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SCAD Film 710 Hofstein
Film & Video Glossary
164
Film, Theatre & Television
Graduate
09/22/2010

Additional Film, Theatre & Television Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
A.S.A. (F)
Definition
The American Standards Association.  Establishes measurement standards for still and motion picture film stocks. Usually refers to the light sensitivity of the film stock.  Same as ISO (International Standards Organization) and EI (Exposure Index)
Term
Abby Singer
Definition
Second to the last shot of the day. Named after the legendary producer.
Term
Action Prop
Definition
Objects actually used (or handled) by performers in a film.
Term
Action
Definition
Director's command indicating actors are to begin performance.
Term
Aerial Shot
Definition
A moving shot usually taken from a helicopter or airplane; essentially a variation of the crane shot.
Term
Animation
Definition
Photographing inanimate objects or individual drawings frame by frame, with each frame differing minutely from its predecessor. When combined and projected at the standard speed fo 24 frames per second, the resulting effect makes the images appear to move, and hence, seem "animated".
Term
Answer Print
Definition
First trial film print, a composited print including sound of an edited, dubbed and scored motion picture.
Term
Aperture
Definition
An adjustable diaphragm or iris located in the camera lens. This iris controls the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens to the film plane or digital chip.
Term
Apple Box
Definition
A sturdy wooden box (8" hight, 12" wide, 18" deep) used on film sets to achieve a desired position for an actor or object in a camera shot.
Term
Arc
Definition
A powerful lighting instrument used in projectors or studio lights in which the source of illumination is an electrical discharge across a gap between two carbon arc poles.  Arc lights have been essentially replaced by HMIs.
Term
Aspect ratio
Definition
The ratio between the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the film or video frame. the shape of the frame of a motion picture or video.
Term
Background
Definition

1.) An extra or non-descript (nd) person who walks through the scene

 

2.) The area behind the principle actors.

Term
Blocking
Definition
Procedure to determine the movements of the cast and camera prior to shooting a particular scene.
Term
Boom, Mike Boom
Definition
An overhead, telescoping pole which carries a microphone, allows synchronous recording of sound without restricting the actors' movements.
Term
Boom Person
Definition
Sound technician responsible for the operation of the microphone boom.
Term
Bullet hits
Definition
A small explosive charge place behind or beneath a surface and electrically discharged to give the appearance of a bullet having struck and exploded on that surface.
Term
Business
Definition
Slang. A specific bit of action within the scene.
Term
Busy
Definition
A fussy or ornate background that detracts from the foreground action.
Term
Butt can
Definition
A small metal or plastic trash can, originally used for cigarette butts
Term
C.R.T. (V)
Definition
Cathode Ray Tube. Vacuum tube used in television monitors and receivers.
Term
Cable person
Definition
Person in charge of handling cables usually for sound department
Term
Call sheet
Definition
An elaborate from, part of the paperwork within the assistant director's area of responsibility. It announces the daily work schedule for cast and crew, including names, call times, locations, special equipment, etc.
Term
Camera Operator
Definition
The person who actually operates teh camera by panning and tilting during a take and states emphatically whether the shot was good or no good as soon as the director says "cut"
Term
Camera Ready
Definition
The set, props and actors are ready for the scene to be shot
Term
Camera right
Definition

1.) Direction given by director or cameraperson while blcoking a scene into desirable patters of motion.

 

2.) The right side of the camera as one faces the the set from the camera position. 

Term
Condor
Definition
A crane, used as a platform for positioning a light up very high.
Term
Continuity
Definition

1.) A detailed plan or notes of the production consisting of both the action and dialogue in the order in which they will be seen.

2.) The person in charge of taking notes on the set, AKA, script-supervior.

