Digital Media Glossary
action axis
An imaginary line drawn between two subjects or along a line of motion to maintain continuity of screen direction.
Crossing it from one shot to the next creates an error in continuity. It is also referred to as the "180-degree rule."
boom
Extension arm used to suspend a microphone or camera over subject(s) being recorded. Objective is to keep
production gear out of a camera's view.
booming
Camera move above or below subject with the aid of a balanced "boom arm," creating sense of floating into or out
of a scene. Can combine the effects of a pan, tilt, and pedestal camera move in one fluid movement.
cardioid
The most common type of unidirectional microphone. The pickup pattern resembles a heart-shaped (cardio)
figure.
clap board - (Slate)
(also called clap stick) Identification slate with hinged, striped top that smacks together for on-camera scene
initiation. Originally used to synchronize movie sound with picture. [See lip-sync.]
closeup (CU)
A tightly framed camera shot in which the principal subject is viewed at close range, appearing large and dominant
on screen. Pulled back slightly is a "medium closeup" while zoomed in very close is an "extreme closeup (ECU or
XCU).
compositing
Superimposing multiple layers of video. Each layer may move independently.
compression
Reducing the digital data in a video frame, typically from nearly one megabyte to 50 kilobytes or less, by throwing
away information the eye can't see. Compression makes it possible to store reasonably large amounts of video on a
hard disk. JPEG, Motion-JPEG, MPEG, DVI, Indeo, Fractals and Wavelets are all compression schemes.
composition
Visual makeup of a video picture, including such variables as balance, framing, field of view and texture. These
combined qualities form an image that's pleasing to view, and effectively communicates.
condenser
A microphone that uses a metal diaphragm and a metal backplate with DC voltage applied between them through
a load resistor. The type usually installed on camcorders. Also called capacitor or electret condenser, requires a
battery or external power source. [See electret condenser.]
continuity
[1:visual] Logical succession of recorded or edited events, necessitating consistent placement of props, positioning
of characters, and progression of time. [2:directional] Consistency in camera-subject relationships, to avoid
confusing a viewer's perspective.
cross-fade
Simultaneous fade-in of one audio source or lighting effect as another fades out; may overlap temporarily.
Transition similar to a video dissolve. [See dissolve, fade.]
cut
[1] Instantaneous change from one shot to another. [2] Director's command to immediately terminate on-camera
action and recording.
cutaway
Shot other than the principal action (but peripherally related), frequently used as transitional footage or to avoid a
jump cut.
cuts-only editing
Editing limited to immediate changes from one scene to another, without smoother image transition capabilities
such as dissolving or wiping. [See cut, edit.]
edit
Process or result of selectively recording video and/or audio on finished videotape. Typically involves reviewing
raw footage and transferring desired segments from master tape(s) onto new tape in a predetermined sequence.
[See assemble edit, in-camera editing, insert edit.]
establishing shot
Opening image of a program or scene. Usually, it's a wide and/or distant perspective that orients viewers to the
overall setting and surroundings.
digital audio
Sounds that have been converted to digital information.
digital effects
Special visual effects, such as mirror, strobe, freeze frame, mosaic, etc.
digital video (DV or Mini DV)
Compact videocassette format that stores numbers on tape instead of an analog representation of the image,
providing the highest resolution and color richness of any consumer format. DV tapes can be copied from one unit
to another through a special connector with no generation loss.
digital video effects (DVE)
Electronic digital picture modification yielding specialty image patterns and maneuvers: tumble, strobe, page
turn, mosaic, posterization, solarization, etc.
digitization
The process of converting a continuous analog video or audio signal to digital data (ones and zeros) for computer
storage.
digitizer
Device that captures and imports video scenes into a computer by converting it into digital information. for
capturing moving video.
dolly
Camera support mounted on wheels enabling smooth movement in any direction.
dollying
Camera movement toward or away from a subject. Effect may appear same as zooming, which reduces and
magnifies the image, but dollying in or out maintains perspective while changing picture size.
dynamic
Microphone type, also called "moving coil." Works much like a loudspeaker in reverse, employing a simple magnet
and wire coil to convert sound waves into an electrical signal.
framing
Act of composing a shot in the camcorder's viewfinder for desired visual content.
freeze frame
Single frame paused and displayed for an extended period during video playback; suspended motion perceived as
still snapshot.
headroom
Space between the top of a subject's head and a monitor's upper-screen edge. Too much headroom makes the
subject appear to fall out of the frame.
jump cut
Unnatural, abrupt switch from and to shots identical in subject but slightly different in screen location. Awkward
progression makes subject appear to jump from one screen location to another. Remedied with cutaway.
