Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just dipping your toes into the world of video production, understanding the terminology is essential. From pre-production to post-production, here’s a complete dictionary to help you navigate the fascinating realm of video creation:
A
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A-Roll:
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The primary video footage that tells the main story. It’s what your audience sees and hears.
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B-Roll:
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Supplementary footage that supports the A-roll. B-roll often includes cutaway shots, establishing shots, and visuals that enhance the storytelling.
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Aspect Ratio:
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The proportional relationship between the width and height of a video frame. Common aspect ratios include 16:9 (widescreen) and 4:3 (standard).
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C
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Cinematography:
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The art of capturing moving images on film or digital media. It involves framing, lighting, camera movement, and composition.
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Color Grading:
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The process of adjusting and enhancing the colors in a video to achieve a specific look or mood. It can dramatically impact the visual tone.
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Composition:
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The arrangement of visual elements within the frame. Good composition guides the viewer’s eye and creates balance.
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D
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Depth of Field (DOF):
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The range of distances within a shot that appears in focus. Shallow DOF blurs the background, while deep DOF keeps everything sharp.
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Dolly Shot:
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A camera movement where the entire camera is physically moved toward or away from the subject. Creates a smooth tracking effect.
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Editing:
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The process of selecting, arranging, and manipulating video clips to create a cohesive narrative. Includes cutting, transitions, and effects.
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F
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Frame Rate:
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The number of individual frames captured per second. Common frame rates include 24fps (cinematic) and 30fps (broadcast).
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Framing:
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How the subject is positioned within the frame. Types of framing include close-up, medium shot, and wide shot.
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Focus Pull:
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Adjusting the focus during a shot to keep a moving subject sharp. Requires precise coordination between the focus puller and camera operator.
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G
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Green Screen (Chroma Key):
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A technique where a subject is filmed against a green or blue background, which is later replaced with a different image or video.
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Grip:
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Crew members responsible for setting up and adjusting lighting and camera equipment. They handle tripods, dollies, and other gear.
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Guerrilla Filmmaking:
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Low-budget, resourceful filmmaking. Often involves shooting in public places without permits.
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K
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Key Light:
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The primary light source in a scene. It provides the main illumination and defines the subject’s shape.
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Kickstarter:
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A crowdfunding platform where filmmakers can raise funds for their projects.
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Kuleshov Effect:
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A montage technique where the meaning of a shot changes based on the shots that precede or follow it.
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L
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L-Cut:
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An audio editing technique where the sound from the previous scene continues into the next scene before the visual cut.
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Long Take:
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A shot that lasts an extended period without any cuts. Often used to create tension or showcase choreography.
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M
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Montage:
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A sequence of short shots edited together to convey information or evoke emotions. Think training montages or time passing.
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Mise-en-Scène:
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The arrangement of visual elements within a shot, including set design, costumes, lighting, and props.
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P
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Pan:
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A horizontal camera movement where the camera pivots left or right. Creates a sweeping effect.
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Pitch:
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A brief presentation to sell a film idea to potential investors or studios.
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Post-Production:
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The phase after filming, where editing, sound design, visual effects, and color grading take place.
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R
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Rack Focus:
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A focus change from one subject to another within the same shot. Creates depth and directs attention.
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Rule of Thirds:
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A compositional guideline where the frame is divided into a grid, and important elements are placed along the gridlines or at their intersections.
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S
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Storyboard:
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A visual representation of a film’s scenes, shot by shot. Helps plan camera angles, composition, and transitions.
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Sweep Pan:
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A fast pan that covers a wide area. Often used to reveal a new location or emphasize scale
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