A femme fatale character who generally has a bad reputation but possesses an alluring and scheming nature.

The point in an image where parallel lines that are not parallel to the image’s visual plane appear to converge at one or more vanishing points, either within or outside the image. Analyzing the vanishing points in a moving image is useful because they can help determine the camera’s height and angle. If there is only one vanishing point in a moving image, it is possible to draw a horizontal line through it; this is called the “horizon line,” which determines the camera’s height when the frame is taken. If there are multiple vanishing points, it is usually necessary to find two opposite vanishing points—typically located outside the frame—and draw a line from one to the other to establish the horizon line. If a horizon line slopes in one direction, it indicates that the camera is tilted to that side.

Vari-Speed - A motor or motor control used to operate a camera or editing machine at a speed faster or slower than standard speed.

Variable-Focus Lens. See Zoom Lens.

A special shutter that controls the exposure of a film frame, with its aperture specified in degrees. Because it has both a fixed part and a movable part that adjusts the aperture, it enables the camera to create motion blur and motion effects.

A camera motor capable of operating at frame rates ranging from 4 frames per second to 50 frames per second and used for low-frame-rate or high-frame-rate shooting. See OVERCRANK, UNDERCRANK.

An optical sound track on which sounds are recorded as horizontal lines of varying intensity, ranging from black to light gray.

A variety entertainment show featuring various short performances on stage—songs, dances, acrobatics, comedy sketches, and animal acts. It gained immense popularity in the United States from the 1880s through the 1920s, but was eventually supplanted by sound films and radio; many early film, radio, and television comedians got their start on the vaudeville circuit.

A storage facility with controlled humidity and temperature and fire-safe conditions, typically used for storing negatives and film reels.

Vault Box - A white, flat, square cardboard box designed to hold a 1,000-foot roll of 35mm or 16mm film on two 1,000-foot reels.

A common household appliance used for recording and/or playing back pre-recorded video cassettes. See VHS, NTSC, and PAL.

The guiding forces that direct our eyes from one point to another within an image or a shot. There are essentially three main types of vectors.

Any type of vehicle used in production.

See: Crane.

A camera technique in which the camera zooms in or out while simultaneously tracking the subject backward or forward. This keeps the subject at the center of the frame while the surroundings recede and expand behind it. Also known as a dolly zoom, this effect takes its name from its prominent use in Hitchcock’s film *Vertigo*.

It was a common format for VCR systems that were popular worldwide in the 1990s.

2) The image portion of a video tape.

Video Control

A person who works in the video field—recording moving images and sound onto linear analog or digital tape, digital discs, or other digital recording media such as memory cards.

The screen that allows the film to be viewed at the editing table.

The part of the camera that allows the operator to view the image captured within the film frame. See also: RACKOVER, PARALLAX.

A type of action film in which the protagonist generally takes the law into his own hands as an agent of justice, revenge, and retribution.

To keep the area of interest in the image sharp while blurring the surrounding area.

A term that broadly refers to special effects—or, in some cases, specific methods such as special laboratory processes, special lighting, sets, filters, and film manipulation—used to create a particular atmosphere. Large-budget productions often include a visual effects consultant.

The person responsible for setting up miniature models, creature puppets, or whatever else is involved in the camera shot so that the object can perform as required during filming. Rigging creates digital skeletons for computer-generated (CG) characters. These skeletons, or rigs, are similar to puppets that define how a character or creature runs, how a person’s face and mouth move while singing, or how someone raises an eyebrow.

The head of a production’s visual effects team. VFX supervisors are responsible for the entire VFX project. They manage the VFX pipeline and oversee all VFX artists working on the project. They bear ultimate responsibility for all VFX elements produced by their company or studio for a given project.

Dialogue or narration in which the speaker does not appear on screen.

Recorded dialogue that comes from off-screen or is not visible within the frame. It is typically used to convey a character’s thoughts or comes from the voice of a narrator. In a screenplay, voice-over is abbreviated as “V.O.”

An unseen person who delivers the dialogue required for a voice-over.

Recorded dialogue that comes from off-screen or is not visible within the frame. It is typically used to convey a character’s thoughts or to provide narration. In a screenplay, voice-over is abbreviated as “V.O.”