Glossary

Some terms can be useful in providing a common vocabulary with which to discuss and analyze mass media and the processes involved in media construction.

Ad lib - extemporaneous talk by radio performer.

Advertising - any paid form of nonpersonal presentation of ideas, goods, or services by an identified sponsor.

Advertorials, info-mercials - paid announcements in print or screen media designed as an entertainment or educational presentation.

Aerial shot - a shot from a crane, plane, or helicopter.

Air date - the date on which a program will be broadcast.

Air time - the time at which a radio program is broadcast.

Animation - the process by which inanimate objects or drawings are made to appear to move on the screen.

Bias - a preference that interferes with objective judgements.

Broadcasting - the transmission of radio or TV signals on frequencies available to anyone with basic receivers.

Broadcast medium - a medium such as radio or television that sends electronic signals through the air or cables.

Camera angle - the position of the camera relative to the horizontal plane of the subject. In a high-angle shot, the camera is above the subject; in an eye-level or flat shot, the camera is on the same plane as the subject; in a low-angle shot, the camera is below the subject. Camera angles should make sense within the context of the shot.

Camera distance - the apparent distance of the camera from the subject (extreme close (XCU), close-up (CU), medium shot (MS), long shot (LS)).

Camera movement - an actual or simulated movement relative to the subject:

• pan - slow, steady movement across a scene from a fixed point
• follow - like the pan, but the camera is directed at an individual or object as it moves through a scene
• tilt - a vertical pan or follow
• zoom in and zoom out - use of the zoom lens to approach or back away from the subject
• dolly or track - use of a wheeled vehicle to move the camera alongside, toward, or away from the action.

Casting - the selection of individuals who will appear in a film or program.

CD-ROM - a compact disc that contains software in a multimedia format.

Cinematographer - the person responsible for photographing the film.

Close up (CU) - shot in which an important detail, object, or facial expression fills the screen.

Communication - the exchange of messages between a sender and a receiver in which the message is understood by the receiver; the process by which messages are formulated, exchanged, and interpreted.

Composition (visual media) - the placement and use of all the various elements in the frame of a movie, television show, or photograph in order to achieve maximum impact.

Continuity - the scripted part of a documentary program which introduces the topic, connects the various components (usually recorded interviews), and concludes the program; provides coherence to the disparate components of these programs.

Cut - the immediate change from one shot to the next.

Cut (noun) - a piece of tape which is edited and ready for use, or a complete song from an LP, cassette, or CD.

Cut (verb) - the physical process of editing or cutting audiotape.

Cyberspace - the electronic environment created by the links among computers and other electronic equipment such as satellites.

Dead air - the period of time when no programming is being broadcast, even though radio station is "on the air".

Delivery - an oral presentation on radio; effective voice qualities (e.g., pitch, tone, diction, and pace) that enhance the verbal message.

Director - the person responsible for the creative interpretation of the script, story, or issue and the supervision of its filming and editing.

DJ (disk jockey) - a host/announcer of a radio music program.

Docudrama - a semi-fictionalized film or program that mixes documentary footage with dramatic scenes or re-enactments.

Documentary - a factual film about a particular subject or a radio program which treats an event or issue in depth.

Dominant Culture - a societal group with power or authority.

Dub - an electronic process of duplicating a tape.

Editing (print media) - a process of selecting and arranging items and of revising writing in newspapers, magazines, and other print media.

Editing (sound) - a process of arranging and bringing together all the individual soundtracks (e.g., dialogue, sound effects, music) and combining them onto one master track.

Editing (visual) - a process of selecting, arranging, and combining shots.

Episode - one show of a television series.

Establishing shot (ES) - generally a long shot or extreme long shot used to show the setting.

Extreme close up (ECU) - a close up in which a small detail fills the entire screen.

Extreme long shot (ELS) - a very wide shot, often a panoramic view.

Fade-in - a shot that begins totally over or under exposed (white or black) and gradually becomes properly exposed.

