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
TV Safe
The area of a filmed image which will normally appear on a home television set after a film has been transferred in a telecine and then transmitted.
Film & Broadcast
Tweco
A device similar to a slip pin connector, which is used on a feeder cable, and which has a positive twist connection. (Lighting)
Film & Broadcast
Ultrasonic Cleaner
A device used to clean film without pressure or abrasion. (Laboratory)
Film & Broadcast
Underscore
Music that provides emotional or atmospheric background to the primary dialog or narration onscreen.
Film & Broadcast
Unsqueezed Print
A print in which the distorted image of an anamorphic negative has been corrected for normal projection.
Film & Broadcast
Variac
A simmer that reduces the voltage. It stands for VARIable AC. (Lighting)
Film & Broadcast
Varispeed
Increasing or decreasing tape speed to match the musical pitch of tape playback.
Film & Broadcast
Veeder Counter
A trade name for a mechanical counter which is actuated using a rotary shaft movement which can be calibrated to any system of measurement such as feet or frames. (Film Editing)
Film & Broadcast
Video Assist
The process of simultaneously recording filmed picture onto video tape by means of the same lens system in order to immediately evaluate a take as soon as it is completed. (Production)
Film & Broadcast
Virgin Stock
Magnetic tape onto which nothing has yet been recorded.
Film & Broadcast
VITC
Vertical Interval Time Code. A time code signal that is written in the vertical interval by the rotating video heads, allowing it to be read when the tape is not moving. Requires special equipment to read and write.
Film & Broadcast
Voice-over
Narration or non-synchronous dialog taking place over the action onscreen.
Film & Broadcast
VU Meter
A meter designed to measure audio level in volume units which generally correspond to perceived loudness. (Audio)
Film & Broadcast
Walla
Background ambience or noises added to create the illusion of sound taking place outside of the main action in a picture.
Film & Broadcast
Waste
Shining a light on an object, then slowing turning the light away so that some of the light will miss or fall off the object. (Lighting)
Corporate
WAV
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Film & Broadcast
Wave
A regular variation in electrical signal level or sound pressure level. (Sound/Electronics)
Film & Broadcast
Wedges
Wood wedges cut from 2×4 lumber which is used for leveling and stablizing. (Grip)
Film & Broadcast
Western Dolly
A plywood dolly, with four large soft tires, which is used as a camera dolly on smooth floors or on plywood. It is also used to transport other equipment. (Camera/Grip)
Film & Broadcast
Whip
A section of feeder cable siamesed off the main line to a secondary location. (Grip/Lighting)
Film & Broadcast
White noise
A signal having an equal amount of energy per hertz.