Video Production Glossary

Dailies are the positive prints made by the film labs, directly produced from the negatives. It can be very confusing as in video production, it can also be used to mean the video which is transferred from the original film negative. Dallies are generally used in film making for productions such as feature film and corporate films or corporate video. (Laboratory)

A Dance Floor is a plywood floor, used in video productions such as corporate videos, educational productions and film production. The plywood of the Dance Floor is often covered with a fibreboard material (usually masonite) for providing a good surface for free-form dollying. (Grip)

A movie which is not very well known but is nominated for a major award. There are good examples of Dark Horse productions being made in areas such as Liverpool or Manchester in the UK, which have a superb reputation for making quality video productions. (Distribution)

DAT or Digital Audio Tape is a standard 2-channel digital audio tape, often used by video production companies for audio mastering. (Sound)

A DAW or Digital Audio Workstation is a computer which is dedicated to manipulating sound. DAW’s have a strong presence in the production of music and effects for markets such as corporate video production and feature film. (Sound)

Day for Night is the phrase used when shooting during the day to give the impression that it is night-time. Usually achieved by shooting using filters on camera and use of tungsten balanced film during the day to give a moonlight style effect. This is a common technique used in broadcast and non-broadcast productions such as soap operas, corporate video and similar style video or film productions. (Camera crew)

When making film productions and shooting outdoors, daylight balanced film is used – for example in a live outdoor event, an outdoor product launch or sports training video. Colour film used for outdoors is daylight balanced and if used indoors without a correction filter, the scene will appear orange. This can be a particular problem for companies who are not expert at producing high end productions, such as some companies providing low-cost corporate video solutions. (Production / camera crew)

A Day Out of Days form is the cast or crew’s assignment of the days they are being employed on the production. (Production / finance)

A Dead Spot is the area of a filming environment where sound waves are cancelled, due to the room acoustics causing a cancellation of waveforms through them being deflected out of phase with each other at the same point. Dead spots are defined as the points were sound volume is reduced or cancelled out altogether. Any video or film producer must be aware of dead spots and account for the phenomena during filming. During the production of this video glossary, thinktank video productions carried out an independent study looking at major locations used for filming corporate video productions and feature films in northwest UK - research was carried out in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Warrington and Bolton, together with a separate study undertaken by thinktank video productions London – the results of the research demonstrated the importance of careful selection of locations for use in film or video production. The research also studied the optimum ways for tackling dead spots within the filming environment. (Production / sound)

A comedy actor who is also called the straight man, meaning that during the funny moments, the actor keeps a straight face with no emotion.

Dead Sync is the term used in video production to indicate that picture and sound are in perfect synchronisation. (Film & video editing)

The form which contains pay and conditions, plus additional details of working agreements is called a Deal Memo. The Deal Memo is agreed internally between the video production company and its cast & crew. The deal memo is universal and employed by local production companies in London, Manchester and Liverpool, in addition to major companies in the areas of London, Manchester, The US and across Europe(Finance)

A unit of measurement used to measure loudness of sound in the film and video sector. Increasing the sound by 6 dB represents a doubling in the power. (Sound)

A decoder is a device used for measuring and reading an enclosed signal or pulse, in turn translating the signal into a form of usable information.

A French film style or video production style. (Production)

Deep Focus is a style or method of cinematography, together with staging which employs wide angle lenses combined with small lens apertures. This technique used in video production (corporate, film etc.) keeps objects in the extreme background and foreground focused at the same time. (Cinematography)

A device used by video production teams (vision or sound) to erase magnetic tape recordings and remove a residual magnetic field from video or audio tape heads. (Editing & post-production equipment)

Deinterlacing is the process of creating a single frame from two individual interlaced fields. (Broadcast TV & consumer equipment)

A Deleted Scene refers to a scene that has been edited out of a film or corporate video production’s final cut, for several possible reasons: the scene was poorly done, the scene was unnecessary, the film's running time needed truncation, the film was avoiding an R or NC-17 rating, the film's studio disapproved of it, etc. Deleted scenes are now commonly included on DVDs, either re-edited into a director's cut or as a separate feature – this is seen primarily in the commercial film market.