Term
Control Track (V)
Definition
Sync pulse recorded onto the video which serves to control transport speed during playback.
Term
Costumer
Definition
The person in charge of acquiring and fitting the clothes worn in a film by having them made, buying them ready-made, renting them, or obtaining them from the studios wardrobe department, aka costume designer
Term
Cover Shots
Definition
A location, usually weather protected, prepared to serve as an alternate set for the scheduled work in case of inclement wether conditions.
Term
Coverage
Definition
Detailed shots, close-ups, reactions or points-of-view, filmed to intercut with the master scene.
Term
Crane Shot
Definition
A shot taken from a device (crane) that resembles a huge mechanical arm. The crane carries the camera and camera person or an electronically remote controled head for camarea movement.
Term
Crew call or Call time
Definition
A notification to personnel of the time and place to report for the days film work
Term
Cross
Definition
An actor's movement from one side of the set to the other in a camera shot, performed usually in a horizontal line before the camera.
Term
Cross cutting
Definition
The alternating of shots from two sequences, often in different locales, to suggest the sequences are taking place simultaneously
Term
Dolly
Definition
A moviing shot accomplished by physically moving the dolly about the set with the camera mounted on it.  aka the dolly shot.
Term
Downstage
Definition
The front area of the stage, nearest to the camera or audience.
Term
Drive by
Definition
Refers to a car that passes in front of the camera and out of the the frame.
Term
Deubbing
Definition
The process of rerecording several sound tracks into one composite track.
Term
Ellipsis
Definition
The compression of time in a movie created through editing techniques.
Term
End Sticks (Tail Slate)
Definition
A clapperboard held upside down and used to mark the end of a take instead of the beginning.
Term
Establishing shot
Definition
Usually an extreme long shot shown at the beginning of a scene or sequence providing the viewer with the geographic location of the the context of the subsequent closer shots.
Term
Executive Producer
Definition
The person in charge of the financial affairs of gathering of financial resources for a motion picture production.
Term
Exposure
Definition
The length of time that light is allowed to strike the film emulsion or digital chip.
Term
Extra
Definition
An actor who plays a very minor role in a film production, has no lines and often appears in crowd scenes, also referred to as 'background'
Term
Extreme long shot
Definition
A panoramic view of an exterior location photographed from a great distance.
Term
Eyemo
Definition
A small, basic, camera, used during stunt shots when a regular production camera might be put in jeopardy
Term
Fade-in
Definition
The slow brightening of the frame from black to normal screen brightness. 
Term
Fade-out
Definition
The slow fade of the frame from normal scree brightness to black
Term
Flash Back
Definition

Editing technique which suggest the character's past or previous time.

