Moving Image Arts Glossary

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Shallow focus
Depth of field where only the subject is in focus. This can make them seem isolated or lonely.

Sound - Atmospheric
This is background sound that fits the context of the scene, for example birds singing, but that has not necessarily been recorded at the same time as he pictures. It is good practice to record some plain atmos sound when filming outdoors while no-one is speaking, to bridge the gaps you may find when editing (such as planes overhead and microphone handling noises). Sometimes know as 'wildtrack'.

Sound - Incidental music
This is music that is played behind the natural sound that accompanies the pictures, in order to set the mood of a scene.

Sound - Natural Sound
This is sound that is recorded at the same time as the pictures. Sometimes known as sync.

Sound - Sound effects
Any artificial sounds added to the soundtrack to enhance or change the impact of the pictures.