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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

Widescreen

A general term for film presentation in which a film is shown in an aspect ratio of greater than 1.33 to 1. In today’s terms, this now means in an aspect ratio of greater than 1.85 to 1.

Film & Broadcast

Wild Line

A line of dialoge, recorded either on set or at a looping stage, without any picture running.

Film & Broadcast

Wild Track

Audio elements that are not recorded synchronously with the picture.

Film & Broadcast

Wipe

An optical transition effect in which one image is replaced by another with a boundry edge that moves in a selected pattern across the frame. (Laboratory)

Film & Broadcast

Workprint

Any positive duplicate picture, sound track print, or magnetic duplicate which is intended for use in the editing process. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Workstation

This term generally refers to a disk-based audio recording and editing system.

Film & Broadcast

Wow

Repetitive but slow variations in recording or playback tape speed.

Film & Broadcast

Wow and Flutter

The deviation of frequency resulting from irregular motion in the recording or from deformation of the recording medium. (Acoustics)

Film & Broadcast

Wrap

The span of the tape path along which the tape and head are in contact. (Audio/Video) More often, this refers to securing equipment at the end of the day or when work is completed at a particular set or location.

Film & Broadcast

X-Y Pattern

A pair of cardioid microphones or elements aimed in crossed directions which feed two channels for stereo pickup. (Sound)

Film & Broadcast

Xenon

A high intensity light, with a polished parabolic reflector. (Lighting)

Film & Broadcast

XLR

One of several varieties of sound connectors having three or more conductors plus an outer shell which shields the connectors and locks the connectors into place. (Sound)

Film & Broadcast

Y M C Numbers

The ‘timing lights’ that the negative is printed at, representing the numerical value of the red, blue and green lights used in the printing process. These printing lights are referred to by their complements: yellow, magenta, and cyan.

Film & Broadcast

Zero Cut

A method of preparing A and B rolls for printing in which the original shots overlap several frames or more. The change from one roll to another to match the edited workprint is done automatically by the printer. (Film Editing)

Film & Broadcast

Zoom

An optical effect in which the image rapidly grows larger or smaller as though the camera is moving closer or away from its subject.