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Film & Broadcast Glossary

Film & Broadcast is about telling stories – whether fiction or factual. This combines high standards of training in production skills to make programs – dramas and documentaries for radio, television and cinema

Film & Broadcast

Kick

An object with a shine or reflection on it from another object. (Grip/Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Kiss

A light that gently brushes a subject. (Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

L-C-R-S (Left, Center, Right, Surround)

The four playback channels used in 35mm motion pictures, now available on home hi-fi systems. L, C and R speakers are located behind the screen. The S channel surrounds the audience and may be mono or encoded stereo.

Film & Broadcast

Lamp

A reference to the bulb inside a lighting unit, but may sometimes be used to refer to the entire lighting unit. (Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Latitude

The range between overexposure and underexposure in which a film will still produce usable images. (Camera)

Film & Broadcast

Lavalier Mic

A small microphone that can be easily hidden on a piece of clothing so as not to be seen by the camera.

Film & Broadcast

Layback

Transfer of the finished audio mix back onto the video edit master.

Film & Broadcast

Layoff

Transfer of audio and time code from the video edit master to an audio tape.

Film & Broadcast

Layover

Transfer of audio onto multitrack tape or hard disk. Also referred to as “layup.”

Film & Broadcast

Layup

Transfer of audio onto multitrack tape or hard disk. Also referred to as “layover.”

Film & Broadcast

Leader

A length of nonimage film which is used for threading, identification, or fill-in purposes. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Leko

An ellipsoidal reflector spot light. Usually used for theatrical purposes. (Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Level

The ratio of an acoustic quantity to a reference quantity. A measurement of amplitude in decibels. (Acoustics)

Film & Broadcast

Lexan

A plastic sheeting material, available in varying widths, that is optically clear and used to protect camera personnel from explosions or the results of other action. (Grip/Camera)

Film & Broadcast

Library Shot

Stock footage shot or other footage which is germane to a given visual presentation but which was not generated for that specific film or television presentation. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Light Value

A reference to a fast acting, variable opening shutter to control the light intensity in printing film. (Laboratory)

Film & Broadcast

Light-Struck Leader

Film which was fully exposed to light which is then used as leader. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Lip-Sync

The relationship of sound ad picture that exists when the movements of speech are perceived to coincide with the sounds of speech.

Film & Broadcast

Liquid Gate

A printing system in which the original is immersed in a liquid at the moment of exposure. This is done in order to reduce the adverse effects of surface scratches and abrasions.

Film & Broadcast

Looping

A continuous sound track that runs repeatedly in playback as a guide for re recording. (Post Production)

Film & Broadcast

Low Contrast Original

An original reversal film which is designed to yield prints having good projection contrast.