A

A-roll

The main shots or footage in the video — working as a backbone of the story.

Ambient sound

The natural background or surrounding noise in a scene or location. It can add realism to the content or interfere with other sound. 

Aperture

It’s the adjustable opening in a camera lens that controls light entry. It influences exposure and visual effects. It's measured in f-stops. Lower numbers allow more light and blur the background. Higher numbers reduce light and increase overall focus.

Aspect ratio

Video dimensions. 
It’s the ratio of a video's width to its height. Common aspect ratios used in video production are:

• 16:9 (widescreen): Standard for video and film production
• 1:1 (square): Equal width and height
• Vertical: Taller than it is wide. Common in social media.

B

B-roll

Extra footage and shots. They help add context, cover transitions, and make the main story more thrilling. 

Background noise

Unwanted sounds like crowd, wind, or traffic noise that interfere with primary audio. 

Backlight

Light source to illuminate the background of a scene in the video. 
Backlight helps make the subject stand out as it creates a bright rim around them. 

Bitrate

The amount of data processed per second in a video. influences its quality and size. A higher bitrate improves the quality. 

Blocking

Planning involves how actors and elements move in a scene. The director, cinematographer, and actors decide positions and movements, often using rehearsals or sketches.

Bounce lighting

A technique where any prop (like a reflector) is used to reflect a strong light onto the subject of your video. It can help control light. Plus, it helps combat harsh sunlight, artificial light, or shadows.

C

Camera

A device that captures visual footage and varies in type, capabilities, and formats. 

Camera slider

A track-based device that moves the camera on a horizontal rail system. It helps smoothen camera movement to get you a more stable shot. 

Clapperboard

A flat board with a hinged clapstick at the top. Marks the start of a shot. These key details are written in, such as the scene, shot, and take number to keep things organized. 

C-stand

A kind of portable tripod that varies in different weights and sizes. It holds multiple production equipment. The stand is mostly used for light and other rigging jobs. 

Color Correction

Digital adjustment of color during the post-production process so that the colors look natural and well-balanced. 

Color grading

The process of altering colors and tones in the video with a color palette to adjust the appearance. It makes the shots look warmer, cooler, richer, or desaturated to set the mood. 

Color temperature

A parameter that describes the coolness or warmness of light in a video. It influences the video’s color tone and helps set the mood. 

Compositing 

The process of combining different visual images into one for a seamless output. 

The purpose is to create the illusion that all these elements are parts of the same scene. 

Concept

The original idea, theme, premise, or vision for the video. It helps guide and shape the script, visuals, key messaging, and overall content style.

D

Depth of field

The area of your image that's in focus. Shallow depth focuses on one subject whereas deeper one keeps everything sharp.

Dialogue

The words the actors say to each other or the camera.

The scriptwriter writes these words. the director decides how they should be spoken, including tone and pace.

Diffusion

The use of a translucent material like a diffuser to scatter light. It helps create soft light without harsh shadows.

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) 

A port for connecting a video source (like a video display controller) to a display device (like a computer monitor). 

Digital zoom

Enlarging an image by cropping without changing the lens. It can reduce image quality.

Director

The person who leads and directs the video shoot. They manage shots, handle crew, and guide actors. 

Director’s cue

A signal the director gives to guide the cast and crew during video shooting. Common cues are:

• Action: “Start the scene.”

• Cut: “Stop performing; we’re done with the take.”

• Go again: “Restart the scene.”

• Keep rolling: “Continue recording, even if there’s a small mistake/adjustment.”

• Moving on: “Shot complete; move to the next one.”

• Places: “Cast and crew, take your positions for the next shot.”

• Quiet on set: “Everyone, be quiet so we can start recording.”

• Roll sound: “Start recording audio.”

• Roll camera: “Start recording video.”

Dolly

A wheeled platform that makes the camera move smoothly on a track to get stable camera shots.

Dubbing

The process of replacing or adding dialogue to the video after it’s been filmed. It is often used for translation or clarity improvement. 

Dynamic range

The ratio between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. It also refers to the range of light levels a camera can capture without losing details in highlights or shadows.

E

Editing software

A computer program for cutting, arranging video footage, and adjusting the appearance of the video.

Export

Combining a complete video into one downloadable file and saving it from an editing software. 

Exposure

The time light hits the camera sensor. It determines the overall brightness or darkness of a shot. Longer exposure means brighter images. 

Exposure triangle

The 3 camera settings– aperture, shutter speed, and light– work together to control how much light hits the sensor.