A Demo Reel or Show Real is a sample of previous work carried out by a video production company, corporate video producer, actor or crew member. The Demo Reel usually shows diversity and range of abilities of an individual or company. (Marketing & promotion)

Demodulation is the process of removing the carrier signal to reveal the wanted audio and video signals. (Broadcast TV / distribution)

Also know as Demux, Demuliplexing is the process of separating video and audio signals into separate files. This is used in every type of video production from corporate video through to feature film production. (post-production)

This is the moment of realisation for the viewer of a production, immediately following the climax of the production. Most often the end scene, or alternatively ‘the resolution’. (Production)

Density is the measure of the light-stopping ability of a photographic image. (Photography)

Depth of Field is a measure of the depth or amount of picture which is in focus during a photographic or film shoot. Depth of Field can be altered to produce a variety of different treatments when filming. (Camera crew)

A Deuce is a 2K fresnel lighting unit. (Lighting)

Developing film is a traditional process which transfers an exposure on film into a visible image. (Laboratory)

Used in film production and corporate video production, a dialogue track is a track which holds lip synchronisation speech. (Sound)

The term diff is used by camera operators on set, during the making of documentaries, feature film or by corporate video production companies to refer to a frosted gel, which is then placed directly in front of a light source with the sole purpose of reducing the intensity. Diffs of differing strengths are used, for example a ‘full diff’ will reduce light by one stop.

A differential rewind allows simultaneous winding of film (on more than one reel) regardless of the roll diameters used. A term used in film production editing. (Film Editing)

The Digital 8 format is a type of video stock format which is superior to the old Hi-8 or 8MM. Sony originally introduced Digital 8 and the format is backward compatible, with Hi-8.

Digital recording is the recording of samples, via input of a digital or analogue signal on video or audio. The original analogue signal is encoded on tape, disk or solid state format as binary information for storage or processing. Digital recordings have an advantage because they can be copied within loss of quality, being equivalent to the original digital recording – important in corporate video production and feature films where digital formats are used such as the Red One (Film & Sound)

A Digital Signal is a signal that is carried optically, without an analogue component. A Digital Signal may have been originated either digitally for example in the event of a musical synth or through an analogue source, such as a video feed, prior to being converted into a digital form by an Analogue to Digital converter. (Post-production)

Digital Video Camera is a video camera which records images in digital format rather than film format such as 35mm. With a digital video camera, digital images that make up a video sequence are recorded and stored digitally, with or without compression. High end digital productions using the Red One for example, are used to produce cutting edge feature films and corporate video productions. thinktank video productions is a company which uses the latest video equipment, like digital video cameras alongside traditional film techniques.

Digital video editing refers to the techniques of editing digital images and sounds which can be obtained from digital cameras or analogue video cameras in which the stock has been converted to digital format for editing in a edit suite. To enhance or improve a video/film, videographers use specialized digital video editing equipment, hardware, and software. It is crucial that digital video editing is completed, for a more refined film or video. The digital process allows more complex special effects to be incorporated and by using digital video editing techniques, the original source footage remains intact throughout the production process.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) is a format for capturing digital video on CD which allows for compression and full-motion video. This new form of video interface technology is made to maximize the quality of flat panel monitors and high-end video graphics cards.

A term used interchangeably with video production services. The term refers to companies in the film industry, such as corporate video production companies, who use digital video production techniques.

Digital Video is video recorded or converted to digital format. Once a video is digitalized by digitally transferring the footage from camera onto a computer or edit suite hardware, it can be read by the computer to produce and display frames that make up a video sequence. There are several benefits to digital video. Corporate videos, documentaries and educational videos are generally made using digital video production techniques, which are highly cost effective and provide the best platform for today’s multimedia and digital marketing platforms.

The conversion of analogue to binary bits that establish a mathematical model of an original signal or other information is ‘digital’. Digital media is completely different to work with than analogue or film media.

A Dimmer is a rheostat device used for applying a variable power supply to a lighting unit. In video production a Dimmer has the effect of increasing or reducing light intensity. (Lighting)

Branches with leaves which are placed in front of a light are called a dingle – just as a cookie would be used to cut light and thereby produce a shadow pattern. (Grip/Lighting)

The diopter is part of the viewfinding system of a camera that can be adjusted to compensate for an individual’s eyesight, allowing clear viewing of the groundglass. The dioptre assists camera crew who may have less than perfect vision.