Fade-out - a shot that ends by changing from the proper exposure to an extreme under or over exposure.

Fast motion - the opposite of slow motion (i.e., filmed at fewer than 24 frames per second).

Format - the overall concept of a radio station’s sound (includes factors like music, news, personalities, with number and placement of "spots" and "jingles"; may be a broad overall idea or highly detailed rigid set of slogans and top songs that are endlessly repeated).

Frame - a single, still image from a film or video.

Freeze frame - an effect in which a single frame is held on screen for an indefinite time.

Gaffer - the chief electrician responsible for lights.

Gatekeepers - the people who determine what will be printed, broadcast, produced, or consumed in the mass media.

Genre - a way to classify prose, poetry, drama, and other media.

High angle shot - a shot in which the camera looks down upon the subject from a higher vantage point.

Icon - a highly valued person or product in popular culture.

Ideology - a system of beliefs that is characteristic of a particular class or group.

Interactive - able to be affected or changed by something the user does; most CD-ROMs are interactive.

Jingle - recorded singing, usually of station call letters or slogan.

Jolts - a term used by the commercial television industry to refer to moments of excitement generated by visual and/or aural techniques.

Juxtaposition - the positioning of items side by side or close together.

Kicker - a humorous or light-hearted story sometimes used at the end of a newscast.

Live - material that is not recorded but is broadcast as spoken; the acoustical quality of a room or area that causes a great deal of reverberation.

Log - a legal record of radio station operation; there are two types--a "station" or "program" log which indicates placement and length of required program material, including commercials, and a "transmitter" log which indicates technical readings and changes.

Logo - a distinctive identifying symbol for communication, publication, or screen presentation.

Mainstream media - media created for and favoured by large numbers of people in society (related to popular culture).

Market - a potential listening audience in the area the radio station broadcasts; potential buyers of the products and services advertised by the radio station.

Marketing - the process of promoting and selling a product or service based on decisions about what the product image should be and who is most likely to buy it.

Mass media - media such as television, radio, and newspapers that can reach a large group of people.

Media - the plural of medium.

Media effects - a general term that refers to the consequences or impacts of media use on individuals, society, and culture.

Media event - a reported event that appears to be news, but is actually staged by an individual, group, or government.

Media literacy - an understanding of media methods and messages.

Medium - a format for communicating messages.

Medium shot (MS) - a medium close shot in which the head, shoulders, and chest are normally included in the frame.

Mixer - an electronic device which receives input from a variety of sources and mixes them to produce a single output.

Mixing - the actual combining of sound from different sources; usually done through the "audio board" or "mixer".

Montage - a sequence of shots cut together often in a stylized way, to suggest a theme or idea rather than a continuous event.

Multimedia - format that combines such elements as sound, text, photographs, and moving video images.

Narration - a scripted voice-over commentary, read by a narrator or participant in a film.

Network - a system of many computers connected together; a company that distributes programs for broadcast.

Nonverbal - communication that relies on visual messages.

Output - sound from a tape recorder, amplifier, mixer, or other piece of equipment; may be in the form of electrical energy or sound.

Pan - short for "panoramic" shot; a horizontal movement in which the camera is turned from the left to right or right to left to follow a moving subject or give a sweeping view across a scene.

Personal media - media that grants control over the outcome of the communication process to the user (e.g., VCRs, personal computers, video games).

Picture editor - the person responsible for cutting the picture in the editing room.

Point of view (POV) - a subjective shot that shows the point of view of a particular character.

Popular culture - widespread, prevalent, and current trends or fads; arts, customs, beliefs, and all other products of human thought made by and favoured by large numbers of people in a society.

Prime time - the most popular time to watch television.

Print codes - the codes which help the reader understand the newspaper or magazine and which have an impact on the reader’s response.

• layout and design - include colour, typeface, arrangement of stories, photographs, advertisements, bulletins, and size of items on the page; often have a significant influence on reader response
• caption - includes one or two lines of print under a photograph or other illustration
• inverted pyramid pattern - the hypothetical structure of newspaper stories.

