.
timbre  Adistinctive quality each voice or musical instrument has caused, to a large degree, by overtones.
time-base corrector  An electronic component that takes the video feed from a video recorder, encodes that signal into a digital form, and then reconstructs an enhanced synchronizing pulse and video signal for distribution and playback.
time code  An address system used to assign each frame of video a unique numerical designation in the format hours: minutes: seconds: frames, such as 23:03:58:23.
time code burn-in  A dub of video footage that has time code information displayed on the screen.
time code generator  A device used to create running time code to record with video information. Time code generators are built in to many videotape recorders, and they are also available as separate units.
time code reader  A device used to read time code information.
timeline  An area of a nonlinear editing system used to assemble video clips, audio clips, and other information into a completed program.
timing sheet  A form that helps the AD keep track of the running times of various portions of a program and other time elements so that the program ends at the appropriate time.
tip  The end of some connectors, such as phone and miniphone.
tone  A one kilohertz sound used to calibrate equipment volume levels so that the sound will have a consistent volume each time it is played or recorded.
tone generator  An element in an audio board or other piece of equipment that produces a constant one kilohertz sound that can be used to set consistent volume levels on different pieces of equipment.
tracking control  The control on a videotape recorder that adjusts the video head to put it in the optimum position when a tape is played back.
transducing  Receiving energy in one form (sound waves or light energy) and converting it into another form of energy (electromagnetic signals).
transfer editing  Any form of editing in which a signal is transferred (dubbed) from one tape to another.
transition  A method, such as a cut, dissolve, or wipe, of getting from one shot to another.
transparent  The term used to describe the ability of digital signals to be distributed and manipulated without loss of quality.
treatment  Several written pages that describe the main premise and elements of a series or movie.
triax  A cable used to connect a camera to a camera control unit.
trim  (1) To adjust an in or out point of an edit frame by frame. (2) To make final adjustments on lights. (3) To make slight sound adjustments in audio.
tripod  A three-legged camera mount, sometimes equipped with casters to facilitate camera movement.
truck  (1) To move the camera and its mount laterally to the right or left. (2) A shot produced by trucking the camera.
tungsten-halogen lamp  See quartz lamp.
turntable  A piece of equipment for spinning records and converting the groove vibrations into electrical energy.
two-column scripts  Scripts with video in the left-hand column and audio in the right-hand column.
ultracardioid  A very narrow microphone pickup pattern, often used to pick up sound from a distance.
unbalanced cables  Audio cables that have two wires, one for positive, and one for both negative and ground.
uniform resource locator  A standardized system of typing Internet addresses.
uninterrupted run-through  The rehearsal of an entire show without stopping for anything except major problems; minor problems are fixed later.
unions  Organizations that set wages and working conditions that production companies must adhere to for people (usually below-the-line people) whom they hire.
unit production manager  A person who schedules and determines the cost of equipment and facilities.
UPM  See unit production manger.
URL  See uniform resource locator.
VCD  See video CD.
VCR  See videocassette recorder.
vectorscope  Apiece of diagnostic equipment used to adjust the color qualities of a video signal using color bars.
vertical interval  A brief time during the scanning process when the scanning beam turns off and is repositioned at the top of the screen to begin scanning a new frame.
vertical interval time code  A method of recording time code information into the "blank" area during the vertical interval.
vertical sync pulse  The portion of the sync signal that controls the movement of a scanning beam from the bottom to the top of the screen.
video capture  Hardware and software that allow a personal computer to convert video into digital form.
videocassette recorder  A magnetic electronic recording machine that records audio, video, and control track signals on a videotape enclosed within a container.
video CD  A CD-ROM-based disc that can hold about an hour of video at a quality comparable to VHS tape.
video control  A knob used to adjust the level of video coming into a videotape recorder.
video data disc  A CD-ROM or DVD disc used to store video information in digital form.
video disk  Around storage device that can hold video and audio signals in such a way that they can be randomly accessed.
video effects  Complicated actions for a movie or video that are created in a computer.
video gain  A control used to boost the overall brightness of the picture being produced by a camera.
video operator  A person who makes technical adjustments on a camera using a camera control unit located at some distance from the camera.
video output control  A control that increases the gain of a video signal so that a camera can obtain a picture in low lighting conditions.
video recordist  See videotape operator.
video server  See server.
videotape operator  The person who records and/or plays back video material during production.
videotape recorder  A device used to record video and audio information onto a magnetic tape.
video track  The portion of a videotape on which video information is recorded.
virtual sets  Studio sets that are computer generated and filled in electronically behind performers who stand in front of a blank background.
VITC  See vertical interval time code.
volume unit meter  A display meter that shows the relative volume of an audio signal.
VTR  See videotape recorder.
VU meter  See volume unit meter.
walk-through rehearsal  An abbreviated rehearsal, conducted from the studio floor, to acquaint the talent and/or crew with the major outline of the production.
waveform  An electronic representation of a signal.
waveform monitor  A piece of diagnostic equipment used to evaluate the brightness qualities of a video signal.
Web  See World Wide Web.
web page  An interactive media screen designed for use with a web browser.
white balance  An electronic adjustment of a camera to compensate for differences in color temperatures so that a pure white object appears as pure white.
wide-angle lens  See short lens.
wide shot  See long shot.
wildtrack  Background noise recorded at a site so that it can be mixed in with other sounds during postproduction.
windscreen  See pop filter.
wipe  A transition in which a geometric pattern gradually replaces one picture with another.
wireless  Any system that sends audio or video frequencies through the airwaves as opposed to through cables.
World Wide Web  The set of technologies that places a graphical user interface on the Internet.
WS  See wide shot.
WWW  See World Wide Web.
XLR connector  A professional-quality balanced connector with three prongs.
XLS  See extreme long shot.
zip drive  A computer drive that has more storage capacity than a floppy but less than a CD-ROM.
zoom  A camera shot during which the focal length of the shot is adjusted as the shot is in progress.
zoom lens  A variable-focal-length lens that, through a complex optical system, can be smoothly changed from one focal length to another.
zoom mic  A microphone that can change its direction pattern gradually from cardioid to super-, hyper-, or ultracardioid.





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