L

An L-cut, also known as a delayed cut, J-cut, or split edit, is a transition where the video and audio do not start simultaneously. The audio may begin before or after the video cuts.

L.F.O.A. - Stands for “Last Frame of the Last Action” and is essentially exactly what the name implies: the final frame of the image and sound on a reel. It is important for those who edit the film (it should be noted on the cue sheet), especially if you need to do “Pull Ups.”

Lab Roll - A large roll (typically up to 1,000 feet) consisting of camera rolls spliced together by a laboratory for printing.

Laboratory

Lacquering

A landmark film is one that is considered revolutionary. This may be due to its artistic qualities or its technological achievements. *Jaws* is a landmark film because it introduced the concept of the modern blockbuster.

See also: DISSOLVE, A AND B CUTTING.

See FLASH.

These are not exactly edge numbers or code numbers written in ink. See “Edge Numbers.”

Hidden Image

Horizontal Shutter

Exposure Tolerance

A lavalier is a small microphone worn by an actor and used to record dialogue. It is typically wireless and omnidirectional, and is small enough to be invisible during filming.

A slang term for the master negative, referring to its fine grain caused by the color of its base.

An editing term indicating the insertion or addition of elements (e.g., “Lay in effects,” “Lay in the sound”).

A detailed plan prepared before filming that outlines the movement, special effects, lighting, etc., within a scene.

Lead actor.

The person who works under the direction of the set decorator and serves as the supervisor of the set decorators.

See FILM LEADER.

Stray Light

Foot

A leitmotif is a recurring, deliberately repeated theme or element in a film. This motif can be a person, a sound, an action, or an idea. It helps tie the film together by reminding the audience of its previous appearance.

Lens

Lens Shift

Lens Adapter

A cylindrical tube that houses and protects the elements of a lens.

Special coating layers applied to a lens’s elements to improve its quality.

Lens Cap

Lens Element

Lens Flare - This occurs when light hits the lens, either causing the entire image to appear hazy or creating a series of polygons (the silhouette of the iris) resulting from light striking the surfaces of the lens’s various elements. You can resolve this issue by flagging the lens.

Parasoley

Lens Speed

Taret

Letterboxing is the process of scaling down a film image so that it appears on a television screen with black bars at the top and bottom. This typically mimics the widescreen format used on older, box-shaped TV screens.

2) In audio recording, the decibel value for the highest-quality recording.

2) A place where pre-recorded music tracks are stored and can be played.

See STOCK FOOTAGE.

Light Box

See EXPOSURE METER.

Lighting

The term used by the British for “director of photography.”

Stray light that enters the camera and leaves small spots on the film. It is also the name of this entry point. Light leaks typically occur around the camera door or where the film magazine attaches to the camera body. They can usually be easily prevented by applying camera tape around the door.

Lights, also known as Timing Lights.

See: GREY CARD.

A set that uses the minimum amount of scenery, background, and props necessary to convey that the action takes place in a specific location.

Limited Release

A supervisor and consultant for on-screen and off-screen elements in a production. The production manager consults this person regarding off-screen elements.

2) In optical effects, match the interpositive with the working print.

1) An actor’s act of miming singing by synchronizing their mouth movements with pre-recorded music. 2) In dubbing, voicing a line to match the on-screen lip movements. See LOOP.

A printing system that minimizes the visibility of scratches and marks caused by wear when printing a copy.

Unlike animation and special effects, scenes filmed with real actors in real locations or in a studio.

Dialogue and ambient sounds recorded during filming.

A fixed amount of additional pay given to employees working in remote locations where they must stay overnight.

Loading film into the camera or onto a reel before shooting.

A member of the camera crew who loads film onto reels and assists the second camera assistant when multiple cameras are used.

A small darkroom, sometimes found in a sound studio, used to load film reels into magazines, offering a wider range of options than a change bag.

Charging Room

Local Shot, Close-up

Location

The person responsible for accounting for all expenses incurred during filming at a location.

See: Location Accountant.

The fee paid for the use of a location and the services it provides during filming.

A person who identifies the necessary locations by reading the screenplay, searches for and finds these locations, evaluates their capabilities and suitability, and takes photographs to present to the director and production designer. Once a location is approved, the location scout obtains the necessary permits to film there and negotiates the terms. Afterward, they are responsible for organizing all details related to the location (such as permits, parking, catering, police, and fire department). They are also responsible for creating a budget for all locations.

Location sound, also known as a buzz track, refers to the recording of background sound while the crew is on location. Recording ambient sounds helps enhance the film’s sense of realism.

The so-called final cut, which is said to be the version of a film after which no further changes will be made to the footage.

A shot taken with the pan and tilt locks secured on a tightly clamped tripod, ensuring that the camera movement does not disrupt the illusion. This is often used, for example, for cuts that make a character magically disappear from a scene or for time-jump effects.

A logline is a 1-2 sentence summary of a film that focuses on the main character, the conflict, and an emotional hook. Writing a logline is harder than it seems.

A lens with a longer focal length than a standard lens. Its main feature is its ability to make distant objects appear as if they were close by. When a telephoto lens is used, the depth of field in the image decreases.

A lens with a focal length greater than 25mm in 16mm format, or a lens with a focal length greater than 50mm in 35mm format, provides an image that magnifies a small area, much like a pair of binoculars.

A general shot of the main subject. The camera is positioned at a distance that allows the main subject or actor to be distinguished within the frame, but without capturing excessive detail. Used for introductory shots or master shots (MASTER SHOT).

The process of replacing existing audio or dialogue with newly recorded versions. Actors are called in for dubbing during post-production to record dialogue that was not recorded well or that needs to be changed.

1) The portion of the film that remains between the reels and passes through the projection window. It is kept at a specific length to ensure that the continuous motion imparted to the film by the reels does not disrupt the intermittent motion in the window and to prevent the film from breaking. 2) A film strip that has been spliced end-to-end to form a loop, allowing the scene to be continuously projected while dubbing is performed.

Looping is a process in which an actor re-records dialogue during post-production. This helps synchronize the dialogue with the actor’s lip movements on screen. It is also known as Automated Dialogue Replacement (or ADR).

Erase, turn off, extinguish. See EIGHTY SIX.

An area where studio buildings (offices, sets, dressing rooms, etc.) are located and where guards are stationed at the entrance to prevent unauthorized persons from entering. See STUDIO.

A low-angle shot is a shot taken from below the subject. The camera tilts upward to capture the character or action, making the subject appear larger or more dramatic than usual.

For video transfer, a print with particularly low contrast is preferred, as it results in less contrast during the transfer process.

The lighting of a scene using dim lights that create abundant shadows, resulting in lighting values in the lower range of the grayscale.

Low-Angle Shot, High-Angle Shot

Abbreviation used for "long shot" (LONG SHOT).

A complete lighting rig, including the stand, lamp, and bulb.