A and B Rolls
Refers to use of two videotapes in recording a single camera segment. During editing the audio and/or video from the B roll (generally consisting of cutaways and insert shots) is inserted over the primary A-roll footage.
A and B roll editing
A and B roll printing contains alternating segments of the original film that overlap each other when dissolves are required. The A and B technique enables dissolves and fades to be effected without going through another processing generation.
A and B roll printing
A and B roll printing is accomplished with two or more rolls of film, conformed and matching, with alternate scenes intercut with black visual film splices on the screen. It also permits single or double exposures, multiple exposure, and hands-on reediting by the frame.
A/B switch
Mechanical switch that can select one of two signals to route to a specific destination.
Above the Line
1)Costs for creative and performing personnel (producer, writer, director, musicians, actors, etc.).
2)Above-the-line refers to the portion of budget that includes producer, director, actors, script, and writer, considered to be the creative elements, including the major talent and the property itself. The separation is made between such expenses and all others, referred to as deferred, particularly regarding talent, who often participate in the profits or gross revenues of the film.
Aberration
Any optical or electronic distortion of an image.
AC Adapter
Converts power from standard AC electrical outlet to low voltage direct current for use with battery operated audio or video equipment.
AC
Alternating Current. Standard 120-volt, 60-Hz (cycle) household electricity. Also called line voltage.
Acceleration Editing
Condensing or expanding time through editing. In a dramatic production several hours of activity can be condensed into a few short scenes. Conversely, some directors will “drag out ” an event beyond its actual time in order to heighten dramatic impact.
Access
In the context of newsgathering, the legal right a news reporter to go onto private property to obtain information or videotape footage.
Access Channel
Cable TV channel reserved for local community programming.
Access Time
Delay between time information or action is requested from equipment and the desired response.
Accomodation
One of five conflict styles. It happens when a person puts aside his or her own concerns in favor of pleasing the other people involved and perserving the relationship(s).
Acoustics
Charachteristics added to basic sound resulting form reflective interactions within a room or studio.
Acquisition Format
Typically, footage shot on S-VHS or Hi8 intended to be transferred to a higher quality format in order to retain quality during subsequent editing and copying.
Action Cutting
Using editing to cut from one shot and camera angle to another during an action scene, giving the impression that multiple cameras are being used. During single-camera production action is repeated for a single-camera positioned at different angles and distances and footage is cut together in editing giving the impression that there is uninterrupted action covered from a variety of camera angles.
Action Still
A still-frame captured during a production by an electronic still-store device. Sometimes used at the end of a production to key credits over.
Active Lines
The total number of visible scanning lines in a video frame, or the total number of lines, minus the lines devoted to vertical blanking.
Actual Malice
Broadcasting or publishing something which is either known to be false or with reckless disregard for its truth or accuracy.
Actuality
Tape or film of a non-studio event done as it is happening.
Acutance
The measure of sharpness of a clearly defined object I a scene as reproduced by a lens.
AD
Associate or Assistant director. An individual who performs numerous functions assigned by the director, including scheduling, supervising crews, conducting rehearsals, etc.
Adaptation
A film or video script written from a book, play, or story.
Adapter Shell
A holder for the VHS-C cassettes which allows their cassettes to fit into a standard VHS and 8mm players.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (A/D or ADC)
1)A circuit which converts an analog signal into a digital word. This “word” is represented by a binary number.
2) The circuitry that converts analog signal information into digital information.
3) A circuit designed to convert analog video or audio to a digital signal.
Addictive Colors
1) The color system that mixes colored light to create all of the various colors of the color spectrum.
2) Process used in color television in which colored light is combined in various proportions to create a full spectrum of colors. See additive primaries.
Addictive Primaries
Red, blue and green. Colors added together in different combinations to create white and all other colors. Address code SMPTE/EBU time code. Digitized eight-digit coded information recorded on a videotape which identifies each video field or frame.
Address Track
An approach to recording SMPTE/EBU time code within the basic video signal.
Addressable
Cable or satellite decoder with a unique identity that can be used to deliver unscramble programming intended for a particular TV/subscriber.
Addressability
One of the five features that distinguish persons from other animals. It means linguistic responsiveness; beings that are addressable can recognize when they are called or spoken to in language, and can also respond in language.
Adjacent Channel Interference
When two images from different analog TV stations simultaneously appear on a TV screen. Normally, the station you are viewing is overpowered by another station one channel number higher or lower than the one you are viewing.
ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a high-speed data connection using standard telephone lines.
Advanced Television
Television that will have higher resolution than the standard NTSC system.
Affiliate
A broadcast station with a contract with one or more networks to carry their programming.
AFM
Audio Frequency Modulation, a technique used in VHS, SVHS, 8mm, and Hi 8 VCRs to record high quality sound within the video information.
