TV Terms - Understanding the Jargon
The TV industry love using jargon and abbreviations. It can be a bit daunting at first so we thought it might be useful to do a helpful guide for newbies. Below are some of the most common ones (not in any order). We’ve also put some links to other people who have written much bigger and better lists.
Hope its of some help!
VT Video Tape – yeah VIDEO! Old School! These are the pre-recorded filmed features used in TV shows. When you watch a programme like The One Show its full of VTs. Roll VT!
TX Transmission. “When does the programme TX?” means when does the programme air?
OB Outside broadcast
DOP Director of Photographer
HoP Head of Production
Caption This is the text that appears below a person on screen. This may also be known as a ‘lower third’ or an aston.
EPK Electronic Press Kit – a bundle of assets for a production e.g. press release, photos and a trailer.
DIT Digital Imaging Technician – basically looking after all the data/footage on the memory cards and making sure all the workflows are ok.
PM Production manager
Wango A boss of mine once used this term, since then I’ve never heard it again, but it means Wide Angle Lens. Never say this, you will get laughed it, it’s a stupid one.
Low End Audio term for bass.
Transition A graphic treatment that is used to edit footage from one piece to another e.g. a dissolve.
Hard cut Basically cutting from one piece of footage to another.
Check out these cool lists for more terms!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_crew
https://gothinkbig.co.uk/features/jargon-buster-how-to-blag-it-in-tv
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2233986&seqNum=4