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Post Production Glossary
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- 2K
A term used to describe video that has approximately 2000 horizontal pixels. The actual number will depend on the aspect ratio but common resolutions are 2048x1536, 2048x1556, 2048x858, 1828x1332.
- 2-pop
Following on from the Academy leader, a single frame with a number '2' on it will appear that has a short audio tone for its duration. This tone allows the film lab and sound editors to correctly synchronize the audio to picture.
- 3:2 pulldown
Film is shot at 24 fps and NTSC video is displayed at 29.97 fps. In order to convert film to video (for telecine or TV broadcasting for example), some frames will have to be repeated to prevent the footage from speeding up. The fields are repeated in a 3:2 pattern - field A three times, field B twice, field C three times, etc. Where there is an odd number of fields, the last field will merge with the first field of the next frame, blending them together.
- 480i
A video mode with a resolution of either 720x480 or 704x480 pixels. The 480 part refers to the number of horizontal lines and the i part refers to interlacing. This video mode is used in most standard definition televisions.
- 480p
A video mode with a resolution of either 640x480 or 854x480 pixels. The 480 part refers to the number of horizontal lines and the p refers to progressive scanning, the opposite of interlacing. It is often offered on high definition televisions but is not considered a high definition mode itself.
- 4K
A term used to describe video that has approximately 4000 horizontal pixels. The actual number will depend on the aspect ratio but common resolutions are 4096x3112, 4096x1714, 3996x2160, 3656x2664.
- 720p
A high definition video mode with a progressive scan resolution of 1280x720 pixels. Used commonly for high definition television broadcasts.
- 1080i
A high definition interlaced video mode consisting of 1080 horizontal lines. The most common resolution is 1920x1080 but some cameras shoot at 1440x1080. Used commonly for high definition television broadcasts.
- 1080p
A high definition progressive video mode consisting of 1080 horizontal lines. The most common resolution is 1920x1080 but some cameras shoot at 1440x1080. Progressive scanning results in greater visual quality than 1080i footage, and support for 1080p is slowly being integrated into high definition equipment.
- Academy leader
A countdown from 8 to 3 that allows the cinema projectionist to know when to turn on the lamp in order to catch the start of the movie. See also 2-pop.
- Action cut
A cut that uses the motion of something on screen as a distraction to hide the cut and create a smooth transition. One example of this is in Jaws, where Spielberg used the motion of people crossing the camera to change the shot.
- Action safe area
A region of the screen where elements are guaranteed to be visible. The action safe area is bigger than the title safe area because it is less important for moving elements to be visible at all times. This is for compatibility with older CRT TVs that did not display the full area of the image.
- ADR
Automated Dialog Replacement. This process involves re-recording actors' dialog in a studio and syncing it up to their moving lips on screen as if it was recorded on-set. This is usually performed when dialog is recorded poorly or to change certain lines.
- Alpha channel
The opacity channel in an image. This controls the opacity level of a given pixel, with 0% being fully transparent and 100% being fully opaque.
- American Cinema Editors (ACE)
An honorary society of film editors that are voted in for their professional achievements. Entry requirements are strict and an ACE membership is considered prestigious.
- Analog
Data that can take a range of in-between values - as opposed to digital, that can only take a 1 or a 0.
- Anamorphic
16:9 footage (widescreen) that has been stretched vertically in-camera or during the post production process that results in the widescreen image filling up the whole of a 16:9 screen. This is in contrast to non-anamorphic screen footage in which black lines appear at the top and bottom of the image (known as letterboxing).
- Animation
The process of creating a progressively altering image that gives the appearance of continuous motion.
- Answer print
The first film print of the movie, combining picture and sound for the first time. It is intended for internal scrutiny and not for general release. Often color correction will need to be performed for the release print.
- Artifact
Data on an image that is not intended to be present. See also noise.
- Aspect ratio
The ratio of image width to height. 4:3 refers to standard definition television, whereas 16:9 commonly refers to widescreen.
- Assemble edit
A linear method of editing in which new clips are placed one after the other in order to assemble the edit. This is in contrast to non-linear editing in which you can assemble the clips in any order to achieve the same result.
- Assistant Editor
An editor that handles the logistical aspects of editing such as synchronizing sound to picture, cutting in temporary ("temp") sound effects and music, and overseeing the creation of optical effects ("opticals") such as titles and fades.
- Auto conform
The process of automatically recreating the online edit from an EDL file created from the offline edit.
- AVI
Audio Video Interleaved. A common Windows movie file format developed by Microsoft. Rarely used on Macintosh systems.
- Avid
A non-linear editing system popularly used for feature film and television work.