lavalier (also lavaliere)
Small, easily concealed, unobtrusive, and aesthetically pleasing microphone, typically attached to clothing.
linear editing
Analog, tape-based editing. Called linear because once the program is edited scene lengths can not be changed
without re-editing all scenes which follow it. Compare with nonlinear editing.
long shot (LS)
Camera view of a subject or scene from a distance, showing a broad perspective.
medium shot (MS)
Defines any camera perspective between long shot and closeup, viewing the subjects from a medium distance.
mic
short for "microphone."
nonlinear editing
Digital "cut and paste" editing that uses computer hard drives instead of tape to store images. Random access
allows easy arrangement of scenes in any order. Also eliminates the need for rewinding and allows for multiple
dubs without generational loss.
nose room
The distance between the subject and the edge of the frame in the direction the subject is looking. Also called
"look room."
over-the-shoulder shot
View of the primary subject with the back of another person's shoulder and head in the foreground. Often used in
interview situations.
pan
Horizontal camera pivot, right to left or left to right, from a stationary position.
pedestal
A camera move vertically lowering or raising the camcorder, approaching either the floor or the ceiling, while
keeping the camera level.
point-of-view shot (POV)
Shot perspective whereby the video camera assumes a subject's view and thus viewers see what the subject sees.
post production (post)
Any video production activity following the initial recording. Typically involves editing, addition of background
music, voiceover, sound effects, titles, and/or various electronic visual effects. Results in completed production.
props
Short for "properties," objects used either in decorating a set (set props) or by talent (hand props).
reaction shot
Cutaway view showing someone's or something's response to primary action/subject. [See cutaway.]
rough cut
Raw, tentative edit of footage in the approximate sequence, length and content of finished program. Gives
preliminary indication of eventual actual work. [See edit.]
rule of thirds
Composition theory based on dividing the screen into thirds vertically and horizontally and the placement of the
main subject along those lines.
scene
In the language of moving images, a sequence of related shots usually constituting action in one particular
location. [See shot]
script
Text specifying content of a production or performance, used as a guide. May include character and setting
profiles, production directives (audio, lighting, scenery, camera moves), as well as dialogue to be recited by
talent. [See storyboard.]
shot
Intentional, isolated camera views, which collectively comprise a particular scene. [See scene]
sound bite
Any short, recorded video-with-audio or audio-only segment for use in an edited program. Usually only a few
seconds long and consisting of one phrase or comment. Common component of broadcast news.
sound effects
Contrived audio, usually prerecorded, incorporated with a video soundtrack to resemble the real thing. Blowing on
a microphone, for example, might simulate wind to accompany hurricane images.
soundtrack
The audio portion of a video recording, often multifaceted with voiceover, background music, sound effects, etc.
special effects
(FX) Tricks and illusions, electronic or on camera. Employed in film and video to define, distort, or defy reality.
storyboard
Series of cartoon-like sketches illustrating key visual stages (shots, scenes) of a planned production, accompanied
by corresponding audio information. [See script.]
sweetening
Post-production process of adding music and sound effects to, or otherwise enhancing, purifying, "massaging" a
final audio track.
talent
Generic term for the people or creatures assuming primary on-screen roles in a videotaping.
three-point lighting
Basic lighting approach employing key, back, and fill lights to illuminate subject with a sense of depth and
texture. Strategic placement imitates natural outdoor lighting environment and avoids flat lighting. [See back
light, fill light, key light.]
three-shot
Camera view including three subjects, generally applicable to interview situations.
two-shot
A camera view including two subjects, most generally applicable to interview situations.
tilt
Vertical camcorder rotation (up and down) from a single axis, as on a tripod.
titling
The process or result of incorporating on-screen text as credits, captions or any other alphanumeric
communication to video viewers. [See character generator.]
trucking (tracking)
Lateral camera/ camcorder movement that travels with a moving subject. The camcorder should maintain a
regulated distance from the subject.
tripod
Three-legged camera mount offering stability and camera placement as well as consistency in movement. Most are
lightweight, used for remote recording. [See monopod.]
voice-over
Narration accompanying picture, heard above background sound or music, without the narrator being seen on
camera. Typically, this is applied to an edited visual during post-production.
wide-angle
Camera lens with short focal length and broad horizontal field of view. Opposite of telephoto. Supports the
perspective of the viewer and tends to reinforce the perception of depth.
zoom
Variance of focal length from wide-angle to telephoto, or vice versa, in one continuous move. "Zoom in" and "zoom
out" are common terms.
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