Film Editing Terms

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A-B rolls

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The process used to create optical effects such as dissolves in film and videotape. Two rolls are used alternately. The A roll contains the first shot, and the B roll contains the second. The two rolls overlap for the length of the dissolve.

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academy leader

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Film that precedes the first picture or sound. It contains synchronizing marks and countdown information used by the film lab for processing the composite print.

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analog

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A form of electronic signal composed of varying voltage levels. Analog signals are of lower quality than digital signals.

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anamorphic

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An image that is squeezed laterally so that the width-to-height ratio frops.

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answer print

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The first lab print of a completed motion picture.

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aspect ratio

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The proportion of picture width to height. For television and 16mm film, the aspect ratio is 1.33:1; wide-screen 35mm, 1.85:1; wide-screen 70mm, 2.2:1; 35mm anamorphic, 2.35:1.

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assembly

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A rough cut; the organization of shots in rough order according to script.

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asynchronous

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Sound that is not synchronized to the picture being presented.

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automatic dialogue replacement (ADR)

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The process of recording new dialogues. If the original dialogue recording has picked up too much ambient noise (such as an airplane), the dialogue is rerecorded in a studio under controlled conditions.

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back lighting

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Light directed from behind the subject toward the camera. The effect is to soften the impression of the subject.

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back projection

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The projection of an image, film, or television show on the rear of a translucent screen to be viewed from its front surface.

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base

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For film or videotape, the flexible support on which a photographic emulsion or magnetic coating is carried.

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batch number

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Identification number of a quantity of product that has been manufactured at one time and has uniform characteristics, particularly raw stock.

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Betacam

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Sony's trade name for a broadcast-quality videotape recorder (VTR) system that uses half-inch tape with component recording of luminance and chrominance on seperate tracks. The high-speed recording results in a higher quality image on the videotape.

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Beta format

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The tape used in the Betamax system

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bias

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In audiotape recording, an ultrasonic signal applied to the record head to reduce distortion.

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bidirectional microphone

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A microphone with equal sensitivity to sound arriving from the front or the rear.

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bridge shot

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A shot used to cover a jump in time or another break in continuity.

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broadcast standard

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In video practice, the highest quality of recording and reproduction/ video capable of meeting the stringent requirements of broadcasting organizations.

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burn-in

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The addition of visible time code numerals to a videotape recording.

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butt splice

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A splice in a film or tape in which the two ends are not overlapped.

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camera angle

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The angle of view created by the position of the camera vis-a-vis the subject. The positioning results in a composition that has particular characteristics as a result of the angle.

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cement

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Cellulose solvent used for joining pieces of film.

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character generator

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A device used to issue the signals needed to form alphanumeric characters on a cathode-ray tube. Such character are used to create time code numbers for establishing edit points and to display letters or graphics used in titles.

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Cheat shot

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A shot in which part of the subject or action is excluded from view to make the part that is recorded appear different form what it actually is. Cheat shots are often used to action sequences to create the illusion of danger or disaster.

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chroma key

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An electric matting process for combining two or more video images into a credible composite form.

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CinemaScope

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A system of anamorphic wide-screen motion pictures that makes use of a horizontal compression-expression factor of between 2:1 and 2.5:1

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cinema verite

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Also referred to as direct camera. A style of filming real-life scenes without elaborate equipment. The result is less intrusion into the activities of the subject being filmed that with than with standard techniques.

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clapboard

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Sometimes referred to as a clapper board, clapper, or slate. In motion picture photography, a board with a hinged arm used to identify the correct synchronization of picture and sound at the beginning or end of a scene. The clapboard yields a sharp sound that can be matched to the visual action of the clap.

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clean edit list

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An off-line edit list that has bad discrepancies, overrecordings, or redundancies resolved, preparing it for efficient on-line editing.

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click track

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A prerecorded timing track that consists of recorded clicks and is used for dubbing music with precise timing. The click track is generally produced after all the visual editing decision have been made.

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close-up

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A tight shot of a person's head and shoulders. An extreme closeup might include a par of the face and hand, for example

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commentary

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Also called narration. Descriptive dialogue accompanying a film. Voice over serves as a bridging device between sequences. Voice over can also be used to clarify the narrative intentions of the visuals.

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control track

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In videotape, a track used for servo information, synchronization, and scanning rate.

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credits

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Acknowledgments given in titles at the beginning or end of a film or television production, that list the cast, technicians, and organizations involved.

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creeping sync

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In film recording, a progressive error of synchronization between picuture and sound track; the steps taken to correct this error.

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cross-cut

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Sometimes referred to as intercutting or parallel editing. The intermingling of shots from two or more scenes. An alternating of scenes sometimes implies an eventual relationship between them.

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crystal snyc

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A method of synchronizing an audio magnet tape reorder to a motion picture camera.

