A Lesson In The Language Of Video Production
So often when you’re dealing in different industries there’s a whole range of new terms that you wouldn’t have crossed before. Video production is no different!
Whether it be in relation to the equipment, production or delivery, there’s a video lingo all of its own.
As a video production company, our team at Livewire Productions can occasionally be heard “talking video”. Take a look at some of the common terms you’ll hear bandied around by the crew and people in the industry:
Brief: Perhaps the most important document for any video project, the brief is supplied by the client and outlines the goals for the video, key messages, audience, budget and all other details relating to the project.
Budget: Projects range from small budget to high end productions. By supplying a budget we can tailor production requirements to meet your needs.
16:9: The aspect ratio of a screen width to height. This is the standard for HD and 4K broadcast.
Boom: A long pole or beam used to hold a camera or microphone.
Director: A person in charge of a video production. They assess the location, provide instruction and direct shots and lighting.
Dolly: A platform on wheels/ tracks used to hold a camera while filming tracking shots.
Producer: The person who is responsible for planning and orchestrating the filming of any video. They are also in charge of forming the scripts and interviewing the talent.
Jib: An extendable arm with a camera at one end and a counterweight and camera controls at the other. Operates like a see-saw with a balance point closer to the weighted end to allow extended movement vertically and horizontally.
Lighting: A specific type of lighting used when producing video that varies depending on location, natural light and the look required while being filmed. These can be daylight (blue light) or tungsten (warm light), vary in strength and can be altered with gels.
2D/ Motion Graphics: A combination between animation and graphic design used to present text or graphics to a viewer.
3D Animation: The process of generating three-dimensional moving images. Careful manipulation of 3D models or objects is carried out within 3D software for exporting picture sequences giving them the illusion of animation or movement.
Cameraperson/ Videographer: A person that operates the camera and films the footage.
Shoot: When the videographer/ cameraperson arrive onsite to film the video.
Timecode: Is used to identify a certain area of the video. Timecode starts at zero and runs in real time.
Voice Over: The voice you hear when listening to a video, recorded by trained professionals reading from a script.
Talent: People acting in the production or people being interviewed or filmed.
Pre Production: After we receive the brief, we plan the shoot and edit, liaising with the client on script and voice over and also organise talent and prepare a call sheet.
Post Production: All stages of production occurring after filming or shooting has been completed. This includes, video editing, graphics, voice over, sound effects, sound mix, colour grading and the addition of music.
Edit: This is when you take the raw footage and cut it to match what has been said in the voiceover.
Encoding: Taking the edited video and converting it to different formats so they can be used in varying applications ie. TV/ web/ cinema.
This is only a small array of the terms used in the industry and on a Livewire Productions video shoot. The good news is, when you’re dealing with us, we won’t talk “video speak” to you.
One of the best parts of our jobs is that we work together with our clients and guide them as much as needed through the process from concept to creation. This means we’ll be by each other’s side the whole way through, every step of the way. We’ll learn about your business and hopefully you’ll learn a bit about what we do.
If you’re looking to embark on a video project, the Livewire Productions team would welcome the opportunity to assist. Contact us today!