Resource / Glossary
Post production, in plain English.
Plain English definitions of the terms you will encounter when working with a post production studio. No jargon, no assumptions.
Editing
Editing.
- Rough cut
- The first assembled version of an edit. It shows the structure, pacing and story without final polish. This is where we agree the direction before moving into finishing.
- Fine cut
- The tightened, locked version of the edit after all revisions are approved. No more structural changes, just the precise timing and flow before colour, sound and graphics are added.
- Locked cut
- The edit is finalised and approved. From this point we move into colour, sound and finishing without changing the structure. Any changes after locking typically require a re quote.
- A-roll
- The primary footage that carries the story or message. In an interview this is the speaker. In a film this is the main action. A-roll is the spine of the edit.
- B-roll
- Supplementary footage used to cover edits, illustrate what is being said and add visual texture. In real estate this might be drone shots or detail shots. In documentary this is observational footage.
- J-cut / L-cut
- An audio led edit where sound from the next scene starts before the picture changes (J-cut), or sound from the current scene continues over the next shot (L-cut). This makes dialogue scenes feel natural and flowing.
- Retention editing
- An editing approach designed to keep viewers watching. Strong hooks in the first few seconds, tight pacing that removes dead air, pattern interrupts to reset attention, and graphics that reinforce key moments.YouTube Editing →
- Cutdown
- A shorter version of a longer piece. A thirty second cutdown from a three minute brand film, or a vertical clip from a podcast episode. Cutdowns let one shoot produce multiple deliverables.Short Form →
- Hook
- The opening moment designed to stop the scroll and hold attention. In short form this is the first one to three seconds. In long form it is the first thirty. A strong hook is specific, visual and promises value.Short Form →
Colour and Image
Colour and Image.
- Colour correction
- The technical step of fixing exposure, white balance and shot to shot consistency so every clip looks natural and balanced. Correction happens before creative grading.Colour Grading →
- Colour grading
- The creative process of building a look, mood and style across every frame. Primary grading sets the overall tone. Secondary grading targets specific colours or areas for emphasis.Colour Grading →
- LUT
- A Look-Up Table. A preset that maps input colours to output colours, used as a starting point for grading or to match a specific look across a project. We build custom LUTs or use client supplied ones.Colour Grading →
- Log footage
- Video shot in a flat, desaturated profile that preserves more dynamic range and colour information. Log footage needs grading to look natural but gives the colourist far more to work with.Colour Grading →
- White balance
- The process of removing unwanted colour casts so white objects appear white. Correct white balance is essential before grading so skin tones, fabrics and environments look natural.
- Dynamic range
- The range of brightness a camera can capture from the darkest shadow to the brightest highlight. More dynamic range means more latitude in post production to recover detail.
Sound
Sound.
- Sound design
- The creative layer of audio beyond dialogue and music. Ambient room tone, subtle effects, transitions and texture that make the world of the video feel real and immersive.
- Sound mix
- The technical balancing of all audio elements, dialogue, music, sound effects and ambience, into a cohesive, clear soundtrack. A good mix means every element is heard without fighting.
- Voiceover
- Narration recorded separately from the main footage and laid over the visuals. Voiceover is common in documentaries, brand films and explainer content where the story needs a guiding voice.
- ADR
- Automated Dialogue Replacement. Re recording dialogue in a controlled studio environment to fix poor location audio, clarify muffled lines or change performance. Standard practice in film and broadcast.
- Music bed
- A continuous piece of licensed music that sits underneath the dialogue and visuals. The bed supports the mood without overpowering the content. We source licensed tracks or work with client supplied music.
- SFX
- Sound effects. Individual audio events that punctuate, transition or illustrate action. From subtle whooshes to explicit Foley, SFX add depth and polish to the final mix.
- Noise reduction
- The process of removing unwanted background noise like air conditioning hum, traffic or wind from dialogue tracks. Clean audio is the foundation of a professional sounding video.