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cut

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An instantaneous change from one scene to another.

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cutaway

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Also known as an insert shot. A noncritical shot used to break or link principal action in scenes.

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cutter

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An editor

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cutting print

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Sometimes called the work print. The positive print that the editor works with in the editing process. Once completed, the print is used to edit the negative for the printing of the film.

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dailies

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Also referred to as rushes. The first prints made from the newly processed picture or sound negative, which are used to check content and quality.

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depth of field

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Distance between the nearest and farthest points from the camera at which the subject is acceptably sharp.

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digital

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An electronic signal system composed of voltages that are turned on or off. Data in digital form may be copied many times with virtually no loss of quality (degradation) because the data are not altered or distorted as they go through the electronic system.

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direct camera

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Also referred to as cinema verite. A style of filming real-life scenes without elaborate equipment. The result is less intrusion into the activities of the subject being filmed than with standard techniques.

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dissolve

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A gradual merging of the end of one shot into the beginning of the next, produced by the superimposition of a fade-out onto a fade-in of equal length.

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Dolby

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A noise reduction system for magnetic and photographic sound recordings.

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dolly

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A movable platform on which a camera may be mounted so that action in front of the camera may be followed. See also tracking and trucking.

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double system

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In cinematography, the system in which picture and sound are recorded on separate films or on film and tape. This system allows greater flexibility in working with sound than a single system in which original sound and picture are recorded simultaneously on the same piece of film.

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dub

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Also referred to as dupe. In television, to copy a videotape. In film, to mix and compose audio sound tracks from several elements by balancing them for level, proportion, and equalization.

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edge coding

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Sometimes called edge numbering or footage numbers. A coding system for numbers printed on motion picture film raw stock by the manufacturer. They are included one every foot on 3mm film and once every 20 frames, or every 6 inches, on 16m film. These letter and number are used by the film negative cutter to match a work print film frame to its corresponding negative original. Time code, an electronic form of edge numbers, serves a similar purpose on videotape.

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edit controller

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A keyboard or mouse used to communicate edit commands to the computer and electronic editing system, including VCRs, VTRs, video switches, and audio switchers.

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edit decision list (EDL)

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The time code information defining each edit in a sequence. The list may be constructed for use on a computerized editing system.

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edit point

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The position on the tape where two scenes are joined to create an edit. The end of one scene is joined by means of a splice to the beginning of the second scene.

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effects track

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The composite or single track that is reserved fro the sound effects to be used with the pictures.

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electronic editing

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A method of electronically transferring pictures and sound from one videotape to another.

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electronic news production (EFP)

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Remote, as opposed to studio production, techniques that use television cameras and portable video recorders.

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electronic news gathering (ENG)

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The fast and portable electronic photography used in news reporting or in educational or industrial applications.

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establishing shot

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Usually a long shot used near the beginning of a scene to establish the interrelationship of details to e shown subsequently in nearer shots.

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fade-in

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The beginning of a shot that starts in darkness and gradually lightens to full brightness.

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fade-out

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The beginning of the shot starts in full brightness and gradually darkens to black.

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fine cut

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Also called final cut. An editor's last cut of the edited work print after all of the changes have been made and the program is ready for the conforming process.

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flashback

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A scene that takes place at an earlier time than the scene it follows.

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flash frame

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An extra frame of film, usually seen at an edit point. It appears as a momentary flash.

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focus pull

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The shaft of the subject in focus from the foreground to the background or vice versa.

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footage

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The length of film measured in feet.

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format

Back 69

In videotape, there are various systems: Half-inch, three-quarter inch, one inch. Tape can be Beta, VHS, super VHS, 8mm, etc. Each has different characteristics and is used in different geographical regions. Various formats also reflect amateur or consumer purposes as well as professional broadcast uses.

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frame

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A single image of film is till visual composition.

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frame rate

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The rate at which film or video proceeds through a camera or projector. The American standard is 24 frames per second; the European standard is 25 frames per second. For television, the NTSC standard is 30 frames per second; the PAL and SECAM standard is 25 frames per second.

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freeze frame

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At a chosen point in a scene, the effect of freezing the action. It is accomplished by repeatedly printing a particular frame.

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full shot

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A shot in which an entire person or object is visible within the frame.

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generation

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Each copy of the original videotape. A deterioration of quality results from the process of copying.

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genlock

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Short for generator lock. A method of synchronizing or electronically locking several video sources together so that they are in electronic time.

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guide track

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A speech track recorded with too much background noise that serves as a guide for the actor to repeat the speech in a studio.

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high-definition television (HDTV)

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A television system that contains 1125 horizontal scan lines per frame. Conventional television displays 525 lines per frame. The screen aspect ration of HDTV is 1.78:1, as opposed to 1.33:1 for standard television.

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insert shot

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also known as a cut away. A noncritical shot used to break or link principal action in scenes.

