SFX
Sound effects or ‘foley’. Sound added to the video during the edit to support the visuals. Sound is often overlooked (pardon the pun), but vital. Foley is sound that has been recorded after the shoot to sound like the image seen on screen.
Shooting Boards
Also known as Storyboards, this is a visual representation of the scenes and shots that a crew will capture during a day of shooting.
Shot Order
The order in which shots will be filmed.
Show Black
When you’re part of a stage crew, basic black clothing is the common, required uniform. This allows a crew person to disappear into the darkness backstage or be less obvious on a set. This specific style of dress can mean a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants (no jeans), and black shoes (tennis shoes or boots, no sandals).
Showreel
Sometimes also referred to as a Sizzle-reel. A short video to showcase a person’s or agency’s work. Like this.
Shutter
The shutter determines the “Look” of the shot. For action scenes, for example, a higher shutter speed is used to give the scene a more urgent look.
Sides
Excerpts of script given to talent, on small-sized handouts, which represent the scenes being shot on a particular day.
Slate / Clapboard
A tool that is used to mark both the take and the audio of a take. Also, this references a Clapboard; a small board with a hinged stick attached that is clapped down at the beginning of the filming of a shot for use later in synchronizing sound and image in editing.
Slow TV
A video that is paced very slowly, usually of nature, intended to have on in the background.
Soft Book / Hold
A request to hold time in a person’s calendar for work that is not yet confirmed. You may hear, “Pencil it in,” meaning it could be erased, the job is tentative.
