The Future of the Video & Film Sector in the United Kingdom: A Glossary of Terms and Jargon Buster

Introduction

The video and film sector in the United Kingdom is a thriving industry, with a rich history and a bright future. As technology continues to evolve, so too does the language and terminology used by industry professionals. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most commonly used terms and jargon in the UK video and film sector, with a hint of north-western English humor and optimistic undertones for the future of the industry.

Pre-Production

Before a film or video can be shot, there is a lot of work that needs to be done in pre-production. This includes scouting locations, casting actors, and securing funding. One important aspect of pre-production is the creation of a storyboard, which is a visual representation of the script. This allows the director and cinematographer to plan out the shots and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Another important aspect of pre-production is the creation of a call sheet, which is a document that outlines the schedule for the day of the shoot. This includes information about the location, the cast and crew, and the equipment that will be used. It is essential that everyone involved in the production has a copy of the call sheet, as it helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of the shoot.

Production

Once pre-production is complete, it’s time to move on to production. This is where the magic happens, and the film or video is actually shot. One of the most important roles on set is that of the director, who is responsible for overseeing the entire production and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. The director works closely with the cinematographer, who is responsible for capturing the footage and ensuring that it looks its best.

Another important role on set is that of the gaffer, who is responsible for lighting the scene. Lighting is a crucial aspect of filmmaking, as it can completely change the mood and atmosphere of a scene. The gaffer works closely with the director and cinematographer to create the desired look and feel for each shot.

Post-Production

Once the footage has been shot, it’s time to move on to post-production. This is where the footage is edited, color graded, and sound is added. One of the most important roles in post-production is that of the editor, who is responsible for cutting the footage together and creating a cohesive story. The editor works closely with the director to ensure that the final product matches their vision.

Another important aspect of post-production is color grading, which is the process of adjusting the colors in the footage to create a specific look and feel. This is usually done by a colorist, who works closely with the director and cinematographer to achieve the desired look.

Finally, sound is added to the film or video in post-production. This includes dialogue, sound effects, and music. The sound designer works closely with the director to ensure that the sound enhances the story and creates the desired atmosphere.

Conclusion

The video and film sector in the United Kingdom is a thriving industry, with a rich history and a bright future. As technology continues to evolve, so too does the language and terminology used by industry professionals. In this blog post, we have explored some of the most commonly used terms and jargon in the UK video and film sector, with a hint of north-western English humor and optimistic undertones for the future of the industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned industry professional or just starting out, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest terminology and jargon. By doing so, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively with your colleagues and contribute to the continued growth and success of the industry.

Here is a list of terms, names, and jargon specific to the video and film sector in the United Kingdom:

