Although ultimately very rewarding, taking your first steps in video can be an intimidating process, not least because of the amount of technical jargon you need to understand. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together a handy glossary of some of the most essential moviemaking terms to help you decode the terminology and be free to create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Filming Terms<\/h2>\n\n\n\nB-roll<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
General footage associated with the primary subject that is recorded to add interest, add context and help tell the story (see \u2018Cutaway\u2019 below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dolly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anything with wheels that a camera is attached to, enabling smooth, horizontal camera movements. Can also be used as a verb meaning \u2018move the camera\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gimbal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A mechanical device that stabilises the camera and lens during movement, producing smoother footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headroom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is the amount of space between the top of your subject\u2019s head and the top edge of the frame. Too little can cut off part of the subject\u2019s head, too much can make it look like they\u2019re falling off the bottom of the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lead Room<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Also known as \u2018nose room\u2019, this is the distance between the front of your subject and the side of the frame they\u2019re facing towards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matte Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
An attachment to the end of your lens that blocks stray light and prevents flare, frequently with slots to hold filters in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the Shoulder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Often used in interviews, this is an angle of view that frames one subject from over the back and shoulder of another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Panning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Turning the camera from left to right or right to left horizontally from a fixed point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
POV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Short for \u2018point of view\u2019, this is footage that is filmed as though it is being seen through the eyes of the videographer or a character in the narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rack Focusing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Also known as pulling focus, this is the technique of swapping focus between two different subjects in the same frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The process of banging a clapperboard at the start of a take to act as a point of audio and visual reference during editing. You can mimic this by clapping hands at the start of footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A small, more portable form of dolly. A slider is a lightweight set of rails that the camera rolls on to create smooth linear movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storyboard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A sequence of drawings or images created to provide a visualisation of the scene before filming begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tilting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pivoting the camera up or down vertically from a fixed point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Following persons or vehicles along with the camera. The effect of smooth linear camera movement that is created by using a dolly, slider, gimbal or crane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two Shot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When two subjects appear in the same frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Video Editing Terms<\/h2>\n\n\n\nColour Grading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The process of enhancing the visual appearance of footage using editing software in post-production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cross Fade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Also known as a \u2018dissolve\u2019 or a \u2018mix\u2019, this is a slow gradual transition between shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cut-in or Insert<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A brief piece of footage of a particular detail that can add to the story. For example, a close-up of a subject\u2019s body language like a foot tapping to show nervousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cutaway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When a scene is interrupted with an edit to related footage that helps to add context or tell the story (see \u2018B-roll\u2019 above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When the footage gradually goes from or to a single colour, described as a fade in or a fade out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The art of recreating sound effects in a studio after footage has been filmed in order to enhance the realism of the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
J-cut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A type of cut where the audio of the upcoming footage precedes the video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
L-cut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A type of cut where the video of the upcoming footage precedes the audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lower Third<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Text that appears as an overlay, usually in the bottom corner of the screen. Often used to introduce a person speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Montage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A sequence of short clips that are edited together, often to music, frequently used to show passage of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rough Cut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The result of the first round of edits where the movie begins to take its final form, but is not ready for screening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rushes or Dailies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The raw, unedited footage taken straight from camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soundtrack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The body of music that accompanies a video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stop Motion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A form of animation where still photographs of inanimate objects are arranged in sequence to create the feeling of movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Synchronization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The process of ensuring the video and any separately recorded audio are perfectly aligned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wipe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When one shot is replaced with another using a line or shape that moves from one side of the frame to another, from the centre outwards or vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A microphone that is attached to the end of a long pole, enabling it to be close to the sound source, usually while remaining out of the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any sound that comes from something or someone that is actually in the story. For example, a character talking, the rumble of traffic on a busy street, the sound of music coming from a stereo (also see \u2018Non-Diegetic Sound\u2019 below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A microphone that is designed to be comfortably held in the hand, often used for live interviews in the field when there is little time for audio setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also called a clip mic, or lapel mic, this is a small microphone that clips onto a subject\u2019s clothing to allow good recording of speech and hands-free operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any sound that is not made by an aspect of the story. For example, a narrator talking, theatrical music or sound effects designed to add drama (also see \u2018Diegetic Sound\u2019 above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also called \u2018Presence\u2019, this is the ambient background sound of a particular room or location. Recording this, separate to any dialogue, is essential for ensuring a smooth sound editing in post-production and enhancing the realism of a scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The speed at which video data is recorded by internal camera memory or an external recorder. Measured in megabits per second or Mbps, this has a direct effect on the quality of your footage. A higher bit rate means less compression of the signal, yielding higher quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A screen resolution of 4096\u00d72160 pixels. Usually used in theatrical productions, it has a slightly wider aspect ratio than standard UHD 4K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Measured in frames per second (fps), this is the frequency at which frames are captured in recording or displayed during video playback. Higher frame rates make for smoother footage, whereas lower frame rates can appear jerky. 24fps is the standard frame rate for movies and dramatic TV shows, with higher rates used for fast action sports and nature footage. Where slow motion is required, footage can be filmed at higher speeds like 60fps, 120fps, or 240fps, and be played back at standard speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A screen resolution of 1920\u00d71080 pixels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A screen resolution of 1280\u00d7720 pixels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The standard high-definition video connection used in televisions and pro-sumer cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of signal encoding that creates video with a wide dynamic range, allowing more freedom when editing in post-production. FUJIFILM cameras use F-Log format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A screen resolution of 3840\u00d72160 pixels most frequently used on television sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LEARNING-CENTRE-VIDEOGLOSSARY-NEW-HEADER.jpg?width=862&height=575\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSound Recording Terms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Boom Microphone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diegetic Sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Handheld Microphone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lavalier Microphone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Non-Diegetic Sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Room Tone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Video Technology Terms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bit Rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
DCI 4K<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Frame Rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Full HD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
HD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
HDMI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Log Profile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
UHD 4K<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Compare Video on X Series Cameras<\/h2>\n\n\n\n