AFM
American Federation of Musicians, musicians’ union.
AFT
Automatic Fine Tuning, an electronic circuit in a receiver that “locks onto” a station and (within limits) doesn’t allow it to drift off frequency.
AFTRA
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, The union to which broadcast artists belong.
AGC
Automatic Gain Control, Circuit that automatically maintains a preset audio or video level. Although convenient, the use of AGC circuits does not achieve the best results in some situations.
Agents
People who find work for actors, writers, and others engaged in creative aspects of the media.
Air Checks
A recording of an on-air segment done by or for a particular announcer to evaluate diction, voice quality and general effectiveness.
Air Date
Day on which specific program is to be broadcast.
Air Monitor
TV set that shows what is being transmitted or recorded, or, on audio, the speaker that allows an operator to hear what is being transmitted or recorded.
Air Quality
Program material that meets technical (generally FCC) standards for quality.
ALC
Automatic Level Control, Same as AGC.
Aliasing
Distortions occurring in the analog-to-digital conversion resulting from the creation of false signal components during the sampling process.
Alienation
In the helical model of relational change, the period of alienation is marked by estrangement of both partners as they cope with the disintergration of an earlier security in their relationship. The helical model predicts that alienation can be followed by a period of resynthesis and a new security.
Alignment Tape
An audio or videotape containing picture and sound reference signals. Used for aligning a tape machine.
Alpha Channel
A signal generated from an image in video graphics (often a CG) that is used to cut out an area in a background image into which information (often text) will be inserted.
Alpha Wrap
Tape configuration around the video and audio heads associated with helical scan videotape machines.
Alphanumeric
Referring to both numbers and letters.
Alternating Current
An electrical circuit in which the flow of electrons reverses itself form negative to positive, form positive to negative, and back again at a regular rate.
Ambient Light
Base light. Existing or created light that partially fills in shadows.
Ambient Sound
1)Prevailing background sound at a specific location.
2)The natural environmental noise, or ambient sound, that surrounds a scene. Usually, environmental noises have their own sound track for mixing.
Amortization
Dividing the cost of an expensive item over a specific number of years, generally for income tax write off purposes.
Amperes (Amps)
1) The unit of measurement for current.
2) A measure of electrical current volume. Fuses are rated in terms of the maximum amps they are designed to carry.
Amplifier
Circuit that increases the amplitude or level of an electronic signal.
Amplitude
The strength of a video or audio signal.
Analog Video Signal
1)An electrical signal that is continuously variable form zero to 100% in amplitude.
2) The varying voltages that make up the video information of a television signal.
3) As opposed to a digital signal, a signal that varies smoothly between certain ranges. An analog signal bears an exact, continuous relationship to the original information.
Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC)
The process of converting an analog signal to digital data.
Analog Editor
Linear editor. An editing approach that requires you to make edits in a set progression like adding links on a chain, as opposed to non-linear, digital editing which is based on digitized information that can be accessed in a random order.
Analytic ListeningThe type of listening that emhpasizes the listener's desires not to be taken advantage of or lied to and the listener's determination to analyze and test what is heard. This type of listening helps the listener to respond critically to a speaker's perspective rather than simply reacting to it.
Anamorphic
A lens used for wide-screen processes that has different magnifications in the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the image.
Angle of Acceptance
Vertical and horizontal angle of view of a lens.
Angle of View
See angle of acceptance.
Angle On
Script direction indicating another camera angle is to be taken of previous shot.
Animation
Process of taking a series of still frames of slightly different drawings or objects which, when presented at normal speed, give the illusion of motion. Typically, two or three frames or the drawing or object are exposed before changes are made and the next frames are exposed.
Animation camera
Used for filming animation, this camera is usually mounted on a stand with its optical axis vertical so that it looks down on the objects being photographed. Ther camera-drive meter allows the film to move forward one frame at a time.
Animation Stand (or animation crane)
1)Adjustable structure that holds and controls camera and drawings (or objects) for creating animation.
2)An animation stand, or animation crane, is a precise, customized camera mount for animation usage. This stand or crane is capable of accurate gradations of movement above the art work, peg board or platen, and usually has capabilities for both subtle and complex moves.
Animation Table
An animation table consists of a circular rotary inset. This transparent surface permits the cel to be turned to any angle for observations, matching, inking, or painting.
ANNCR
Script abbreviation for announcer.
Announce Booth
A small, soundproofed room or enclosure with a microphone where voice recordings or on-air announcements are made.
Answer Print
The first print combining picture and sound submitted by the laboratory for the customers’ approval.
Anthology
A collection of short segment or stories assembled into a single production.
Antenna
Device which either receives or radiates an radio frequency signal.
Anti-aliasing
Smoothing jagged effect around curved and diagonal lines in electronic graphics through the use of filters.
