Download Trade Terms

Broadcast/Video Production 1
Unit 3
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An understanding of the technical language,
lingo or jargon of the industry is critical for a
successful career.
Although terms are fairly universal, meanings
can vary between mediums, like different
dialects of the same language can vary
between regions of the same country.
◦ Example: An Editor in the TV or film industry is
different than an Editor in the print industry.
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This unit focuses on terms used in the
television and motion picture industries.
These include:
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Names of crew positions
Names of equipment found on set or in studio
Parts of a camera
Units of measurements
Common phrases used in each industry
Abbreviations and acronyms
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Production Personnel can be broken into
two categories:
◦ Above the Line
 Highest paid members of the production staff
(actors, writers, producers, directors and editors)
◦ Below the Line
 More hands on members of the production staff
(Gaffers, Stagehands, Camera Operators, production
assistants and script supervisors)
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Executive Producer (TV/Film)- In charge of multiple
productions or series of productions. Determines the budget
of production.
Producer (TV/Film)- In charge of an individual production. Is
responsible for all personnel working on the production and
coordinating the nontechnical and technical elements of
production. Often doubles as writer and director.
Director (TV/Film)- In charge of directing talent and technical
operations. Is responsible for transforming the script into
effective video and audio messages. Can also double as
producer in smaller productions.
Writer (TV/Film)-Writes the script
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Actor (TV/Film)- Portrays a character in a
production
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Talent (TV)- Portrays oneself on air. (i.e.
newscasters, talk show hosts)
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Performer (TV)- Appears as oneself on air to
perform (i.e. musicians, stand-up comedians)
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Announcers (TV/Film)- Narrates the
production
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Technical Director (TV/Film)- TD for short. In
charge of all the technical setups and
operations during the production. Operates
the video switcher in studio and select field
productions
Director of Photography (Film)- DP for short.
Takes care of the lighting and camera
operation.
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Lighting Director (TV/Film)- In charge of
studio and film lighting as well as lighting for
concerts.
Camera Operators (TV/Film)- Also called
videographers or shooters. Operate studio
and field cameras
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Video Camera- aka Camcorder, used to record or
capture moving images on to a tape or video disk.
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Tripod- aka Sticks, a three legged stand the
camera is placed on for a steady picture
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Baby Legs-(noun) a short tripod
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Dolly- (noun) wheeled cart a camera and tripod are
placed on. (verb) the act of using a cart to follow
action.
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Snake-(noun) A multi-channel audio cable used to
transfer signals from several inputs and outputs
Mic-(slang) short for microphone, a device used for
capturing sound
Slate- aka Clacker or Clapper used at the beginning
of a shot to sync up picture and sound in post
production
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Mixer-(noun) a device used for changing the volume
and sound of multiple inputs and outputs
Switcher-(noun) a device that switches multiple
production sources—studio cameras, videotape
recorders (VTR), graphics (GFX) during live or taped
broadcasts. Can also be used as another name for a
TD.
Dimmer- (noun) a device that changes the intensity
of a light or several lights at once.
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Bus- a row of buttons on a switcher
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Monitor- a closed circuit television screen
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Leko- aka ERS, Source 4, a lighting
instrument that produces hard shadows
Fresnel- a lighting instrument that produces
soft even shadows
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Lens- the eye of the camera, captures images as
light pass is through it.
Charge Coupled Device (CCD)- the brain of the
camera, a semiconductor device that converts light
patterns into digital signals as it passes through
the lens
Viewfinder- a device on the camera that shows a
visual representation of what the lens sees.
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Zoom Control- a mechanical device used to change the size
of a subject.
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Focus Control- a mechanical device used to change the clarity
of a subject.
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Aperture- An adjustable opening inside the lens that
regulates the amount of light reaching the CCD. Also known
as an iris.
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Focal Length-The amount of space within lens view which will
maintain acceptable focus at given settings.
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Depth of field-Area in front and behind the subject that is in
acceptable focus.
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F-Stop-The scale used to measure the size of
the opening of the iris (the opening that lets
light in) on a lens. Common F-Stops are 1.4,
2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, and 22. The smaller
the number the larger amount of light is let
in.
Kelvin Scale- Measures the color temperature
of various lighting conditions.
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“Green light”- meaning the command to go
ahead with a production
“It’s got legs”- term for a production that
appears to successful.
“In the Can”- term for a finished production.
“Cut!”- said by the director, meaning stop
recording
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“Marker”-command to slate a shot
“New Deal”- command to move on to a new
setup
“Roll”- in film the command to start recording. In
TV it is the command play a tape before taking it
live.
“Take”- means to cut from one source to
another.
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“Ready”- means to prepare a source to be aired
“Fade”- means to dissolve from one source to
another
“Martini Shot”- the last shot of a production of
the day
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Abbreviations and Acronyms are used in technical
language to say a lot by saying just a few letters. It
is easier and quicker to say ADR than it is to
Additional Dialogue Replacement. Here is a list of
commonly used abbreviations and acronyms:
◦ AC-Alternating Current
◦ DC-Direct Current
◦ DGA-Director’s Guild of America
◦ VO-Voice Over
◦ VO/SOT-Voice Over with Sound On Tape
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SOT-Sound On Tape
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OTS-Over the Shoulder
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GFX-Graphics
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ADR-Additional Dialogue Replacement
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EDL-Edit Decision List
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EQ- Equalization
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SFX-Sound Effects
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INT-Interior
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EXT-Exterior
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WGA-Writers Guild of America
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ENG- Electronic News Gathering
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EFP- Electronic Field Production
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http://www.filmland.com/glossary/Dictionary
.html
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp_ind.htm
http://www.pbs.org/hollywoodpresents/ging
ame/glossary.html
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=sla
nguage