Term
Flash-Forward
Definition
and editing technique which suggests the interruption of the present by a shot or series of shots representing the future.
Term
Focus
Definition
The degree of acceptable sharpness and clarity in a film image. "out of focus" means the images are blurred and lack acceptable linear definition.
Term
Forced Call
Definition
Under union conditions, when a person is recalled to work before a minimum number of hours have elapsed to constitute an acceptable rest period, resulting in a varying financial penalties.
Term
Frame
Definition
An individual section of film that includes one separate exposure. In video, one complete picture consisting of two fields.
Term
Freeze Frame
Definition
A shot composed of a single frame that is reprinted a number of times on the film strip, which when projected gives the illusion of a still photo graph.
Term
From the top
Definition
a term used meaning to repeat the performance or a portion thereof 
Term
Full Load, Half Load
Definition
Refers to the amount of film in the camera or prop gun
Term
Gaffer
Definition
The chief lighting technician in charge of the lighting crew and lighting equipment.
Term
Gain (V)
Definition
The level of signal amplification. 
Term
Generation (V)
Definition
A term used to describe the number of duplications from the original recording.
Term
Genlock (V)
Definition
The locking of one video system to the sync signal of an incoming signal
Term
Genre (F)
Definition
A recognizable type of film which depends on certain established conventions.  The most common American genres are westerns, thrillers, musical, and historical spectaculars.
Term
Glitch (V)
Definition
Slang term for a picture or action disruption 
Term
Hiatus
Definition
Between season; a break in production of a TV series or movie
Term
High Contrast
Definition
A style of lighting emphasizing harsh shafts and dramatic streaks of light and dark. Often used in tragedies and melodramas.
Term
Hit Mark
Definition
Predetermined place on a set for an actor to stand near where light, sound, and cameras have been optimized for executing the scene.
Term
Honeywagon
Definition
Bathroom and/or dressing room and/or makeup trailer.
Term
Hyphenate
Definition
A person who functions in two or more capacities on a film production: ie writer/director or actor/writer/director 
Term
Hyster
Definition
A type of forklift. Operated by a Teamster.
Term
I.A.T.S.E.
Definition
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. The collective bargaining agent for most of the film technicians throughout the US.
Term
Impedance (V)
Definition
Resistance to the flow of an electrical current.
Term
Insert Car, Camera Car
Definition
A car or truck specially equipped to carry the camera, lighting gear and crew members for shooting while the vehicle is in motion.
Term
Insert
Definition
Close-up of an object, ie: book, etc, used to call attention to the object
Term
Jib Arm
Definition
A small moveable arm mounted on a dolly to enhance camera movement.
Term
Juice
Definition
Electric current, slang term
Term
Juicer
Definition
An electrician who is responsible for the DC current
Term
Light Change, relight
Definition
Changing the lighting arrangement for the next shot.
Term
Local 40 Man
Definition
A bona fide electrician, not a crew member, who handles the practical lights, generators, etc. Responsible for the AC current.
Term
Lock-up
Definition
The control of all entrances and exits (doorways, roadways, walkways, alleys, etc.) in the vicinity of the shooting set to prevent unwanted visitors or bogies from entering the frame. Can be exterior or interior
Term
Long Shot (LS)
Definition
Shot take at a distance from the subject
Term
Looping
Definition
Known formally as ADR, or Automatic Dialogue Replacement, where an actor recreates dialogue on the sound stage in sync to the picture.
Term
Low Key
Definition
A style of lighting emphasizing diffused shadows and atmospheric pools of light. Often used in mysteries, thrillers, and films noir.
Term
Looser
Definition
The command to widen the framing of an particular camera shot
Term
Luminance (V)
Definition
A component of a video signal describing what its brightness equivalent would be in black and white rather then in color
Term
Magazine (F)
Definition
The light-proof container that fees and takes up film stock in a motion picture camera
Term
Magic hour
Definition
Dusk, aka Golden Hour, sunset, when the sun is no longer in the visible sky and the light is diffused through the atmosphere. (aprox 20min)
Term
Make-up Artist
Definition
A production craftsperson who applies a performer's make-up, does not include body make-up
Term
Martini
Definition
The last shot of the day
Term
Master
Definition
the shot that covers all or most of a scene
Term
Matching Background
Definition
Keeping track of extras' movements to match for the next shot for continuity 
Term
M.O.S.
Definition
Mit Out Sound. Used to notate a shot to be filmed without sync sound
Term
N.T.S.C.
Definition
National Television Systems Committee. The engineering group that developed the US television specifications (ca 1950) currently in use
Term
N.D.
Definition
Non Descript. used to describe general background physical traits.
Term
N.D. Breakfast
Definition
Non-Deductible breakfast given to an actor to avoid a meal penalty.
Term
Negative (F)
Definition
Raw film stock when exposed and properly developed contains a reversed density image, dark for light, light for dark.
Term
Next shot's in the glass
Definition
The final shot of the day ie: the Martini shot
Term
Night for Day (F)
Definition
Shooting during the night with the scene lit to look like daytime
Term
Noise (V)
Definition
Distortions in an electronic signal characterized by 'snow' in a video signal or 'hiss' in an audio signal
Term
Non-synchronous sound (F)
Definition
Sound and image are not recorded simultaneously, or the sound is detached from its source in the film image. Music, for example, is usually non-synchronous in a movie.
Term
Not My Job
Definition
Term sometimes used by a crew member referring to something being out of their jurisdiction. Sarcastic term.
Term
Oblique angle
Definition
A scene photographed with a tilted camera. When this image is projected onto the screen, the subject itself seems to be tilted on its side.
Term
Offset Arm
Definition
A small metal arm mounted to the dolly used to offset the camera and gear head from a central position; also used with lighting equipment
Term
Off-line (V)
Definition
Sometimes called a work edit or scratch tape editing; preliminary editing, usually on a low cost editing system where decisions can be made prior to an expensive on-line edit session
Term
On a Bell
Definition
Notification on the set that a shot is about to commence or is in progress
Term
One-liner
Definition
part of AD's paperwork. Helps identify the scenes with a one line description and is a schedule of the day's work, includes shooting day, date, day, page count, scene numbers, and address of locations.
Term
Optical (F)
Definition
Fades, dissolves, and other effects created in an optical printer
Term
Over the Shoulder Shot
Definition
A medium shot useful in dialogue scenes in which one actor is photographed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor.
Term
Picture Car
Definition
Any vehicle to be photographed
Term
Production report
Definition
Yet another of the AD's many pieces of paperwork. A detailed form that lists all performers and crew used on a specific day, their work time, amount of footage shot, and other information useful to the producer in determining the progress of the production. It is a legal document.
Term
Promo
Definition
An Advertisement 
Term
Prop Master
Definition
The crew member responsible for providing the necessary props.
Term
Prop Maker
Definition
A craftsman, usually a carpenter, who construct special props needed in a specific scene or scenes.
Term
Prowler/Layton/Scotty
Definition