F

Fast motion

A video effect that speeds up footage playback for a rapid action. It shows time passing quickly. 

Fill lights

An extra, less powerful light on the side opposite the key light. It exposes details in an image and softens harsh shadows created by the key light. 

Five-by-Five (5x5)

A short video made of 5 clips with original audio. Each lasts 5 seconds. 

Flag

A flat, opaque device with a large black cloth on a frame used to prevent or shape light. 

It stays between the light source and the subject to create shadows, reduce lighting, or block light. 

Focal length

The distance from the lens’ optical center to the image’s focus point. It affects magnification. 

Foley

The creative art of creating sound effects to match actions in videos. It involves the use of props like— shoes, coconut, celery, newspaper, bamboo, sticks, and stools. 

Frame rate

The number of frames recorded per second in a video. It’s measured in— frames per second or fps. Higher frame rates make motion look smoother. Meanwhile, the lower ones can create a choppy or dramatic effect.

Framing

The way actors and elements are positioned within the shot.

The director settles on the framing to— set the mood and guide the viewer’s focus. 

G

Gain

A camera setting that increases brightness without changing the exposure

It’s useful in low-light situations but can make the image grainy if set too high. 

Gel

A colored sheet of plastic placed in front of the lights to change the color tones and temperatures. 

Greenlight

The process of getting formal approval to start a video project. It can involve one person who decides or a group meeting with stakeholders to review proposals. 

Green screen

A solid green backdrop for swapping with other backgrounds in post-production. 

H

Hard Light

Direct, undiffused, bright light source. It helps create strong, well-defined shadows for dramatic effects or to emphasize texture. 

Hot shoe

A mount on camera tops to attach accessories like a mic. 

Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide (HMI)

A type of gas discharge lamp, typically mercury vapor. It produces a bright, white light to mimic daylight.

I

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

A digital camera setting that adjusts the sensitivity of the image sensor to light. 

Increasing the ISO brightens the image whereas lowering it makes the image darker.

K

Key light

The main light source to illuminate the actor, subject, prop, setting, or areas. It varies in strength, color, and angle to influence view quality.

L

Lens

An optical component mounted on the camera. The device concentrates light into the camera sensor and turns it into a clear picture.

Popular Lenses for Video Production:

• Prime Lens: Fixed focal length. Best for image quality. Works well in low light.

• Macro Lens: Captures extreme close-ups with sharp detail.

• Telephoto Lens: Long focal length. Brings distant subjects closer. Blurs backgrounds.

• Wide Angle Lens: Short focal length for a wide view. Best for landscapes or small spaces.

• Zoom Lens: Adjusts focal lengths for flexible framing and different perspectives.

Location

The physical setting and the actual place where you shoot the video. It can be— indoors, outdoors, or in a studio.

Lookup tables

Color presets used in editing to get specific looks or moods quickly. The setting can quickly make the video look warmer, cooler, or more cinematic. 

M

Mark

A spot where an actor should stand or move during a scene.

The lighting crew often creates marks with gaffer tapes or colorful tapes on the floor. 

Master track

The final audio mix. It combines all individual audio elements to create a well-balanced and optimal playback. This includes— dialogue, music, and sound effects. 

Matte box

An accessory with adjustable flags that attach to the front of a camera lens. 

This helps block light from different angles. The component can hold filters to improve the image.

Motion tracking

A technique to follow an object’s or scene’s movement in a video. It’s also used to add effects or graphics that track the motion of something. The technique is popular in augmented reality and visual effects. 

Microphone

A device for capturing sound and voice. The most common mics for video production are:

• Boom Microphone: A mic on a long pole to capture distant sounds. 

• Cardioid Microphone: Picks up sound from the front. Reduces background noise. Used for podcasts mostly. 

• Lavalier Microphone: Clips to clothes for hands-free use. Used for TV interviews. 

• Omnidirectional Microphone: Captures sound from all directions. Used for live music. 

• Shotgun Microphone: Focuses on sounds from a specific area. Used dialogue. 

Multicamera

The use of multiple cameras to record different scenes with different angles simultaneously. It's great for live events, interviews, or action scenes.

N

Natural light

Sunlight or moonlight. 

Neutral density filter

A lens filter that lowers light intensity without changing color balance. It lets filmmakers shoot in bright conditions without overexposing the image.

