BASIC CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGIES IN BROADCASTING AND FILM PRODUCTION
Broadcasting and film production are built on a shared language. Understanding this vocabulary is the foundation of everything you will study and practise in Mass Communication.
This explanation is divided into four main sections:
- General media concepts
- Broadcasting terms
- Film production terms
- Technical & professional terms
1. GENERAL MEDIA CONCEPTS
These are basic ideas that apply to both broadcasting and film.
a. Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the process of transmitting audio and visual content to a large audience through electronic means such as radio, television, cable, satellite, and online streaming.
It is a one-to-many communication system. One station sends out signals that can be received by millions at the same time.
Example: When NTA airs the 9pm news across Nigeria, this is broadcasting.
b. Film
A film is a series of moving images recorded, edited, and presented to tell a story or convey information. Films can be shown in cinemas, on TV or online.
Example: Nollywood movies like Living in Bondage or The Wedding Party are films.
c. Mass Media
Mass media refers to communication channels that reach large numbers of people at the same time, including:
- Radio
- Television
- Film
- Newspapers
- Internet
Broadcasting (radio and TV) and film are major types of mass media.
d. Audience
The audience is the people who receive and consume media content. Understanding your audience is very important in production because it affects:
- Language used
- Content type
- Style of presentation
- Time of broadcast
e. Programme / Content
A programme is any planned content for broadcast or viewing. This includes:
- News
- Drama
- Talk shows
- Documentaries
- Films
2. TERMINOLOGIES IN BROADCASTING
Broadcasting involves radio and television production. The following are important terms:
a. Studio
A studio is a special room or building where programmes are recorded or presented.
There are two main types:
- Radio studio – for radio programmes
- Television studio – for TV programmes
Studios are designed to control sound, light, and visuals.
b. Transmitter
A transmitter is a machine that sends out radio or television signals through the air to receivers (radio and TV sets).
Without a transmitter, your programme cannot reach the audience.
c. Frequency / Channel
- Frequency is the space on the radio wave where a station operates, e.g. 99.5 FM.
- Channel is the signal position of a TV station, e.g. Channel 12.
d. Live Broadcast
A live broadcast is a programme transmitted in real time (as it is happening).
Example: Football matches, breaking news, or presidential speeches.
e. Recorded Programme
This is content that is pre-recorded and edited before it is broadcast.
Most dramas, documentaries and features are recorded programmes.
f. Anchors, Presenters and Hosts
These are the people who appear on air:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anchor | A main news reader |
| Presenter | Someone who introduces or runs a programme |
| Host | Someone who leads a discussion or show |
g. Control Room
The control room is where technicians manage:
- Sound levels
- Cameras
- Lighting
- Switching between shots
The director sits in the control room.
h. Outside Broadcast (OB)
This is broadcasting done outside the studio using mobile equipment.
Example: Coverage of OAU convocation or protest march.
3. TERMINOLOGIES IN FILM PRODUCTION
Film production has its own important vocabulary.
a. Script
A script is the written plan of a film or programme. It contains:
- Dialogue
- Actions
- Scene description
- Camera directions
b. Scene
A scene is one part of a story that occurs in one location and time.
Example: A classroom scene, a market scene, a hostel scene.
c. Shot
A shot is a single, unbroken recording by the camera.
When the director says: “Camera… Action… Cut”, everything recorded before the cut is one shot.
d. Take
A take is the number of times the same shot is recorded.
Example: “Take 1… Take 2… Take 3”.
e. Types of Shots
| Shot type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Long shot | Shows the full body |
| Medium shot | Shows from the waist up |
| Close-up | Shows face or object closely |
| Extreme close-up | Shows only an eye, hand or detail |
| Wide shot | Captures large environment |
f. Camera Angles
| Angle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| High angle | Camera looks down on subject |
| Low angle | Camera looks up at subject |
| Eye-level | Normal human view |
| Over-the-shoulder | Shot taken behind a person |
These angles affect how the character is seen (strong, weak, important).
g. Storyboard
A storyboard is a drawn plan of the film scene by scene, like a comic book.
It helps the director plan what the camera will capture.
4. TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL TERMS
These apply to both film and broadcasting.
a. Director
The director is the creative head of the production. They decide:
- How scenes will look
- How actors perform
- How the story is told
b. Producer
The producer is the organiser and financier. They:
- Arrange money
- Hire crew
- Manage the project
c. Cameraperson / Cinematographer
This person operates the camera and plans:
- Lighting
- Camera movement
- Shot composition
d. Sound / Audio
Audio is the sound part of the production, including:
- Voices
- Background sound
- Music
- Effects
e. Lighting
Lighting is used to:
- Make the subject visible
- Create mood (romantic, sad, scary)
- Direct audience attention
f. Editing
Editing is the process of arranging, cutting, and joining shots to form the final film or programme.
Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve.
g. Post-Production
This is the stage after filming where:
- Editing is done
- Sound is added
- Colour is corrected
h. Distribution
Distribution is how the final work reaches the audience: through:
- Cinemas
- Television
- YouTube
- Netflix
SUMMARY TABLE FOR QUICK REVISION
| Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Broadcasting | Sending content to a large audience |
| Film | Recorded moving pictures telling a story |
| Studio | Place of recording |
| Script | Written plan |
| Shot | One continuous camera recording |
| Scene | One action in one place & time |
| Director | Controls the artistic work |
| Producer | Handles organisation and money |
| Editing | Joining and arranging clips |
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