- Background Artist
Someone who paints background art for the rear of the set. See also matte artist.
- Best light
A telecine transfer performed in one pass with one color correction setting applied to the whole reel, as opposed to precise scene-by-scene correction.
- Betacam
Analog video format using 1/2 inch tapes that is commonly used for standard definition broadcasting and acquisition.
- Betacam SP
An advanced version of Betacam that allows for longer recording and an increased number of audio channels.
- Black and code
Tapes that have been pre-recorded with blank data (a black screen and timecode) before they are used. Another word for striped stock.
- Blue screen
A blue background that the subject stands in front of that will later be replaced with another background in post production. Commonly used for film cameras, with green screens used for digital cameras due to their differing color sensitivities.
- Blue screen compositing
The process of making all blue elements in an image transparent and placing a different background underneath. Commonly used for TV weather forecasts in CG environments.
- Burnt-in Timecode (BITC)
Footage with timecode permanently displayed on the image ("burnt in"). This is normally used during offline editing to correctly match shots for the online edit.
- Call sheet
A list of scenes to be shot on a particular day and the cast, crew members and equipment required.
- Cel
A single frame of an animation, normally drawn on transparent celluloid so that it can be composited into an image.
- CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery)
The process of generating and animating elements in a computer to be composited into a scene as if the elements were present in the scene as it was shot. Some movies are comprised entirely of computer generated imagery, with no live action photography whatsoever.
- Channel
One of several components used to make up an image. RGB images are made up of red, green and blue channels, with an optional alpha channel for transparency.
- Chroma key filter
A filter that allows a selected color in an image to be made transparent. Commonly used for green screen photography.
- Chrominance (chroma)
A video signal used for carrying color information.
- Chyron
Text on the bottom of the screen that is used to describe the time, place or characters in the scene.
- Cinch Marks
Scratches on a film roll that run parallel to its edge, commonly caused by improper film winding.
- Claymation
The process of animating and filming characters built out of clay. It was commonly used to create fantasy creatures before the advent of CGI but is rarely used nowadays.
- Clipped whites
Peaks in the luminance signal that have been cut off at certain value to prevent them from exceeding the limits of the video system.
- Closed Caption
Closed captions or subtitles allow a textual representation of a film to be displayed alongside it. It was originally designed for the hearing impaired but is also useful for people who speak other languages and those in noisy environments.
- Coaxial cable
An electromagnetically-shielded copper cable commonly used for video signal transmission.
- Codec
A piece of software designed to encode and/or decode video data into a format readable by a computer.
- Color bars
A test signal recorded onto the start of every tape or reel that is used to synchronize the settings of the camera with those of the capture deck.
- Color Grading
The process of altering or enhancing the color of an image to seamlessly blend cuts together in a scene, remove unintended mistakes (e.g. overexposure of highlights) or for creative effect. Also known as color correction or color timing.
- Color Space
A mathematical model of color. Color spaces differ in how they model color - for example, RGB creates color from mixtures of red green and blue and CMYK creates color from mixtures of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Broader models such as YRYBY incorporate other factors into their models in order to create more accurate models for the specific display or recording device.
- Color Timing
See color grading.
- Color Temperature
The hue of the color, with lower ("colder") values towards the blue end of the spectrum and higher ("warmer") values towards the red end. Measured in Kelvin (K).
- Colorist
A person that performs color grading.
- Colorization
The process of manually adding color to black and white movie in post production.
- Composite Print
A film print with both picture and sound on it.
- Component signal
An analog video signal with luminance, color and saturation values encoded separately, resulting in greater picture quality than composite signals.
- Composite signal
An analog video signal with the luminance, color and saturation values merged into one signal. Inferior to component video.
- Compositing
The process of combining multiple elements shot separately (images, movie clips, CGI, etc) into a final image or sequence to give the impression they were all shot at the same time.
- Compression
The process of removing information from a file or video signal in order to reduce its size or transmission rate. The aim is to reduce storage, transmission and processing costs whilst retaining optimal quality.
- Concept Art
An illustration with the aim of conveying a style, idea or mood before it is incorporated into the final product. Commonly used for period pieces in order to ascertain historical accuracy of costumes and locations.
- Continuity
The process of maintaining the consistency of the plot, characters, time period, objects, places and events of the film in order to maintain the audience's suspension of disbelief.
- Continuity Report
A detailed list of occurrences during the shooting of a scene with the aim of tracking, and therefore compensating for, any changed elements that may affect continuity.
- Cross Conversion
The process of converting from one high definition video standard to another. The opposite of up- or down-conversion.
