Comprehensive Glossary of Video Production Slang

Patty Mooney is a trailblazing video producer, writer & mountain biking champion. She has been VP at Crystal Pyramid Productions, San Diego's longest-serving video production company since 1982, and New & Unique Videos since 1985.

Comprehensive Glossary of Video Production Slang

Over the past 42 years in the San Diego video production industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless talented crews on thousands of projects. From one-day shoots to productions spanning several days, the energy on set is always electric, and the camaraderie among team members is one of my favorite aspects of this work. Here in San Diego, with its stunning backdrops and bustling creative scene, I’ve been lucky to witness—and document—the unique culture of video production. For many years, I’ve written articles for Videomaker Magazine, Post Magazine and others about various aspects of video production.

From the very beginning of my career, I started jotting down interesting slang terms I overheard on set in a small notepad I carried everywhere. Whether it was a quirky term from a grip, a lighting trick from a gaffer, or a bit of shorthand from a director, I found these expressions fascinating. Over time, that notepad grew into this glossary—a celebration of the colorful, humorous, and practical language that makes up the shared vocabulary of video production crews.

This glossary is a labor of love, a reflection of the incredible people I’ve worked with, and a tribute to the vibrant, ever-evolving world of video production. I hope you find it as entertaining and insightful as I do.

Let’s dive in!

A-B

• Abby Singer – The second-to-last shot of the day, named after production manager Abby Singer.
• Air Gap – When two cables are not connected.
• Apples – Apple boxes used for talent to stand on.
• Apple Core – A broken or discarded apple box.
• At Speed – Camera rolls briefly before talent begins.
• Ax Handle – Measurement for blocking scenes, approximately the width of an ax handle.
• Bag It – Laying a sandbag on the C-stand.
• Bio Break – Scheduled bathroom break during a shoot.
• Bird – Satellite.
• Black Duvie – Black fireproof cloth (Duvetyne) used for blocking light or sound.
• Blonde – 2000W light.
• Boom – Microphone on a pole used to collect sound.
• BTS – Behind the Scenes.

C-E

• C-47 (Bullets or Pins) – Clothespins used for securing gels to lights.
• Cable Management – Organizing cables to avoid tripping hazards.
• Call Sheet – Schedule and contact sheet sent to crew.
• Camera Car – A vehicle rigged for tracking shots.
• Cinemagician – Creative cinematographer who solves problems.
• Clapper – Clapperboard or slate used between takes.
• Clap the Stix – Clapping the clapperboard for synchronization.
• Cover Set – Indoor location for bad weather shoots.
• Cowboy Shot – Medium close-up, showing from mid-thigh up.
• Cue – Signal to talent to begin.
• Cut – Direction to stop filming or to splice video during editing.

G-H

• Gary Coleman – A short C-stand.
• Gel Sandwich – Stacked gels to create lighting effects.
• Golden Hour – First and last light of the day.
• Gremlins – Unexpected technical problems.
• Grip-and-Grin – Shot where people shake hands and smile for the camera.
• Grip Milk – Beer after the shoot.
• Hard Out – Fixed time someone must leave.
• Honey Wagon – Portable restroom.
• Human C-Stand – Person holding equipment instead of using a stand.

I-J

• Idiot Check – Final sweep of a location to ensure nothing is left behind.
• Impact Repair – Fixing equipment by banging on it.
• In the Can – All footage for the project has been captured.
• It’s a Wrap – Shoot is completed; time to tear down equipment.
• Jump Cut – Sudden visual jump in continuity.

K-M

• Kill the Baby – Turning off a small light.
• Lilliput (Small Redhead) – 300W light.
• Look Down the Barrel – Looking directly into the camera.
• Luke Strike Walker – Person who leaves before teardown.
• Magic Hour – UK term for "Golden Hour."
• Martini Shot – Last shot of the day.
• Meat Axe – Flag shaped like an axe head used to control light.
• Mickey Rooney – A slow camera movement or "slow creep."
• Monkey Arms – PA holding equipment in an awkward position.

N-R

• Nat Sound – Natural ambient sound.
• Nuke It – Overexpose a shot for effect.
• One-Take Wonder – Talent who nails it on the first take.
• Popcorn Lighting – Scattered lighting effect using bare bulbs.
• Rack – Adjusting soft focus.
• Recce (ˈrɛki) – Location scouting for suitability. (UK term)
• Redhead – 800W light.
• Rolling – Camera is operating and ready to capture video.
• Room Tone – 30 seconds of recorded silence for editing.
• Run ‘n Gun – Quickly capturing footage, often for news crews.
• Run Bag – Essentials bag for quick access during shoots.

S-Z

• Scratching the Boom – Testing boom mic sound.
• Settle – Command for quiet on set.
• Shoot for Safety – Extra take to ensure a clean shot.
• Skateboard Dolly – DIY dolly using a skateboard.
• Spray the Room – Capturing a wide variety of B-Roll.
• Stage Cactus – Person leaving latches open, causing potential injuries.
• Sticks – Tripod or “Legs” (UK term).
• Stinger – Extension cord.
• Strike the Set – Teardown of the set and equipment.
• Texas Two-Step – Camera operator’s movement to avoid obstacles.
• Video Village – Area where crew monitors IMAG, teleprompters, and other equipment.
• Woof – Direction to crew to stop adjustments: “That’s perfect.”
• Zebra Stripes – Overexposure indicators in the camera viewfinder.