Post Production Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z
Aa
Analogue
Method of recording pictures or audio using a variable voltage level signal. The signal degrades on each generation.Aspect ratio
The shape of the tv or film image expressed as units of width against units of height. Old tv pictures are 4:3 or 12:9, widescreen tv is 16:9
Bb
Best light
The telecine transfer of film to tape, usually carried out in one pass with grading adjustment made on the fly. Mostly used for rushes transfers.Blue screen
(see chroma key)
Cc
Chroma key
The process of shooting against a coloured background ( normally green or blue) which is removed in Post Production to allow the foreground to be placed over any background.Chrominance
The colour part of a television signal that relates to the hue and saturation but not the brightness of the image.
Dd
DAT - Digital Audio Tape
2 track digital audio tape.Digital
Method of recording pictures or sound with a binary signal (ones and zeros). The signal can be copied without any loss of quality.
Ee
EDL- Edit Decision List
Offline edit decisions saved as a computer file, usually on a floppy disc, for use in an online session to auto conform the offline edit at online quality.
Ff
Field
One tv frame made up of two interlaced fields, each of which is displayed for half the duration of the frame.Fps - frames per second
The number of complete images displayed per second.
Gg
Grade
The process of changing the colour balance of an image, either to create a dramatic effect or to match a scene with others in the sequence of the film.Green scene
(see chroma key)
Hh
Hd-High definition
Television format offering increased resolution compared to standard definition television. It also has an aspect ratio of 16:9HZ- Hertz
Engineering term for number cycles per second.
Ii
Interlace
Video scanning where each frame is made up of two fields, each of which makes up half of the image. The first field comprises odd numbered lines, whilst the second field is made up of even lines.
Kk
Key frame
Markers within an effects sequence that are used to adjust the profile of any transition.Keying
Layering of different picture elements using either a separate matte or by creating a matte using the luminance or chrominance content of the foreground image.
Ll
Letterbox
Method of displaying or recording pictures with a wider aspect ratio than the screen. The image has black bars top and bottom.Linear editing
Tape-based system where scenes are layed down in order on tape. If a scene has changed in duration, then all the following material must be laid down again.
Mm
Matte
A separate ( usually ) black and white signal that is used to separate parts of the image during compositing.MPEG - Moving Picture Experts Group
Compression standard for moving images. MPEG 1 uses a high compression rate and is used for CD ROM. MPEG 2 has a lower compression rate and is used for DVD, video on demand and digital television transmission.
Nn
Non-Linear editing
Method of editing using disc storage, where scenes can be played back in any order or length. Shot durations and positions can be changed without having to replace the following material.
Oo
Offline
Editing process using lower cost, lower quality equipment, where the structure of the programme is created. The offline system then produces an EDL which is used in an online suite to recreate the programme from the master rushes.Online
Higher cost editing systems using the EDL produced in the offline to reconstruct the programme using the full quality rushes material. Also when all dissolves, effects and titles are added.
Pp
Pro Motion Hire
London's fastest growing broadcast equipment hire company, 020 7735 9988PAL - phase alternate line
Composite encoding system used for recording and transmission in UK, Europe and Australia. PAL is often incorrectly used to refer to 625 component formats.
Rr
Real time
Any operation that can be achieved in the running time of the material to which it is being applied.
Ss
SD - standard definition
Television formats such as 625/PAL or 525/NTSCSECAM - sequential colour and memory
Composite encoding system used for transmission, mainly in France. It is only relevant as a transmission standard and not used in post production.
Tt
Telecine
Machine used to transfer film to tape in real time. Each frame of filmed is scanned and converted into the required video standard.
Timeline
A graphical representation of an editing sequence, showing each edit and its duration along a line representing time.
Uu
Underscan
Mode of operation for broadcast monitors, where the entire picture area, including those normally cropped by domestic television set, can be displayed.Up conversion
Changing video material form a standard definition format to a high definition format.
Vv
Vari-speed
Effect where the speed of film or video material is either increased or decreased.
Ww
Widescreen
Term used to refer to pictures wider than 4:3, usually used to describe 16:9 tv.
Xx
X Axis
Denotes horizontal axis of a picture: to move a picture in the x axis is to move the picture left or right.
Yy
Y Axis
Denoted the vertical axis of a picture: to move a picture in the x axis is to move it up or down..
Zz
Z Axis
Denoted the central axis of a picture: to move a picture in the x axis is to move it towards or away from the viewer.