O

Overlay

Elements added on top of content for effects or extra information. It can be— graphics, text, logos, images, or elements

P

Pacing

The speed and rhythm of a video or scene. Factors like the timing of cuts, dialogue, and actions in a scene usually determine pacing. Fast pacing creates excitement whereas slow pacing creates suspense.

Pan shot

A smooth side-to-side camera movement. 

Polarizing filter

A lens filter that reduces glare and reflections on water or glass. It boosts colors and increases contrast to make the view more vibrant. 

Practical lighting

A visible light source captured and seen within the frame of a shot. It can be a lamp, fireplace, candle, or neon sign. It helps add realism and mood. 

Producer

A person– responsible for checking out the production aspects, reviewing them, and ensuring the project runs smoothly. 

R

Raw footage

Original, unedited video clips. 

Resolution

The clarity of a video defined by the total number of pixels in each frame.

Rule of thirds

A guideline for composing shots. It divides the frame into nine parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. The guideline suggests placing points of interest along these lines or their intersections to get a balanced and engaging visual. 

S

Script

A written document outlining the story's— plot, characters, locations, and dialogue.

It mainly focuses on dialogue with brief visual descriptions. The script helps ensure the video aligns with the story and meets stakeholders' expectations.

Shot

Uninterrupted piece of camera footage. 

Common types of shots and camera movements are:

• Aerial Shot: Bird's-eye view from above. Often involves drones, helicopters, or cranes.

• Close-Up Shot: Focuses closely on a detail. For instance– a face or object.

• Crane Shot: Captured from a movable arm. It can rise or move across the scene.

• Dolly Shot: Shot from a camera on a moving dolly.

• Medium Shot: Shows a subject from the waist up. Common in dialogue scenes. 

• Over-the-shoulder Shot: Taken from behind a subject– facing the action.

• Pan: The camera moves left and right horizontally.

• POV Shot: Shows what a subject sees from their view.

• Pull: The camera moves away from a subject.

• Push: The camera moves closer to a subject.

• Tilt: The camera moves up and down vertically.

• Wide Shot: Shows the subject within a larger context of the scene.

• Zoom Shot: Adjusts lens zoom to get closer or farther without moving.

Shot Sequence

A series of shots working together in a video to form a specific effect. 

Documents for a shot sequence mostly include framing, actors, and location. They serve as guides for shooting with editing in mind.

Shutter speed

The rate at which a camera shutter opens and closes to let in light for each frame. Lower it for dark scenes to brighten the image. Raise it in bright scenes to avoid overexposure.

Slow motion

A video effect that works to slow down the footage playback to highlight— actions, emotions, or artistic effects. 

Sound effects

Audio clips to match or enhance video actions or settings. Effects like footsteps, explosions, clothes rustling, and door opening/closing are pretty common. 

Special effects

Techniques for creating visual illusions or enhancing on-screen action that can’t exist naturally. They’re used to create settings like— explosions, monsters, or fantasy environments.

Split screen

An effect that divides the content on the screen. It shows two or multiple video images simultaneously. The effect is used to compare the scenes and show different perspectives, multiple actions, and different aspects of a story. 

Storyboard

A visual guide for a video with drawings that show each shot in order like comic strips. The storyboard shows each shot with sketches of key moments and notes about angles, actions, and dialogue. 

Strike

Process of taking down a video set after filming, including packing up props and equipment.

Studio

An indoor space for video production. It’s typically a single room with cameras, lights, stands, audio equipment, acoustic panels, backdrops, props, and green screens.

T

Table read

It’s when the actors read the script together. Actors, producers, and directors usually attend. This helps everyone understand the video’s flow and pace.

Teleprompter

Software that displays a script in a scrollable format on a screen. 

It helps presenters read their lines while looking at the camera to improve eye contact.

Timelapse

A technique that captures scenes at a slow frame rate. It speeds up time when played.

Timeline

A horizontal area in animation and video editing software where you arrange clips or effects and build your content. It helps you layer footage to perfect the flow of your video. 

Three-point lighting

A lighting setup with 3 main lights— key light, fill light, and backlight to create a well-balanced, professional look. 

Transition

Visual effects– used to connect two clips and smooth out the flow. For instance– fades or cuts. 

Tripod

A three-legged stand to position a camera for steady shots. It can have adjustable legs and a rotating head for versatility.

V

Video release form

A legal document that allows businesses to use a person's image and voice in videos for marketing. It should be signed before filming to protect the business and the individuals.

W

White balance

A camera setting that makes white look white and colors appear true by adjusting color temperature. It adjusts to different lighting (sunlight or indoor) for natural-looking videos.