- Cross fade (audio transition)
Lowering the volume of the preceding audio clip whilst raising the volume of the following clip at the same time, with the aim of easing abrupt transitions between the two.
- Crosscut
Cutting to another scene or set of events whilst an existing scene is taking place, to give the impression that they are both taking place at the same time.
- Crushed blacks
Reduction of the detail in the black regions of an image by compressing the lower section of the contrast range.
- Cut
To move abruptly from one shot to another angle or scene.
- Cutaway
Cutting to a shot of something other than the main focus of the scene. This can be used to hide an edit or give significance to a particular object or hand movement, for example.
- D1
Uncompressed standard definition VTR format developed by Sony and operates at a resolution of 720x486 (NTSC) and 720x576 (PAL).
- D2
A lower cost alternative to D1, developed by Ampex. This format stores data as a single composite signal rather than a component signal in order to save bandwidth but compromising image quality at the same time. It is rarely used nowadays.
- D3
A format developed by Panasonic and designed to compete with D2. Like D2, it features an uncompressed composite signal but it is lossless. It also uses smaller tapes than D2.
- D4
D4 was never developed because the number 4 is considered unlucky in Japan.
- D5
A tape format developed by Panasonic that uses the same 1/2 inch tapes as D3. It can record in both standard and high definitions. Standard definition footage is uncompressed but high definition footage is compressed at a 4:1 ratio.
- Dailies
Unedited footage that is generally screened the day after it was shot to check for mistakes. Also called rushes.
- DAT (Digital Audio Tape)
An industry standard audio recording medium, originally developed by Sony. DAT tapes are popular due to their small size, low cost and high quality.
- dB (decibel)
A unit of measurement for the intensity of a sound wave.
- Decode
The process of reading video data and outputting it in a format readable by a device or computer. This process often involves decompressing the data. See also encode.
- Depth of field
The distance range from the camera lens at which objects are in focus. This distance varies based on the length of the lens or the zoom level.
- Dialogue Editor
A sound editor that focuses purely on dialogue. His job is to assemble, synchronize and edit the dialogue in a production, with the aim of producing the clearest dialogue possible for the sound editor to work with.
- Diegetic sound
Music or sound effects that appear to eminate from the world of the film. This is in contrast to the music score for example, which accompanies the movie but clearly does not come from within it.
- Difference key
A matte extraction technique that separates a subject from its background using color differences between the two.
- Digital Imaging Technician
A person that works with the cinematographer on such aspects as workflow, image manipulation, etc, to achieve the desired result. This position has only been introduced recently with the popularization of high-end high definition cameras. The lack of standardization results in confusion about different workflows, capture settings and format limitations.
- Digital Intermediate (DI)
The process of digitizing a film, manipulating the color and other characteristics and then re-outputting to film. It differs from the telecine process in that the final output is film, not tape.
- Digitize
The process of converting analog video formats into a digital form that can be used with a computer. This term is often misused to refer to the process of transferring digital data from, for example, a P2 card. The correct term in such instances would be transfer.
- Dissolve
Merging of one shot into another by gradually decreasing the opacity of the first shot over time until it is completely transparent.
- Dolby 5.1
Six channel (five speakers and one subwoofer for bass) digital surround sound system by Dolby. Used in many theaters.
- Down-conversion
Converting from a higher quality format to a lower one.
- Drop frame timecode
Timecode that is modified to remain in sync when 29.97 fps NTSC video is broadcast at 30 fps. In order to retain accuracy, the first two timecode frames of every minute are dropped, with the exception of every tenth minute. Note that only the timecode references are lost; not the actual frames themselves. See also non-drop frame timecode.
- Dropout
A brief loss of signal that results in a "blank" area of video or audio, or adds excess noise to an image.
- Dry-gate
A telecine process in which the film is scanned with no fluid present. The opposite of wet gate.
- Dubbing
The process of copying a videotape. Can also mean adding extra voice tracks to a soundtrack in order to change lines or prepare the film for foreign markets.
- Dust bust
The process of removing dust, dirt, scratches, etc, from a frame. This can be performed on the film negative itself in a wet gate transfer or can be performed with a compositing package in post production.
- DV (Digital Video)
A popular standard definition tape and data format supported on almost all recent digital cameras. Shoots at either 640x480 or 720x480 (NTSC resolution). It has been replaced by HD/HDV formats but most cameras still offer DV as an option for shooting and capturing.
- DVD (Digital Video Disc / Digital Versatile Disc)
An optical disc format that has improved capacity and bandwidth over its predecessor, the CD-ROM. It consists of microscopic reflective pits that a laser scans. The displacement of the laser beam allows the drive to work out if the pit represents a 1 or a 0 in binary code. Commonly used for distributing movies and video games, but is about to be superseded by higher capacity high definition formats.