Print media - any presentation that uses paper.

Producer - the person who plans, co-ordinates, and supervises the overall production of a film, including personnel and budget.

Production manager - the person responsible for the shooting schedule and for solving problems on location during filming.

Programming (television) - the types of programs shown and their placement in the schedule.

Propaganda - the information and opinions that are intended to convince people to accept or reject a certain idea.

Ratings - the periodic measurement of a radio or television station’s audience size.

Rough cut - the first assembly of a film or program in which selected shots are edited together.

Rushes (or dailies) - film that is processed as soon as possible after shooting so it can be viewed by director and crew.

Scene - a clearly identifiable part of an event, usually in a single location and in a single time span; it generally consists of several shots.

Screen media - motion picture, television, and computer messages presented on a flat panel.

Screenplay - a dramatic script for a film or television program that includes both dialogue and action descriptions.

Sequence - a series of scenes shown together (related by theme, plot, or location) that make up an organic whole and that has a clearly identifiable beginning and end; usually several sequences are put together to make even a short film.

Shooting script - a detailed script for a dramatic film or program in which the action is broken down shot by shot.

Slow motion - action which appears to happen at slower than normal speed.

Sound editing - stage in which sound effects and music are added to program.

Sound effects (SFX, FX) - sound from any source other than voice-over narration, lip-sync, or music.

Speaker - a device which converts electrical energy to sound.

Spin-off - a television show or video game based on the ideas or characters from another source.

Split screen - an effect in which two or more shots occupy different portions of the scene at the same time.

Spot - a radio term for a commercial or public service announcement.

Stereotype - a highly opinionated, predictable, biased, and simplistic view.

Storyboard - a "short shot" script which includes drawings of each shot for a movie or for some television shows.

• Three main elements: a description of the shot (e.g., medium shot, low angle, camera movement); a drawing of the shot; a description of the sound (dialogue, music, effects)
• Formats differ and are dependent on the needs of the creator and the type of media text being produced.

Subject (visual medium) - what the image in the frame of a movie, television show, or photograph represents.

Synchronized sound - the matching of sound to action on the screen.

Tabloid -technically, a publication usually half the size of a standard newspaper page; commonly used to refer to a splashy, heavily illustrated newspaper; a "supermarket" newspaper stressing dramatic stories, often about sensational subjects.

Tag - a scripted closing to a tape story, usually identifying the speaker/reporter and location; may also be used by the in-studio announcer at the end of a "remote" report; may be a commercial or public service announcement for a particular market.

Target audience - specific groups of people that media producers or advertisers want to reach.

Technological communication - communication by the newer technologies of film, videotape, and electronic media such as e-mail and the Internet.

Telecommunications media - sometimes refers to all forms of electronic media; media that permits point-to-point interconnectivity and interactivity.

Telecommute - to use computers, modems, and telephones to support work at home; a substitute to the traditional office.

Tracking shot (dolly shot) - a shot in which the camera is mounted on a wheeled platform or dolly to create smooth, steady movements.

Travelling shot - a shot taken from a moving vehicle.

Turntable - a record player without an amplifier.

Video essay - a video which presents factual information about a specific topic.

Videotex - an information system providing for consumer control over interactive cable or telephone lines; can be used for information storage and retrieval, in-home banking and shopping, and other interactive communication.

Virtual reality - a computer-created world that seems very real.

Visual communication - any optically stimulating message that is understood by the viewer.

Voice over (VO) - a voice or commentary recorded for use on the film’s soundtrack.

Wire copy - news material written by wire services (e.g., Canadian Press, United Press International); news gathered from around the world and transmitted to subscribing newspapers, radio, and television stations via telephone lines.

World Wide Web - a large directory of information on the Internet.

Zoom shot - camera shot that creates the illusion of moving toward or away from a subject simply by changing the focal length of the lens. A Zoom In magnifies objects to make them appear close; a Zoom Out widens the angle view, making objects appear to move farther away.