The variation in response or perception for different angles of sound incidence. This is used by sound recordists and sound engineers working on corporate video productions or feature films. (Acoustics)

The Director is the generally the main creative inspiration when making films or corporate video productions. The director serves to play the role of a link between the production, technical and creative teams working on a particular project such as a corporate video or documentary. Directors are creatively responsible for translating a production’s concept and script into actual images and sounds on the screen – Directors generally visualise and define the style and structure of the film, in consultation with the production team or client, acting as a storyteller and team leader to bring the production alive. The duties of a director depends on the size of the production team and film crew – their duties can often include working together on the casting, script editing, shot composition, shot selection and editing elements within a production. With the essential elements in the hands of the producer, such as finance and marketing, the Director is free to develop a production in the most effective creative way, working closely with all involved to ensure that budget and creativity are carefully balanced.

In film and video production, the Director of Photography or DoP, DOP or DP, is the individual responsible for creating the artistic and technical directorship to achieve the overall creative direction that the Film Director is trying to achieve. The Director of Photography is a very important role on set and was traditionally called the Cinematographer – there is much purist debate surrounding the interchangeability of these terms, with some experts claiming that the term Cinematographer title can only be used when the chief camera operator is the same person as the DoP.

A feature film or video production is a more creative version of the original video production. Sometimes condensed and often significantly different to the original production in nature, the Director’s Cut is their own interpretation of what the final production would have been like, without any commercial involvement – it is a good way of providing the Film Director an artistic outlet to show the public and the industry, their capabilities. The Director’s Cut may also be used commercially to help sell special edition Blu-Ray or DVD releases. (Production / post-production / distribution)

This is a device used by the Director and the DOP for lining up shots to be filmed during a documentary, feature film, pop video, educational film, healthcare video or corporate. The Director’s Finder allows rapid selection of lens sizes, saving time prior to the camera crew having to change the lens size. (Production).

A Dissolve is a video production transition involving two cuts, one dissolving directly into the next one. (Film editing)

Distortion occurs when an audio signal contains sounds which were not present during the original recording. (Audio)

Dynamic Noise Reduction – reducing noise dynamically (Audio)

Dolby Digital is also known as AC3. Dolby Digital contains six channels of sound, namely; centre, front left and front right, plus left and right to the rear and a sub speaker. This is used in the making of video production involving 5.1 channel digital film format. If this is optically recorded on a film release print, it is present within blocks of space located between the sprocket holes located on the actual film itself. (Sound)

Spectral Recording. An encoding and decoding noise reduction system developed by Dolby for cinematography. (Sound)

A dolly is a common item used by corporate video production companies. The camera is placed on the dolly, enabling movement of the camera along a track. The Dolly also allows the camera to jib up and down for extra effect. (Camera crew)

A dolly shot used in documentary productions or corporate video productions is any shot taken from a moving dolly. Film industry production teams may also refer to these as tracking or travelling shots. (Production / Camera crew)

A plywood dolly with four soft tyres is called a doorway dolly. They are used in video production and are sufficiently narrow so that they fit within the dimensions of a typical doorway. A doorway dolly is employed to carry a camera on a tripod or for transporting other heavy items. (Grip)

Dots are flags or small nets used in controlling light. (Grip / lighting)

A double exposure is the technique (or mistake!) when (prior to development) an exposed piece of film is reshot over. Whatever the number of subsequent exposures, the technique is known as double exposure. (Production)

A double perf refers to 16mm film stock which contains a row of perforations running along both edges. On the film can this will be indicated by the inscription 2R appearing on the label. (Film)

A double reel is generally two rolls of 35mm film which are joined together, the maximum size being 2,000 feet. You will find labels on double reels such as:1 A/B, 2 A/B etc., to distinguish them from single reels. (Film)

A double system refers to having the image and sound on separate transports. This happens when sound is not recorded ‘in camera’ and is typical of the way high end video production companies work. (Film)

See Director of Photography. (Crew)

See Director of Photography. (Crew)

The drift is a reference to flutter which occurs at random rates in the audio waveform. (Sound)

The US system of time code generation which compensates for the spread of the NTSC TV running at 29.97 frames per second. Also, drop frames is used in video production (digital) to refer to footage which has been digitised and frames are missing in the digitised footage due to hardware issues such as data transfer loss through inadequate transfer techniques or poor quality capturing / computer hardware used in the process. (Editing and TV)

Drop Out refers to the loss of an element of a signal, typically seen when a tape has imperfections in its oxide layer, or if there are issues with the tape such as damage or contamination with dirt. (Laboratory)

An audio recording process used in all types of film from feature film to corporate video production and documentary making. The tape is played and at a pre-designated point, the record button is pressed, which adds to or replaces any existing audio which has already been recorded. (Audio)

Double Sided Dual Layer DVD. Also known as DVD-18.