- DVD-R
An official recordable DVD format backed by the DVD Forum. It has greater capacity than DVD+R and is supported by older players but lacks some of the error-compensating features of its rival, leading to lower reliability.
- DVD+R
An unofficial recordable DVD format, which the DVD Forum refuses to recognize as a format. More advanced than DVD-R, with greater error compensation resulting in greater disc reliability. However, it has only been around since 2002 so some older or cheaper devices will not play this format.
- DVD RW
A standard format that allows you to write and erase data to a disc up to 1000 times. Contrasts with DVD-R and DVD+R as they only allow one write to the disc. Generally used for personal data backup and not media distribution.
- Edge numbers
Numbers printed along the edge of a strip of film that allow the negative cutter to correctly identify which frames to cut.
- Editing
The process of manipulating and rearranging footage in order to achieve a creative goal.
- EDL (Edit Decision List)
A list of all edits performed that describes how to piece together the sequence from the source footage. This is used for negative cutting and online editing.
- Effects animation
The animation of non-character elements such as explosions, smoke, rain, etc.
- Effects Stock
Film stock optimized purely for shooting visual effects footage. It has very fine grain to allow easier compositing.
- Encode
The process of taking video or audio data and writing it out to a file or tape in a specified format. This process often involves compressing the data. See also decode.
- Eyeline match
The process of making sure that an actor's eyes are looking at a creature or element that will be inserted later. This is normally achieved by a grip holding a pole in the desired position but some sets have more elaborate methods.
- Fade
The process of causing an image to gradually disappear into darkness.
- FHA (Full height anamorphic)
Another term for anamorphic footage.
- Field
Interlaced video is split into two fields: one comprising the odd-numbered scan lines, and the other comprising the even lines. There are 60 fields for every second of NTSC video.
- Film grain
The visual texture of film, caused by particles of metallic silver present on the film strip.
- Film stock
A term to describe film that is used for shooting and reproduction.
- Filter
An software add-on to simulate a given effect upon the footage. Common filters include blurs, de-grain and color correction.
- Firewire
An interface standard that is commonly used for connecting hard drives and cameras to computers. It is available in two speeds - Firewire 400 (IEEE 1394a) at 400 Mbps and Firewire 800 (IEEE 1394b) at 800 Mbps. Of the two, Firewire 400 is seen more often, as Firewire 800 is normally reserved for high-end machines only.
- Flex file
A computer-generated file that establishes the relationship between timecode, keykode and often audio timecode. Flex files are important in the online editing process. They have the file extension .flx.
- Focal length
The distance from the center of the camera lens to the object of focus.
- Foley
The process of recording sound effects on-the-fly as the picture plays. Sound effects are often created from everyday household objects.
- Foley Artist
One who records the everyday, natural sounds of the film using the foley process. This is in contrast to the sound designer who creates the unnatural sounds in the scene.
- fps
The number of frames played every second. The standard film frame rate is 24 fps, with NTSC video at 29.97 fps and PAL video at 25 fps. Shooting higher than these rates will result in slow-motion footage and shooting lower will result in fast-motion.
- Frame
A single image that represents the movie at a given point in time. When several of these images are played in sequence, they give the impression of motion. See also frame rate.
- Frame rate
The rate at which frames are played or recorded. See also fps.
- Freeze frame
The repetition of a single frame of footage to give the effect that the action has stopped or that the audience is looking at a still image.
- Full field
A complete frame of video that is comprised of two fields.
- Full raster
A high definition image that has been shot at maximum resolution. It is the opposite of half raster in which the image is shot at a slightly lower resolution and then blown up, resulting in blurriness.
- Full screen
The modification of a widescreen movie to fit a 4:3 aspect ratio completely without letterboxing. This is normally achieved by pan and scan (cropping the image).
- Gain
An increase in signal amplification. It also results in an increase in signal noise.
- Gamma
A measurement of the level of midtones in an image. Adjusting the gamma adjusts the level of the midtones while leaving the blacks and whites untouched.
- Gamut
The range of colors allowed by the current input / ouput device or file format.
- Garbage matte
A matte designed to tell the computer which areas of an image to ignore or remove.
- Genlock
The process of matching the internal sync generator of a device such as a camera with an external source. Commonly used on music video shoots to sync audio to a timecode slate. This makes it easier to sync the lyrics of the song to the performer's mouth later on.
- GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out)
A phrase referring to the fact that the footage you output can only be as good as the footage you input. If you shoot poor quality footage, you're going to get a poor quality output.