1. Film Noir: A French word meaning “black film.” It was a popular genre in the 1940s with dark subject matter, downbeat tones, and low-key lighting. Often, the protagonist was an anti-hero or private detective.
2. Filmography: A comprehensive (often chronological by year) listing of films featuring the work of actors, directors, or other crew members; it may also be a list of films for a specific genre or topic.
3. Film Stock: Refers to a film’s gauge or size and the film speed. It can also refer to the unused, unexposed film where photographic images will later be stored. The different types of film stock include tungsten and daylight.
4. Film Within a Film: A particular story-telling approach, literally, to have one film within another; in some cases, the characters are aware of the ‘film-within-a-film,’ and break the fourth wall and enter into or interact with it, aka a subset film or picture within a picture.
5. Filter: A plastic, glass, or gelatinous substance placed behind or before a camera lens. This changes the character and effect of the lighting within the frame of the film.
6. Final Cut: The last edited version of a film as it will be released.
7. Finals/Final Touches/Last Look: Make-up, Hair and Wardrobe departments touch up the actors right before rolling the camera.
8. First Assistant Camera/Focus Puller: A member of the camera crew who adjusts the camera’s focus during filming.
9. First Marks/ First Positions: Each person and camera goes back to where they started for the take.
10. First Team: The cast.
11. Fish-Eye Lens: An extreme type of lens that films subjects at super wide angles. It also has an incredibly short focal point, in addition to a practically infinite depth of field, that distorts the linear dimensions of the image. This results in a more curved image.
12. Fish-Out-of-Water Story: A film (usually humourous) in which the main character faces ‘culture shock’ by being placed in a new environment.
13. Flag: A black, light-absorbing cloth (duvetyne) stretched on a metal frame and used to block out areas of light in all different sizes.
14. Flicker: A visual effect created by filming a scene with the film running at a rate less than the normal 24 frames per second and then projecting it thereby creating the effect of moving faster than normal; generally used for comic effect.
15. Favour On: When the camera focuses or highlights a certain subject or action within a shot.
16. Featured Background: A term used to describe the performers who are placed in prominent positions in the background of a scene.
17. Feature Film: A “full-length” motion picture, one greater than 40 minutes in length.
18. Punch-in: The process of recording a new audio or video clip over an existing one, often used to fix mistakes or make changes.
19. Recce: A reconnaissance or scouting trip made by the production team to a location before filming begins.
20. Release Forms: Legal agreements signed by actors, presenters, and crew members granting permission for their likeness to be used in a film or video production.
21. Runner: A member of the production team responsible for running errands, delivering messages, and performing other tasks as needed.
22. Rushes: Raw footage captured during filming, usually reviewed by the director and editor shortly after filming is complete.
23. Screen Capture: The process of recording a video of the screen of a computer, smartphone, or other device.
24. Sound Design: The process of creating and integrating the sound elements of a video, including dialogue, sound effects, and music.
25. Sound Person: The person responsible for capturing and recording audio on a film or video production set.
26. Stock Footage: Pre-existing video footage that is licensed for use in a new production.
27. Storyboard: A visual representation of the shots and scenes in a film or video production, often created in advance to plan and communicate the vision for the production.
28. Lower Thirds: Text or graphic elements that appear in the lower third of a video, typically used to display captions or titles.
29. Maya 3D: A 3D computer graphics software used for modeling, animation, and rendering.
30. Microphone: A device used to capture audio in video production.
31. Motion Graphics: The use of animated graphic elements to convey information or add visual interest in a video.
32. Motion Shot: A shot that is captured while the camera is in motion, typically using a dolly, jib, or steadicam.
33. Music: Audio that is used in a video to enhance the mood or atmosphere.
34. Music Licence: Permission to use a specific piece of music in a video.
35. Per Diem: A daily allowance paid to cast and crew on a film or video production to cover food and expenses.
36. Picture Lock: The final version of a video that is approved for post-production.
37. Post Production: The process of editing, refining, and finishing a video after the initial footage has been captured.
38. Shutter Speed: A setting on a camera that controls the duration of the exposure.
39. Slider: A camera support device that allows for smooth, controlled linear camera movement.
40. Sound Mix: The balance of audio elements in a video, including dialogue, music, and sound effects.
41. Talent: The actors, presenters, or other individuals who appear in a video.
42. Talking Head: A shot of a person speaking directly to the camera, typically used for interviews or presentations.
43. Timelapse: A video effect created by capturing a series of still images over a period of time and playing them back at a faster rate.
44. Title Frames: Frames that display text or graphics, typically used for opening and closing credits.
45. Tripod: A three-legged support for a camera, used to keep the camera steady and prevent camera shake.
46. VFX: Abbreviation for “visual effects,” referring to special effects created using computer graphics in post-production.
47. Voice-Over Recording: The process of recording a voice-over for a video.
48. 3M Hooks/Command Strips: Name brand. These hooks are plastic hangers that don’t use screws or brad nails but rather a strong tape-like, fully removable adhesive. They come in many sizes and weight bearing strengths.
49. Aging: Technique of making new materials, surfaces, and finishes look older.
50. Anachronism or Anachronistic: An element, artifact, prop, or furnishing in a film or television show that belongs to a different time or place than the one being shown; often anachronistic elements are deemed as inconsistencies or mistakes.
51. Architecture: The design or style of a building.
52. Asphaltum: A tar-like substance used in the aging process.
53. Atmospheric Animals: Animals which are brought in to make a set more realistic. For example, horses may function in the background as decoration in a horse stable set.
54. Practical Location: An existing location.
55. Previsualization or Previs or Previz: The visualizing of complex scenes in a movie before filming. Previsualization is used to describe techniques such as storyboarding, either in the form of charcoal sketches or in digital technology, in the planning and conceptualization of movie scenes.
56. Principal Photography: The main shooting dates of a film with the lead actors present.
57. Process Screen: Technique used to project film from behind a screen to create a background for the foreground action. Also called rear screen projection.
58. Product Placement: A business arrangement whereby a production agrees to show, for example, the products or logo of a particular company, usually in return for payment or other consideration.
59. Prop: Anything an actor touches or uses on the set; e.g. phones, guns, cutlery, etc. Movie animals and all food styling (food seen or eaten on set/screen) also fall into this domain.
60. Prop Houses: Defines businesses that rent out props, set dressing and sometimes costumes, to the film industry.
61. Rain Cover or Weather Cover or Cover Set: Defines a scene set in a studio or location that has been prepped as a backup option in case of bad weather or logistical problems.
62. Raked: A set floor that is angled up from the camera.
63. Rear Screen Projection: Technique used to project film from behind a screen to create a background for the foreground action.
64. Rental Agreement: An itemized contract for set dressing rentals between the rental shop and the production company. It is essentially an inventory list for the dressers but also a contract for the production company.
65. Reset: Also called: ‘back to ones’, ‘first positions’, ‘going again’ or ‘number ones’. Called out by the first AD to bring actors, vehicles and extras back to their original positions for another take.
66. Retrofit: Technical addition to an existing structure.
67. Rig: Piece of equipment used for a specific task.
68. Rubber Bumpers: Are small clear rubber stickers that are applied underneath smalls (vases, etc.) to prevent scratching furniture surfaces.
69. Fuller’s Earth or Fuller’s Clay: A type of clay used to clean and polish furniture and other surfaces.
70. Gaffer: The chief electrician on a film set.
71. Gaffer Tape: A strong, cloth-based adhesive tape used in the film and television industry.
72. Grip: A member of the camera crew responsible for setting up and maintaining camera support equipment.
73. HMI: A type of light used in film and television production that produces a bright, daylight-balanced light.
74. Key Grip: The head grip on a film set, responsible for coordinating the work of the grip crew.
75. Kino Flo: A type of light used in film and television production that produces a soft, even light.
76. Lighting Director: The person responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan for a film or television production.
77. Lighting Ratio: The ratio of light intensity between the key light and the fill light in a scene.
78. Location Manager: The person responsible for finding and securing locations for a film or television production.
79. Location Scout: The person responsible for finding potential locations for a film or television production.
80. Make-up Artist: The person responsible for applying make-up to actors in a film or television production.
81. Matte Box: A device used to block unwanted light from entering the camera lens.
82. Matte Painting: A technique used to create the illusion of a larger or more complex environment than what is actually present on set.
83. Miniature: A small-scale model used to represent a larger object or environment in a film or television production.
84. Motion Control: A technique used to precisely control the movement of a camera or other equipment in a film or television production.
85. Production Designer: The person responsible for the overall visual design of a film or television production.
86. Production Manager: The person responsible for overseeing the logistical aspects of a film or television production.
87. Script Supervisor: The person responsible for ensuring continuity in a film or television production.
88. Set Decorator: The person responsible for adding decorative elements to a set in a film or television production.
89. Set Dresser: The person responsible for adding practical elements to a set in a film or television production.
90. Sound Mixer: The person responsible for recording and mixing the audio in a film or television production.
91. Special Effects Coordinator: The person responsible for creating and executing special effects in a film or television production.
92. Steadicam: A device used to stabilize a camera while it is being moved.
93. Storyboard Artist: The person responsible for creating visual representations of a film or television production’s scenes.
94. Stunt Coordinator: The person responsible for coordinating and executing stunts in a film or television production.
95. Stunt Double: A person who performs stunts in place of an actor in a film or television production.
96. Swing Gang: A group of workers responsible for setting up and breaking down sets in a film or television production.
97. Technical Director: The person responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of a film or television production.
98. Visual Effects Supervisor: The person responsible for overseeing the creation and integration of visual effects in a film or television production.
99. Wardrobe Supervisor: The person responsible for overseeing the wardrobe department in a film or television production.
100. Wrap: The end of a film or television production.

