A couple of weeks ago we published a little glossary to help to explain to you what some of these terms your photographer might use really mean. From the response we got it was clearly something a few of you had struggled with and a helpful post, so today we thought we’d expand upon it with a little explanation of some terms that may be even more alien to you in a meeting: those terms used by videographers. Video is a complex world with all kinds of terms attached to it. Some terms cross over and have already been explained in our photography glossary so we’ve tried not to mention them again except where strictly necessary and there are others we will undoubtedly miss, so if we do then feel free to ask questions or let us know of any you think should be on the list! But here’s a very basic breakdown of some of the terms we think you’re most likely to come across:
After Effects: A piece of software made by Adobe systems sometimes used to create sophisticated effects on videos or apply a particular ‘look’ to the film.
Audio Levels: The sound volume of each device.
Boom: Generally an arm onto which something is mounted, e.g. a boom mic might be used to hold a mic on an arm over the top of the camera and keep it out of shot.
Cinematography: In wedding terms this is broadly another word for videography, and refers to a videographer who is trying to create a more cinematic feel.
Camcorder: A form of video camera. Camcorders are generally quite small, lightweight handheld cameras rather than cinema cameras or DSLR’s.
Cans: Usually refer to headphones used to check sound levels. Can also refer to headsets used to communicate between the team.
Comms: Communication devices, e.g. radios to help some large videographer teams to talk to each other.
Crane: A piece of apparatus to which a camera can be mounted to to get shots high up over the crowd or create a ‘sweeping’ action with the camera to get high tilting shots.
Deadcat: A fluffy windscreen placed over a microphone to reduce the sound of wind getting into the microphone. Don’t worry it’s not actually made of cat!
Dolly: A device on wheels or sometimes a track that allows the camera to move around with smooth motion.
DSLR: Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. The same type of camera that your photographer is probably using, except this time in video mode. DSLR cameras are now very commonly used by wedding videographers as they produce extremely high quality imaging and ‘photo-like’ video.
EVF: Electronic View Finder – an electronic screen displaying the camera feed.
EQ: Sound Equalisation. Boosting the bass or the ‘top-end’ of the incoming audio will result in subtle differences in sound and may help to ‘clean it up’.
Final Cut: A piece of software commonly used for editing videos. Also the final edit of a video.
Fluid Head: The top part of a tripod that allows smooth pans and tilts. Fluid within the head of top quality tripods allows for perfectly smooth motion much better than their mechanical counterparts.
FPS: Frames per second – the amount of still images taken per second to make up a moving image. Changing this amount can lead to a more cinematic feel or a more documentary feel. Most Hollywood movies are shot at 24fps, although ‘The Hobbit’ recently caused controversy by shooting at 48fps leading to a very different look with less blurred motion and a less traditionally cinematic look.
Follow Focus: DSLR video cameras tend to have to be focussed manually rather than automatically. A follow focus is a device attached to the camera and used to help to move the focus smoothly. Sometimes this will be operated by someone other than the main camera man but not commonly in weddings.
Glidetrack: Piece of apparatus that the camera is mounted onto to create a shot where the camera appears to glide perfectly smoothly sideways or backward and forward.
HD: High Definition, e.g. Blu-ray quality rather than DVD quality.
Indie: A style of videography – usually uses more handheld shots and less heavy production equipment and is therefore popular with wedding videographers.
Jib: Similar to a crane – used to get long panning shots or shots from higher up than can be achieved by hand.
Marryoke: A wedding video where the guests appear to sing along to the song being used as the soundtrack to the film.
Monitor: Generally refers to a video feed for the user to see, may also be an audio monitor so the videographer can hear what is being recorded.
Monopod: A one-legged version of a tripod. A very portable device which allows the videographer to support the camera from the ground to help steady the motion whilst still allowing for some side to side motion which may sometimes be preferable to the completely steady shot a tripod offers.
Muff: A microphone shield to help reduce extraneous noise including wind.
Music License: A license authorising the use of a particular piece of music by both the publisher, artist and original song writer.
ND filter: Neutral density filter – a filter sometimes put in front of the camera used to decrease the amount of light taken in to balance the brightness.
Pan: A shot that moves from one side to the other.
Premiere: A piece of software made by Adobe systems commonly used for editing videos.
PRS: Performing Rights Society. In the UK PRS is the organisation that looks after music rights and to whom application are generally made to obtain the rights to use a specific track.
Pull Focus: Refers to the act of getting the subject in focus.
Radio Mic: A microphone which can transmit audio wirelessly back to the videographer. Radio mics are often attached to the speakers during the speeches or the groom during the ceremony to capture the audio discretely.
Redhead: Similar to a deadcat – usually placed over an audio recorder to shield it from wind noise. Also a cool hair colour.
Rig: A framework that supports the camera. Wedding videographers shooting with DSLR cameras often use small rigs to help support the camera and keep it steady while shooting.
Royalty Free Music: Music tracks that can be purchased for a set fee where no additional royalties are paid to the artist. Using non-Royalty Free tracks requires a special music license generally obtained on a per-track basis and can vary much more in cost (anywhere from £10 – £10,000) and so Royalty Free music is most often used in music videos to make it affordable for the couple.
Rushes: Unedited video files.
Slider: See glidetrack – device used to get a smooth gliding motion in the shot.
Slo-mo: A piece of video where the framerate has been slowed down to make everything move in slow motion.
Stabilisation: Certain lenses or cameras offer additional image stabilisation, as do camera rigs. It simply means it tries to help keep the image steady rather than rocking around.
Static Cam: An un-manned camera, often used to capture an additional angle that never moves.
Steadicam: A form of camera rig that keeps the camera completely steady using a counterbalance and bracing system. This allows for camera moves such as running shots that would be otherwise impossible to keep smooth.
Super 8: An old type of film camera which used to be used in lots of family videos and is now very popular for recording wedding videos with a ‘vintage’ feel. If you remember the opening sequence to ‘The Wonder Years’ it’s that type of camera!
Tie Clip: A type of discreet microphone attached to a tie or other piece of clothing and usually transmitted via a radio mic.
Tilt: A shot that moves up and down.
Timelapse: A video where images are captured at less regular intervals than normal video. This creates a very speeded up effect and is often used to show clouds moving fast through the sky or show a sunrise in just a few seconds of video.
Tripod: A three legged support system for the camera. Sometimes used by photographers but much more commonly by videographers to get a perfectly smooth shot.
Videography: The art of capturing video!
Z-finder: An eyepiece sometimes attached to a DSLR camera to help with viewing the screen at the back of the camera, particularly in bright conditions.
Zoom: A commonly used type of audio recorder. Zoom is actually the manufacturer that produces some of the most commonly used recorders.
1080p: The standard high definition format currently used in HD or Blu-ray quality films. Actually generally refers to 1920 pixel width by 1080 pixel height of the image on the screen.
2K/4K/5K: The capture resolution quality of the video. The higher the number the better the quality. The current standard to create HD films is generally 2K (2000 pixels wide), however some cameras (more commonly used in film-making) are now capable of 4K resolution or higher.
So those are just some of the phrases we reckon you might well come across whilst talking to your wedding videographer, but there are definitely more that could be added to the list! If you have a term you think should be included in our jargon-buster, or if you would like us to explain a particular term you’ve heard then leave a comment below!
NOTE: This post is designed to simplify things for those not in the know, so please explain any additions as simply as you possibly can, avoiding further technical language!