Different trade names for dressing room trailers.

 

Prowler: Nicest

Layton: OK

Scotty: Not so nice

Term
Pull-Back
Definition
A technique used to surprise the viewer by moving the camera in a scene to reveal an object or character that was previously out of the frame.
Term
Quiet
Definition
Command given by the director, assistant director, or any one else with a loud voice to request silence on the set for filming.
Term
R.G.B. (V)
Definition
Red, Green, Blue - the component parts of a color video signal.
Term
Rack Focus
Definition
To shift focus from one focal plane to another which forces the viewer's attention to 'travel' in sequence to the next area of the frame in which the image becomes distinct or 'in focus'
Term
Radio Mike, Rado Mic
Definition
A microphone attached to an actor that transmits sound through radio waves for use in difficult or dangerous shots
Term
Raw Stock (F)
Definition
Unexposed film, can be negative or positive film stock
Term
Reaction Shot
Definition
A shot of a character reacting to the content of the preceding shot within the scene
Term
Registration
Definition
The accurate alignment of RGB images to form a faithful reproduction of the original scene's colors and lines
Term
Release Form
Definition
Permission to use an individual's likeness, voice or performance. 
Term
Scripts Supervisor
Definition
The person who keeps a record of the details of each take during film production so continuity can be maintained when edited in the correct sequence in the movie. Official time keeper on the set aka continuity
Term
Remote Head
Definition
A device on which the camera can be mounted and electronically controlled (pan/tilt) from a distance
Term
Second Team
Definition
Term for the stand ins when lighting or blocking the scene (see first team)
Term
Second Grip
Definition
Best Boy Grip. Keeps the grip department paperwork, ordering additional grip equipment and is in charge of repair of broken grip equipment.
Term
Second Unit
Definition
An additional crew which generally photographs the action sequences or sequences not involving the main actors, may work consecutively with the first unit or independently at another location
Term
Second Assistant Camera
Definition
Claps the slate prior to the beginning of each shot. Keeps track of camera reports, slate, paper work and film stock inventory, can load film into camera magazines and will pull focus in the absence of the first assistant camera person. aka Clapper/Loader
Term
Sequence
Definition
A unit of action where there is no lapse of time, sometimes containing  several scenes.
Term
Set Dressing
Definition
Any item used as set decoration, ie: furniture, drapery, carpeting, and hand props which are not designated  by the script or director as part of a specific action
Term
Set-up
Definition
The position of the camera and lights for a specific shot
Term
Shoot the rehearsal
Definition
Command by the director to film the rehearsal
Term
Short end
Definition
Unexposed film, too short to be used, near the end of a reel or raw stock.
Term
Shot Maker
Definition
A camera car/crane. Can be used as a crane, an insert car, or it can tow.
Term
Shot
Definition
Those images on film or video recorded continuously from the time the camera starts to the time it stops. An unedited, uncut strip of film
Term
Side Lines
Definition
Areas just out of sight from the camera
Term
Sight Lines
Definition
The line of sight for the actor
Term
Stand in
Definition
A person who should bear some physical resemblance to a lead performer and is used as a substitute during the set up time for lights and camera equipment prior to the actual shooting of a scene
Term
Standing adjustment set
Definition
A set that is used continuously in a TV series
Term
Steadicam shot
Definition
A moving camera shot, made by a camera operator with an apparatus used when dolly is too cumbersome to perform the move.
Term
Still Person
Definition
A still photographer assigned to the film crew to take still photos of the actors and crew during production for use later in advertising
Term
Stock (F)
Definition
The raw unexposed footage of a film. there are many types of movie film stocks, including those highly sensitive to light ('fast'), and those with less sensitivity to light ('slow')
Term
Strike
Definition