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interlock

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A method of connecting a separate sound track and picture by means of electronic or mechanical links between devices such as ATRs, VCRs, and film projectors. Interlock is used in the transfer of film to videotape.

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iris

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An adjustable diaphragm of metal leaves over the lens aperture that controls the amount of light passing through the lens. In the early days of film, the stopping down of the iris was used to fade out on the subject in the center of the frame. The effect was cruder than today's light-to-dark fade-out, which affects the entire frame.

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iris in, iris out

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A decorative fade-in or fade-out in which the image appears or disappears as a growing or diminishing oval. This effect was used often in the silent cinema era.

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jump cut

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A cut that breaks the continuity of time by jumping forward from one part of an action to another that is obviously separated from the first by an interval of time.

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key lighting (high or low)

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A high-key image has a characteristic all-over lightness achieved by soft, full illumination on a light-toned subject with light shadows and background.

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lap dissolve

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Also know as a dissolve. A gradual merging of the end of one shot into the beginning of the next, produced by the superimposition of a fade-out onto a fade-in of he equal length.

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leader

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A length of film joined to the beginning of a reel that is used for threading the film through the camera or projector.

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library shot

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A shot used in a film but not recorded specifically for it. Often, newsreel footage is stock, or library, footage filmed previously but copied and used for another film or television show. Journalistic films often rely extensively on library shots.

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lip sync

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The accurate synchronization of a sound track with its corresponding picture. The phrase in lip sync means that the sound matches the picture.

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long shot

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A wide, long-distance shot generally used to establish the scene and give the audience a reference point for subsequent shots.

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loop

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A short length of film joined together at its ends to form an endless band. It can be passed through a projector to give a continuous repetition of the subject. Loops are used to rerecord dialogue and particular sound effects.

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magnetic film

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A strip of magnetically coated or striped material that has perforation similar to hat of photographic film for transport and synchronization. Original audiotape sound is transferred to magnetic film for editing.

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magnetic tape

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A thin plastic or Mylar material coated with fa formula of magnetically responsive ferrous oxide that records and preserves electronic signals.

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M and E tracks

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Separate music and sound effects tracks.

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married print

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The composite of optical sound track and positive print of the complete film. The final laboratory step of printing the film includes the sound track. The synchronization is correct for projection.

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mask

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A shield placed before the camera to cut off some portion of the camera's field of view.

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master shot

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A single shot of an entire piece of dramatic action designed to facilitate the assembly of the closer, detailed shots from which the final sequence will be created.

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match shot

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A cut in which the end of one shot leads logically and visually to the beginning of the second shot. An example is the cut from a character exiting frame right to the character entering frame left.

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match dissolve

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A dissolve in which one object is seen in different settings but occupies the same position on screen throughout the dissolve.

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medium close shot

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A shot with a looser frame than a close shot. A medium close shot of an actor, for example, includes everything from the waist up. A close shot includes only the actor's face.

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medium shot

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For the human figure, a shot from the waist up.

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mix

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To combine the various separate sounds on location or to combine various sound tracks to make a smooth composite.

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monitor

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A video display screen. A monitor usually does not include a tuner.

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montage

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A compilation of images.

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MOS

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Silent shooting (no sound recorded at the time).

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Moviola

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The trade name for a portable editing machine. It is based on the same technical concept as a motion picture projector. Sound is run separately from picture to allow for editing for each sound or picture individually or of both together.

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multiple exposure

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Repeated exposures made on a single series of film frames.

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multitrack

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A technique of sound recording that uses a separate track for each source to permit subsequent mixing and blending.

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narration

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Also called commentary. Descriptive dialogue accompanying a film. Voice over serves as a bridging device between sequences. Voice over can also be used to clarify the narrative intentions of the visuals.

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negative

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Refers to the originating material, film and videotape, used to record images. Tone and color values are reverse of the original.

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negative cutting

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Editing the original negative film from the positive working copy used during the editing. Once the negative cutting is complete, the film is printed form the negative, or an interpositive is printed from the negative.

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nonlinear editing

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Editing videotape out of sequence. It allows the editor to build or switch segments in any manner.

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NTSC

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The North American television standard: a 525-line system that scans 30 interlaced television frames per second.

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off-line edit

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Editing video material using low-cost equipment to produce rough cut before using expensive broadcast-standard equipment for the final work.

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one light

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A film print made using the same exposure for every scene and take on a roll without any color correction

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on-line edit

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The last stage of videotape editing, which results in a final master tape. Time-coded off-line edit decisions are used to create the master tape

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optical

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Any effect carried out using an optical printer. Opticals are usually performed in a laboratory. Dissovles, fades, and wipes are examples of opticals.

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optical printer

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A high-quality film projector and motion picture

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optical track

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The sound track mixed from magnetic track onto a magnetic master mix, then transferred to an optical track so that it can be combined with the visuals on a composite print.

