A picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, and you can only imagine the potential in video making. In fact, photographers wanting to branch out into videography may need help in the filmmaking jargon. Professionals use several specialized phrases to describe their work. This is a glossary of terms used when discussing videos and movies. The terminology listed below needs to be completed and updated as we learn new concepts, but it includes must-know videography terms widely known.
Standard Terms in Your Camera Important For Video Making
Can you imagine what a camera means to a filmmaker? His primary working tool. Furthermore, you can produce the highest quality product if you understand your equipment. Standard videography terms related to cameras and their settings include:
- Aspect Ratio,
- Contrast Ratio and Dynamic Range
- Bitrate and Frame Rate
The Aspect Ratio
A video or image’s aspect ratio is the ratio of its horizontal to vertical dimensions. These measurements are described using a ratio. Formats in 4:3, 16:9, and 1.85:1 are the most common aspect ratios.
Contrast Ratio and Dynamic Range
Both settings are only relevant for light levels. They describe a picture’s ability to display tones from black to white. Equipment that involves high quality requires more to pay. Devices with excellent contrast ratio and dynamic can show good colors to make deep black.
Bitrate and Frame Rate
The bitrate of a video or audio file is a typical metric for evaluating its quality; it is separate from other metrics like frame rate and resolution. The Bitrate or the Data Rate is the amount of video information in one second. Most people use kilobits per second as a standard for this. As the bitrate increases, so does the accompanying audio and video quality. There is a direct correlation between file size and the necessary bandwidth.
Frame rate is the rate at which the camera records a scene, measured in frames per second, or FPS. The higher the frame rate, the sharper the image will appear. In fact, the more frames an editor has the better video quality. Examples of typical frame rates include 24, 25, 30, and 60.
One of the essential must-know videography terms is frame rate quality.
Must-Know Videography Terms for Video Editing
The videography aspect of video editing is as essential as taking a good shot. The better movie material you make, the easier your job will be regarding editing. You shouldn’t underestimate it. Moreover, it’s an art like photography and video making in the sense of it. One of the most common tools that must-know videography terms in the field of video editing are:
- The Alpha Channel
- B-Roll Assembly and Bumper Edit
- Matte and wipe
The Alpha Channel
The alpha channel in a video file is the data that determines what should be transparent during rendering. This channel is in black-and-white; white areas of the alpha channel will reveal the image, while black spots will appear translucent.
B-Roll Assembly and Bumper Edit
Extra content that isn’t directly related to the story’s central theme but serves as a transitional engine. This effect’s additional visual information can benefit both scene support and transitions. The Bumper term refers to the musical track that plays during a film’s opening and closing credits. A bumper’s typical length is only 15 seconds.
Matte and Wipe
A matte combines multiple images in photography and visual effects filmmaking. You can use mattes to specify which parts of a video should be visible. On the other hand, wiping is the technique for moving from one scene to another. Both horizontal and vertical wipes are among the most recognizable methods for transitioning between scenes in many films and tv shows. Furthermore, other transitions you can use include fade to black, dip to white, and cross dissolves.
Wiping, one of the terms, is the technique for moving from one scene to another in video editing.
Standard Terms Used on Set in the World of Videography
A set may be built to represent a specific location or setting in the context of film or video production, such as a house, a street, a park, or even a spaceship. A director’s job can be both challenging and exciting. As a professional, you must frequently change locations. If you don’t already own a unit, Golans Moving and Storage recommends renting one because the equipment is difficult to transfer and often requires storing a place between jobs.
One of the most common terms used on set is:
- Crossing the Z
- Wild Sound
- The Boom
Crossing the Z – Crossing the Imaginary Line
When the camera moves through a series of shots that cross an imaginary line between two main characters or actors, you use the phrase “crossing the Z.” Professionals also use the term “crossing the line” or “180-degree rule” violation. The first character should always frame the right side of the second character.
Wild Sound – Recording Background Noise
The background noise in a given area is called “natural” or “wild” audio. The term “grabbing wild sound” refers to recording background noise for a scene without using visuals. “Room sound” can also refer to recording ambient noises on a set without dialogue to recreate the same effect in post-production.
The Boom – Mounted Microphone
The boom is a microphone mounted on the end of a long pole positioned just beyond the camera’s frame to capture sound by simple speech. The most common mistake is making a video with poor sound quality. For that purpose, the boom makes more crystalline sounds during conversations.
The boom makes more crystalline sounds during conversations on video-making sets.
Videography – for Someone’s Profession, for Someone’s Hobby
Entering the world of videography can be challenging. Furthermore, you need more experience and are attempting to turn your hobby into a business. There are far too many terms to learn and more practice to do. That’s a long way to go before you’re a pro, but don’t let any difficulties shake your confidence. Follow these steps and remember the must-know videography terms to get started as soon as possible to achieve the desired results. The market will then be entirely yours.
If you want to work with a professional company that offers full video production services, contact Film Real Productions today! We have the technical expertise, passion, and artistic eye to create work that is visually stunning and engaging.
When you work with Film Real, Zach’s extensive expertise in the video production field means you have nothing to worry about when it comes to planning and filming your next video project. Contact us today and see what we can do for you!
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