Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - E-F

Establishing shot (also called a master shot)

Usually the opening scene, it sets up the scene and what’s happening in it. Generally a wide shot establishes the action

Executive producer (also known as the showrunner)

The job varies considerably from project to project. Often, the executive producer has the final word on decision-making, and maintains overall control over a TV project, from acquisition and financing, to developing and selling an idea, marketing it, to its final delivery to the network

Establishing shot

Also called a master shot

Executive producer

Also known as the showrunner

Exteriors

A location that is outside, rather than inside (interiors)

Extras

People who provide a nonspeaking background atmosphere to a production, like passers-by in a street scene or as background people in a crowd scene

Eyeballs

An informal term used as measurement for viewers watching a show

Eye line

The line of attention that begins in an actor’s eyes and follows the direction in which the actor is looking

Fade in

An image slowly emerges from a black screen

Fade out

An image slowly fades into a black screen

Favored nations

A legal contractual term in which everyone involved in a project is paid the same amount, or in other ways share in equal parity

Fields

A video frame is made of two parts, or fields

Fill light

Light that is positioned or reflected to fill in shadows on a face or location that are cast by the key light

Filmlook

A special effects design program used in postproduction that can treat video footage to give it the grain, texture, and scratches usually associated with film

Film-to-tape

A process of transferring film (super 8, super 16, 16mm, or 35mm) to video via a telecine, also called a film chain

Final cut

The last and final version that reflects all visual and sound edits and creative decision

First look deal

A network or production company that has the right to be the first to negotiate for a project, or to buy the option to purchase certain rights to the project

Floor plans

An overview of a location, drawn to scale and often from an overhead perspective, that guides the crew in positioning the cameras, lights, and actors

Foley

Additional sound effects that are performed and recorded, like footsteps, or doors closing

Foley mixer

Mixes and records the sounds created by the Foley artists

Format

Includes several genres—a quiz show, reality-adventure, talk show—that have specific script formats, sets, musical themes, or lighting that can be packaged, sold, and adapted by local programmers