Precision Exams - Video Production 1

Wind Screen

A covering, usually foam, placed over a mic to reduce the rumble of flapping sound created when wind blows across the mic.

Codecs

A device or program that compresses data to enable faster transmission and decompresses received data; MPEG, MPEG-4 (h.264), ProRes, WMV

Viewfinder

A small video monitor attached to the camera that allows the camera operator to view the images in the shot.

Arc

Circular movement around an object; good for parallax

Shot List

List of every shot indicating angle, distance and description. This is the basis for the shooting schedule.

ISO

The camera's sensitivity to light.

Depth of Field (DOF)

The distance between the closest point to the camera that is in focus and the furthest point from the camera that is also in focus.

Copyright

the exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.

Shutter Speed

The time for which a shutter is open at a given setting.

Monopod

1 legged camera stabilizer

Tripod

3 legged camera stabilizer which allows for panning and tilting.

Resolution

720p, 1080i, 1080p, 4K, 8K

Lavalier mic

A clip on microphone that allows the subject to be hands-free; demonstration or interviews

Trim

A command that deletes parts of a video to make it shorter.

White Balance

A feature on digital cameras used to accurately balance color.

Handheld mic

A microphone that the subject holds onto; reporting or performance

Pop Filter

A noise protection filter for microphones, typically used in a recording studio.

Chroma Key

A technique for superimposing one video image onto another; most common chroma key colors are blue and green

Rule of Thirds

A type of off-center composition where important elements of a photograph are placed along a 3×3 grid, which equally divides the image into nine parts.

Aperture

An opening in the camera lens that allows light through.

Sound Effects

An audio clip synchronized with an object on screen (door knob opening, footsteps)

NAT sound (ambient)

An audio clip that creates an ambience for a scene (birds chirping, traffic)

Image Sensors

Are devices used to turn light into discrete signals. Larger the better. 1/3.2", 1/2.3", 2/3", 1", Full Frame

Public Domain

Creative work that's not copyrighted and therefore free for you to use whenever you want.

Wide Shot or Long Shot (WS)

Feet up

Shotgun mic

Directional microphone used in dramatizations where a microphone should not be seen; used with a boom pole.

Dolly

Forward and Back movement with the camera

Creative Commons

Free, easy-to-use copyright licenses provide a simple, standardized way to give the public permission to share and use your creative work on conditions of your choice.

Frames Per Second (FPS)

How many frames (or individual pictures) display in one second. 24fps = movies, 30fps = video, 60fps = fast moving; sports, 120fps = slow motion

Fill Light

Illumination from a source less bright than the key light, used to soften deep shadows in a scene

Back Light

Illumination from behind the subject and opposite the camera

Music

Instrumental and/or vocal recordings to enhance the mood of a scene.

Crew Responsibilities

Know your equipment, the script and the director's vision.

Cast Responsibilities

Know your lines, your character, other characters and the director's vision.

Truck

Left or Right lateral movement with camera

Pan

Left or Right movement with the tripod

Head Room

Legitimate amount of space above a person's head.

Zoom

Move closer for further from a subject with the camera operation

Clipping

Overloading the audio to a point that causes distortion

Storytelling Principles

People, Place, Plot, Purpose

Lens Body

Prime or Zoom; 15mm Wide, 50mm, Normal, 100mm or more Telephoto

Close Up (CU)

Shoulders up

Low Angle

Signal a character's strength.

High Angle

Signal a character's vulnerability.

Lead Room

Space in front of a person's body whether stationary or moving.

Nose Room

Space in front of a person's face whether stationary or moving.

Extreme Close Up (ECU)

Specific detail (eyes or object)

Keyframe

Specified place in the animation where change occurs

Pedestal

Straight Up and Down movement with tripod

Fair Use

The ability to use a small amount of copyrighted work without permission, but only in certain ways and in specific situations (schoolwork and education, news reporting, criticizing or commenting on something, and comedy/parody).

Key Light

The main source of light in a photograph or film

Transitions

The visual effects used when one slide moves off of the screen and another moves onto the screen.

Focus

To adjust an image so that it is clear.

Import

To bring a file into an editing program

Naming

To create a different name that is relevant and 3 words or less

Tighten Sequence

To make multiple edits to sharpen the pacing of the video

Cuts

Two adjacent video clips with no transition; one clip is immediately replaced with another

Two Shot

Two people in the composition.

Tilt

Up and down movement with the tripod

XLR cable

Used for microphones or high quality balanced equipment such as audio mixers

Graphics / Titles

Visual imagery created with images and/or typography.

Dialogue

Vocal recordings between two or more people.

Medium Shot (MS)

Waist Up

Output settings

Web, Mobile, Movie Screen, TV

Shoot Schedule

When and where the production will happen.

Container

Wraps all the different elements of the video into a single file. .mp4, .avi, .mov, .mp3, .wav, .jpg, .png

Organizing

arranging clips in bins and folders according to their category (Clips, VO, Music, SFX, NAT)