Trade Terms

1. Trade Terms

2. 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.

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 talentsscript is displayed and manipulated on a computer monitor or refracted through a glass or mirror in front of the camera lens.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

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

18. 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

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

20. 3 Phases of Production Pre-Production • Planning, scripting, everything before cameras roll Production • Shooting Post-Production • Editing, music, and effects addition