A–B–C–D–E–F–G–H–I–J–K–L–M–N–O–P–Q–R–S–T–U–V–W–X–Y–Z
Rack
Short for “rack focus.” A camera technique where focus shifts during a shot from one subject or object to another, guiding the audience’s attention.
Rack Focus
A camera technique in which the focus changes from one subject to another within the same shot, directing the viewer’s attention.
Rack Over
On film cameras, shifting the lens/turret to view through the taking lens for focus (common in Mitchell cameras).
Rag
A large fabric used on frames to diffuse or block light (e.g., silk, grid cloth, black solids).
Rain Towers
Rigged towers with sprinkler heads or pipes used to simulate rain on set. Connected to high-pressure water systems, they create controlled rainfall for exterior or stage shooting.
Rake
- To angle or tilt a light across a surface for texture or emphasis.
- In theatre/stage, refers to a sloped stage or floor.
Raw Footage
The raw, unedited footage of your film or project.
Rear Screen Projection
A technique where pre-recorded footage is projected onto a translucent screen from behind, with actors performing in front of it. Often used in classic driving scenes before digital compositing.
Read-Through (Table Read)
A rehearsal where cast sits and reads the script aloud before shooting.
Rec 709 / Rec 2020
Standard color spaces used for HD and UHD video respectively. Important in color grading and monitoring.
Real Time
Action that unfolds on screen at the same pace as in reality, without time skips or edits.
Redhead
A 1000-watt open-faced light. Named for its reddish housing, common in location and TV lighting.
Reference Monitor
A high-end calibrated display used in color grading and finishing.
Reel
Traditionally, a 10–20 minute length of film; in modern use, a demo reel or showreel showcasing someone’s work.
Release Form
A legal document giving permission to use a person’s likeness, location, or intellectual property in a production.
Release Print
The final version of a film struck from the negative for theatrical distribution.
Rembrandt Lighting
A lighting technique creating a triangular patch of light on the subject’s cheek, named after the painter Rembrandt.
Re-Recording Mixer
The sound engineer responsible for balancing and finalizing all audio tracks during the mix.
Reprint / Re-Strike
Making additional prints or copies of film.
Reshoot
Filming scenes again after principal photography, either for fixes or story changes.
Resolution
The amount of pixel detail in an image (e.g., 1080p, 4K, 6K).
Residuals
Payments made to actors, writers, directors, and other union members when a project is rebroadcast, streamed, or sold beyond its original release.
Reset
The call made by the AD or director after a take, instructing cast and crew to return to their first positions for another attempt.
Retake
An additional attempt at a shot due to mistakes or adjustments.
Reverse Angle
A shot taken from the opposite side of a previous shot, often used in dialogue coverage (e.g., cutting from one character’s over-the-shoulder to the other’s).
Reverse Shot
The counterpart shot in a dialogue sequence, cutting from one character to the other.
Reversal Film
A type of film stock that produces a positive image directly (e.g., slide film), unlike negative film.
Rigger
A crew member responsible for setting up and securing lighting, grip, or rigging structures on set.
Rim Light
A back light placed to create a glowing edge or outline around a subject, separating them from the background.
Roll Out
When a film magazine or digital card runs out mid-shot.
Roll Sound / Roll Camera
Common on-set cues signaling the start of a take.
Roll-Up / Rolling Credits
The end credits of a film that scroll upward.
Rolling
The call made when the camera (and often sound) begins recording. Usually followed by “speed” (sound confirmation) and then “action.”
Room Mic
A microphone placed in a room to capture natural ambience or “air” in a recording.
Room Tone
Also known as Ambient Noise. A recording of the natural sound in a room or location, used in post to smooth edits between lines and maintain continuity in dialogue tracks.
Rotoscoping (Roto)
A visual effects technique involving frame-by-frame masking to isolate elements from a shot.
Rough Cut
The first assembled version of a film or scene, where shots are arranged in order but not yet polished, graded, or mixed.
Rough Mix
A preliminary audio mix used during editing before the final sound mix.
Royalty
Payments to creators or rights holders (often music, script, or IP) when their work is used.
Rush Print
A quick print made from dailies for immediate review.
Rushes
Another term for “dailies.” The unedited raw footage shot during a day, often viewed quickly by director and department heads to check performance and technical quality.
Another term for dailies—ungraded footage viewed after each day of shooting.
Run and Gun
A style of shooting quickly with minimal gear and planning, often in documentary or guerrilla setups.
That wraps up our Film & Television Dictionary – Letter R entries. This glossary is a living resource—new terms and updated definitions are added regularly as the industry evolves. If you have a suggestion or notice a term we’ve missed, feel free to reach out and share your input.
A–B–C–D–E–F–G–H–I–J–K–L–M–N–O–P–Q–R–S–T–U–V–W–X–Y–Z
Want to keep building your filmmaking vocabulary? Browse the full A–Z index above, or continue directly to Letter S for more film and television terminology.