Dictionary of Film – Video – Audio (G to L)

G

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 in a negative or print.

Gang Synchronizer:

A synchronizing device having more than One sprocketted wheel which is used to set up synchronized relationships between film and sound tracks which have been recorded to magnetic film. (Film Editing)

Gate:

The aperture assembly at which the film is exposed in a camera, printer, or projector.

Gigabyte (GH):

A unit for measuring computer memory capacity, equivalent to 1,000 megabytes (MB).

Gobo:

A grip head or “C” stand head used as a clamping device for holding other equipment. (Grip)

Grading:

The process of selecting the printing values for color and density fo successive scenes in a complete film to produce the desire visual effects. (Laboratory)

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)

Guillotine Splicer:

A device used for butt splicing film with splicing film. (Film Editing)

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H

Handle:

An extra number of frames attached to the head and tail of an optical print as a safety precaution. (Laboratory)

Hard Disk:

A data storage and retrieval device consisting of a disk drive and one or more permanently installed disks. Increasingly common for storing sound effects and archiving for future use.

Harmonic Distortion:

Acoustic distortion characterized by unwanted changes between input and output at a given frequency. (Acoustics)

Hazeltine:

A machine which a color time at a lab or optical house uses to determine how to ‘time’ a film print for the proper amounts of red, blue, and green light. Also called a color analyzer. (Laboratory)

Hertz (Hz):

Unit for measuring frequency of d signal; formerly called “cycles per second.”

Hi-Con:

Generally a high contrast film print which provides the maximum contrast between the light and dark elements. (Laboratory)

Highboy:

A heavy-duty rolling stand, usually with a combo head, that has a junior receiver and a large grip head. Also called Overhead Stands. (Grip/Lighting)

Highkey:

An overall brightly lit scene with realtively few shadows. (Lighting)

High-Pass Filter:

An electronic filter used in various audio circuits to attenuate all frequencies below a chosen frequency.

Hiss:

Asperity Noise. Noise caused by minute imperfections in the recording medium (tape). (Sound)

HMI:

An enclosed, AC mercury arc lamp. (Lighting)

Hollywood Box:

A stage plug-type box without fuses. (Lighting)

House Sync:

An internal timing reference used to synchronize all transports within a facility.

Horse:

A support for one or more rolls of film used on a cutting table.

Hot Splicer:

A film splicing machine of precision construction in which portions of a film are overlapped, cemented, then warmed and dried by a heating unit. (Film Editing)

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I

Incoming Scene:

The second scene to appear in a dissolve or wipe effect.

Inductance:

The resistance of a coil of wire to rapidly fluctuating currents which increases with frequency. (Acoustics)

Inkie:

A small (250 watt) fresnel type light. (Lighting)

Insert Editing:

Used in videotape or digital audio editing to describe the process of replacing a segment located between two specific and previously dubbed segments.

Intercutting:

An editing method whereby related shots are inserted into a series of other shots for the purpose of contrast or for some other effect. (Film Editing)

Interlock:

A term that generically refers to two or more machines running in sychronization; often shortened to “locked.”

Interlock Projector:

A projector used to reproduce the picture while synchronized sound is played back on an accompanying machine or other linked sound device. (Film Editing)

Intermediates:

A general term for color masters or duplicates.

Intermodulation Distortion:

An amplitude change in which sum and difference tones (harmonics) are present in the recorded signal. (Acoustics)

Internegative:

A color negative duplicate made from a color positive. Internegatives are used for release printing in order to protect the original negative from damage.

Interpositive:

Any positive duplicate of a film which is used for further printing.

Invisible Cut:

A cut made during the movement of a performer which is achieved by overlapping the action or by using two cameras, then matching the action during editing. (Film Editing)

IP/IN:

The process of making a new negative of a film by striking an interpositive and then, from that, striking a new negative (internegative). (Laboratory)

Iris:

A variable aperture that controls exposure or the amount of light which is released from a lighting unit. (Camera/Lighting)

Iris Wipe:

A wipe effect in the form of an expanding or diminishing circle.