Double Sided Single Layer DVD. Also known as DVD-10.

Digital Theatre Systems Incorporated developed DTS, which is a film sound system which utilizes a CD-ROM disc which is synchronized to film using a optically encoded timecode. (Sound). Digital Theatre Systems Digital Sound is a multichannel audio compression format similar to Dolby Digital used in DVD-video discs, DVD-audio, 5.1 channel audio CDs, and some movie theatres. DTS uses higher data rates compared with Dolby Digital. DTS can only be on a DVD-video disc if accompanied by a Dolby Digital or LPCM track (US) or mpeg audio and LPCM (Europe) Community) to ensure compatibility. (Sound)

Digital TV is the new standard for broadcasting picture and sound using digital signals, DTV allows for improvements in both picture and sound quality versus conventional Analogue TV which was deprecated in the UK in 2009. (TV)

A US term used for an audio mix made specifically for a TV program or film. (Audio)

To dub means to make a copy of any program source record, CD, tape. It can also be used to refer to the copy itself. Dub can also be a reference to the ADR process. (Audio/Video)

This refers to a high quality sound reproducer which is mixed with outputs from other dubbers that are generally loaded with sprocketed magnetic film. (Post Production)

(or Re-recording Mixer) Re-Recording Mixers is the new term for what were once known as Dubbing Mixers. They bring together the essential sound elements (dialogue, Automated Dialogue Replacement, sound effects, foley, atmospheres (atmos), and music). They are responsible during corporate video productions, healthcare video for the NHS and documentary production for creating the final soundtrack. (Sound)

Dubbing is the process of replacing the voice of an actor with another voice or recording by the same actor. This can be used to rectify errors during corporate video productions, to improve quality or in instances where distribution is required for multiple language productions. (Post Production)

A Dupe is an exact copy of a negative or positive. Short for duplicate negative or duplicate positive. (Film editing)

Duplication services provide copying of stock or productions (such as DVD, Blu-Ray etc) for distribution during documentary, feature film or corporate video productions. (Distribution)

Also called Canted Angle, a Dutch Angle is where a camera is placed at an angle so that the horizontal frame line is not parallel to the horizon during video or film production. (Camera crew / production)

See Dutch Angle. Also see Canted Angle (Camera crew / production)

A very heavy black cloth impregated with fire proofing material is called a duvytyne. They are used for blacking out windows or hiding cables.(Grip)

A DV converter transfers analogue signals like VHS, S-VHS, Hi8 and 8mm and converts them to DV. (Editing)

Digital Video - video captured to a hardware system like an Apple Macintosh or PC from a digital camcorder, often through Firewire. (Editing)

DVB means Digital Video Broadcasting. DVB was determined by the European Broadcast Union as a standard for digital video transmission. Various standards exist such as DVB-S Satellite, DVB-C Cable, DVB-T Terrestrial, DVB-SI Specification for Service Information, DVB-CI Common Interface (for conditional access). (TV)

Digital Versatile Disk / Digital Video Disk or DVDs are used as a storage or playback media type. Similar in size to compact discs (CDs), DVDs are circular but hold considerably more data than CDs. Most videos are converted to DVD format for playing inside DVD players or computers. (Distribution / storage).

DVD video production is the service of creating, reproducing or duplicating video on DVD. It is common for videos to be formatted into a DVD, because DVDs store a wealth of data and are a recognised standard for production of corporate video productions and films. (Distbribution)

See Digital Video Interface

Dynamic Distortion the change of a volume range during sound transmission. (Sound)

The Dynamic Range is the difference between the peak and audio troughs of a track, measured in units of decibels. (Sound)