Broadcast/Video Production 1Unit 3

An understanding of the technical language, lingo or jargon of the industry is critical for a successful career.

Although terms are fairly universal, meanings can vary between mediums, like different dialects of the same language can vary between regions of the same country.◦ Example: An Editor in the TV or film industry is

different than an Editor in the print industry.

This unit focuses on terms used in the television and motion picture industries.

These include:◦ Names of crew positions ◦ Names of equipment found on set or in studio◦ Parts of a camera ◦ Units of measurements◦ Common phrases used in each industry◦ Abbreviations and acronyms

Production Personnel can be broken into two categories:◦ Above the Line

Highest paid members of the production staff (actors, writers, producers, directors and editors)

◦ Below the Line More hands on members of the production staff

(Gaffers, Stagehands, Camera Operators, production assistants and script supervisors)

Executive Producer (TV/Film)- In charge of multiple productions or series of productions. Determines the budget of production.

Producer (TV/Film)- In charge of an individual production. Is responsible for all personnel working on the production and coordinating the nontechnical and technical elements of production. Often doubles as writer and director.

Director (TV/Film)- In charge of directing talent and technical operations. Is responsible for transforming the script into effective video and audio messages. Can also double as producer in smaller productions.

Writer (TV/Film)-Writes the script

Actor (TV/Film)- Portrays a character in a production

Talent (TV)- Portrays oneself on air. (i.e. newscasters, talk show hosts)

Performer (TV)- Appears as oneself on air to perform (i.e. musicians, stand-up comedians)

Announcers (TV/Film)- Narrates the production

Technical Director (TV/Film)- TD for short. In charge of all the technical setups and operations during the production. Operates the video switcher in studio and select field productions

Director of Photography (Film)- DP for short. Takes care of the lighting and camera operation.

Lighting Director (TV/Film)- In charge of studio and film lighting as well as lighting for concerts.

Camera Operators (TV/Film)- Also called videographers or shooters. Operate studio and field cameras

Video Camera- aka Camcorder, used to record or capture moving images on to a tape or video disk.

Tripod- aka Sticks, a three legged stand the camera is placed on for a steady picture

Baby Legs-(noun) a short tripod

Dolly- (noun) wheeled cart a camera and tripod are placed on. (verb) the act of using a cart to follow action.

Snake-(noun) A multi-channel audio cable used to transfer signals from several inputs and outputs

Mic-(slang) short for microphone, a device used for capturing sound

Slate- aka Clacker or Clapper used at the beginning of a shot to sync up picture and sound in post production

Mixer-(noun) a device used for changing the volume and sound of multiple inputs and outputs

Switcher-(noun) a device that switches multiple production sources—studio cameras, videotape recorders (VTR), graphics (GFX) during live or taped broadcasts. Can also be used as another name for a TD.

Dimmer- (noun) a device that changes the intensity of a light or several lights at once.

Bus- a row of buttons on a switcher

Monitor- a closed circuit television screen

Leko- aka ERS, Source 4, a lighting instrument that produces hard shadows

Fresnel- a lighting instrument that produces soft even shadows

Lens- the eye of the camera, captures images as light pass is through it.

Charge Coupled Device (CCD)- the brain of the camera, a semiconductor device that converts light patterns into digital signals as it passes through the lens

Viewfinder- a device on the camera that shows a visual representation of what the lens sees.

Zoom Control- a mechanical device used to change the size of a subject.

Focus Control- a mechanical device used to change the clarity of a subject.

Aperture- An adjustable opening inside the lens that regulates the amount of light reaching the CCD. Also known as an iris.

Focal Length-The amount of space within lens view which will maintain acceptable focus at given settings.

Depth of field-Area in front and behind the subject that is in acceptable focus.

F-Stop-The scale used to measure the size of the opening of the iris (the opening that lets light in) on a lens. Common F-Stops are 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, and 22. The smaller the number the larger amount of light is let in.

Kelvin Scale- Measures the color temperature of various lighting conditions.

“Green light”- meaning the command to go ahead with a production

“It’s got legs”- term for a production that appears to successful.

“In the Can”- term for a finished production.

“Cut!”- said by the director, meaning stop recording

“Marker”-command to slate a shot

“New Deal”- command to move on to a new setup

“Roll”- in film the command to start recording. In TV it is the command play a tape before taking it live.

“Take”- means to cut from one source to another.

“Ready”- means to prepare a source to be aired

“Fade”- means to dissolve from one source to another

“Martini Shot”- the last shot of a production of the day

Abbreviations and Acronyms are used in technical language to say a lot by saying just a few letters. It is easier and quicker to say ADR than it is to Additional Dialogue Replacement. Here is a list of commonly used abbreviations and acronyms:◦ AC-Alternating Current

◦ DC-Direct Current

◦ DGA-Director’s Guild of America

◦ VO-Voice Over

◦ VO/SOT-Voice Over with Sound On Tape

SOT-Sound On Tape OTS-Over the Shoulder GFX-Graphics ADR-Additional Dialogue Replacement EDL-Edit Decision List EQ- Equalization SFX-Sound Effects

INT-Interior EXT-Exterior WGA-Writers Guild of America ENG- Electronic News Gathering EFP- Electronic Field Production

http://www.filmland.com/glossary/Dictionary.html

http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp_ind.htm

http://www.pbs.org/hollywoodpresents/gingame/glossary.html

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=slanguage