Glossary

Fade:
An optical effect in which the image of a scene is gradually replaced by a uniform dark area or vice versa.
FaST:
The camera assistant's motto. Everything he/she must do before each shot (Focus, aperture, Shutter, Tach). (Camera)
Feather:
Moving a 'flag' closer to or further away from a light source that it is in front of will feather (soften/harden) the shadow on the surface upon which the light falls. (Grip/Lighting)
Feed Lines:
Lines of dialogue which are read outside camera range for the benefit of an 'on camera' or 'on microphone' actor or voice over artist.
Filter:
A transparent material having the ability to absorb certain wavelengths of light and transmit others.
Fingers:
Small flags used to control light. (Grip/Lighting)
Flicker:
The alternation of light and dark which can be visually perceived.
Float:
Periodic vertical movement of the image which occurs as a result of mechanical faults in the camera, printer, or projector.
Flood:
The widest beam spread on a lensed light. (Lighting)
Flop-over:
An optical effect in which the picture is shown reversed from left to right.
Flutter:
The rapid period variation of frequency caused by unsteadiness of the film or tape drive. (Sound)
Flux:
An amount of light which is present as measured in lumens.
Foamcore:
Polystyrene which is sandwiched between paper. It is used to reflectors, soft boxes, and other items because it is stable and easily cut. (Grip/Lighting)
Focus Pull:
The refocusing of a lens during a shot to keep a moving subject in focus or to change the person or object of attention. (Cinematography)
Fog Level:
The minimum density of the unexposed area of processed film.
Foley:
Creating sound effects by watching picture and mimicking the action, often with props that do not exactly match the action.
Format:
The size or aspect ratio of a motion picture frame.
Frame:
The individual picture image on a strip of motion picture film. also, one complete screen on videotape.
Frame Rate:
The frequency at which film or video frames run (i.e. 24 fps; 29.97 Hz in NTSC; 25 Hz in PaL European format).
Freeze Frame:
An optical printing effect in which a single frame image is repeated so as to appear stationary when it is projected or viewed.
Frequency:
The number of times a signal vibrates each second as expressed in cycles per second (cps) or Hertz (Hz). (Sound)
Frequency Response:
This represents the sensitivity of a given sound, video, or other recording/playback system.
Fresnel:
A stepped convex lens. It is most commonly used to describe tungsten-incandescent lamps. (Lighting)
Gaffer:
The chief lighting technician for a production who is in charge of the electrical department.
Gain:
The ratio of the signal level at the output of an audio device to the signal level at its input. Expressed in decibels (db).
Gamma:
The degree of contrast within a specific shot.
Gobo:
A grip head or "C" stand head used as a clamping device for holding other equipment. (Grip)
Green Screen:
Green screen, or chroma key, is a method of mixing two images together, while removing the background, while leaving the subject.
Grifflon (Griff):
A durable material made of three ply high density rubber. The material is attached within a frame and used as either a soft reflector of sunlight or cut or soften direct sun. It generally comes in three sizes: 6' X 6', 12' x 12', and 20' x 20'. (Grip/Lighting)
Grip Tape:
This is Duct tape style tape, also known as gaffer's tape or cloth tape. (Grip)