Broadcast/Video Production 1 Unit 3

 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.

 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.

 “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

Nielsen: the company that gathers reports ratings data. Share: the percentage of people watching television who are tuned in to a particular program. If 50% of the people who are watching TV are watching the super bowl, the super bowl gets a 50 share.