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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

Sound Print

Any positive sound track print which is obtained by printing from a sound negative, or direct positive recording. or by the reversal process from another negative.

Film & Broadcast

Sound-on-Sound

A method in which previously recorded sound on one track is rerecorded onto another track while new material is added.

Film & Broadcast

Soundtrack

Generically refers to the music contained in a film, though it literally means the entire audio portion of a film, video or television production, including effects and dialog.

Film & Broadcast

Spacer

A hub placed between reels on rewinders to keep the reels in the proper position to feed into, or take up from, a synchronizer. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Specular

A term used to describe highly directional, focused light. This is often perceived as a very ‘hard’ light. (Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Speed of sound

The velocity of sound in air is 770 mi/hr. This speed however, is influenced by temperature and air pressure. (Acoustics)

Film & Broadcast

Spill

Light that is escaping from the sides of a lighting unit, or any light that is falling where it is not wanted. (Grip/Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Splice

The act of joining two pieces of film by any of several methods. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Split Screen

An optical or special effects shot in which two separate images are combined on each frame.

Film & Broadcast

Spool

A flanged roll on which film is wound for general handling or projection.

Film & Broadcast

Spot

On a lensed light, the smallest beam spread. (Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Spotting

Used in scoring and sound effects editing to identify the specific scenes or points where music cues or effects cues will take place. Usually, this will include information on length and style.

Film & Broadcast

Sprocket

A toothed driving wheel used to move film through various machines by engaging with the perforated holes in film stock.

Film & Broadcast

Stage Box

A distribution box with six pockets for stage plug connectors.

Film & Broadcast

Standing waves

A deep sound in a small room or booth from low frequency caused by long waves with short reflection patterns. (Post Production)

Film & Broadcast

Step Printer

A printer in which each frame of the negative and raw stock is stationary at the time of exposure. (Laboratory)

Film & Broadcast

Stinger

A single extension cord. Most often referred to a single ‘hot’ extension that is left lying around for occassional use. (Grip/Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

Stock

A general term for motion picture film, particularly before it is exposed.

Film & Broadcast

Stock Numbers

Edge numbers provided on film raw stock by the manufacturer.

Film & Broadcast

Stop Frame

An optical printing effect in which a single frame image is repeated in order to appear stationary when it is projected. This may also refer to a camera technique in which only one frame at a time is exposed.

Film & Broadcast

Striking

The breakdown process of a camera position, location, or set.