Aperture (Aperture Setting)
1) The opening which allows light to pass through a camera lens. An adjustable diaphragm is used to control the size of the opening.
2) F-stop. Lens opening based on a ratio between focal length and the diameter of the lens opening that determines how much light will pass through the lens.
Approximate Color Consistency
The human ability to visually correct for changes in color temperature. For example, a white piece of paper will appear white under both daylight and incandescent light even though the actual color will vary more than 2,000oK.
Arc
The movement of a camera on its dolly along a curved path.
Archieve
Long-term, off-line electronic storage, generally on some form of disc or magnetic tape.
Armorer
On a movie set, the armorer is the person in charge of weapons and their ammunition.
Arriflex
The Arriflex camera is a 16mm camera commonly used for news gathering, industrials, commercials, and documentaries; 35mm models are also utilized for commercials, high-budget documentaries, and industrial films, as well as for feature motion picures. Feature movies, or parts of features, are also shot on 16mm formats, then optically blown up to 35mm.
Artifacts
1) A side effect in video or audio caused by signal processing. In video, artifact is usually a term describing a defect or flaw in the image.
2) Any type of visible or aural defect resulting from aberrations in the television processes.
Artist Permission
Authorization from a recording artist to use their copyrighted works in a production.
ASA
Film speed. Denotes the level film sensitivity, defined by the American National Standards Institution. For example, ASA 400 film is twice the speed of ASA 200 film. ASA has largely replaced by ISO index, which is roughly the same thing.
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. A trade guild that protects the publication and performance rights of composers, authors and publishers.
ASCll
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Refers to a computer code that provides compatibility between computers and programs (pronounced “ask-key”).
Aspect Ratio
1) The ratio of the width of an image to its height. A standard NTSC image has a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most enhanced and high definition video systems have a 16:9 aspect ratio.
2) The numerical ratio of picture width to height. The standard broadcast aspect ratio is 4X3.
Assemble Edits
1) Edits that lay down all aspects of the signal: audio, video, and control track, all at the same time.
2) In contrast to inser editing, an editing process whereby a new video or audio sequence is consecutively added to a previously edited scene, complete with the associated control track.
Assignment Editor
The individual in a broadcast news room who has the responsibility of assigning news and ENG stories to specific reporters.
Assistant Cameraman
Person who aids the camera operator or director of photography by doing such things as setting up the camera, loading tape, and shifting focus as needed during taping.
Assistant Director
See associate director below.
Associate Director
An individual who assists the director during a production with such things as keeping track of time, seeing that camera shots and tape and film inserts are ready when needed, etc.
Associate Producer
1)An individual delegated certain producing responsibilities by the producer or executive producer.
2)The associate producer gets generally involved in preproduction, production and postproduction. (They) primarily aid and support the producer. This function and credit is sometimes given to a production manager or first assistant director for contributions that exceed their routine duties.
Asymmetrical Balance
Composition arrangement in which a significant object placed close to the center of the picture is balanced by a smaller object some distance from the center.
Asynchronous Sound
Sound that is part of and is appropriate to scene but not necessarily synchronized with visible action. It is commonly added in postproduction to add atmosphere and feeling. The sound of waves at a beach, birds in a forest, or crickets in a night scene are examples.
AFT
Automatic Track Finding, An electromechanical process that eliminates the need for a manual tracking adjustment on a VCR. Also referred to as AST, or automatic scan tracking.
Atmosphere
Aspects added to scene to enhance mood or feeling. Rain, lightening, or asynchronous sounds commonly add a dimension of realism to a scene.
Atmosphere Introduction
Beginning a video segment with a scene or series of scenes intended to establish the conditions, habitat, environment, spirit, or climate of the central subject matter.
ATSC
Advanced Television Systems Committee formed to establish technical standards HDTV and other U.S. digital television systems.
Attachment
The type of bond established between a child and the primary caregiver. Overattached children have demanding, controlling, and overprotective parents. The children are often observed to be both anxious and ambivalent. Underattached children have parents that spend little time encouraging frequent or prolonged periods of interaction. These children are "avoidant" in their responses. Children who are securely attached have parents who effectivly balance periods of intense interaction with periods of "alone time".
Attenuate
To decrease the level or loudness of a signal.
Attribution
A type of perceptual inference in which people develop reasons or explanations for another person's behavior. Attribuions can be internal (the source of the behavior is interpreted as coming from the psychological makeup of the person) or external (the source of the behavoir is interpreted as coming from the situation or factors outside of the person).
Audio Board (Audio Console)
A basic desktop control center used to switch, mix and control audio levels for a variety of audio sources.
Audio Channel
A single audio circuit, generally consisting of an amplifier and one of more audio controls.
