Video Terms

The most common video terms......

CU Close up shot (takes in head and shoulders)
DOLLY Moving tripod and/or camcorder in and out
DUB Copy of original tape or film
ECU Extreme close up (takes in full face, or even closer)
EDIT Select the footage wanted for the final production where graphics, text, or other special effects can be added to the footage
ELS Extreme long shot (far away view of person or place in a shot)
FADE To get from black to light (fade-in) or light to black (fade out)
FOCUS To make picture clearer (auto/manual)
GRAPHICS Pictures from a computer, editor, or other source
HEADROOM To frame person in picture with space above head (not cut off)
LS Long shot (to get most of a person or place in a scene)
MCU Medium close up (to take in 3/4 of scene or person)
NOSEROOM When shooting a profile of person, leave more space in front of them in the direction they're facing
OVERLAY Adding a graphic and/or text to an image on the tape. Graphics and text are usually put on top of the video image
PAN To follow action with the camera moving from left to right or right to left
PEDESTAL To follow action with the camera on a tripod moving up and down
SCENE A sequence of events with a pre-designed beginning and end
SCENERY The background people, sounds and objects that are included in scene
SEGMENT A designated section of a tape (usually a scene or group of scenes)
SHOT A part of a scene with the camera generally in one position
SHOOT TAPE To record a scene or scenes on tape
STORYBOARD A graphic and text depicting each scene
EDL An Edit Decision List depicting the segments chosen for the final tape
TEXT Words from computer or editor
TILT To move camera up or down
TRUCK To move camera and tripod left or right
WIDE ANGLE PAN To move camera while taping from one end of scene to the other
ZOOM Moving focus from telephoto to wide angle or wide angle to telephoto

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