Updated: Mar 31, 2022
Cameras are common in live event production, now more than ever with the increasing popularity of virtual events. Digital content is captured for a variety of reasons including image magnification, broadcast, post-production editing or archival purpose, just to name a few.
Camera Operator Direction
Ready Next camera to be cut (live) to program out Standby Next camera to be dissolved (live) to program out Take/Cut Ready camera is quickly cut to program out Dissolve/Mix Standby camera is slowly dissolved to program out
Camera Movements
Hold ​Stop camera movement (hold current shot) Reset Return to previous position (starting point) Start Begin prescribed movement (eg. start push) Pan Right Move camera lens right Pan Left Move camera lens left Tilt Up Move camera lens up Tilt Down Move camera lens down Zoom In Tighten camera framing Zoom Out Loosen camera framing Tighten Up Zoom in slightly to tighten camera framing Loosen Up Zoom out slightly to loosen camera framing Push In Zoom in slowly on subject Pull Out Zoom out slowly from subject Push [X] Right Slowly move subject to right side/edge of frame Push [X] Left Slowly move subject to left side/edge of frame Push [X] Center Slowly move subject to center of frame Lose [X] Right Slowly lose subject off right side/edge of frame Lose [X] Left Slowly lose subject off left side/edge of frame Reveal [X] Right Slowly reveal subject on the right side/edge of frame Reveal [X] Left Slowly reveal subject on the left side/edge of frame Static Shot A non-moving/still shot
Composition/Framing
Full Wide Zoom out as wide as possible Stage Wide Zoom out to frame complete stage Head To Toe Framing of subject from head to toe Knees Up Framing of subject from just below the knees to top of head Inseam Up Framing just below the inseam to top of head Waist Up Framing just below belt or waistline to top of head Elbows Up Framing just below the elbows to top of head Bust Shot Framing just below the shoulders to the top of head Head Shot Framing just above the shoulders to top of head 1-Shot Framing of one subject (typically from the waist up) 2-Shot Framing of two subjects 3-Shot Framing of three subjects Frame [X] Left Framing of subject in the left side of screen Frame [X] Right Framing of subject in the right side of screen Center Up Framing of subject in the center of screen Establishing Shot Geography, environment, or structure to establish location
Camera Mechanisms
Sticks / Tripod Used for static shots and simple pans and tilts Slider Shot Slide camera on a vertical or horizontal axis Handheld Shot Held by operator, no mechanical stabilization Steadicam Shot Stabilizing device that attaches to the camera operator Gimbal Shot Motorized gyroscopes to reduce friction Crane Shot Robotic arm used to sweep up and over a scene Jib Shot Similar to Crane, but with limited range and movement Drone Shot Camera mounted to a drone and controlled by RF Wire Shot Camera rides on a cable or wire for deliberate, smooth moves
Additional Terms
Check Focus Image is out of focus and needs to be sharpened up Check Iris Image is either too dark or too bright (adjust f-stop/iris) Headroom Framing above the subjects head (too little or too great) Lead-Room Open space in front of subject (when facing/walking) Rack Focus Change in focal point from one subject to another Snap Zoom Quick zoom in & out (by manual control of focal ring) Preview Camera which is next (ready/standing by) to go live Program Camera which is live
Operating a camera in a live, virtual or hybrid show environment can be fast paced and overwhelming. The more familiar you are with common camera operation terminology, the more effective you will be as an operator or understanding how to produce effective content.