- Go motion
Similar to stop motion, but more realistic due to the application of motion blur, achieved by moving the models slightly during exposure. Sometimes this is achieved through a series of complex rods connected to a computer for precise movement, and sometimes (on lower budgets) it is achieved by flicking or nudging the model so that it vibrates.
- GOP (Group of Pictures)
MPEG-2 footage (used on standard definition DVDs) is separated into groups of pictures no longer than 18 frames for NTSC or 15 for PAL. If an MPEG file has GOPs longer than 18 or 15 frames respectively, your playback or encoding software may display a "GOP too long" error.
- GPRMs (General Parameters)
Space on a DVD player to store up to 16 1-bit numeric variables. These allow the disc to remember certain actions and preferences such as languages and audio formats.
- Green screen
A green background that the subject stands in front of that will later be replaced with another background in post production. Commonly used for digital cameras, with blue screens used for film cameras due to their differing color sensitivities.
- Green screen compositing
The process of making all green elements in an image transparent and placing a different background underneath. Commonly used for TV weather forecasts and placing live characters in CG environments.
- Half raster
A high definition image shot at a slightly lower horizontal resolution to save bandwidth and storage space and then blown up to fit the full size of the image. This results in a slight blurring of the image. Half raster 720p is shot at 960x720 and played at 1280x720, and half raster 1080p is shot at 1440x1080 and played at 1920x1080.
- Handles
This is extra material beyond the in and out points. If you did not have this extra footage, you would not be able to perform dissolves at the beginning and end of the clip.
- HD (High Definition)
A general term for a video signal with a significantly higher resolution than standard definition footage. Such footage has superior visual quality to SD video.
- Headroom
The space between the top of the character's head and the top of the frame.
- Hue
The shade of a color. This is the general color category that the color falls into, for example pink, crimson and plum are different colors but they all fall under the hue of red.
- Illegal colors
Colors present in a video signal that are not supported by the current video playback system. This can result in the image being displayed incorrectly and is especially important when preparing content for TV broadcasts, as NTSC televisions have limited color support. See also gamut.
- In point
The timecode value at which a clip begins. See also out point.
- Insert edit
The process of inserting a clip onto a timeline and pushing content aside to make room for it. In this method, no content is overwritten. See also overwrite edit.
- Interlace
The process of creating an image from two fields that combine to create a full image. This is the opposite of progressive scanning, in which the image is comprised of single frames, resulting in increased visual quality.
- Interpolation
This is used in animation to calculate the motion in between two user-generated keyframes so that each frame does not need to be animated manually. This speeds up the process and makes the resulting animation smoother.
- Intertitles
Titles that appear on their own between footage. Commonly seen in silent movies to substitute dialogue but sometimes used as chapter headings such as in Kill Bill.
- Jog
To move forward or backward through video by playing it one field or frame at a time.
- Jump cut
A cut in which the action does not completely match that of the preceding shot, causing characters to "jump" to a slightly different position. This is generally a mistake but is sometimes used for creative effect, such as to simulate the passing of time.
- Kerning
The horizontal spacing between textual characters.
- Keyframe
A frame that contains a record of specific settings (e.g. scale, rotation, brightness, etc). By setting multiple keyframes, you can adjust these parameters as the video plays to animate certain aspects. For example, you could set a keyframe for brightness at 100% and then set one at 50% when the camera enters a bright area.
- Keying
An informal term for compositing two images together using mattes created from color information (chroma key), brightness information (luma key), the difference between the two images (difference key) or by using a manually-created matte.
- Keykode
A Kodak-developed machine-readable edge code system to automate the creation of cut lists whilst at the same time retaining human-readability.
- Kuleshov effect
A cinematic montage experiment in which shots of a person's face were cut between various other shots, giving the impression that he was emoting to all of these events but in actuality the shots of his face were identical each time.
- Leading
The vertical spacing of textual characters. Also referred to as line spacing.
- Letterbox
The process of fitting a 16:9 image on a 4:3 screen by placing black lines at the top and bottom.
- Linear editing
A form of video editing in which cuts are laid out sequentially, one by one, to produce the final scene. This is in contrast to non-linear editing in which cuts can be performed in any order.
- Log
A record of start and end timecode, reel numbers, scene descriptions and other information for a specified clip.
- Lossless
A compression scheme that results in no loss of data from the file. Lossless files are generally quite large (but still smaller than uncompressed versions) and sometimes require considerable processing power in order to decode the data. The opposite of lossy compression.
- Lossy
A compression scheme that discards data in order to lower file sizes. The opposite of lossless compression.