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original

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The film exposed in the camera after processing: the first video recording prior to copying or editing.

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outtake

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A shot or scene discarded in the process of editing.

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PAL

Back 120

The European color television coding standard: a 625-line, 50 Hz television transmission system.

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panning shot

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A shot in which the camera moves along a horizontal axis. A panning shot is often used to establish location or to follow action.

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parallel action

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A device of narration construction in which the development of two pieces of action is represented by alternately showing a fragment of one and then a fragment of another.

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parallel cut

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Sometimes referred to as parallel editing. The intermingling of shots from two or more scenes. An alternating of scenes sometimes implies an eventual relationship between them.

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perforation

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Holes along the edge of a strip of film used for its transport and registration.

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post-production

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The editing of prerecorded material, including the use of special effects and audio dubbing.

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print

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A photographic copy of a film, usually with a positive image.

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random-access editing systems

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Nonlinear electronic video editing equipment allows the editor to build a segment out of sequence without having to modify material on either side of a shot or sequence. the shot and sound information are stored in computer memory, and when needed, picture and sound are switched from on camera to another.

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reaction shot

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A cut to a performer's face to capture an emotional response.

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release print

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A motion picture positive print that includes picture and sound and is made for general distribution and exhibition.

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retake

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The repetition of a take

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reversal film

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A special type of direct positive film

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rewind

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An apparatus for rewinding film

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rushes

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Also know as dailies. The first prints made from the newly processed picture or sound negative, which are used to check content and quality.

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shooting ratio

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The amount of film or tape exposed or recorded in production compared to eh amount actually used in the final edited program.

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single system

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A method of film or videotape recording or editing in which the picture and sound are located on the same piece of film or videotape.

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slate

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A device used in front of the film or television camera to display production information such as scene number, take number, date, and other pertinent information. The clapboard, which also provides a simultaneous sound cue for editing, is one type of slate.

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slave

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A unit designed to function only as ordered by a master unit, for example, a videotape recorder that is controlled by and other VTR.

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slow motion

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A movement or shot that takes place more slowly than it did in reality.

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sound track

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A narrow path that normally runs along one side of cinematographic sound film in which wound is recorded in the form of a light trace varying in its light transmission.

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special effects

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A general term for scenes in which an illusion of the action required is created by the use of special equipment and processes.

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splice

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A physical joining in film or tape

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stock shot

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Also known as library shot. A shot used in a film but not recorded specifically for it. Often, newsreel footage is stock, or library, footage filmed previously but copied and used for another film or television show. Journalistic films often rely extensively on library shots.

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superimpose

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To add one picture on top of another. Usually, both continue to be visible. To add a caption or graphic over a picture.

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sync

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To match sound and picture.

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synchronizer

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An apparatus that facilitates the mechanical operation of synchronizing two tracks.

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synchronous sound

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Sound that has been synchronized with the picture.

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take

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A single recording or shot.

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tilt

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To move the camera on a vertical axis: from down to up.

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time code

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A coding system, usually binary, recorded on audiotape, videotape, and sometimes on film for subsequent synchronization and editing. It denotes hours, minutes, and seconds and allows frames to be identified.

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time code generator

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An electronic clock that generates and assigns to each video or audio frame a unique identification number of eight digits.

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time code reader

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A device that reads and visually displays the eight-digit SMPTE time code.

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track

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A difined part of the recording medium, photographic or magnetic.

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tracking shot

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Also known as a trucking shot. A shot taken when the camera is in motion on a truck, dolly, or trolley.

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trim

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The portion of a shot remaining after the selected material has been used in an edit.

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trolley

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A wheeled device on which the camera can be moved while taking a shot.

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two-shot

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A shot framing two people, usually from the waist up.

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U-matic

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The trade name for a videocassette system that uses three-quarter inch tape.

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videocassette

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A cassette containing video recording tape with separate supply and take-up spools.

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videotape

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Magnetic tape specifically designed for use as a video recording medium.

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videotape recorder (VTR)

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A device used to record and replay television pictures and sound on magnetic tape.

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wide-angle lens

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A lens of short focal length that has a wide angle of view and great depth of field.

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wide screen

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A screen with a ratio greater than 1.33:1.

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wild shooting

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Shooting the picture of a sound film without simultaneously recording the sound of the action.

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wild track

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A sound track recorded independently of the picture with which it will subsequently be combined.

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wipe

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A transition from one shot to another in which a line appear to travel across the screen, removing one shot and revealing another.

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work print

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Also know as a cutting print. The positive print that the editor works with in the editing process. Once complete, the print is used to edit the negative for the printing of the film.

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zoom

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To magnify a chosen area of the image by means of a zoom lens (a lens with a variable focal length). The camera appears to move closer to the subject.