See T-Stop.

Similar to an f-stop, some lenses—particularly zoom lenses—may have f-stops on one side of the aperture ring and t-stops on the other. To distinguish between the two, t-stops will be red and f-stops will be white. T-stops are used in place of f-stops for exposure settings. Lenses with a large number of glass elements typically lose a small amount of light. T-stops are calibrated not mathematically, but based on the actual amount of light hitting the film. However, while you should use t-stops to adjust exposure, the resulting f-stop indicates how much depth of field you have.

Aperture values calculated based on each lens’s unique light transmission.

Tachometer

Taft-Hartley Act

A short scene at the end of a television show, similar to a closing credits sequence.

A short sentence or witty phrase that succinctly summarizes a film for a general audience. It is intended to mislead viewers about what the film is actually about. For example, the tagline for *Alien* is: “In space, no one can hear you scream.”

End of Reel

In some cases, a take must be marked at the end rather than the beginning. When this is done, it is called a “tail slate.” Typically, “Tail Slate!” is called out before the slate is struck, so that the person synchronizing the film does not get confused. To easily distinguish a tail slate, the slate is held upside down while marking the take.

Reel End

Shooting

An empty reel used to collect the film after it has passed through the camera.

Winding Reel

Actors (including animals) within or outside the frame.

A term commonly used for sound films, which began in 1927. The advent of "talkies" marked the beginning of the era of sound films, in contrast to silent films.

A medium-shot of people talking; typically used to describe a boring scene.

A slang term that refers to a word, choice, name, or designation, as well as its meaning.

Tape

See: Splice.

See: Gobo, Flag.

See: Welfare Worker.

A highly emotional or touching film that typically features suffering female protagonists, tragic situations, manipulative scenes, and dramatic musical scores; melodramas are sometimes derisively referred to as “chick flicks.”

When a film is released, a short teaser trailer—usually released months in advance—provides a brief glimpse into the film and builds audience anticipation. Teaser trailers are generally shorter than the final trailer and reveal more of the film’s story.

An expert in a particular field who provides advice on production.

Technical Consultant

Technical Coordinator

Technicolor

Telesine

Refers to a feature-length film produced for television; it is also known as a television movie.

It is generally used as an equivalent for a "long lens," but for those who want to be extremely precise, a telephoto lens is physically shorter than its focal length.

Telephoto lens

Television Screenplay

An electronic system that replaces cue cards (CUE CARDS). Using a monitor placed next to the camera lens and a half-mirror positioned at an angle in front of the lens, it allows the actor or announcer speaking while looking into the lens to read the text that appears on the monitor.

A feature-length film financed by a television network is intended to premiere on television.

An episode of a television series is used to sell a show to a television network or another distributor. A pilot is created as a test run to gauge whether a series will be successful.

A television production that is not part of a regularly scheduled series (such as an awards ceremony or concert).

A short commercial or public service announcement that airs during TV programs.

The pace and rhythm at which events unfold in a film.

A 10-kilowatt spot lamp.

An industry term referring to a film that a studio will serve as the primary backer for and that is generally expected to generate the highest box office revenue during the summer season. The film is usually the first installment in a series or part of a franchise.

The sequence of commands that starts a take typically includes: “Roll Sound!” “Roll Camera!” “Mark it!” “And... Action!”

The flat surface of a grooved glass plate located at the same distance from the film plane in a camera’s imaging system.

A wooden board with two hinged rods. The board is used at the beginning of a take to mark a scene number and a synchronization point (using the crossbar).

A lens that is actually positioned in front of the door and produces an image on film.

1) The central idea of a film. 2) A piece of music associated with a particular place or person (Lara’s theme in the film *Doctor Zhivago*).

An underexposed negative.

Loading the film onto the sprockets, gate, and film path in the camera, projector, or printer.

A medium shot featuring three people within the frame. This is the opposite of a “single” or “double” shot.

The basic structure of the TECHNICOLOR system.

The distance between the screen onto which the image is projected and the projector’s lens.

THX, a division of Lucasfilm, Ltd., is dedicated to enhancing video and audio for cinemas and home use. THX offers a series of high-quality audio and video reproduction standards for movie theaters, screening rooms, home theaters, computer speakers, video game consoles, car audio systems, and video games.

A device used to bypass a location’s circuit breaker box and electrical wiring draws power directly from the main grid.

A cinematographic term referring to a close-up of the subject. When a director wants an extremely close shot or tight framing of the subject, they typically say "tight on."

A close-up of an actor or object. See CLOSE-UP.

A device sometimes found on the right-hand side winds the film onto a core, giving it a very straight edge. If you’re just rewinding onto a single reel, this can be faster than unwinding and rewinding split reels. This is not for trims, but for selections and cuts. Do not confuse this with a trash can!

A tight spool is useless without it. This is the hub that holds the core on a spool.

Tilt, Vertical Rotation

A shot in which a camera tilts up or down along a vertical axis. It is typically used to suggest a sense of instability or to emphasize a character’s threat or power.

Intermittent Shooting

An electronic guide track added to film, video, or audio material provides a time reference for editing and synchronization.

Unlike a One Light Print, this is a print in which each frame is timed by a timer.

A laboratory technician who evaluates the color balance of shots and performs the necessary color corrections (COLOR CORRECTIONS).

1) An actor’s ability to create the appropriate tempo for a scene in harmony with the rhythm and flow of the performance. 2) A lab technician’s evaluation of the density and color balance of film shots. 3) Calculating the length of scenes in a screenplay once the film is completed and screened. A well-timed project avoids many unnecessary expenses. Scenes that are too long are shortened during the screenplay phase, before editing begins.

