In the communications field, it is important that we are all speaking the same language. Below is a short glossary of terms so that everyone understands what is going on around them.
B-roll – Video or still that supplement the main story or show. For example, game highlights used during a coaches interview.
Bump in or bump out – using an artsy shot or a scenic to separate the main content of the show and the commercial break.
Bus – 2 meanings – (1) A central connection for several audio sources; (2) A row of buttons on a video switcher.
Cut away – A shot used to break up an interview, either a completely different angle of the subject, or switching to the interviewer for reaction.
Dub – A duplicate, usually referring to a physical copy of a tape.
ENG – Stands for Electronic News Gathering. Typically refers to a camera that would be used on a person’s shoulder as opposed to used on a tripod.
Fax or fax-out – A full tech check-in where the operator fully tests their gear with the rest of the production truck to make sure everything is fully operational.
Format or rundown – A document that lists the length of show segments, what tape clips air in which segment, where breaks go, which commercials air, and any other pertinent information. Think of it as the playbook for a show.
Glass – Slang for lens. If asked to use all your glass, zoom in and fill your frame with the subject.
Key – A graphic or video source that has a transparent component and is intended to be inserted over a background piece of video. Most graphics that are overlaid over a broadcast are examples of keys. You can also use a green/blue screen to turn your talent into a key that is overlayed over a piece of video.
Live – When a show is aired in real time as it is happening.
Live-to-tape – When a show is recorded as if it were live with the intent of airing after the fact.
Package – Fully assembled video consisting of voice track, b-roll, and any other necessary elements.
Preview or Preset – The video source that is on the preview bus of the switcher, typically the next source that will go to air.
Program – The video source that is going to air/being recorded.
Raw video – Complete and unedited video.
Read – A commercial that is read live instead of a pre-recorded video that is played back.
Scenic – A piece of B-roll that is used to establish the location you are broadcasting from. Often it is an exterior shot of a building, a local landmark, a city skyline, or some other easily identifiable location.
Shading – The act of adjusting the iris, shutter, gain and color or all cameras on a show so they all match.
Show black – Completely black outfit consisting of black shirt, usually long-sleeved and collared, black pants, and if possible black shoes. Typically required for live events where there is a high likelihood that a camera operator could appear on camera without drawing attention to themselves.
SOT – Stands for sound on tape, noting that it is a pre-recorded interview or other sound to be used as is.
Spot – A pre-recorded commercial.
Sticks – 2 meanings – (1) Slang for a tripod; (2) Shorthand for stick mics.
Strike – Breaking down and cleaning up all equipment used on a show.
Tally – A red light that indicates when a camera or other video source is on air. Sometimes, you may also have a green tally that indicates when a camera or other source is in preview.
TRT – Stands for “Total Run Time”. Is a note in a script that gives the total length for a video clip.
Upcut – When the beginning of a video clip is cut off due to either a TD or an audio operator switching to the clip after it has begun by mistake. You don’t want to do this.
VO – Stands for Voiceover. Indicates that talent should speak/read a promo over a specific piece of video or still image.
Audio:
Com or intercom – An audio link between 2 or more people/locations that transmits audio in both directions, allowing instant communication between all operators.
IFB – Stands for “Interruptible Fold Back”. It is an audio link that is given to the talent. It is typically the full program mix, and is interruptible by the producer to give the talent feedback or other information instantly. It is one way directional, so talent can not communicate back down the line to the control room.
Lav or lavaliere mic – A small mic, typically clipped to a person’s tie or collar during an interview.
NAT sound or NATs – Sound captured that gives the viewer the feel of what is happening on camera. Typically does not include any announcers voices, is just the noise of the crowd or the subject being recorded.
Shotgun – A long, directional microphone used mainly to capture NAT sounds.
Talkback – an off air audio channel that lets the talent communicate back to the control room off the air to relay information not intended for the general audience.
Wet vs Dry – if a line is referred to as “wet”, that means it has power on the line. If a line is referred to as “dry” it means that there is no power on the line.
Typical Commands Given During a Show:
Dissolve – A command given to a TD that instructs them to slowly and gradually transition to the stated video source.
Fade – A command given to a TD that instructs them to dissolve black video to air.
Ready – A command that a director will give to both a camera operator and a technical director. When said, it is a warning that the stated source is the next shot that will go to air. It doesn’t warrant a reply. (Example: “Ready camera 1.”)
Take – A command that a director will give to both a camera operator and a TD. When said, it means that the stated source should go to air immediately. (Example: “Take camera 1.”)
Track – A command a director or producer will give to the audio operator to turn up a specific source.
Camera Movements:
Close up – A shot where the subject is very large in the frame. For example, filling a frame with someone’s face during an interview.
Pan – Left or right movement of a camera.
Tilt – Up or down movement of a camera.
Truck – Physically moving a camera to a new location while in use.
Zoom – Increasing or decreasing the magnification on a camera.
Camera Framing:
2 shot – A shot framed to include 2 side-by-side subjects.
3 shot – A shot framed to include 3 side-by-side subjects.
Head room – The amount of space above a subjects head in a shot.
Long shot – Widest possible shot. For example, shooting someone and the entire set behind them during an interview.
Medium long shot – Wider than a medium shot, but tighter than a long shot. For example, shooting someone head to toe during an interview
Medium shot – A shot between a close up and a long shot. For example, shooting someone from the waist up during an interview
Speaking room – The amount of room in front of a speaking subject in a shot.
Written by: Nick Bacon
Nick has been working in the broadcast industry since 2006. He has been full time with Classic Teleproductions since 2016.