VCO
A function on cameras that forces the camera to see an object as white, without regard to the type of lighting hitting it or the actual color of the object.
White Balance
Covers the top of the head to the bottom of the feet
Long Shot
A barrier made of shaped wire covered with a piece of nylon that is placed between a sensitive mic and the talent to avoid damage to the diaphragm of the mic.
Pop Filter
The sound present in a room or at a location before human occupation.
Room Tone
A very sensitive mic that looks like a satellite dish with handles and is designed to pick up sounds at a distance.
Parabolic Reflector Microphone
The area in front of the camera, regardless of the distance, in which objects are in focus.
Depth of Field
A camera technique that moves the audience’s attention to the one portion of the picture that is in focus.
Shallow Depth of Field
The most sensitive type of mic used in television and recording studios.
Ribbon Microphone
An off-camera narration when the viewer does not see the narrator.
Voice Over (VO)
Refers to how well a microphone hears sounds from various directions.
Pick-up Pattern
A composition rule that divides the screen into thirds horizontally and vertically.
Rule of Thirds
The space from the tip of a person's nose to the side edge of the frame also called head room
Nose room
A mic that requires an external power supply (usually a battery) to operate.
Condenser Microphone
A signal that is a combination of both audio and video.
Radio Frequency (RF)
Has a pick-up pattern that captures sound from nearly every direction equally well, except the rear.
Omni-directional Mic
The space from the top of a person's head to the top of the television screen
Head Room
A specific type of extreme long shot used to tell the audience where and when the program takes place
Establishing Shot
A very rugged mic that has a good sound reproduction ability.
Dynamic Microphone
The process of copying a video clip or audio track.
Dubbing
Picks up sound primarily from one (uni) direction.
Uni-directional or Cardioid Mic
Includes a person’s body from head to toe, and as much surrounding information by dollying and zooming out.
Extreme Long Shot (ELS/XLS)
Covers the top of the head to just above or below the knee.
Medium Long Shot (MLS)
A mic that uses a short cable to connect the mic to a radio transmitter with an antenna.
Wireless Microphone
Small dots on a screen that usually occur from not enough light.
Video Noise/Grain/Snow
A directional mic with an extremely narrow pick-up pattern.
Shotgun Mic