Graphics and Text
Graphics and Text.
- Motion graphics
- Animated visual elements that move, change or transition. This includes titles, lower thirds, logos, infographics and kinetic typography. Motion graphics lift static content and reinforce brand identity.Motion Graphics →
- Lower thirds
- Text graphics that appear in the lower portion of the screen, typically used for names, titles, locations or captions. A well designed lower third is readable, on brand and unobtrusive.Motion Graphics →
- Captions
- Text transcripts of dialogue and key sounds displayed on screen. Open captions are burned into the video and always visible. Closed captions can be toggled on and off. Both improve accessibility and retention.Podcast Editing →
- End screen
- The closing section of a video that typically includes a call to action, subscribe prompt, next video suggestion or contact details. End screens are standard on YouTube and brand content.
- Chroma key
- The technique of removing a solid colour background, typically green or blue, and replacing it with another image or video. Commonly used for weather reports, virtual sets and branded backgrounds.
- Burn-in
- Text, graphics or timecode that is permanently embedded into the video frame rather than added as a separate layer. A watermarked review link uses burn in so the mark cannot be removed.
Technical
Technical.
- Aspect ratio
- The proportional relationship between width and height of a video. Common ratios are 16:9 for landscape, 9:16 for vertical social, 1:1 for square and 21:9 for cinema. The ratio shapes how the content is viewed.Short Form →
- Frame rate
- The number of frames displayed per second. 24fps is cinematic. 25fps is standard for PAL regions like Australia. 30fps is standard for NTSC. 50fps or 60fps is used for smooth motion or slow motion playback.
- Resolution
- The number of pixels in each dimension of the video. 1920x1080 is Full HD. 3840x2160 is 4K. Higher resolution means more detail but larger files. We deliver in the resolution your platform requires.
- Codec
- The method used to compress and decompress video files. H.264 and H.265 are efficient for web and social. ProRes is a professional codec used for editing and broadcast. The right codec balances quality and file size.
- ProRes
- Apple's professional video codec. ProRes files are larger than H.264 but retain far more colour information and hold up better through multiple rounds of editing and grading. Standard for broadcast and festival delivery.
- H.264 / H.265
- Highly efficient compression codecs that produce small file sizes while maintaining good visual quality. H.265 is newer and more efficient than H.264. Both are ideal for web, social and streaming delivery.
- Compression
- The process of reducing file size by removing redundant data. Lossy compression like H.264 discards some information. Lossless compression retains everything. The delivery platform determines the right compression level.
- Bitrate
- The amount of data processed per second of video. Higher bitrates mean better quality but larger files. We set bitrates according to platform specifications, YouTube, Instagram, broadcast, each has its own requirements.
Workflow
Workflow.
- Deliverables
- The final files and assets you receive at the end of a project. This might include a master file, social cutdowns, separate audio stems, captions files and project files. Deliverables are agreed in the brief.Our Process →
- Master file
- The highest quality version of the finished video, typically in ProRes or another professional codec. Master files are the source from which all other versions, social, web, broadcast, are derived.
- Revision round
- A structured set of feedback and changes. You review the edit, leave comments, and we implement them in one pass. Most projects include two to three revision rounds, confirmed in the quote.Our Process →
- Turnaround
- The time between receiving your brief and delivering the first cut. Turnarounds vary by project type, from a few days for social clips to several weeks for films. We confirm timing in every quote.Our Process →
- Brief
- The document or conversation that defines what the project is, who it is for, the runtime, the style, the deliverables and the deadline. A clear brief is the single most important factor in a smooth edit.Our Process →
- Scope
- The agreed boundaries of a project. What is included, what is not, how many deliverables, how many revision rounds and the timeline. Scope keeps both sides aligned and prevents surprises.Pricing →
- Watermark
- A semi transparent logo or text overlay on a review version of the video. Watermarks protect unfinished work during the approval process and are removed before final delivery.
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