Audio Compressor
Audio-processing circuit that reduces dynamic range by simultaneously raising low audio levels and lowering high levels so that a higher average level is achieved.
Audio Console
An electronic mixing and switching device that controls audio sources during a production.
Audio Control Booth
Small room where all audio is controlled and mixed.
Audio Dub
Making a copy of an audio tape. In television, the recording of sound only, without disturbing the picture.
Audio Expander
An electrical circuit which increases the dynamic range of an audio signal.
Audio-follow-video
1) A switch that simultaneously switches both video and audio.
2) A switcher that changes both audio and video sources with the push of one button.
Audio Limiter
An electronic device intended to restrict the maximum amplitude of a signal.
Audio Mix
Audio track created through combining multiple sound sources.
Audio Mixer
A device that allows the simultaneous combining and blending of several sound inputs into one or two outputs.
Audio Monitor
An audio amplifier and speaker system used to check and listen to audio during a production.
Audio Slate
Voice track information recorded at the start of a tape identifying the production. This might include the series title and episode number, the director, the production date and the planned air date. Generally a video slate is also included with essentially the same information.
Audio Speaker
A electro-mechanical device for reproducing audio which changes electrical energy into sound.
Audio Sweetening
A postproduction process designed to correct problems in audio as well as to enhance and supplement audio tracks.
Audio Technician
Aperson who is in charge of some phase of audio. Generally, a person who operates an audio board.
Audio Track
The portion of the audio videotape that records sound.
Audio-follow-Video
A switcher that automatically switches audio with its corresponding video.
Audition Channel
An audio monitor circuit enabling a technician to listen to , preview, and cue audio sources before sending them through the audio console.
Auteur
This French word means "author" and in film perceives the director as the controlling entity of a film, as an artist who infuses the entire work with (their) personality and point of view and all of whose films can be related in terms of similar techniques, style, and themes.
Autofocus
Electronic system in some cameras that attempts with varying degrees of success to automatically focus subject matter.
Auto Iris
System that automatically adjusts a lens aperture to compensate for the brightness of a scene. (See automatic exposure control.)
Auto Key Tracking
Chroma key tracking. Ability of a video effects system to retain the appropriate size of a keyed-in image when the camera supplying the background video is zoomed in or out.
Auto-assemble
Automatic editing of videotape to conform to previously generated edit-decision list (EDL).
Auto-focus Lens
Any one of several electro-mechanical methods of automatically focusing a camera lens.
Auto Key
A type of key effect in which one video source is used to establish the external shape of the key.
Automatic Exposure Control
System that responds to varying light conditions by adjusting a camera’s iris in an effort to automatically attain optimum overall exposure.
Automatic Gain Control
Circuit for audio or video that automatically increases or decreases (as needed) the strength of the incoming sound or picture to maintain optimum signal strength.
Automatic Iris Control
Electronic device that automatically alters the lens diaphragm in response to the level of light.
Automatic Transition
A feature on many switchers that automatically executes dissolves, wipes, and other transitions without the use of the fader levers.
Auxiliary (Aux)
An output or input channel on mixers that allows a signal to be sent to, received from, or manipulated by an external device.
Auxiliary Send
Audio feed that goes to earphones worn by a performer in the studio so that he or she can hear the program signal.
Available Light
The naturally-existing light which illuminates a scene.
Avant Garde
A new, experimental, or strikingly different production approach.
Availablity
This attitude accompanying self-expression means (1)bringing some relevant aspects of a person's self to the conversation, and (2)being present to the other person and being open to some of the other person's concerns. Another term for it is "mindfullness".
Avant-garde cinema
A French phrase meaning "the advanced group in cinema," it refers to experimental, nonlinear and noncommercial moviemaking.
Average Picture Level (APL)
The average signal level with respect to blanking during the active picture time. APL is expressed as a percentage of the difference between the blanking and reference white levels.
Avoidance
One of the five conflict styles. Avoidance is characterized by trying to dodge the conflict by ignoring or changing the topic, being vague about positions or preferences, or using joking to respond to a challenge, threat, or disagreement. In these ways, avoidance privileges the other person's goals and the relationship over the avoider's goals and the issue.
Avoiding
One of Knapp and Vangelisti's stages of "coming apart." In this stage, people attempt to distance themselves from each other by minimizing contact.
Avoiding Gunnysacking
A conflict management tactic in which a person refrains from dumping all past resentments experienced in the relationship during a specific conflict.
Avoiding Overload
A type of listening problem which occurs when a person attempts to reduce the continuous bombardment of messages in the environment by tuning out some of this information.
Axis of Action
(“the line”) An imaginary line on one side of subjects. If one camera is on one side of the line and another is on the other side, cutting from one camera to another will make objects appear to reverse direction.
Azimuth
Refers to the left-right or east-west adjustment in tracking satellites.
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