- LTC (Longitudinal timecode)
Time code recorded on one of the audio channels of video tape. It can only be read if the tape is playing.
- Luma key
The process of creating a matte from data related to the brightness of certain areas in an image. See also keying.
- Luminance
A measure of the brightness or intensity of each pixel in an image.
- Matchmove
The process of matching the motion of a computer generated object with the motion of the camera or an object in the scene in order to blend it seamlessly within the scene.
- Matte
An image mask that is used in visual effects to control which parts of the image the effect will be applied to. See also matte painting.
- Matte artist
A person who creates background art for use in a matte shot.
- Matte painting
The process of placing a glass-painted or digital background on footage in order to simulate a different or larger environment. It is used commonly in film because it saves money on set-building.
- Modeling
The process of creating 3D objects inside a computer, similar in many ways to the process of sculpting.
- MOS
Shooting without recording sound. Originated from a German to English mistranslation.
- Motion artifact
Visual interference caused by the difference between the frame rate of the camera and the motion of the object. The most common display of this is when filming a computer or television screen. The screen will flicker or a line will scan down it, and is caused by the difference in frame rates and a lack of synchronization between the camera and television.
- Motion blur
The "streaking" effect caused when an object passes quickly across the screen. This is because the object is in many positions during the exposure of one frame of film.
- Motion capture (mocap)
The process of digitally recording an actor's movement in order to apply this movement to a computer-generated object. See also performance capture.
- Motion control
The process of controlling the motion of the camera by computer in order to obtain precise control over its movement. Commonly used to match up a model with a live-action shot in order to composite the two together later.
- Motion Picture Editors Guild
A United States film and television editors' guild that seeks to provide better salaries, medical benefits, safety and solve artistic (credit) concerns. It is the Union Local 700.
- MPEG
Moving Pictures Experts Group. A group that standardizes video formats. Known best for MPEG-2 for DVDs and MPEG-1 Layer 3 (MP3) for audio.
- Negative cutter
A person who physically cuts the film negative according to the cut list and then splices the film together in the desired order, ready for the final print.
- Negative print
A film print in which colors are reversed - black is white and white is black. It must be reprinted as a positive before it can be projected. The reason for creating a negative is the reduced cost of making extra prints.
- NG (No Good)
Commonly seen on camera and editor reports to indicate a particular take is unusable.
- NLE
Short for Non-Linear Editing system.
- Noise
Extra information in a video or audio signal that is not intended to be present. See also artifact.
- Non-drop frame timecode
Timecode that counts every frame and does not compensate for the innacuracies that occur when 29.97 fps is converted to 30. Thus the frames are accurate but the time is inaccurate. See also drop frame timecode.
- Non-linear editing
An editing system in which edits can be performed at any time, in any order. Access is random, which means that the system can jump to specific pieces of data without having to look through the whole footage to find it. Computer software such as Avid and Final Cut Pro are examples of non-linear editing systems.
- NTSC
Standard United States broadcasting system for standard definition television. It is broadcast at 30 fps at various resolutions including 640x480, 648x486, 720x486 and 720x546. The differences in resolution are based on whether the image is displayed with square or rectangular pixels.
- Offline edit
The process of editing a project at a lower resolution than the final output, in order to cut equipment costs or reduce disk space - or in the case of film projects, to preserve the original negative.
- OMF (Open Media Framework)
A file format intended for transferring media between different software applications on different platforms. It is commonly used for transferring audio from the timeline in Final Cut Pro or Avid to Pro Tools sessions.
- One light
Telecine transfer in which the film is graded on the first shot and the settings are then applied to the rest of the reel. Commonly used for transferring dailies.
- Online edit
After an offline edit, the sequence is then reassembled using high resolution media for the final output, normally using an EDL as a reference. This means that only the footage used in the final output needs to be recaptured, thus saving on storage space.
- Opticals
Shots composited in an optical printer to be output to film. Commonly used to add fades and titles, as its visual effects work has largely been superseded by digital compositing.
- Optical soundtrack
A soundtrack printed on film that takes the form of a varying sound wave and is limited to stereo output only. Nowadays it serves as a backup if the separate surround sound system fails.
- Opacity
A measure of the transparency (or lack of) in an image, which is of importance when compositing. Opacity information is stored in an image's alpha channel.
- Out point
The timecode value at which a clip ends. See also In point.
- Overwrite edit
An editing method in which existing data is overwritten when dragging a new clip onto a timeline.
- PAL
Phase Alternating Line. A standard definition broadcast standard in Europe. Similar to NTSC but with a higher resolution and running at 25 fps instead of 30.