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J

J-Lar:

A transparent tape which is used to splice jels together. (Grip/Lighting)

Jam Sync:

A process of locking a time code generator to an existing coded tape in order to extend or replace the code, used when code is of poor quality.

Japanese Lantern:

A paper-covered wire frame globe into which a socket and bulb may be placed. (Lighting)

Jib Arm:

A mechanical are which is supported on a dolly, tripod, or other device, which is counterweighted to hold a camera for an increased range of motion. (Production)

Juicer:

An electrician.

Jump-Cut:

An editorial device where the action is noticeably advanced in time, either accidentally or for the purpose of creating an effect on the viewer. (Film Editing)

Junior:

A 2K fresnel light unit. It may also mean any 1 1/8 inch spud or mounting pin or any 1 1/8 inch female receiver. (Grip)

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K

K:

Kelvin, the unit of measurement used for absolute temperatures and color temperatures.

KEM:

A brand name for a common ‘flatbed’ film editing machine. (Film Editing)

Key Grip:

The chief grip who works directly with the gaffer in creating shadow effects for set lighting and who supervises camera cranes, dollies and other platforms or supporting structures according to the requirements of the director of photography. (Production)

Key Light:

The main light on a subject. (Lighting)

Key Numbers:

Numbers placed on the edge of the film stock by the manufacturer as a unique identification point (35mm – every 16 frames: 16mm – every 20 frames). (Film Editing)

Kick:

An object with a shine or reflection on it from another object. (Grip/Lighting)

Kiss:

A light that gently brushes a subject. (Lighting)

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L

L-C-R-S (Left, Center, Right, Surround):

The four playback channels used in 35mm motion pictures, now available on home hi-fi systems. L, C and R speakers are located behind the screen. The S channel surrounds the audience and may be mono or encoded stereo.

Lamp:

A reference to the bulb inside a lighting unit, but may sometimes be used to refer to the entire lighting unit. (Lighting)

Latitude:

The range between overexposure and underexposure in which a film will still produce usable images. (Camera)

Lavalier Mic:

A small microphone that can be easily hidden on a piece of clothing so as not to be seen by the camera.

Layback:

Transfer of the finished audio mix back onto the video edit master.

Layoff:

Transfer of audio and time code from the video edit master to an audio tape.

Layover:

Transfer of audio onto multitrack tape or hard disk. Also referred to as “layup.”

Lexan:

A plastic sheeting material, available in varying widths, that is optically clear and used to protect camera personnel from explosions or the results of other action. (Grip/Camera)

Leader:

A length of nonimage film which is used for threading, identification, or fill-in purposes. (Film Editing)

Leko:

An ellipsoidal reflector spot light. Usually used for theatrical purposes. (Lighting)

Level:

The ratio of an acoustic quantity to a reference quantity. A measurement of amplitude in decibels. (Acoustics)

Library Shot:

Stock footage shot or other footage which is germane to a given visual presentation but which was not generated for that specific film or television presentation. (Film Editing)

Light-Struck Leader:

Film which was fully exposed to light which is then used as leader. (Film Editing)

Light Value:

A reference to a fast acting, variable opening shutter to control the light intensity in printing film. (Laboratory)

Lip-Sync:

The relationship of sound ad picture that exists when the movements of speech are perceived to coincide with the sounds of speech.

Liquid Gate:

A printing system in which the original is immersed in a liquid at the moment of exposure. This is done in order to reduce the adverse effects of surface scratches and abrasions.

Looping:

A continuous sound track that runs repeatedly in playback as a guide for re recording. (Post Production)

Low Contrast Original:

An original reversal film which is designed to yield prints having good projection contrast.

Lowboy:

A heavy duty rolling stand, usually with a combo head, but without the height of a ‘highboy’. (Grip/Lighting)

Lowkey:

A high contrast lighting style with lost of shadows and large areas of darkness. (Lighting)

Lowpass Filter:

A filter that attenuates frequencies above a specified frequency and allows those below that point to pass.

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