By Carly
by Carmel
Today’s subject is terminology, knowledge and correct usage of basic terms. If you have a TV or film background and education, you know what I’m talking about. But if you have ever instructed a camera operator to “pan up” or don’t know the difference between a dissolve and a wipe, this is for you. Writers should, in particular, use the right language when describing video and audio transitions in scripts, especially if you would like to produce a video that ends up looking the way you envisioned it, or if you ever wish to have any credibility. You do not have to learn every term out there, but please get familiar with the more common ones.
Here is a quick primer:
• Zoom and dolly – Both involve getting closer to or farther away from the subject. A dolly is when the entire camera (and tripod) moves, while a zoom is a lens adjustment.
• Pan and truck – If the camera tripod is on wheels or a track, the entire camera configuration can truck left or right, but if the camera is on a stationary tripod (also known as sticks) only the camera head can pan left or right.
• Tilt and boom – Raising/lowering the entire camera up/down (on a boom or jib) is known as a boom shot. If on sticks, the camera head tilts up or down to follow vertical action.
• Common abbreviations are WS (wide shot), TS (tight shot), CU (close up), LS (long shot). The letter “m” for “medium” or “x” for “extreme” may also appear in front of any of those designations. MCU is “medium close up.”
• Know your transitions: cut, dissolve, fade and wipe are some of the more prevalent video terms. Audio typically fades in/out.
• Learn the old terminology. B-roll is a film term used as a synonym for cover video. SOT stands for “sound on tape” and originated from “sound on film.” It is also known as “a-roll.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re the summer intern logging videotapes or a writer who’s gotten her first video assignment, it is a faux pas to call a pan a tilt or identify a dissolve as a cut. So, learn a little terminology, and ramp up your credibility!
Homework assignment: Here’s a site that does a good job describing few of the more common terms.
Class dismissed!
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Tags: audio, film, video, video terminology
About the Author
As Communications Coordinator, Carly is the primary copywriter for the firm, and oversees media relations for many of our clients. When not writing (either at work or at home), she can usually be found hiking, cooking, tweeting or dressing up Bowser and entering him into costume contests.