References:
[1] <https://artdepartmental.com/resources/filmmaking-glossary/>
[2] <https://abbeyroadinstitute.co.uk/blog/audio-post-production-glossary-10-top-terms-you-need-to-know/>
[3] <https://kartoffelfilms.com/blog/video-production-terms/>
[4] <https://artdepartmental.com/resources/art-department-glossary-film-television/>
[5] <https://screeningshorts.org.uk/resources/glossary>
[6] <https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/advice-support/what-licences-do-i-need/film-copyright-licensing/>

Citations:
[1] https://artdepartmental.com/resources/filmmaking-glossary/
[2] https://abbeyroadinstitute.co.uk/blog/audio-post-production-glossary-10-top-terms-every-engineer-needs-to-know/
[3] https://kartoffelfilms.com/blog/video-production-terms/
[4] https://artdepartmental.com/resources/art-department-glossary-film-television/
[5] https://screeningshorts.org.uk/resources/glossary
[6] https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/advice-support/what-licences-do-i-need/film-copyright-licensing/
[7] https://pageonemedia.co.uk/the-great-big-a-to-z-of-video-production-terminology/
[8] https://www.liquona.com/blog/jargon-explained/
[9] https://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/topics/film-and-tv/glossary-of-technical-terms/
[10] https://uk.adwanted.com/glossary
[11] https://www.kftv.com/info/glossary
[12] https://www.vyond.com/resources/video-production-terms-you-need-to-know/
[13] https://www.vanityfair.com/video/watch/slang-school-ricky-gervais-teaches-you-british-slang
[14] https://www.businessinsider.com/british-phrases-slang-confusing-2021-6
[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TISVaYgT4K4
[16] https://thinktankvideo.co.uk/about/glossary/
[17] https://sightline.co.uk/video-production-glossary-of-terms/
[18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp5KxnVm1EQ
[19] https://picturelockfilms.co.uk/production-terms-glossary/
[20] http://www.screenonline.org.uk/education/glossary.html

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