Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - C

Camera operator

The camera man or woman who operates the camera. Also called the shooter, he or she either works with the DP or doubles as the DP

Camera setups

Each time the camera and microphone is moved for a new angle

Casting

Finding actors for all the principle roles, as well as supporting actors and extras through the audition process

Casting director

A professional who is familiar with a variety of actors and their performance range. He or she first interests the actor’s agent or manager in the role, arranges for auditions, and works with the producer and director in the selection

Cathode ray tube (CRT)

An electronic vacuum tube that transmits a focused stream
of electrons onto a phosphorous screen, and results in an image on a television set, computer monitor, and other devices

CRT

Cathode ray tube

CCD (charge coupled device)

An electronic chip in most recent video cameras converts light and images to electrical impulses. For example, a three-chip video camera has three separate CCDs and produces a sharper, higher-quality color picture than the standard single-chip cameras with only one CCD

CCD

Charge coupled device

CG (character generator)

Often called chyron, the CG is used to “write” text electronically on the video picture, in opening and closing credits, show titles, and in the lower third of the picture to identify a speaker or what’s happening on the screen

CG

Character generator

CGI (computer generated imagery)

The creation and manipulation of images through digital computer technology

CGI

Computer generated imagery

Character actor

An actor or performer who specializes in playing secondary roles that are more focused on character than star power

Choreographer

The person responsible for the planning and staging of the dance number(s) for a show

Chroma

A video term relating to true color, with no blacks or grays

Chroma key backdrop

See blue screen

Clearance

Obtaining legal written permission to use music, a script, footage, or other aspects necessary in a project

Close-up (CU)

A camera frame that shows a close view of a face or an object

CU

Close-up

Closing credits

Text that details the cast and crew of a program, along with other production information

Co-executive producer

An additional executive producer who may share some of the responsibilities of executive producing, or who may bring funding or other added value to the production