These are the lamps of the contact printer in the lab. Their brightness is adjustable and measured on a scale from 1 to 50, with 1 being the darkest and 50 the brightest. In color film, three lamps are used together: Red – Green – Blue. It is important to remember that the values are reversed when working with negatives: the brighter the lamp, the darker the print will be.

A list of the timing lights used during the lab run and their corresponding footmarks. The timing report can be very helpful for analyzing the footage and evaluating the possibilities for further corrections. Serious issues with the footage (out of focus, scratches, edge haze, etc.) are usually noted in the timing report as well.

The person who designs how a film’s title appears on screen. The way a film’s title appears on screen is generally regarded as an art form. Saul Bass is considered a master of title design.

The lead role in a film, named after the film’s title.

Text that appears at the beginning and end of a film. The text displaying the film’s title is called the “main title” (MAIN TITLE). Text superimposed over the image to display dialogue translated into a foreign language is called “subtitles” (SUBTITLES).

Words that appear on the screen and convey information; title categories include credit titles, main titles, end titles, insert titles, and subtitles. Title design refers to the person who designs how a film’s title appears on screen. The way a title appears on screen is generally regarded as an art form. Saul Bass is considered a master of title design.

The ratio of light to dark areas in an image. “High key” refers to images illuminated with abundant light and lacking harsh shadows, while “low key” refers to dimly lit images with abundant shadows. See: HIGH KEY, LOW KEY.

Tone

Tone

The placement of an actor’s or crew member’s name in the credits or on posters in a more prominent position relative to the film’s title (MAIN TITLE); if there is a single name, it appears before the title and is centered; if there are two names, they appear before the title and are aligned to the left. To ensure balance on a single card listing the names of two people of equal standing, the name on the right is placed higher than the one on the left.

See: High Hat.

Home Page, Summary Page

To appear in the title of a film or have one’s name listed in the credits. A topliner is the star of a particular film.

In French, it means “compelling performance.” It generally refers to the performance of an exceptionally talented, brilliant, captivating, and masterfully executed lead actor; a performance that reflects a very high standard and perfectly showcases the actor’s talent.

2) Wooden or metal rails laid beneath the wheels of a dolly.

Follow-Up Plan

It refers to a personal touch or embellishment within a film by an actor, director, writer, producer, or department head; something that becomes a signature or calling card.

Refers to professional magazines and publications that report on daily or weekly news in the entertainment industry.

A daily or weekly newspaper covering the entertainment industry.

Trailer

A short promotional video, trailer, or advertisement for a film or an upcoming film; typically lasting between two and three minutes, it is usually shown during the screening of another film and contains short clips and scenes.

Animal Trainer

Transfer, Transmission

One of several ways to transition from one shot or scene to another—including transition effects such as cuts, fades, blackouts, and wipes—is a transition; a transition between two scenes ensures that the current scene is out of focus and the next scene is in focus.

Transition Effect

See: Backing.

Transparent

Submit

The person responsible for managing a production’s cast, crew, and equipment across various locations and sets used during filming.

A complex process in which two or more moving shots, filmed at different times, are combined to appear as a single shot.

See: Dolly Shot.

A shot in which the foreground action is superimposed onto a background that was filmed separately using optical printing or digital compositing.

A film made to showcase scenes of foreign, exotic locations.

Treatment

Triangle

Manipulated Image

Three films that are grouped together and are generally related in terms of subject or theme; three films that typically form part of a larger narrative.

2) Placing a sheer fabric in front of a lamp to reduce its brightness.

The unused sections of a film that the editor has cut out.

See also: Bin.

A wheeled box on an editing bench, covered with a fabric bag and supported by rods so it remains suspended while the film is being edited. Interestingly, the trim bin is not small, but it is not used for selections or cuts. It should not be confused with a trash can!

Trims are typically short takes, usually one foot or less in length. To ensure they are kept separate from longer takes, they are generally stored separately—either in their own canisters or in a trim book.

Intervalometer

A film strip coated with three successive layers of emulsion, each sensitive to one of the primary colors.

Refers to talented individuals who are equally skilled at singing, dancing, and acting; it is generally applicable to performances in the musical genre; it can also refer to a person who possesses acting, directing, and writing skills.

Camera Stand

A part of the tripod that serves as the pan and tilt mechanism to which the camera is attached.

A clamp used to hang lights on the set walls.

Pan Shot

The color temperature of artificial light for a virtual lamp is 3,200K. Quartz lamps use a tungsten filament that glows at 3,200K, which is where this term comes from. It is balanced for tungsten light used in indoor shots on color film; otherwise, the image will appear orange. If tungsten-balanced film is used outdoors without a correction filter, the image will appear pale blue.

The minimum rest period a person must take before returning to work after finishing a workday. An actor who finishes work on Friday must take 58 hours off before returning to work on Monday. If this period is shortened, the person is entitled to compensation.

A plate used in camera models predating the invention of the lens (typically in television and 16 mm cameras) that holds several lenses and, when rotated, allows these lenses to be quickly swapped out.

A film marketed as having a surprise ending; it is generally considered that this surprise (a spoiler) should not be revealed to people who have not yet seen the film.

Refers to a film consisting of only two characters.

A medium or close-up shot of two people (usually in a chest-up shot) who are generally engaged in dialogue; it is typically used to contrast the two characters.

A close-up in which two people fill the frame.

A device used to capture shake-free footage from a helicopter or airplane.

Selecting an actor for a role based on their resemblance to the character they will portray or because they have previously played similar roles (such as casting Roger Moore in the role of an international spy).

A situation in which an actor is generally (though unfairly) defined, associated with, or “stereotyped” by a character role; the opposite of this is considered to be “counter-typing.”