Videography Vocabulary Flashcards
Ambient Sound
Background noise that is occurring at a given location.
Sound Effects
Sound that is added to enhance the video
Background music
Music added during the editing process to enhance the video
Lead room
The space in front of a moving object or person
Head room
The space between the top of the head and the upper edge of the picture or screen.
Rule of thirds
This means that you place a key part of the picture on one of the intersections of an imagery tic-tac-toe grid that overlays the image.
Director
Responsible for turning a script or a storyboard into an effective audio/visual message.
Talent
Any person who performs in front of camera
Three point lighting
Triangular arrangement of key, back, and fill lights to render subjects with depth and texture.
Key light
The main source of light in three point lighting.
Back light
The light from behind the subject and opposite the camera.
Fill light
Opposite the key light. Softens the shadows created by the key light.
Storyboard
Sketches of all of the shots of the production with the corresponding audio formation below each shot.
Script
A text that describes everything will be said and done by the talent during the project.
Props
Any portable object, other than costumes, that is used on the set of a video.
Wife or long shot (LS)
A shot of an objects or people seen from far away
Medium shot (MS)
A shot of an object or people seen from a medium distance. Generally shows a person from just below the waist up.
Close up shot (CU)
Tightly framed camera shot. For people this means the head and shoulders.
Extreme close up shot (ECU)
Also called detailed shot, very tightly framed camera shot that emphasizes a small object or part of something or someone.
Pan
Moving the camera horizontally on a pivot point.
Follow shot
When you follow the talent with the camera as talent movies from one spot to another.
Pre production
The planning and development phase of a video production.
Production
The actual recording or collecting of raw footage for the project.
Post production
The last phase of video production when the video is compiled and edited, the audio is adjusted, any background music and sound effects are added.
Frames per second (FPS)
Number of individual frames that the viewer sees in 1 second. For movies it is approximately 24 frames.
Shot
The smallest unit of the unbroken film.
Scene
A collection of shots that occur in the same time and location. Should have a middle, beginning, and end.
Sequence
A major line of action that incorporates many scenes which span different locations and times. Most films will have anywhere from 10-20
Establishing shot
An establishing shot introduces a new location - a church, city, street, a rooftop, a hospital room.
Full shot (FS)
A full shot displays the character from head to toe, without showing much of his surroundings.
Reaction or cutaway shot
A shot of an actor reacting to the main scene. Usually a close up.
Eye level shot
The camera is placed at the subjects height so they are even with the lens. Commonly use because it is neutral.
Low angle shot
Can’t tire by a camera placed below the actors eyes, looking up. This makes characters look dominant, aggressive, or ominous.
High angle
The camera is above the subject, looking down. This position makes characters look weak, submissive or frightened.
Point of view shot (POV)
When the camera shows us what a characters sees. Usually preceded by a close up of the character looking at something or directly at the camera.
Tilt
The up or down movement of the camera while the camera on a pivot point.
Dolly
When the entire camera moves forward or backward on a wheeled-platform or even a shopping cart, depending on the budget.
