Producing for TV and New Media: Glossary - T-Z

TC that can be set in the camera itself that records the actual time of day as opposed to an arbitrary time code numbering system

A comprehensive outline of the first thirteen episodes of a series, agreed upon by the producers, prior to the start of production

A standard lighting set up that utilizes the three sources of lighting—the key light, fill lights, and back lights

A quick summary of the costs in each department that provides an overview of necessary information at a glance

Usually accomplished by using a dolly, crane, or a jib, a tracking shot travels forward, backward, or laterally through space in order to capture movement

Entertainment publications, such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter

In editing, the moving of one shot or scene to the next by using a cut, dissolve, wipe, etc.

The “total running time” of a program or show

An abbreviated narrative outline of a script, story, or idea, shorter in length than a script

When a studio or network has abandoned a project and removed its support for further development, a producer is free to take it to another studio who can buy it by reimbursing the original studio or network for any incurred costs

Actors’ unions requirements for a 12-hour break of time between the end of one shooting day and the call time for the next day

A scene with two actors in the frame. Three-shots and four-shots have three and four actors in the frame, respectively

Placing lights under the people or objects in a scene

An annual gathering of the networks and their affiliates, during which new shows and pilots are unveiled and camaraderie is maintained

Acts as the right hand of the producer(s), and works with administrative below-the-line issues, technical equipment, and the needs of the crew

Unit Production Manager

A machine that can play and/or record on half-inch VHS tapes

A videotape recorder

In production, a small video monitor attached by a cable to each camera that shows what the camera sees as it’s being shot, and can also provide instant playback of what was just shot

Time code that matches the original footage, and is visible on a screen

A recorded voice of a commentator in a documentary or a narrator of a storyline

Voice-over

Does a wardrobe breakdown of all characters and their roles, their time period, the time that wardrobe or costumes are needed, and more

Supervises the costume department with the wardrobe designer, keeps track of the budget, maintains the wardrobe, and more

Writers Guild of America, the union that represents and protects writers of film, television, and radio projects

In shooting video, a white card or piece of paper is often held in front of the camera lens to adjust its sensitivity to a light source

An absorbent fuzzy material that can be wrapped around a microphone. The windscreen helps deflect or absorb the noise from wind or breezes

A special effects transition used in video editing that wipes out one scene and brings in another, such as a page turn or one image that drops down over another

Also known as a radio microphone, a cordless microphone that operates on a battery-powered pack hidden on the person speaking, under clothing

A specially trained person who manages the activities and work of a specific kind of talent, such as a child, an animal, or a stunt person

Tying up all the loose ends, after completion of the production

The writer creates the story, action, and characters for TV narrative programs, like sitcoms, drama series, and mini-series. They may have created the original material, or may have been brought in to work with an existing script or story outline

A movement by the camera lens that allows it to move quickly either into an object (zoom in) or away from an object (zoom out)