Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - S

Stills

The photographs taken with a still camera that catalog various aspects of the production, like actors in scenes, the director working with the actors and crew, etc.

Still photographer

Takes photographs during rehearsals or actual production that may be used for publicity purposes

Step deal

A contract for writers that indicates a series of incremental payments for each version of a script or story

Steadicam

A counterbalanced rig worn by a camera operator that allows for smoother camera movement, midway between hand-held and tripod camera mounts

Star

The lead actor or performer in a production

Stand-in

A person who bears a strong resemblance to an actor “stands-in” for the actor in technical rehearsals and often in a long shot when the actor isn’t available

Spotting session

Starting audio postproduction, the producer or director reviews the show for areas in which to add music, narration, ADR, Foley, and SFX

Splits

During production, the producer might divide the day and night shooting into splits that are then sectioned into a half-day and half-night shift

Split screen

The screen is divided into boxes or parts, from two to eight, that are all active at the same time. Each box shows an image of a character or action

SPFX

Special effects

SPFX (special effects)

Special effects created on the set or location—like fog, rain, snow, an open flame—that are not added later in postproduction

Special effects makeup

Makeup that might include artificial wounds or body parts (prosthetics) used to change an actor’s appearance

Spec script

A script written on speculation. The writer uses it as a sample of theirwork, and does not get paid unless the screenplay is sold

Sound stage

A building specially equipped for shooting a production; generally soundproof, often furnished with video and audio equipment, lighting grids and equipment, rooms for talent set construction, and other amenities

SFX

Sound effects

Sound effects (SFX)

A sound effects track includes natural sounds from the production (such as background ambiance) or Foley or audio effects from a sound effects library

Sound blankets

Large moving blankets made of a dense absorbent material that can be hung or placed on a set or location to muffle the sound

Soft lighting

Also called diffuse lighting, it is the lighting on a subject that avoids extreme bright and dark areas, a gradual transition between highlights and shadows

SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers)

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