Live Event Video Streaming, How to Understand the Language of Your Video Crew

So you have selected a crew to live stream your event and the big day is here. You need to easily communicate with your crew…but what are they saying?!

Firstly, let me assure you that the phrases you might hear for the first time, are technical and they are not intended to alienate you. But in our experience, there is always the risk that the client could feel excluded and worry that the deliverables will not be met. We want to avoid that at all costs.

Secondly, remember that you have your area of expertise and the crew has theirs. So do not feel that you need to become a fully fledged camera operator, production manager, director and producer before filming begins!

Thirdly, if you don’t understand what is being said then ask, ask, and ask again. We want you to feel relaxed and confident throughout the shoot. We had some great feedback from participants in this live event streaming event with LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman.

9 Phrases Used by Live Event Video Streaming Crew

OB: Outside Broadcast. Means covering a live event with multiple cameras. This can be in an arctic size truck for a big OB, a bread van for smaller jobs, or a fly-away, or flight pack as the Americans call them, which is when you take the OB into the venue. Whatever way you do it, it means the event can be cut live with multiple cameras.

ENG: Electronic News Gathering. Basically means a roaming camera crew. This can be a single camera, or any number.

Cutaway: A single shot inserted into a sequence of shots that momentarily interrupts the flow of action, usually introducing a pertinent detail. Many times used as a reaction shot to some action. Also covers an edit to the A-roll.

Lavalier Mic/Lav: A small microphone that can be easily hidden on a piece of clothing so as not to be seen by the camera.

416: Have you ever wondered what the big fluffy microphone is called? Well, it’s a 416.

Ints: Shorthand for interview.

Piece to Camera: Sequence in which a presenter talks directly to the camera.  These may be scripted in advance, in which case the presenter will either have to memorize them or use an autocue, or they may be ‘ad libbed’ – improvised spontaneously.

Noddy headshots, noddies, or reverses: A type of camera shot used when we live stream interviews. The noddies consist of nods and other similar “listening gestures” made by the interviewer. Watch the news tonight, you’ll spot them. They can also be used in post production to cover an edit.

Close-up, or C/U: Shot emphasizing detailed elements in a scene, as opposed to the more panoramic wide shot. A C/U can also become a BCU which is a Big Close-Up!

Video Village: Put simply this is the area on a location where a large monitor is set up so that the Director can direct the crew and vision mix the cameras.

Hopefully this blog has helped a little to demystify the language for you! Please contact us if we can help further.