1.) To dismantle and store props or equipment used on a set.

 

2.) A legal action taken by a union when contractual agreements are not upheld, faithfully negotiated, or are otherwise broken by the producers.

Term
Studio Teacher
Definition
A board-certified teacher, present on the set who conducts school for minors when school is normally in session
Term
Stunt double
Definition
An actor who doubles for the lead performer and performs the dangerous work in a movie or television show
Term
Sub-text
Definition
Term used in story, comedy or drama, to signify dramatic implications beneath the spoken works of a play or movie. Often the sub-text concerns ideas and emotions that are totally  independent of the language of a text.
Term
Swing Gang
Definition
Production crew members who work the swing shift
Term
Swish Pan
Definition
Also known as a flash or zip pan; a swish pan is a horizontal movement of the camera usually around its horizontal axis at such a rapid rate that the subject blurs on the screen
Term
Treatment
Definition
A detailed version of a story outline in paragraph form used for explanatory purposes prior to the actual writing of the screen play
Term
Tulip Crane
Definition
A type of crane that can be disassembled and reassembled quickly
Term
Turnaround
Definition
A certain number of hours that cast or crew must have between their wrap time and their call time for the next day
Term
Upgrade/Move Up/Rerate
Definition

1.) Adjusting an extra's pay who has been 'moved up' to a silent bit, stan-in, or acting position.

 

2.) Adjusting a crew member's rate of pay to accommodate for performing duties outside his/her normal job description

Term
Upstage
Definition
The rear area of the stage that is farthest from the camera or audience 
Term
Video Assist
Definition
A small video camera attached to the viewing system of a film camera which instantly shows what the taking image of the film camera sees
Term
Video Hook-up
Definition
Attachment to the film camera for the video assist
Term
Vignetting
Definition
A technique used to round off the corner edges of a movie frame with a soft blurring effect, sometimes by using masking devices 
Term
Walkaway
Definition
Direction from the director of photography to clear the set after the set-up is complete
Term
Walkaway wrap
Definition

Leave the set at the end of the day without 'wrapping' the equipment due to either:

 

1.) The approach of golden time and the set will be officially wrapped the folling day at straht time or by a 'wrap' crew or

 

2.) work will continue on the same set the following day.

Term
Walkie Talkie
Definition
A device used by anyone who requires on-set communication.
Term
Welfare Worker
Definition
The same as Studio Teacher
Term
Western Dolly
Definition
A heavy-duty equipped for rough terrain available to cary equipment and operators easily
Term
Waveform Monitor (V)
Definition
An oscilloscope modified to display the video signal and to evaluate individual video levels 
Term
Zoom
Definition
Changing the size of the action area from a wide angle to a close shot or vice versa (zoom out) without moving the camera by using the lens.
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