Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - F-G

The aspect ratio of a television screen or motion picture frame

Frames per second

An aspect of composition of an image in the camera’s frame, the framing can range from a close-up to an extreme long shot

Independent contractors who are employed on a per-project or an as needed basis, with no benefits or full-time compensation

A single frame of video is held on, or frozen, on the screen

The extra costs for union personnel and talent, it includes pension and welfare (P&W), health benefit, union payments, etc.

Often the primary lighting technician who works with electricity, and assists the DP, adjusting the “barn doors” on free-standing and suspended lights

Durable, translucent material that is available in various colors and hues. Gels are positioned in front of lights to create different colored light

Gelatins

A supplemental source of power for video equipment

Generator

In television, the format, style, content, and pacing generally marks its genre, such as a sitcom, drama, talk show, etc.

Durable, opaque material that hangs from an adjustable arm on a stand with a firm base, and directs or deflects light to specific areas

A person trained in visual artistic representation through illustration, painting, drawing, font design, photography, and/or printing

Getting the OK from a client or network to start a project

An area set aside for actors and talent that is comfortable and quiet

Plants, real and/or fake, that are used in a scene

The individual responsible for all plants seen on the screen. This can be as simple as houseplants, or as detailed as a life-size English country garden

In a studio or sound stage, an overhead system of pipes from which hang lighting equipment and occasionally, microphones

Works with the camera and camera equipment, and other mechanical aspects of production, like setting up C-stands, maintaining and moving the dolly, and tripods