C-47:
Ordinary wooden clothespins which are used to secure gels to barndoors. They are also known as a #1 wood clamp. (Grip/Lighting)
C Stand:
A general purpose grip stand. (Grip/Lighting)
California Scrim Set:
A scrim set with two doubles. (Lighting/Grip)
Call Sheet:
A form which refers to all of the scenes to be filmed and all of the personnel and equipment required for shooting on a particular day. (Production)
Camera Angle:
The view point chosen from which to photograph a subject. (Cinematography)
Camera Blocking:
The process of notating the changing position of the camera, lens size, and focus during a particular scene. (Production)
Camera Log:
A record sheet giving details of the scenes or shots photographed on a particular roll of negative.
Camera Wedges:
Small wooden wedges, usually 4 inches long by 1/2 wide at the thickest end. (Camera)
Cam-Lok:
A feeder cable connector which is similar to a Tweco, but with a more positive locking mechanism which is easier to disconnect. (Grip/Lighting)
Candela:
A unit of light intensity, a standard candle. (Lighting)
Canted Frame:
Often described as a 'Dutch Angle' or 'Dutching'. This is a device or process whereby the camera is angled so that the horizontal frame line is not parallel to the horizon. (Production)
Capacitance:
An electrical component's ability to store electrical charges. (Post Production)
CC Filters:
Color compensating filters made in precise density values of the primary and secondary colors. (Cinematography)
Clipping:
The phenomenon where an input signal exceeds the capability of electronic or digital equipment to reproduce the signal. This results in an audible distortion (analog) or an incomprehensible noise (digital). (Sound)
CD (Compact Disc):
A digitally encoded disc capable of containing more than one hour of music at a sampling frequency of 44.1 khz. The data is read by a laser beam. (Sound)
Celo:
A type of cookie which is made from wire mesh coated with plastic. (Grip/Lighting)
Center Track:
A standard position for the placement of the audio signal on magnetic film. The placement is in a narrow band centered between the two edges of the film. (Sound)
Century Stand (C-Stand):
A multipurpose grip stand. (Grip/Lighting)
Chain Vise Grip:
A vise grip with a chain that is used for its clamping capability. (Grip)
Changeover Cue:
A mark at the end of a release print reel to indicate the moment at which to switch over to the next reel on the second projector. (Film)
Checkerboard Cutting:
A technique of splicing A/B rolls in order to eliminate the image of the film splice from the duplicates or to allow for rapid readjustments of optical printer settings from shot to shot. (Film Editing)
Cinch Marks:
These are marks which may result if the center of a roll of film is rigidly held while the outside end is moved. (Film Editing)
Cinemascope:
A trade name for a system of anamorphic widescreen projection. (Cinematography)
Cinex Strip:
A short test print in which each frame has been printed at a different exposure level. (Film/Laboratory)
Click Track:
A prerecorded track of electronic metronomic clicks used to ensure proper timing of music to be recorded. Essential in music scoring sessions. (Music)
Coded Edge Numbers:
A system of marking films with a series of sequential numbers for the purpose of maintaining an established synchronous relationship. (Film Editing)
Combo Box:
A six pocket stage box that can be converted from three-phase four-wire to single phase three-wire operation. (Lighting)
Combo Stand:
A heavy duty 2K stand without wheels. It is called a combo because it can be used for both reflectors and lights. (Grip/Lighting)
Compander:
Refers to a device that compresses an input signal and expands the
output signal in order to reduce noise. (Sound)
Completion Bond:
An insurance guarantee that principal photography on a given film will be completed. It indemnifies a production against the unforeseen costs of any type, whether or not they result from problems which are covered by other types of insurance.
Composite Print:
A motion picture print with both picture and sound on the same strip of film. (Laboratory)
Compression:
The reduction of a span of amplitudes done for the purpose of limiting the reproduction of those amplitudes. (Post Production)
Condenser Microphone:
The simplest type of microphone in which the capacitance (electrical charge) is varied by sound, causing movement in one plate (diaphragm) in relation to a fixed backplate. (Sound)
Contingency:
A designated amount of a budget which is added in anticipation of potential cost overruns.
Continuous Printing:
A method of printing in which both the original and the raw stock move continuously past the point of exposure. (Laboratory)
Control Track:
A recorded track used to adjust or manipulate a recording or playback device. Generally, these are used to maintain consistent playback speed of video and/or sound recorders consistent with the recorded speed. (Post Production)
Cookie:
A perforated material which is used to break up light or create a shadow pattern. Also known as a cucoloris. (Grip/Lighting)
Core:
A plastic cylinder on which film is wound for transport or storage.
Coupler:
A chemical incorporated into the emulsion of color film stocks which produces a dye image associated with the developed silver image.
Counter:
A device for measuring lengths of film by counting the number of frames.
Coverage:
An indeterminate number of more detailed shots which are intended to be intercut with a master shot or scene. (Production)
Cover Set:
A location which is kept in reserve to serve as an alternate shooting site in case the chosen shooting site is unusable. It is most commonly used in the context of shooting planned for an out of doors location. (Production)
CP Filters:
Color printing filters made in precise density values for the colors; yellow, cyan, and magenta. (Cinematography)
CRI:
Color Reversal Intermediate. This is a duplicate color negative which is made by the reversal process. (Laboratory)
Cribbing:
Short pieces of lumber which are used for various grip purposes. (Grip/Lighting)
Crossfade:
The gradual mix of sound sources accomplished by the simultaneous manipulation of two or more mix console faders. (Post Production)
Crossmodulation Tests:
Tests which are used to determine the correct negative and print densities for a variable area optical sound track. (Sound)
Crossover:
The frequency at which a signal is split in order to feed separate
parts of a loudspeaker system. (Sound)
Crosstalk:
In stereo, this is the breakthrough between channels measured as separation (in decibels) between the wanted sounds of the desired channel and the unwanted sounds from the second channel. (Sound)
Cucoloris:
A perforate material used to break up light or create a shadow pattern. Also known as a cookie. (Grip/Lighting)
Cueing:
A term with a broad range of meanings depending on the particular context. For Voice-Over Narration or Dialogue Replacement: The marking of the cue point in a way which will permit a signal to be given to the 'talent' to begin each element of work at the appropriate time. In General: Any system used by a second person to signal 'talent' that recording should begin.
Cue Patch:
A piece of self adhesive magnetic or metallic material placed on the edge of film as a means of actuating a printer light change or an automatic stop on a projector. (Film Editing)
Cup Blocks:
Wooden blocks with a dish or indentation in the center which are used to keep the wheels of light stands from moving. (Grip/Lighting)
Cutaway:
A single shot inserted into a sequence of shots that momentarily interrupts the flow of action, usually introducing a pertinent detail. (Production/Editing)
Cutting:
The selection and assembly of the various shots or sequences for a reel of film.
Cyan:
A blue-green color which is the complementary color to red.
Cyc Lights:
Row lights for evenly illuminating a cyclorama or other background. (Lighting)
Cyclorama:
Permanent background built in a studio which is nearly always coved or curved at the floor line to create a shadowless, unending backdrop. (Grip/Lighting)
