China’s video production industry is rapidly growing and has become an essential hub for both local and international filmmakers. Whether you are shooting a film, documentary, TV show, or commercial, understanding the key terms used in China’s production industry can significantly improve communication and ensure smoother workflow. Here’s a comprehensive guide to 50 essential terms in China’s video production landscape.
1. 拍摄 (Pāi Shè) – Filming / Shooting
The process of capturing video footage. The term is used extensively on set.
2. 导演 (Dǎo Yǎn) – Director
The creative head of a project, responsible for guiding the production’s vision, performances, and the final output.
3. 制片人 (Zhì Piàn Rén) – Producer
Responsible for overseeing the production process, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating the crew.
4. 摄影师 (Shè Yǐng Shī) – Cinematographer / Director of Photography (DP)
The person responsible for the visual look of the film, including camera angles, shot composition, and lighting.
5. 剧本 (Jù Běn) – Script
The written blueprint for the film, including dialogue, stage directions, and scene descriptions.
6. 剧组 (Jù Zǔ) – Crew
The group of people working on a film or TV show, including directors, camera operators, sound engineers, and assistants.
7. 道具 (Dào Jù) – Props
Objects used by actors or placed within the scene to support the story or environment.
8. 剪辑 (Jiǎn Jí) – Editing
The process of selecting and arranging footage to create a cohesive narrative.
9. 后期 (Hòu Qī) – Post-Production
The phase after filming where the footage is edited, color graded, sound is mixed, and special effects are added.
10. 灯光 (Dēng Guāng) – Lighting
Refers to the setup and manipulation of lights to achieve the desired visual effect.
11. 镜头 (Jìng Tóu) – Shot
A continuous sequence of footage filmed by a single camera.
12. 拍摄角度 (Pāi Shè Jiǎo Dù) – Camera Angle
The position from which a camera captures a scene. Common angles include high, low, wide, and close-up shots.
13. 音效 (Yīn Xiào) – Sound Effects (SFX)
Sounds artificially created or enhanced in post-production to add realism or drama to a scene.
14. 配乐 (Pèi Yuè) – Film Score / Music
The music used to enhance the emotional impact and atmosphere of the film.
15. 调色 (Tiáo Sè) – Color Grading
The process of adjusting the colors in a video to match the desired visual tone or style.
16. 特效 (Tè Xiào) – Special Effects (SFX)
Visual effects used to create scenes that are difficult or impossible to achieve through regular filming, such as explosions or CGI.
17. 视觉特效 (Shì Jué Tè Xiào) – Visual Effects (VFX)
The digital manipulation of footage in post-production to create enhanced visuals or complex animations.
18. 画面 (Huà Miàn) – Frame
The visual composition or image captured by the camera. It can also refer to the aspect ratio of the footage.
19. 镜头语言 (Jìng Tóu Yǔ Yán) – Cinematic Language
Refers to the techniques used to convey meaning visually, including framing, camera movements, and shot composition.
20. 曝光 (Pù Guāng) – Exposure
The amount of light that reaches the camera’s sensor, determining how light or dark the image will be.
21. 长镜头 (Cháng Jìng Tóu) – Long Take
A scene shot in a single, unbroken take, often used for dramatic effect.
22. 短片 (Duǎn Piàn) – Short Film
A film that is shorter in duration, typically under 40 minutes.
23. 剧情片 (Jù Qíng Piàn) – Feature Film
A full-length movie, usually lasting more than 40 minutes.
24. 纪录片 (Jì Lù Piàn) – Documentary
A non-fiction film genre that provides factual information on a subject, event, or person.
25. 实时拍摄 (Shí Shí Pāi Shè) – Real-Time Filming
Refers to filming that takes place in real-time, such as live broadcasts or live-streaming.
26. 机位 (Jī Wèi) – Camera Position
The location or placement of the camera during filming.
27. 动作 (Dòng Zuò) – Action
The physical movement or sequence of events happening on screen, directed by the director and choreographed for the actors.
28. 演员 (Yǎn Yuán) – Actor / Actress
The individuals performing the roles in a film or TV production.
29. 演员表 (Yǎn Yuán Biǎo) – Cast List
A list of the actors and their corresponding roles in the production.
30. 台词 (Tái Cí) – Dialogue
The spoken words between characters in the film, part of the script.
31. 拍摄计划 (Pāi Shè Jì Huà) – Shooting Schedule
The timeline that outlines when and where each scene will be filmed during production.
32. 剧本分析 (Jù Běn Fēn Xī) – Script Analysis
The process of studying the script to understand its themes, characters, and narrative structure.
33. 剧照 (Jù Zhào) – Stills
Photographs taken on set, often used for promotional purposes or to capture key moments.
34. 录音 (Lù Yīn) – Audio Recording
The process of capturing sound during filming, including dialogue, ambient noise, and special effects.
35. 无线麦克风 (Wú Xiàn Mài Kè Fēng) – Wireless Microphone
A device used for capturing audio from actors during filming, without the limitation of cables.
36. 拍摄许可 (Pāi Shè Xǔ Kě) – Filming Permit
A legal authorization required to shoot in certain locations in China.
37. 外景 (Wài Jǐng) – Outdoor Location
A location for filming that is situated outside, usually involving natural settings or cityscapes.
38. 内景 (Nèi Jǐng) – Indoor Location
A location for filming that is inside a building or studio.
39. 布景 (Bù Jǐng) – Set Design
The creation of physical spaces and environments where the film’s action takes place.
40. 摄影机 (Shè Yǐng Jī) – Camera
The primary tool used to capture video footage. Different models are suited for different production types.
41. 滑轨 (Huá Guǐ) – Slider / Dana Dolley
A device that allows smooth horizontal camera movement, used for dynamic shots.
42. 无人机 (Wú Rén Jī) – Drone
An unmanned aerial vehicle used to capture aerial shots or sweeping wide-angle footage.
43. 摇臂 (Yáo Bì) – Crane
A mechanical arm used to move the camera vertically, offering sweeping, overhead shots.
44. 稳定器 (Wěn Dìng Qì) – Stabilizer
A tool designed to eliminate camera shake, ensuring smooth footage during movement.
45. 计划书 (Jì Huà Shū) – Production Plan
A detailed document that outlines every aspect of the production, including the shooting schedule, crew assignments, and logistics.
46. 演示 (Yǎn Shì) – Rehearsal
A practice session before filming where actors and crew go through the scenes.
47. 即时反馈 (Jí Shí Fǎn Kuì) – Real-Time Feedback
Feedback provided during the shooting process, allowing the crew to make adjustments immediately.
48. 原始素材 (Yuán Shǐ Sù Cái) – Raw Footage / Rushes
The unedited video footage captured during production before it undergoes any post-production work.
49. 影片版本 (Yǐng Piàn Bǎn Běn) – Film Cut
Refers to different versions of a film, such as the rough cut or final cut.
50. 剪接点 (Jiǎn Jiē Diǎn) – Edit Point
The place in the video timeline where one shot or scene transitions to another, also called a cut.
Conclusion
Knowing these 50 essential video production terms will help both local and international teams working in China communicate more effectively and navigate the complexities of the country’s video production environment. Whether you’re involved in the creative aspects of filmmaking or handling the technical side, these terms are key to understanding and excelling in the Chinese production landscape.
By mastering the language of video production in China, you can ensure that your project runs smoothly, from pre-production to post-production, while also fostering better collaboration with your team and local production partners.
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