Your no-fuss glossary of essential filmmaking terms every beginner should know.
Getting into videography and filmmaking is incredibly rewarding, but if you're new to the craft, the technical jargon can feel overwhelming. Whether you're filming content for YouTube, creating short films or producing commercial video, understanding basic videography terms helps you improve your work, communicate on set and choose the right equipment.
Here's your A-Z of common videography and filmmaking terms, explained simply, with no gatekeeping. You'll also discover how Kenro's collection of video gear, from Smart Lite to sturdy, smooth-moving tripods, can support your creative journey.
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A – Aspect Ratio
This is the width-to-height ratio of your video frame. Common ratios include 16:9 (widescreen), 1:1 (square for social), and 9:16 (vertical video). Understanding aspect ratio helps you frame shots for the platform you’re creating for, whether that’s Instagram Reels or YouTube.
B – B-Roll
Supplementary footage that supports your main shots (A-roll). B-roll is essential for storytelling, think cutaways, close-ups, and atmospheric clips. A lightweight Kenro tripod or video monopod helps you capture stable B-roll, even on the go.
C – Colour Temperature
Measured in Kelvin (K), this defines the warmth or coolness of your lighting. Daylight is around 5600K, while indoor tungsten light is about 3200K. With Kenro Smart Lite Bi-Colour panels, you can precisely match your environment and avoid unnatural colour casts.
D – Depth of Field
Just like in photography, this refers to how much of the frame is in focus. A shallow depth of field isolates your subject beautifully, while deep focus brings the entire scene into view. Mastering aperture control is key here.
E – Exposure
The brightness of your video image. Controlled by three main factors: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Proper exposure is critical for professional-looking results. Use Kenro Smart Lites to add consistent, flicker-free lighting in any setting.
F – Frame Rate
The number of frames captured per second (fps). 24fps is cinematic, 30fps is standard for online video, and 60fps is great for smooth slow motion. Always match frame rate to the look and feel you want to achieve.
G – Gimbal
A stabilising device that allows smooth camera movement. While gimbals are great for motion, Kenro tripods with fluid heads give you steady, controlled pans and tilts, ideal for interviews, product videos, or locked-off b-roll.
H – H.264 / H.265
Common video compression formats. H.264 is widely used for high-quality video at manageable file sizes. H.265 is more efficient but requires newer devices to edit smoothly.
I – ISO
Sensor sensitivity to light. Increasing ISO brightens your image but can also introduce digital noise. Kenro lighting kits, especially the RGB Compact Panels or Bi-Colour COBs, let you reduce ISO and maintain cleaner footage.
J – Jump Cut
An abrupt cut in video where time appears to jump forward. It’s often used intentionally in vlogging or stylised content, but when misused, it can be jarring.
K – Key Light
Your main light source in a scene. It defines shape, shadows, and mood. Kenro’s Smart Lite RGB COB or Bi-Colour COB Lights make excellent, compact key lights with high CRI for accurate colour rendering.
L – LUT (Look-Up Table)
A file used in colour grading that changes the colour and tone of your footage, like a preset for video. LUTs can give your footage a filmic look or help match shots across cameras.
M – Manual Mode
Shooting in manual gives you full control over exposure settings. Perfect for learning how your camera works and crafting your desired look. Use Kenro's Smart Lite 7" Grip Tripod for steady control in manual setups.
N – ND Filter (Neutral Density)
Reduces light entering the lens without affecting colour. Essential when shooting wide open in bright daylight. Think of it like sunglasses for your lens.
O – Overexposure
When your footage is too bright, blowing out highlights and losing detail. Use zebra stripes or a histogram to monitor exposure. If your scene is too bright, adding a Kenro Bi-Colour Panel Light for fill can help balance things out.
P – Panning
A horizontal camera movement from left to right or vice versa. A Kenro video tripod collection lets you pan smoothly, essential for cinematic movement.
Q – Quick Release Plate
A mount that lets you snap your camera on and off your tripod fast. All Kenro video tripods feature secure, easy-to-use quick release plates, perfect for fast-paced filming.
R – RGB Lighting
Lights that can be tuned to any colour using red, green, and blue LEDs. Kenro’s Smart Lite RGB Panel Lights are perfect for adding mood, creating cinematic backdrops, or even simulating lighting effects.
S – Shutter Speed (Shutter Angle)
Controls how long each frame is exposed to light. A good rule is to double your frame rate (e.g., 1/50 shutter for 25fps) for natural motion blur. Too fast a shutter can make movement look unnatural.
T – Tripod
A filmmaker’s best friend. For interviews, product videos, or locked-off shots, Kenro’s Professional Travel Video Tripod, Smart Lite 7” Tripod, or heavy-duty video tripods offer the stability you need, without the bulk.
U – Underexposure
When footage is too dark and loses shadow detail. Shooting in manual mode with the help of Kenro’s COB or Bi-Colour lights ensures you get the right balance between highlight and shadow.
V – Video Codec
The format your camera uses to compress and save video files. Common codecs include H.264, ProRes, and AVCHD. Each has different file sizes and editing capabilities.
W – White Balance
Adjusts your camera to ensure accurate colours in different lighting conditions. Many Kenro Smart Lites have adjustable colour temperature to help you achieve the correct white balance, no matter the environment.
X – XLR
A professional audio connection used with microphones and audio recorders. If you're filming interviews or content with great sound, consider using external audio with Kenro’s Lavalier Mic Kit and a recorder that supports XLR.
Y – YouTube Ready
Not a technical term, but being “YouTube ready” means your footage is well-lit, well-composed, stable, and edited for engagement. Whether you’re a vlogger, educator, or filmmaker, Kenro’s RGB Ring Light Kit and tripod sets help you get there.
Z – Zoom Lens / Zoom Range
A lens that allows you to change focal length. For video, smooth zooms are tricky but effective. Use zooms for flexibility when shooting events, B-roll, or run-and-gun video work.
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Getting started with filmmaking doesn't have to mean mastering every term overnight. But understanding these core concepts will help you improve your video quality, make smarter gear choices, and grow your confidence as a filmmaker.
Explore our full range of tripods, LED lights, flashes, frames, and cleaning accessories at kenro.co.uk designed for photographers at every stage of their story.
