Descriptionary

split screen an optical effect in which two or more scenes are shown on the screen at the same time.

squib a gunpowder charge held in a gelatin cap­sule, detonated from a distance to simulate gunfire.

squibbed bag a squib placed in a blood bag (imita­tion blood) and detonated on or under clothing to simulate gunshot wounds.

stable a group of performers under contract with a single agent or network.

standby guest on a talk show, an "extra" guest used as a stand-in in case another guest doesn't show up.

standing set a permanent or semipermanent set used repeatedly, as on a soap opera.

still store an electronic memory unit that stores graphics and photos for use in news programs.

storyboard a sequence of cartoons and sketches that illustrate a proposed commercial. Also used in movies to plan how scenes will be shot.

strike to tear down a set.

sweeps TV ratings periods in November, February, May, and July, noted for the airing of sensational pro­gramming in order to attract a large audience.

syndicate a service that distributes a TV program to subscribing stations.

syndication the distribution of a program to sub­scribing stations.

systems cue an audio, visual, or spoken signal for local station identification.

tabloid TV a pseudo news program featuring sen­sational stories.

take a 42 an order to take a 42-minute meal break, as prescribed for crew members by union rules.

talent coordinator on talk shows, one who audi­tions, interviews, and schedules guests.

tally light a red light illuminated on a camera when shooting.

tape to record a program on videotape.

teaser a brief preview or promo of an upcoming show to attract viewers.

technical director the assistant director who over­sees the technical aspects of a studio and studio con­trol room.

teleplay a play written or adapted for TV.

TelePrompTer tradename for a brand of prompter, now used generically. See prompter.

tight two-shot director's order to cameraman for a head shot of two people.

tongue left/right a command to extend a cranemounted camera out horizontally to follow the action.

topic box a window or visual on the screen above a newscaster's shoulder to identify the topic.

trades, the the trade publications of show business, such as Variety, and Hollywood Reporter.

trailer a brief, promotional piece of a coming attraction.

transportation captain the head of a studio's trans­portation and moving department.

truck shot a moving dolly shot. Also, to move the camera sideways.

tulip crane a crane on which a camera platform can be mounted for aboveground shots.

12-14 unit a mobile, remote news truck capable of transmitting at 12 gigahertz and receiving at 14 gigahertz.

two-shot a closeup of two people.

upcutting the unethical practice of cutting off part of a network program in order to insert more local commercials.

V-chip a computer chip in a television set that has the ability to "read" the ratings of television shows and, when programmed, can automatically block the viewing of certain programs by children.

veejay video disk jockey.

video operator the control room engineer who operates the camera control units and monitors and is responsible for the overall picture quality.

videotape magnetic tape on which sound and pic­tures can be recorded.

voice-over a narrator or announcer's voice heard over a commercial or program.

white coat rule an FCC rule that prohibits actors from wearing white lab coats while pitching a medi­cal product unless it is clearly stated that the actor is not a physician or related professional.

wild shot a camera shot taken without accompany­ing sound.

wild sound real or natural sounds that are recorded, as distinguished from studio sound effects.

wild track a sound track recorded independently of the visual track.

wild wall a set wall that can be dismantled quickly, usually for the insertion of a TV camera.

wind machine a large fan used to simulate wind.

wipe any optical effect that cleans or wipes off the image on the screen.

ELIGIONS

ancient religions

Ancient Egyptian worship

Amun the king of the gods.

Anubis the jackal-headed god of the dead and guardian of tombs and cemeteries.

Aten the sun, worshiped exclusively for a time by order of Pharaoh Akhenaten.

Geb earth god.

Hathor cow-headed goddess of the sky and, later, goddess of love, dance, and the underworld.

Horus hawk-headed god of the sky and light.

Isis queen of gods; goddess of motherhood and fer­tility.

Khnum ram-headed god of the upper Nile and the creator of humankind.

Maat goddess of justice.