Video Production Glossary: A Concise Guide
Film and video professionals use specialised terms throughout the process of making a video.
Below, you’ll find a handy glossary outlining commonly used terms in Australia.
This glossary will help you understand important video production terms. Whether you’ve hired a production company and are confused by industry jargon, or just want to refresh your knowledge, this resource will improve your understanding of key concepts and techniques. Knowing these terms will help you communicate better with a video production company.
A-CAM
The A-Cam is the primary camera employed in video shoots. Some productions may utilise a single camera but in multi-cam projects, the A-Cam takes the lead role. It typically captures the most important shots. In an interview setup this is often the wide, most central angle.
After Effects
After Effects is software made by Adobe. It's mainly used to create motion graphics and visual effects.
Aperture
This is the opening on a camera lens that controls the amount of light entering the camera. Aperture settings are measured in f-stops and this term is often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. The aperture primary affects depth of field and how shallow the focus appears – for example whether everything is in sharp focus, or just a subject with the background being blurred.