- Pan
The act of rotating the camera whilst keeping the tripod in a fixed position.
- Pan and Scan
A method of converting widescreen images to a 4:3 aspect ratio. The video is cropped so that it fills the entire screen and is panned into position to show most essential part of the scene.
- Perf
Short for perforation. Square holes in the side of a roll of film that are used to wind it through the camera or projector's mechanism. Standard 35mm has 4 perfs per frame but sometimes a 3-perf configuration is used. See also sprockets.
- Performance capture
Similar to motion capture but with an emphasis on capturing the intricacies of the actor's hand movements, facial expressions, etc, rather than simply their overall motion.
- Pickups
Reshooting a certain shot or scene due to errors on a previous day.
- Pillarbox
The black bars displayed at the sides when a 4:3 image is shown on a widescreen TV.
- PIP (Picture in Picture)
A small window of footage superimposed over a larger window at the same time.
- Pixel
Picture element. The smallest possible element of a digital image.
- Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR)
The ratio of the width of a pixel to its height. Often, rectangular pixels are used for anamorphic sequences to maximize the available resolution.
- Pixelation
The display of large, blocky pixels in an image, caused by over-enlarging it.
- Plate shot
An empty shot of the background with no foreground elements, used for removing certain foreground elements from the scene such as light stands, wires, etc.
- Positive print
A print created from a negative that is suitable for projection.
- Post-Production
The final stage of the filmmaking process, normally involving picture editing, sound design, visual effects and outputting the film to a format suitable for release.
- Post Production Co-ordinator
An assistant to the Post Production Supervisor who focuses on logistical aspects such as scheduling, budgeting and ensuring the smooth operation of the Post Production department.
- Post-Production Supervisor
The person in charge of the entire Post Production department. They are in charge of seeing that the director's requirements are met on time and on budget, and liaise with vendors such as optical houses and sound facilities.
- Pre-Production
The planning stage before shooting commences. This includes casting, location scouting and budgeting.
- Pre-roll
The amount of time that a VTR or camera takes to reach full speed, typically 3-5 seconds.
- Principal Photography
The main period of filming in which shooting occurs with the main actors. This differs from visual effects photography and B-camera shooting.
- Print
A version of a film that is intended for projection.
- Production
The stage at which principal photography occurs.
- Progressive
Frame scanning technology that processes each frame as one complete image, as opposed to two separate fields as with interlacing.
- QuickTime
Cross-platform video compression software developed by Apple used extensively by video professionals on the Macintosh platform.
- Rack
A standardized storage area for computer servers and other equipment. They are 19" wide and heights are measured by a proprietary measurement called a "U". 1U is equal to 1.75" or 44.4mm in height.
- Realtime
The ability to interact with data as it is being created.
- Rear projection
An alternative to green or blue screen photography, in which the actor stands in front of a screen and the background is projected onto the screen behind them. This is rarely used nowadays.
- Reel
A strip of film wound upon a disc for attaching to a projector. Reels are generally 15-25 minutes in length.
- Reference tone
An audio tone of fixed frequency and amplitude that occurs at the beginning of a tape, allowing the operator to set the correct audio level when duplicating the tape.
- Render
The act of processing data for output, such as applying an effect, drawing a 3D model or outputting a video file to disk.
- Render farm
An array of computers that each process small segments of a large task in order to speed it up. See also render.
- Resolution
The amount of data used to make up a digital video or audio file, specified as the number of pixels (for video) or the number of bits (for audio).
- RGB
The primary colors used to make images in monitors, cameras and digital projectors.
- RGBA
A file containing an RGB image plus an alpha channel for transparency information.
- Roll edit
A method of shortening one clip and lengthening an adjacent one at the same time in order to maintain the original length of the sequence.
- Rotoscoping
The process of tracing the outlines of live action elements frame by frame, normally used for matte effects.
- Rushes
Another name for dailies. Generally used in Britain.
- Scrub
The ability of the editing software to play back audio as the playhead is dragged across the timeline.
- SD (Standard Definition)
Standard quality television broadcasting standard with half the resolution of 720p high definition. The US SD broadcasting format is NTSC and the European format is PAL.
- SECAM
Sˇquential Couleur Avec Mˇmoire (Sequential Color with Memory). A standard definition video standard similar to PAL, used almost exclusively in France. The only difference between SECAM and PAL is that the color information is encoded differently.
- Shoot and Protect
A technique where widescreen footage is shot with the main action centered so as to provide easier pan and scan conversion to 4:3.
- Shutter speed
The amount of time it takes for the camera shutter to open and close. Faster speeds produce crisp motion and slower speeds produce motion-blur.
