Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - P-R

Point of view shot (POV shot)

• A shot taken from roughly the same place where the actor’s eyes would be

POV

Point of view

Postproduction supervisor

In larger or more complex projects, they are responsible for the coordination of all aspects of postproduction

Presale contracts

Selling specific rights of a project, such as international sales or for DVD distribution, in order to interest investors or to obtain a loan

Prime time

In television, the hours in the programming schedule that attract the highest number of viewers, usually 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Principal cast

The main actors or central characters in a television show

Principal photography

The actual process of shooting that can begin when everything is ready to go

Producer

The producer deals with creative and technical logistics, and administrative details, and often hire talent, writers, director, additional producers, and others. The producer may create or acquire the idea and obtains funding or sale to a broadcaster, and most or all details, from the beginning to the end of the project

Product placement

The use of a specific product (such as a cereal box, a car, sports gear) in a scene in return for a fee

Production designer

Creates the environment for a project and designs the space in which the action takes place. They hire set builders, scenic artists, set dressers, and prop masters to actualize the design plans and more

Prompter

An individual who helps actors or talk-show talent when needed by holding up signs, or cue cards, on which their lines are written in large print

Prop master

The person who designs buys, or rents each prop needed in production. Generally, they are the head of the property department

Proposal

A written prospectus or pitch that details the idea of a project, and is given to a network or potential buyer or investor

Props

An object on a set or on the location that will be handled by the actor as part of the action. A prop can be anything from a telephone to a toothbrush

Protection copies

Duplicate exact copies of the original footage or the final master that can act as backup protection in case of damage or loss in shipping

Public domain

When the copyright has elapsed on specific footage, it has no owner, and it can be used with no clearances or royalty fees

Rack focus

A shot in which the camera changes focus from a person or object in the foreground to the background, or vice versa

Ratings

A measurement of the number of viewers who are watching a television program

Reaction shot

A close-up of an actor’s face that registers a reaction to the shot before it or to actions in the storyline

Reality TV

A form of television program that is theoretically unscripted, and relies on “real people” in real-life situations