Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - B-C

B-roll

Extra footage that isn’t the primary shot, used for montages or cutaways

Back-end

Revenue that comes at the end of the project, such as royalties or fees for participation

Background

People walking in the background, eating at tables around the actors, or as audience members in a talk show. They lend credibility and energy to the project

Back light

One of three main light sources, the back light helps illuminate the background and allows the subject to stand out

Bars

Color bars that are generated by the video camera and help in the edit process

Below-the-line

The costs involved in the actual production process, they are more easily predicted, and cover crew and equipment, resources, special effects, and other standard expenses such as overhead, insurance, and more

Bible

A standard set of guidelines for a television series that includes character outlines, plot progressions, and elements that can and can’t go into the show

Bins

Digital storage folders in an NLE system in which sequences, clips, and blocks of footage are named and described to make editing easier

Blocking

Comparable to a sequence of steps and actions, like choreography in dance, the director or producer “blocks the scene” before shooting. Blocking examines the positions between actors that the camera is shooting, as well as the movement that takes place, where the camera is going to be, and what is it shooting.The final placement of the actors is often marked with masking tape on the floor as reminders

Blue screen (or green screen)

A screen or background material that is blue (or green)
against which the action is shot. These screens can be hundreds of feet long, or can be 8´ × 8´ mobile traveling screens. In editing, the subject is “lifted” off the background and combined with other visual effects. This process is called a chroma key effect

Boom

A microphone at the end of a long pole that is aimed over or under the audio source

Boom operator

Person responsible for operating the microphone boom (a long pole with a microphone at the end and mic cables) that records an actor’s dialogue during the filming of a scene. The boom operator follows the action with the microphone as the actors move around the set or location

Bounce light

Indirect light that results from deflected light off special reflectors, white cards, or set pieces

Branding

The specific process of attaching an image, a personal association, and/or a powerful meaning to a product or company. Branding results in higher consumer comfort for buying the product or using the company’s services

Breakdown sheet

A form used by the producer, director, and/or key department heads that lists all the elements needed in a scene, such as actors, furnishings, props, etc.

Break down

At the end of a shoot, the crew disassembles, or breaks down, all the lights, cameras, and audio equipment, and whatever isn’t needed for the next shot is packed away. On locations, the crew removes protective coverings, and masking tape, puts items back in their original positions, and cleans up the location

Business

Physical movements and actions performed by an actor that add to the character’s nuance, such as smoking a cigarette in anger

C-stand (century stand)

A metal pole with a secure base that is strong enough to hold lighting equipment, sound blankets, and other devices during production

Call back

The second or third audition for an actor for the same part

Call sheet

The daily production schedule that tells each person in the cast and crew what time to arrive on set or location and what scenes are scheduled to be shot

Camera crew

Works under the direction of the director of photography to capture action on film/video of the scene, as it will appear on film