- Shuttle
The process of viewing footage at speeds greater than realtime.
- Slow motion
A shot in which action takes place at a slower than normal speed. It is achieved by speeding up the camera and then playing back the frames at a normal frame rate.
- SMPTE
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. A film and television standards group that, among other things, standardized the use of SMPTE timecode.
- Sound Designer
The person responsible for the overall sound of the film.
- Splice
The process of physically attaching two pieces of film together using tape or cement.
- Spline
A curve in 3D space defined by control points. Used extensively in 3D modeling and animation.
- Split edit (L-cut or J-cut)
An edit in which the audio starts before or after the picture cut. This is commonly used to ease the transition from one scene to another.
- Sprockets
Geared wheels that attach onto the perforations on the edge of a film roll and wind it through a mechanism into a camera or projector.
- Stabilize
Similar to matchmoving but the entire frame is moved so that the elements of the scene stay in the same place in order to eliminate unwanted frame movement caused by gate weave or camera shake. This causes moving black borders at the edges of the frame that must be removed by zooming in or recreating the missing areas.
- Standards Conversion
The process of converting from one television standard to another, such as from NTSC to PAL. This normally requires frame rate and resolution conversions.
- Step
The act of moving forward or backward through video one frame at a time.
- Stereo
Two-channel audio split onto two separate tracks - one for the right speaker and one for the left.
- Stop motion
A form of animation in which static objects are physically animated and photographed frame by frame. See also go motion.
- Striped stock
See black and code.
- Tape grade
Color correction performed from a master tape rather than from film.
- Technical grade
A telecine transfer which is adjusted so as not to lose any color information. A tape grade will be performed later on to achieve the desired look of the film.
- Telecine
The process of scanning film in real-time and outputting it to a tape-based format.
- THX
An audio certification system for theaters, screening rooms, speakers, and car stereos. Mixing a film in THX will ensure that it will sound as close as possible to the mixer's intentions in THX theaters and on THX-certified speakers. More info...
- TIFF
Tagged Image File Format. A cross-platform still image file format that is popular in the industry because of its high quality and lack of compression. TIFF files tend to be quite large, however.
- Time lapse
A cinematography technique where the camera is set to capture one frame at a time with a relatively large interval between captures. When played back at normal speed, the event appears to be occurring much faster than it would in real life. This is useful for subtle events such as flowers growing or clouds moving across the sky.
- Timecode
An indexing system that provides a unique index for each frame of video, in the form hh:mm:ss:ff. This makes it easy to locate and reference a particular frame.
- Timeline
A visual representation of a movie over time, consisting of video clips laid horizontally across the screen. This is a common interface in video editing applications such as Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer.
- Title safe area
A region of the screen where text is guaranteed to be visible. This is for compatibility with older CRT TVs that did not display the full area of the image.
- Track
A separate audio or video layer on a timeline.
- Tracking
The process of tracing the movement of a particular pixel or pattern on screen in order to determine how the camera or object is moving.
- Transition
A movement from one shot or scene to another. Transitions can take many forms such as cuts, dissolves, star wipes, etc.
- Traveling matte
An evolution of the matte process that allowed the matte to change shape and position from frame to frame.
- Vari-speed
Effect where the speed of the camera is changed mid-shot, normally to emphasise a certain action on-screen. Commonly seen in action films such as 300.
- Vertical Interval
A space between each video field into which extra information such as captioning, copy protection and other data can be stored.
- Vistavision
A 35mm film format with a large surface area and low grain. It was used for several feature films in the 1950s but was abandoned due to its high cost. It was used for visual effects shots because its low grain and large surface area mean that there is very little noise when multiple shots are composited together, but nowadays has been superseded by computer-generated imaging, digital intermediates and 70mm film.
- Visual effects supervisor
The head of the visual effects department, who oversees all aspects of the visual effects process. Answers to the Post Production Supervisor and director.
- VTR
Video tape recorder, also referred to as a 'deck'. These are used for duplicating video tapes and inputting and outputting from a computer. The majority of digital cinema cameras today use tape-based formats so VTRs are common in the industry.
- Wet-gate
Telecine process in which the film is immersed in fluid whilst being scanned. This removes any dust, dirt or hairs that may be on the film and can cover up scratches and marks. See also dry gate.
- White balance
The process of adjusting the camera so that it interprets the brightest area of the image as pure white. This ensures that the colors are recorded properly, and is only an issue with digital cameras.
- Widescreen
A format in which the width-to-height ratio of the frame is greater than 4:3, so that it is significantly wider than it is tall.
- Wipe
A transition in which one image is moved off screen to reveal another.
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