Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - S

SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers)

In addition to being the acronym for this organization, SMPTE time code is the standard 8-digit time code used in video that represents hours, minutes, seconds, and frames per second

SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

Slo mo (slow motion)

In video, the speed of a shot is slowed down to create a slower action or other desired effect

Slo mo

Slow motion

Single system

The audio that is recorded directly onto the videotape

Silks

Medium to large squares of translucent material that can be strategically hung and positioned to filter the sunlight and maintain lighting consistency

Signatory

A person or company that has agreed to comply with the regulations of any union that covers writers, directors, talent, and/or crew members

Showrunner

Might also be the executive producer of a weekly television show, and is responsible for the creative direction of a series, guiding the writers along with the script, casting the actors, pitching a show idea to a network, and more

Shot

A short, single take that is edited into a longer sequence or scene

Shorts

Projects that are usually less than 30 to 40 minutes in length

Shooting schedule

A mapped-out plan for the shoot, generally given to all cast and crew for each day’s shoot

Shooting ratio

The amount of material shot in production in relation to the actual footage used in editing

Shooting out

In production, all the shots needed in one location are grouped together and shot before moving on to the next location

Shooter

Another term for a camera operator

Setup

All the elements needed for a specific shot, such as the placement of the camera, the lenses and microphones, and the composition of the frame

Set mixer

The set mixer records the dialogue and any other production sound that is produced on the set, as clearly as possible

Set dressing

The physical and aesthetic placement of furnishings and props in preparation for rehearsals and the actual shooting

Set designer

Takes the production designer’s rough drawings and creates working blueprints and construction drawings that guide the building of the sets

Set decorator

Creates the visual look of the project, including the purchase, rental, and placement of furnishings that add to the set environments

Second unit

A smaller production team that independently shoots extra footage, like exteriors, background reactions, etc., to be tied into primary scenes in the editing