--- title: "Video Production Glossary: 51 Terms Explained (2026)" url: https://pictureperfectvideo.com/video-production-glossary description: "Plain English definitions of 51 video production terms, from B-roll and shot lists to color grading, deliverables, usage rights and drone rules." updated: 2026-10-14 business: Picture Perfect Video LLC phone: 945-212-2522 email: info@pictureperfectvideo.com --- Reference · Glossary # Video Production Glossary: 51 Terms Explained By [Charles Andrulis](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/about) · Picture Perfect Video · October 14, 2026 Every industry has its shorthand, and video has plenty. This glossary defines the terms you will hear when planning, shooting and finishing a video, in plain English, so briefs, quotes and feedback make sense on both sides. ## How to use this glossary 51 terms, grouped by stage of a project, each defined in a sentence or two. Jump to a section: Planning, Shooting, Audio, Post-production, Delivery and business, Drones. ## Planning Creative brief A one or two page document that states the goal of a video, the audience, the key message, where it will run and the deadline. Every other planning document builds on it. Treatment A short written pitch that describes how a video will look and feel, often with reference images, before a script or shot list exists. Script The written words and scene descriptions for a video. Testimonials and documentaries often use an outline of questions instead. Storyboard A sequence of sketches or frames that shows each planned shot in order, used to agree on framing and pacing before the shoot. Shot list A numbered list of every shot needed on the day, with framing, movement and priority, so nothing important is missed. Call sheet The schedule sent to everyone working a shoot day: call times, addresses, contacts, parking, weather and the order of scenes. Location scout A visit to a location before the shoot to check light, sound, power, access and permissions. Talent release A signed form that gives permission to use a person's image and voice in the finished video. Location release A signed agreement from a property owner that allows filming on site and use of the footage. Certificate of insurance (COI) A document from a production's insurer proving liability coverage, often naming the venue or city as an additional insured. ## Shooting A-roll The primary footage that carries the story, usually interviews or on-camera dialogue. B-roll Supporting footage cut over or between the A-roll, such as details, people working, products and locations. Establishing shot A wide shot that shows where a scene takes place, usually at the start of a sequence. Frame rate How many images are captured per second. 24 frames per second looks cinematic, 30 is common for web and broadcast, and 60 or higher allows slow motion. Slow motion Footage recorded at a high frame rate, such as 60 or 120 frames per second, and played back at a normal rate so motion appears slower. 4K A video resolution of about 4,000 pixels wide, usually 3840 by 2160. Shooting in 4K leaves room to crop and reframe in editing. Aspect ratio The shape of the frame. 16:9 is horizontal for YouTube and websites, 9:16 is vertical for Reels, TikTok and Shorts, and 1:1 or 4:5 suit feeds. Log footage A flat, low contrast recording profile that keeps more detail in highlights and shadows for color grading later. Gimbal A motorized stabilizer that keeps a handheld camera smooth while moving. Golden hour The period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when sunlight is soft, warm and low. Blue hour The short period just before sunrise and after sunset when the sky turns deep blue, popular for skyline and exterior shots. Timelapse A sequence of frames captured at intervals and played back quickly, so hours pass in seconds. Run and gun A lean shooting style with a small crew and minimal setup, used for events and fast moving coverage. ## Audio Lavalier microphone A small clip-on microphone worn on clothing, standard for interviews. Boom microphone A directional microphone on a pole held just out of frame above the speaker. Room tone About 30 seconds of silence recorded on location, used by editors to smooth gaps in dialogue. Music licensing Permission to use a song in a video. Commercial use needs a license that covers the platform and the length of the campaign. ## Post-production Post-production Everything after the shoot: editing, color, sound, graphics and exports. Rough cut The first assembled edit, used to review the story and structure before polishing. Fine cut A refined edit with timing, pacing and selects close to final. Picture lock The point when the edit is approved and no more changes to shots or timing will be made, so color and sound can be finished. Revision round One set of consolidated client notes applied to an edit. Projects usually include a set number of rounds. Color correction Fixing exposure and white balance so shots match and look natural. Color grading Shaping the overall look and mood of the footage after it is corrected. LUT A lookup table, a preset that converts footage from one color profile to another, often used as a starting point for a grade. Sound mix Balancing dialogue, music and effects to consistent, broadcast-safe levels. Motion graphics Animated text and graphics such as titles, logos and data visuals. Lower third A text graphic in the lower part of the frame that names a speaker or location. Captions On-screen text of the dialogue. Open captions are burned into the video; closed captions can be turned on and off. ## Delivery and business Deliverables The final files a client receives, defined by length, aspect ratio, format and quantity. Cutdowns Shorter versions of a main video, such as 30, 15 and 6 second edits for ads and social. Same-day edit A short edit delivered during or right after an event, usually for social media. Brand film A polished video that tells the story of a company or venue, used on websites, in pitches and in ads. Sizzle reel A fast, energetic highlight edit that shows the best moments of a brand or event. Content retainer A monthly agreement for a set amount of shooting and editing, used to keep social channels supplied. Day rate The price for a crew for a full shoot day, typically 8 to 10 hours. A half day is usually up to 4 or 5 hours. Usage rights The terms that define where, how long and for what purpose the client may use the finished video. Codec The method used to compress video files. H.264 and H.265 are common for delivery; ProRes is common for editing and archives. ## Drones Part 107 The FAA rule for commercial drone flights in the United States. Pilots need a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly for business. LAANC Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, the FAA system that gives drone pilots fast authorization to fly in controlled airspace near many airports. Controlled airspace Airspace around airports where drone flights need FAA authorization. Much of Las Vegas and parts of Dallas sit inside it. ## Common questions ### What is B-roll in video production? B-roll is supporting footage cut over or between the main footage, such as details, people working, products and locations. The main footage, usually interviews, is called A-roll. ### What is the difference between color correction and color grading? Color correction fixes exposure and white balance so shots match and look natural. Color grading then shapes the overall look and mood. ### What is a shot list? A numbered list of every shot needed on a shoot day, with framing, movement and priority, so nothing important is missed. ### What does picture lock mean? Picture lock is the point when the edit is approved and shots and timing will not change, so color and sound can be finished. ### What are deliverables? Deliverables are the final files a client receives, defined by length, aspect ratio, format and quantity, such as a 60 second 16:9 film plus 9:16 social cutdowns. Plan your project ## Speak the same language. Bring your goals and we will turn them into a clear brief, shot list and deliverables list. [Book a free call →](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/contact) ## Related reading * [Picture Perfect Video company facts](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/picture-perfect-video-company-facts) * [What to expect on a video shoot](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/what-to-expect-las-vegas-video-shoot) * [Video shoot checklist](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/dallas-video-shoot-checklist) * [Las Vegas filming permits](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/las-vegas-filming-permits) * [Pricing and turnaround](https://pictureperfectvideo.com/pricing) Definitions written by Picture Perfect Video, October 14, 2026. Drone terms follow the [FAA guidance for commercial drone operators](https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators). PPV Marketing for contractors ## Video ads, landing pages and funnels for construction, roofing, landscaping and HVAC. In Las Vegas and Dallas-Fort Worth we film your crew, run the campaigns and build the pages that turn clicks into booked estimates. 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