Trade Terms

Language of an Industry Trade Terms are the language of the Mass Media (Print, Radio, TV, Film, Internet). 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.

Crew Positions Production Personnel can be broken into two categories: Above the Line Highest paid members of the production staff (actors, writers, producers, and directors) Below the Line More hands on members of the production staff (Gaffers, Stagehands, Camera Operators, Audio technicians, and production assistants)

Above the line 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

Above the Line 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

Below the line 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 operations.

Below the line Lighting Director (TV/Film)- In charge of studio and film lighting Camera Operators (TV/Film)- Also called videographers or shooters. Operate studio and field cameras

Equipment 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 Dolly- wheeled cart a camera and tripod are placed on.

Equipment Mic-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-a device used for changing the volume and sound of multiple inputs and outputs

Equipment Switcher-a device that switches multiple production sources—studio cameras, videotape recorders (VTR), graphics (GFX) during live or taped broadcasts. A switcher may contain two or more buses. A fader bar is used to select the desired bus. The preview bus selects an input for the preview monitor. The program bus (line-out) selects the source to send for recording and/or broadcast. Bus- a row of buttons on a switcher Monitor- a closed circuit television screen

Equipment Keying – when using the switcher it is the process of electronically cutting out portions of a video picture and filling them in with graphics or other video images. Wipe Key – allows keying while using a wipe pattern Matte Key – allows cutout portions to be filled in with colors Chroma Key – replaces a color with an image

Equipment Dimmer- a device that changes the intensity of a light or several lights at once. Fresnel- a lighting instrument that produces soft even shadows Teleprompter- an electronic version of cue cards; the talents script is displayed and manipulated on a computer monitor or refracted through a glass or mirror in front of the camera lens.

Parts of a Camera Lens- the eye of the camera, captures images as light pass is through it. Charge Coupled Device (CCD)- the brain of the camera, a 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.

Parts of a Camera 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.

Units of Measurement F-Stop-The scale used to measure the size of the opening of the iris (the opening that lets light in) on a lens. The smaller the number the larger amount of light is let in. Kelvin Scale- Measures the color temperature of various lighting conditions.

Phrases “In the Can - term for a finished production. “Cut!” - said by the director, meaning stop recording “Roll”- in film the command to start recording. In TV it is the command play a tape before taking it live. “Take”- to cut from one source to another.

Phrases “Ready”- means to prepare a source to be aired “Fade”- means to dissolve from one source to another

Abbreviations and Acronyms Abbreviations and Acronyms are used in technical language to say a lot by saying just a few letters. Here is a list of commonly used abbreviations and acronyms: VO-Voice Over VO/SOT-Voice Over with Sound On Tape SOT-Sound On Tape OTS-Over the Shoulder GFX-Graphics EDL-Edit Decision List SFX-Sound Effects

Abbreviations and Acronyms INT-Interior EXT-Exterior ENG- Electronic News Gathering EFP- Electronic Field Production

3 Phases of Production Pre-Production Planning, scripting, everything before cameras roll Production Shooting Post-Production Editing, music, and effects addition