Glossary

T Stop:
A true f/stop as opposed to one dereived mathematically. It is the actual light transmission of a lens as measured on an optical bench. (Camera)
Take Down:
Reducing the light on an object by means of nets, scrims, dimmers or wasting light. (Grip/Lighting)
Telecine:
A machine that transfers film to a video signal. This also generically refers to the process of film-to-tape transfers.
Temp Dub:
A preliminary mixing of dialogue, music, and sound effects, usually so that a first cut may be viewed with all of these elements incorporated. (Post Production)
THX:
A theatrical film exhibition sound system which maintains a consistent sound standard from theatre to theatre. Generally, this system uses Dolby Stereo Surround as the basis of the exhibition standard, although a number of other systems have also now qualified. (Sound)
Time Code:
Also known as Longitudinal Time Code. a high frequency signal that allows the accurate "locking" of film audio and video equipment.
Trailer:
A short publicity film which advertises a film or forthcoming presentations.
Traveling Matte:
A process shot in which foreground action is superimposed on a separately photographed background by an optical printer. (Laboratory)
Trims:
Portions of a scene left over after the selected section has been used in final cutting.
Trombone:
A tubular, extending device which is generally used for suspending lights from set walls. (Grip/Lighting)
TV Safe:
The area of a filmed image which will normally appear on a home television set after a film has been transferred in a telecine and then transmitted.
Tweco:
A device similar to a slip pin connector, which is used on a feeder cable, and which has a positive twist connection. (Lighting)
Underscore:
Music that provides emotional or atmospheric background to the primary dialog or narration onscreen.
Video assist:
The process of simultaneously recording filmed picture onto video tape by means of the same lens system in order to immediately evaluate a take as soon as it is completed. (Production)
Virgin Stock:
Magnetic tape onto which nothing has yet been recorded.
Visual Effects:
A method of manipulating the video footage, to include elements that were not there during the inital shooting. Effects include any process that changes the appearance of the original footage.
Voice-over:
Narration or non-synchronous dialog taking place over the action onscreen.
VU Meter:
A meter designed to measure audio level in volume units which generally correspond to perceived loudness. (audio)
Walla:
Background ambience or noises added to create the illusion of sound taking place outside of the main action in a picture.
Waste:
Shining a light on an object, then slowing turning the light away so that some of the light will miss or fall off the object. (Lighting)
Wedges:
Wood wedges cut from 2x4 lumber which is used for leveling and stablizing. (Grip)
Western Dolly:
A plywood dolly, with four large soft tires, which is used as a camera dolly on smooth floors or on plywood. It is also used to transport other equipment. (Camera/Grip)
White noise:
A signal having an equal amount of energy per hertz.
Widescreen:
A general term for film presentation in which a film is shown in an aspect ratio of greater than 1.33 to 1. In today's terms, this now means in an aspect ratio of greater than 1.85 to 1.
Wow and Flutter:
The deviation of frequency resulting from irregular motion in the recording or from deformation of the recording medium. (acoustics)
Xenon:
A high intensity light, with a polished parabolic reflector. (Lighting)
XLR:
One of several varieties of sound connectors having three or more conductors plus an outer shell which shields the connectors and locks the connectors into place. (Sound)
X-Y Pattern:
A pair of cardioid microphones or elements aimed in crossed directions which feed two channels for stereo pickup. (Sound)
Zoom:
An optical effect in which the image rapidly grows larger or smaller as though the camera is moving closer or away from its subject.