Frame Rate

Frame rate is the rate at which a shutter opens and closes, or a sensor captures video during one second. Typical frame rates are 24, 25, and 29.97, 30 and 50 and 60.

Fresnel

A fresnel is a type of lens placed in front of lamps (such as tungsten sources) in order to focus the light given off into a controllable beam.

Gaff tape

Gaff tape (or gaffers tape) is a type of non-damaging, super durable tape used on film sets, most often by the gaffer and grip department.

Gels

Gels are pieces of colored plastic used on lights. Gels allow light to pass through while changing the color tone of the light itself.

High definition media interface (HDMI)

HDMI is a digital connector prevalent across both consumer electronics and modern computers. HDMI carries both HD video and the audio signal to the TV.

High dynamic range

HDR (high dynamic range) is the compositing of two images, one that properly exposes the highlights, and another that properly exposes the dark areas. When composited together, you get a properly exposed image.

Hydrargyrum medium-arc Iodide

HMI lights emit light via pressurized mercury vapor and metal halides. Ideal for imitating daylight, they keep cooler and have a very high light output. HMI light has a color temperature of around 5600K.

Hot shoe

Hot shoe is a mounting point at the top of some cameras that allow you to attach a flash unit, microphones or other accessories.

Image sensor

Image sensor is what your digital camera uses to convert an optical image into an electric signal that your camera interprets to produce the image you see. Common types of sensors are APS-C, micro four thirds, and full-frame.

Importing

Importing refers to the process of transferring videos from your camera onto your computer or into a piece of editing software.

ISO

What does ISO stand for? Well, ISO is a camera setting in the digital cameras that changes how sensitive the sensor is to light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the sensor is to light, allowing you to shoot video in low light conditions. Low ISOs are used to shoot video in daylight and bright light conditions and provide more detail in the image.

J-cut

A J-cut is a type of cut in which the sound of the next scene precedes the picture. The name comes from the shape these clips make in the timeline of an editing program.

Jump cut

Jump cut is an abrupt transition, typically in a sequential clip that makes the subject appear to jump from one spot to the other, without continuity.

Latitude

Latitude is the exposure flexibility of your captured image (how much you can alter it in post to attain the correct exposure). Latitude is dependent upon dynamic range. While dynamic range refers to a camera, latitude refers to the image it captures.

Lavalier microphone

Lavalier microphone is a small clip-on microphone that attaches to the subject’s clothing. Normally used on TV newscasts or sitcoms that require sound to be captured from the subject without it being obvious that there is a microphone attached.

Liquid crystal display

LCD (liquid crystal display) screens are similar to Plasma screens, and comprised of a thin layer of special liquid crystals sandwiched between sheets of polarized glass or plastic. Unlike a Plasma screen however, the liquid crystals don’t emit light. A backlight lies behind the liquid crystal sandwich to illuminate the image.

L-cut

An L-cut is a type of cut in which the picture changes but the audio continues. The name comes from the shape these clips make in the timeline of an editing program.

Long portrait

A long portrait is similar to a fauxtograph, except this time your subject is in on it. Takes portraiture photography and transfers it to video form, revealing a subject’s subtle expressions, mannerisms, and gestures.

Lithium

Lithium ion batteries are the preferred type of battery for use in high-end film equipment. Most cameras are designed to use lithium ion batteries, which are proprietary (meaning they are made for a specific camera model).

Macro

Macro is a lens that uses a long barrel for close focusing. Typically, a macro lens is capable of creating a reproduction ratio greater than 1:1. The reproduction ratio is the size of your subject on your image sensor to the size of your actual subject.

Matte box

A matte box is a box that sits on the front of the camera lens to block and absorb light, usually held up by a set of rails attached to the bottom of the camera. They’re used mainly to hold lens filters and to reduce lens flares by controlling the light coming into the camera.

Memory bank

A memory bank is a video that documents certain time periods or events in someone’s life. It can be set to music, make use of natural sound, record vacations, or just capture moments in everyday life.

Memory card

Memory card is a data storage device used to store the digital information of your photos and videos on your camera. The two main types of memory cards are Secure Digital (SD) and Compact Flash (CF).

Monopod

A monopod is similar to a tripod, but with only one ‘foot.’ It provides support but also mobility, and is handy in situations where bringing a tripod would be too cumbersome.

Neutral density filter

Neutral density filter is a piece of glass that fits over the front end of a lens to reduce the amount of light entering the camera.

Nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH)

NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries are a type of battery used in some lower-end cameras. Although cheaper than Lithium ion batteries, they tend to lose charge when not in use and don’t provide as much overall power.

One-minute video

A one minute video is a video exactly one minute in length, containing no camera movements (panning, tilting, etc.) or editing, and making use of original sound.

Optical zoom

Optical zoom is the lens’ ability to change the focal length either closer to or further from a central subject.

Over-the-shoulder

Over-the-shoulder shots are framed with an emphasis on a particular character’s perspective. This shot is used in dialogue scenes to show conversations between two people.

Pans

Pans are fixed, lateral movements made with the camera.

Profile picture

Picture profile refers to the four dimensions of in-camera picture settings: sharpness, contrast, saturation, and color tone. You can create a custom picture style, or use an already established picture style, like one of the six Canon presets, or download one from a third party, such as Cinestyle from Technicolor, or Cine from Marvel.

Pixel aspect ratio

Your video image is made up of thousands of little squares called pixels. The width of each pixel relative to its height is know as the pixel aspect ratio. For uploading to Vimeo, set your pixel aspect ratio (PAR) to 1:1 or 1.00.

Plasma

Plasma screens are comprised of hundreds of thousands of tiny gas-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When an electric charge is applied to one of these gas-filled cells, it emits light, making up one of the thousands of pixels on-screen.

Polarizing filter

Polarizing filter is a piece of glass that fits over the front end of a lens to change the way that your camera sees and treats light, while ultimately cutting down on glare.

Point-of-view

Point of view shot is a shooting technique that shows the perspective of a scene literally from a character or object’s position in the setting.

Practical

A practical refers to any light source that is part of the scene itself and does not need to be hidden from the camera.

Press kit

A press kit provides background information on your film for members of the press for promotional purposes. It can include an in-depth synopsis, cast and crew bios, interesting anecdotes or a Q&A with the director, reviews of the film, and production stills.

Prime lens

A prime lens is a lens with a fixed focal length. Although less versatile than a zoom, prime lenses often provide superior optical quality and wider apertures (often down to 1.2 or 1.4), and are lighter weight and less bulky.

Room tone

Room tone is the presence, or sound in a room. It is recorded and later intercut with dialogue to smooth out any rough or jarring editing points.

Resolution

Resolution is a measure of the number of pixels a video contains both horizontally and vertically. Some common resolutions are 640×480 (SD) 1280×720 (HD), 1920×1080 (HD). Sometimes these are referred to just by their vertical dimension such as, 480p, 720p or 1080p.

Mobile video tips and techniques

Framing and composition