Film Production

PTC (Piece To Camera)

when a television presenter or a character speaks directly to the viewing audience through the camera

PSC (Portable Single Camera)

a method in which all of the various shots and camera angles are taken using the same camera

TX Date

Transmission date, broadcast day

R/V (Randezvous)

an arrangement to meet someone

IV (Interview)

a structured conversation where one participant asks questions and the other provides answers

GVs (General Views)

shots that establish a specific location, subject, or activity

SCU (Single Camera Unit)

a method in which all of the various shots and camera angles are taken using the same camera

Fixer

someone who helps arrange everything involved in film production

Release forms

legal documents signed by interviewees and contributors granting permission to use their image

Daily rates

the billing cost for an individual's services for a single day

Carnets

an internationally accepted customs document for temporarily exported equipment, merchandise, or goods

Sequence

a series of consecutive scenes that are connected by a common idea or theme, and together they form a narrative unit in a film

Tape stock

an analog medium that is used for recording motion pictures or animation

Tilt

the camera stays in a fixed position but rotates up/down in a vertical plane

Pull Focus Shots

when you change focus during a shot

Tracking shots

any shot where the camera follows backward, forward or moves alongside the subject being recorded

Windshield/Deadcat/Wind muff

the synthetic fur covers on microphones in video production

POV (Point of View)

first-person perspective; the perspective of the person narrating the story or a play

Pan shot

horizontal movement in which the camera moves right to left while its base remains in a fixed location

Whip pan shot

a type of pan shot in which the camera pans so quickly that the picture blurs into indistinct streaks

Personal mic/Lavalier

a small microphone used for television, theater, and public speaking applications to allow hands-free operation

Dolly

a cart that the camera is mounted on, which rolls along dolly track or on its own wheels

Clipspotter

someone who speaks the language the interviewees use and is brought in to translate and identify exactly the clips that the reporter wants to use to illustrate the script

Shot list

a document that lists each shot for a particular scene, sequence, or film to ensure that every shot is captured

Royalty-free

a material subject to copyright or other intellectual property rights that may be used without the need to pay royalties or license fees

To lay down someone's voice

To record someone's voice

EDL (Edit Decision List)

a cut list or representation of video edits that can be used to align audio events to a reference video file

Concurrent scenes

scenes that happen at the same time

Production design

the process of creating the visual environment in which a film or a television show unfolds

Logline

a one-sentence synopsis of the screenplay

Slug line/Scene heading

a line within a screenplay written in all uppercase letters to draw attention to specific script information

Parentheticals/Brackets

a note or direction on how a particular line of dialogue or action is delivered by a character

ECU (Extreme Close-Up)

a shot that frames the subject as close as possible, often capturing only specific details of a whole

Three-point lighting (Key light+Back light+Fill light)

a traditional method for illuminating a subject in a scene with light sources from three distinct positions

Film/Release prints

a copy of a film that is provided to a movie theater for exhibition

Box office

income from ticket sales (as for a film); an office (as in a theater) where tickets of admission are sold

ADR (Automatic Dialogue Replacement)

the process of re-recording audio in a more controlled and quieter setting

Cue sheet

a log of all the music used in a production

Foley

the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to films, videos, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality

Sweetening

a sound design practice in which additional audio and effects are used to enhance audio already recorded

Licensing agreement

legal contract that is written between two parties—a licensor and licensee. The contract stipulates the type of agreement, the length of the relationship, payments and royalties that are due and when, and the extent to which licensing is allowed