Video Production and Audio Basics

Video Medium

Images that span from microscopic to outer space

Video Presentation

Different ways to view video through screens, internet, cables, satellite

Video Recording

Storing and editing video signal in different forms

Production Assistant

Assists director or producer with production needs

Graphic Design/Operator

Designs and implements graphics for production

Lighting Director

Designs and controls lighting treatment

Empirical Production Method

Directors find subjects and situations that relate to their idea

Planned Production Method

Organizing and building a program in arranged steps

Remote Survey (Recce)

Preliminary visit to shooting location

Site Survey

Preliminary visit to shooting location

Aperture

Opening of the iris that adjusts light and depth of field

CCD

Image sensor used in most video cameras

CMOS

Image sensor with less power consumption

Focal Length

Distance between lens and image sensor when focused at infinity

Optical Zoom

Zoom using lens to maintain high-quality image

Telephoto Lens

Lens that gives magnified view of scene

Truck

Sideways camera movement with subject

Zoom Lens

Lens with variable focal length

Follow Focus

Continually changing focus as camera follows action

Macro

Lens setting for sharp image up to lens surface

Medium Shot

Shows emotion and relevant context of the scene

Waveform Monitor

Displays variations of video signal, sync pulses, etc.

Manual Zoom Control

Allows manual zooming of the lens

Power Zoom Rocker Switch

Allows electronic zooming of the lens

Focus Control Ring

Allows manual adjustment of focus

Aperture Control Ring

Allows manual adjustment of lens iris

White and Black Balance Controls

Adjusts color settings of the camera

On-Camera Shotgun Microphones

Useful for picking up natural sound

Progressive Scanning

Refreshes whole screen top to bottom

Crossing the Line

Breaking the imaginary rule of camera movement direction

Dynamic Microphone

Rugged, low-maintenance, not easily distorted microphone

Condenser Microphone

High-quality microphone, can be small, powered by battery

Preamplifier

Adjusts audio strength to standard level

Shotgun Microphone

Highly directional microphone for picking up sound from a distance

Diffusion Material

Reduces intensity of light beam

Floodlighting

Scatters light in all directions

Fresnel

Unfocused spotlight with adjustable beam

Gaffer

Head of electrical department, in charge of lighting

LED Light Panel

Camera or studio light made from small LED bulbs

Photographic Lighting

Three-point lighting method

Scrim

Material used to diffuse or block lighting

Soft Light

Provides diffused light

Makeup Artist

Designs and applies makeup to talent

Videographers

Set up and operate cameras

Camera Assistant

Helps set up and tear down cameras

Audio Mixer/Sound Mixer/Sound Supervisor

Balances sound and ensures quality of program sound

Boom Operator

Positions microphones, troubleshoots audio problems

Engineer

Sets up, maintains, and troubleshoots production equipment

Writer

Responsible for writing the script

Editor

Selects and cuts video and audio to produce programs

Set Designer

Conceives and organizes scenic treatment for production

Freelance Crew

Hired staff not associated with the company

Above the Line Personnel

People with fixed salary who share in project profits

Below the Line Personnel

People paid a wage who do not share in profits

Arc

Camera move that circles subject in a curve

Goals

Broad concepts of what you want to accomplish with the program

Multicamera Production

Using multiple cameras to create a television production

Objectives

Measurable goals to test audience understanding

Shot Sheet

List of shots needed from each camera operator

Digital Zoom

Progressively reading out smaller area of digitally constructed image

Dolly

Platform with wheels to smoothly move camera during shot

DSLR

Digital Single Lens Reflex still camera with video capabilities

F-Stop

Measurement of aperture size

Handheld Camera

Camera held by a person without camera mount

Iris

Adjustable diaphragm of the lens

Jib

Counterbalanced arm for camera movement

Normal Lens

Lens that portrays scene similar to human eye

Tripod

Three-legged camera mount

Viewfinder

Monitors camera's picture for framing and focusing

Wide-Angle Lens

Lens that shows greater area of the scene

Action Line

Line along direction of action in a scene

Close-Up Shot

Focuses on specific feature, shows emotion or detail

Long Shot

Establishes scene for viewer

Pan Shot

Camera pivots left or right on a camera mount

Tilt Shot

Camera pivots up or down on a camera mount

Zone Focus

Camera operators focus on specific portion of the scene

ENG/EFP Viewfinder

Small monitor placed next to camera operator's eye

Clip-On Camera Batteries

Allows camera operator to carry multiple batteries

Interlace Scanning

Displays two fields to create a whole screen

Phantom Power

Power supply for condenser microphones

Stereo

Uses two audio tracks to create illusion of space

Surround Sound

Uses six audio tracks to create envelopment

Barn Doors

Metal flaps to shape the light beam

Ellipsoidal

Sharply focused spotlight

Gel

Colored filters used to adjust light color

Spotlight

Highly directional light

Three-Point Lighting

Uses key, fill, and backlight to illuminate subject

Producer

Concerned with business organization, budget, staff and crew

Assistant Producer

Assists producer with coordinating appointments, schedules, contracts

Director

Responsible for visualizing script or event, overseeing script writing

Assistant Director

Supports director in various ways depending on production type

Floor Manager

Primary representative for director when not on set or in studio

Technical Director

Operates television in control room

Single-Camera Production

Using one camera to shoot entire segment or show

Storyboard

Series of rough sketches to visualize camera treatment

Depth of Field

Distance between nearest and farthest objects in focus

Prime Lens

Lens with fixed focal length

Microphone Pickup Patterns

Omnidirectional, Nondirectional, Unidirectional

Natural Sound (NAT Sound)

Recording ambient or environmental sounds on location

Grip Clamps

Used to easily attach lights to various surfaces