15 Video Production Terms You Need to Know
Lights, camera, action! Welcome to the world of video production. If you’re a company on the verge of embracing video or simply curious about the mechanics behind the magic, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we will decode some commonly used video production jargon. We will guide you through 15 key terms of pre-production, production and post-production, explaining the process along the way. So, pull up your ‘director’s chair’, and let’s dive in. Remember, even Spielberg had to start somewhere, and understanding the lingo is a great first step. Let’s roll!
Pre-Production Terms
Alright, let’s dive right into the nitty-gritty, starting with pre-production. This is the stage where the magic begins, where the creative juices start flowing, and your video starts taking shape.
1. Concept Development
Concept development is the inception of your creative process, it focuses on brainstorming and refining your video’s central idea. Think of it as sowing the seed that will flourish into a magnificent video. During this stage, a video’s objectives, target audience, and narrative are determined.
2. Scriptwriting
With your storyboard in hand, it’s time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys). Scriptwriting is the art of meticulously crafting the dialogue, instructions, and vivid descriptions for your video. Think of it as the guiding light that steers everyone involved, directing actions, words, and settings.
3. Storyboarding
Got your concept down? Great, now it’s time to bring it to life visually. Storyboarding is like creating a comic strip version of a video, providing a snapshot of each scene. It’s a vital step that helps everyone involved understand the flow of the story and the look of each scene.
4. Casting
Now that you’ve got a script, you need a cast to bring it to life. Casting involves selecting the right actors or subjects for your video. It is a key step in ensuring the video feels genuine and engaging.
5. Location Scouting
Last but certainly not the least important part of pre-production, location scouting is like a treasure hunt for the perfect backdrop to make your video come to life. Whether it’s a vibrant outdoor space or a sleek, modern office, the setting you choose sets the stage and mood for your entire video, so choose wisely!
And there you have it – a crash course in pre-production lingo! These steps lay the groundwork for a successful video production. But remember, this is just the opening act. Stay tuned as we explore production and post-production terms.
Production Terms
It’s time to roll up our sleeves and delve into the heart of the matter – production terms. These are the buzzwords that will be flying around when the red light on the camera blinks to life.
6. Shot
A shot is an uninterrupted piece of footage. Imagine it as a bite-sized chunk of a scene, like a close-up showcasing a product’s unique feature or a sweeping aerial view of a corporate headquarters.
Let’s touch on the basic camera shots:
- Wide Shots are used to capture a large portion of a scene, often providing context or establishing the setting where the action unfolds – they are the big kahunas in the world of videography.
- Medium Shots capture the subject from the waist up, providing viewers with a comprehensive view of both the character’s actions and facial expressions. Additionally, they offer some context about the character’s surroundings.
- Close-up Shots tightly frame a person or object, emphasising specific details or emotions to enhance their significance. These shots are perfect for capturing every minute detail and emotion.
7. Take
A ‘take’ is a single recording of a specific shot. So, if your actor stumbles over their lines or a cheeky squirrel photobombs your shot, you’ll need to do another take. And remember, the magic number isn’t always “take one” – sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error, and maybe even a squirrel wrangler, to get that perfect shot!
8. Frame Rate
Commonly referred to as Frames Per Second (FPS), frame rate denotes the pace at which successive images or frames make their appearance in a video. Consider it the pulse of your video, ensuring the motion is seamless and the audience is hooked. Also, faster frame rates can be turned into slow motion, which can give a wonderful, emotive effect.
9. Lighting
Lighting plays a pivotal role in video production. The strategic placement of lights can conjure specific moods, emphasise key elements, and add depth to a scene. Much like an artist wields a paintbrush to create a masterpiece, the thoughtful orchestration of light sources is the essential brushstroke in achieving a top-tier visual quality for your video.
The most commonly used light sources are:
- Key light: The primary source that provides the main illumination to the subject. It defines the subject’s shape and adds a sense of depth to the scene.
- Fill light: The fill light complements the key light by softening the shadows it creates. It ensures that no part of the subject is in complete darkness, resulting in a balanced, well-lit appearance.
- Backlight: The backlight, or rim light, is positioned behind the subject. It separates the subject from the background, creating a subtle halo effect. This adds depth and professionalism to the overall look.
Now let’s touch on a few popular techniques:
- Three-point lighting – A classic technique that uses key, fill and backlights to fully illuminate the subject from all angles, creating a well-rounded, professional look.
