| A | B |
|---|
| aperture | Most often the size of the camera lens opening. Any opening which regulates the size of a beam. |
| backlight | light from above and behind the subject to give depth to the scene. |
| backdrop | canvas or other suitable materal, often painted, to provide a background for a television production. |
| balance | (audio) A mixing of sounds to create a desired effect. (Picture Composition) A pleasing harmonious distribution of objects in the television shot. (Lighting) Two light sources at wqual intensity. |
| barndoors | Hinged metal plates mounted on lighting fixtures, used to control the light from the fixture falling on the set. |
| batten | A piece of wood or pipe used primarily for hanging lights and/or scenery. |
| boom | equipment that allows microphone or camera mobility, also called camera crane. |
| brightness | The intensity of light falling on an object or sceen, visible to the naked eye. |
| burn-in | The image retention by the camera tube of one shot, seen as a negative image, superimposed on the next shot. |
| bus | The row of buttons on a television switching unit. |
| camera monitor | A video television reciever, usually located in the control room, that show the camera shot to the director and his crew. |
| cardiod | Heart-shaped microphone pick-up pattern. |
| cheat | To change the position of a performer or object in order to create a more pleasing or balanced shot for the camera. |
| chroma key | An electronic process for color television whereby one camera shot or several camera shots can be inserted into another camera shot. |
| close-up | A camera shot consisting of the head and shoulders of the subject with proper head room. |
| contrast | The range between light and dark shades of gray in a television shot. Usually considered as the ratio between the maximum and minimum luminance values. |
| copy | All materail to be read on the air. |
| cover shot | A camera shot where the field of view is sufficiently wide to show all the action or information in the scene. |
| cross fade | The gradual lowering of the volume of one sound while increasing the volume of another sound. |
| cut | The instantaneous change from one video signal to another. The command used by the director to stop the production. |
| f/stop | The calibration of a lens to indicate and vary the amount of light passing through the lens. "f" stands for the factor or relationship of the focal length divided by the aperture or effective diameter of the light access. |
| gain | level of aplified sound. riding gain means keeping the volume at a roper level, indicated by the VU meter. |
| gain contrl | An adjustment for either increasing or decreasing the sound volume or picture contrast. |
| graphic | Any art work or photographic material or combination of the two used in a television production. |
| headroom | The clear space above the subject's head to the top of the screen. |
| hot | opposite of dead when referring to microphone. A micropone that is turned on and its output is either being recorded or going on air |
| ID | Any kind of identification |
| image orthicon | A highly sensitive Tv camera tuve used extensively in broadcast cameras. |
| iris (diaphragm) | An adjustable lens-opening mechanism which controls the amount of light passing through the lens |
| key | An eledtronic process by which one camera shot can be inserted into another camera shot. |
| dead | (microphone) A microphone that is not turned on. (studio) A studio that is very sound absorbent. |
| dissolve | The gradual interchange from one video signal to another |
| dolly | A stand equipped with wheels or casters on which a camera mount or microphone is supported. |
| establishing shot | A television shot to orientate the viewer. |
| ETV | Educational Television. |
| eye light | Light to produce sparkle to eyes and teeth. |
| fade | (audio) An increase or decrease in sound volume. To increase or decrease the sound volume. (video) A transition to or from black. To increase or decrdase the strength or intensity of the television picture. |
| feedback | Piercing squeals from the loudspeaker, caused by the accidental entry of the sound source into the microphone. |
| fill light | Additional light to reduce shadows or contrast range. |
| flood light | A lighting fixture giving a diffused, nondirectional light. |
| focus | To adjust a camera or lens to get a sharp picture. (in focus) where the shot appears sharp and clear. |
| key light (modeling light) | The principal source of directional light falling on a subject or area. |
