Glossary

assemble edit: an editing technique where selected segments are copied onto a master tape one after the other. Same as quick edit.
audio insert edit: an editing technique in which the PCM audio track is added or modified on the master tape.
"black" tape: a videotape that has nothing but a black image throughout the tape. A master tape is sometimes "blacked" by running a video camera in record mode with the lens cover on, and no audio inputs.
built-in microphone: the microphone which cannot be removed from the video camera that records all sounds whenever an external microphone is not connected to the camera.
character generation: a method of producing text information that gets displayed with a video image.
close-up (CU): a shot composition that captures only a small portion of a subject. A close-up shot is relative to what is considered a medium shot and an extreme close-up shot.
edited master tape: the videotape used during editing to store what will be the final product. Selected segments are copied to the edited master tape from the source tape(s). It is sometimes referred to simply as the master tape.
external microphone: a microphone that is connected to the video camera to provide for better concentrated recordings.
extreme close-up (ECU): a shot composition that shows the fine details of a subject. An extreme close-up shot is relative to what is considered a close-up shot.
extreme long shot (ELS): a shot composition that shows a large view that includes that subject from a distance. An extreme long shot is relative to what is considered a long shot.
freeze frame: a still image from a video segment recorded during editing for a specified length of time.
Hi-8 videotape: a higher quality 8mm videotape format, which requires a Hi-8 videotape recorder.
in-camera editing: an editing technique for producing short videos where all the final product shots are captured sequentially, with the intent that no changes will be made to the last recorded segment before proceeding to record the next segment. This method calls for one camera, one videotape, and minimal mistakes during recording.
insert edit: an editing technique where a recorded portion of the master tape is modified by inserting a video segment or secondary audio.
linear editing system: an editing system that utilizes two videotape recorders to transfer video segments from the source tape(s) to a single master tape. It is called linear because you must search across the length of the videotape for segments, and cannot randomly access specific footage.
long shot (LS): a shot composition that captures most (if not all) of the subject. A long shot is relative to what is considered a medium shot and an extreme long shot.
master tape: the videotape used during editing to store what will be the final product. Selected segments are copied to the master tape from the source tape(s). It is also referred to as the edited master tape.
medium shot (MS): a shot composition that shows about half of the complete subject. A medium shot is relative to what is considered a close-up shot and a long shot.
pace: the rate at which information is presented or images are shown.
pan: a camera operation during recording that moves the lens along a horizontal plane.
PCM audio: the audio track of the master tape that is typically used during editing to record secondary audio such as music or voiceovers. PCM stands for pulse code modulation.
post-production: the third stage of producing a video which includes everything that follows the production stage. Editing is a major component of the post-production stage.
pre-production: the first stage of producing a video when responsibilities are assigned, and the ideas are planned and developed. A script and a storyboard are created during pre-production activities.
pre-roll: the time that a video tape recorder takes to come up to operating speed for recording. A typical pre-roll takes about 3 to 5 seconds.
production: the second stage of video production where the activities of the actual videotaping occurs. Creating a set, adjusting lights, monitoring sounds, and operating the video camera are some of the activities during the production stage.
program edit: the editing technique where IN and OUT points are specified for both the source and master tapes as the final product is created on the master tape.
quick edit: an editing technique where selected segments are copied onto a master tape one after the other; same as assemble edit.
raw footage tape: the videotape(s) that contains the captured segments of video that will be edited onto the master tape. The tape(s) may have many times more footage to choose from than what ends up on the master tape because it usually contains several different takes of the same segment. Also referred to as the source tape or source raw footage tape.
"shoot to edit": a strategy used during recording with the knowledge that bad segments can be overlooked during the post-production editing process. Several different takes can be recorded knowing that during post-production the best segment can be selected.
shot composition: the field of view that the camera operator records. The shot composition can range from an extreme close-up to an extreme long shot.
source raw footage tape(s): the videotape(s) that contains the captured segments of video that will be edited onto the master tape. The tape(s) may have extra footage to choose from than what ends up on the master tape because it usually contains several different takes of the same segment. Also referred to simply as the source tape.
source tape: See source raw footage tape(s).
standard audio and video: the two tracks of the videotape that are recorded together when using a video camera.
storyboard: a series of diagrams that are used in video production to depict the composition of a video segment. A storyboard provides details about the audio and visual elements that will make up a video product.
superimpose: to have two separate images shown simultaneously. An image of text information might be superimposed over another video image to complement the visual.
takes: a recorded attempt to capture the desired video segment. It is a good idea to record a couple takes so that during editing you will have the opportunity to select the better segment.
talent: the individuals who are the subjects who appear in the video.
tracks: the areas of a videotape that contain the video and audio information. A Hi-8 videotape has one video track and two audio tracks.
transition: the method used to change from one video segment to the next.
video and standard audio: the two tracks of the videotape that are recorded together when using a video camera.
video insert edit: an editing technique where a selected portion of video and standard audio on the master tape is replaced with a different segment from the source tape.
video output: a port on the computer that allows you to connect a video device such as a VCR to simultaneously record the images that are being displayed on the computer's monitor.
voiceovers: an audio recording onto the PCM audio track of the master tape, used to narrate video segments. A voiceover is typically recorded during the post-production editing.
zoom in/out: a camera operation involving the adjustment of the zoom lens to make a subject appear closer or farther.

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