- Low-key lighting – Uses predominantly dark tones to create a dramatic atmosphere. It involves using a single key light, with minimal fill light, to create high contrast and shadows on the subject.
- High Key Lighting – If you’re after a cheerful, upbeat vibe, high-key lighting is your go-to. It’s all about reducing contrast by flooding the scene with light, which minimises shadows and gives everything a bright, open feel. It’s like throwing a bucket of sunshine onto your set – perfect for creating a positive, feel-good atmosphere.
10. Sound Design
Sound design is the craft of creating and adding audio elements to a video. Whether it’s the chirping of birds in a forest or the chilling silence of a haunted mansion, sound design is instrumental in setting the tone and making the video more immersive. So next time you watch a video and instinctively reach for your umbrella at the sound of rain, remember – that’s sound design magic at work!
And voila – your crash course in essential production terms is complete. If it feels a tad daunting, don’t fret. Like learning any new language, it takes a bit of time to become fluent. But, with these terms in your pocket, you’ll soon speak video production like a pro!
Stay tuned for the final part of our video production glossary – post-production terms
Post-Production Terms
Welcome to post-production, the final stop in your video-making tour. This is where your raw footage is transformed into a polished and captivating masterpiece. It’s like the grand finale of a fireworks show, tying all the elements together to create something truly spectacular. So, let’s dive into the key terms that will make you sound like a seasoned pro in the editing suite.
11. Editing
This is the heart and soul of video production. It involves arranging, reworking, and finessing the recorded material for its grand debut. Picture it like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, where each piece is a snapshot from your video. The puzzle only comes alive when every shot finds its perfect place, narrating the story exactly as you’ve imagined.
12. Colour Grading
Ever wondered why a thriller feels so chilling or why a romantic scene oozes warmth? Meet colour grading, the unsung hero. This process is used to enhance the colour of a video to achieve the required mood and tone. It’s the secret sauce that gives your video that Hollywood-esque charm. It’s a meticulous process that can turn a bleak, overcast day into a sunny paradise or a mundane room into a sinister lair. Think of it as the mood manager of video production – it subtly tells your audience how to feel, whether that’s relaxed, on edge, or somewhere in between.
13. Visual Effects (VFX)
Visual Effects, often referred to as VFX, goes beyond mere explosions and pyrotechnics. VFX is a creative art form that harnesses the power of computers to craft and enhance images that weren’t originally part of the initial filming. It helps digital images seamlessly integrate with live-action scenes. VFX can be as simple as removing distracting elements from a shot or as complex as conjuring an entire, awe-inspiring futuristic cityscape.
VFX serves as the enchanting touch that breathes life into your most imaginative visions, making the impossible seem possible.
14. Sound Mixing
As the old adage goes, “Sound is half the picture.” And it couldn’t be more accurate. Sound mixing is the craft of blending multiple soundtracks into one harmonious audio. It’s about striking the right balance between dialogue, ambient noise, music, and sound effects to create an auditory symphony that complements the visuals. Can you imagine a thriller without the eerie music? Exactly!
15. Rendering
This is where a final video product is generated from various types of input. Consider it as baking a cake. You’ve whisked all your ingredients (video clips, soundtracks, VFX), and now it’s time to pop it into the oven (rendering software) to bake (render). The rendering software acts as the magician’s hat, making everything come together in a seamless and captivating way. Once rendering is complete, you’re left with a video that’s as deliciously appealing as a freshly baked cake, ready to impress your audience.
And there you have it! These are some of the must-know post-production terms. Each of these elements plays a pivotal role in shaping the final look and feel of your video, so never underestimate the power of post-production. It’s the secret ingredient that distinguishes the rookies from the pros. Roll credits!
To Finish Up
Alright, folks, that’s a wrap! We’ve journeyed through the fascinating world of video production and its associated terms, from the birth of the concept to the final rendering of your masterpiece. By now, you should have a solid understanding of the basic vocabulary used in the industry.
Remember, video production is an art, a science, and a language all rolled into one. It’s a dynamic process that requires creativity, technical know-how, and a keen understanding of your audience.
Not sure where to begin? Whether you’re developing an informative corporate video, a viral social media clip, or a high-impact TV ad, Pickle Pictures can help! We’d love to help you transform your ideas into a stunning visual reality. So, ready to roll? Get in touch, and let’s make some movie magic together!