It's been a while since we added to the Production Glossary. Since we've been doing a lot more camera work than we typically do, it's appropriate that this vocabulary update is focused on Camera. Comment below if we missed any common terms. We'd love your feedback.
Camera Operator Direction
Ready Next camera to be cut (live) to program out
Standby Next camera to be dissolved (live) to program out
Take/Cut Ready camera is quickly cut to program out (eg. Cut 1)
Dissolve/Mix Standby camera is slowly dissolved to program out (eg. Dissolve 2)
Camera Movements
Hold Stop camera movement (hold current shot)
Reset Return to previous position (starting point)
Start Begin prescribed movement (eg. start push)
Pan Right Move camera lens right
Pan Left Move camera lens left
Tilt Up Move camera lens up
Tilt Down Move camera lens down
Zoom In Tighten camera framing
Zoom Out Loosen camera framing
Tighten Up Zoom in slightly to tighten camera framing
Loosen Up Zoom out slightly to loosen camera framing
Push In Zoom in slowly on subject
Pull Out Zoom out slowly from subject
Push [Subject] Right Slowly move subject to right side/edge of frame
Push [Subject] Left Slowly move subject to left side/edge of frame
Push [Subject] Center Slowly move subject to center of frame
Lose [Subject] Right Slowly lose subject off right side/edge of frame
Lose [Subject] Left Slowly lose subject off left side/edge of frame
Reveal [Subject] Right Slowly reveal subject on the right side/edge of frame
Reveal [Subject] Left Slowly reveal subject on the left side/edge of frame
Static Shot A non-moving/still shot
Composition/Framing
Full Wide Zoom out as wide as possible
Stage Wide Zoom out to frame complete stage
Head To Toe Framing of subject from head to toe
Knees Up Framing of subject from just below the knees to top of head
Inseam Up Framing of subject from just below the inseam to top of head
Waist Up Framing of subject from just below belt or waistline to top of head
Elbows Up Framing of subject from just below the elbows to top of head
Bust Shot Framing of subject from just below the shoulders to the top of head
Head Shot Framing of subject from just above the shoulders to top of head
1-Shot Framing of one subject (typically from the waist up)
2-Shot Framing of two subjects
3-Shot Framing of three subjects
Frame [Subject] Left Framing of subject in the left side of screen
Frame [Subject] Right Framing of subject in the right side of screen
Center Up Framing of subject in the center of screen
Establishing Shot Geography, environment, landscape or structure, etc to establish location
Camera Mechanisms
Sticks / Tripod Used for static shots and simple pans and tilts
Slider Shot Slide camera on a vertical or horizontal axis
Handheld Shot Held by operator, no mechanical stabilization
Steadicam Shot Camera stabilizing device that attaches to the camera operator
Gimbal Shot Device that use motorized gyroscopes to reduce friction that fits in small spaces
Crane Shot Robotic arm used to sweep up and over a scene
Jib Shot Manually-controlled arm, similar to Crane, but with limited range and movement
Drone Shot Camera mounted to a drone and controlled by RF
Wire Shot Camera rides on a cable or wire for deliberate, smooth move
Miscellaneous Terms
Check Focus Image is out of focus and needs to be sharpened up
Check Iris [Dark/Hot] Image is either too dark or too bright (adjust f-stop/iris)
Headroom [More/Less] Framing above the subjects head (too little or too great)
Lead-Room Open space in front of subject (when facing/walking left or right)
Rack Focus Change in focal point from one subject to another or to roll out of focus
Snap Zoom Quick zoom in & out on subject (by manual control of focal ring)
Preview Camera which is next (ready/standing by) to go live
Program/Program Out Camera which is live