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Matte Shot – A double exposure that does not meld two images on top of each other, but masks off part of the frame for one exposure and the opposite area for another exposure. This is also known as a split screen. Matte shots can also be done as Opticals.
Mix – This is the process of combining all your soundtracks into one, with all the sounds blended together at their correct volumes, together with any equalization, filtering, and effecting of the sound to give you the desired end result.
Mix Master – This is a copy of your sound mix on mag stock, or on DAT, which you sometimes have to request in addition to the optical track. It is always a good idea to get a copy of the mix on tape, which will be of much better quality than the optical track for transfer to video, or to save some mixing time in the event you have to remix.
Mixer – 1.: A device for blending together sounds from multple sources with a volume control for each. 2.: The person who sits at the mixing console during the mix, who decides initially on how the sounds are to be combined (you are the one with final say), and operates the faders and other film controls.
Mixing House – A sound studio specifically for mixing sound for film.
Movement – The parts of a camera or projector that move the film intermittently: the pulldown claw, the rollers before and after the loops, and the gears connecting these parts form the movement. If there is a registration pin, this is also part of the movement. Sometimes the shutter can also be considered part of the movement.
Moviscop – Spelled Moviscop but pronounced “movie-scope.” This is a small, 16mm table-top viewer, often used on an editing bench.
Moviola – An Upright Moviola. Moviola is the company that makes this machine. They also make flatbeds, but when someone says “Moviola” the generally mean an upright. This is a film viewer, often used on an editing bench.
Negative – The original film that is used in the camera, from which a positive print is made for editing. The negative is assembled to match the edited workprint, and an answer print, for projection of the completed film, is struck from the negative.
Negative Cutter – The person who cuts and assembles the original negative to match the edited workprint, which then goes to the lab for the answer print.
Negative Matcher – same as Negative Cutter.
Non-Reflex – A camera that does not have a “through the lens” view-finding system, but gives you an image in the viewfinder through a separate lens. Older Bolexes and Bell & Howell cameras are non-reflex.
Normal Lens – In 16mm this is the 25mm lens. In 35mm it is the 50mm lens. It is the point between the widening of the image by the wide angle lens and the magnifiying of the image by the telephoto lens.
Nose Grease – Just what it sounds like. Used in the old trick among camerapersons to lubricate the pressure plate by wiping it along the side of the nose. Nose grease has the scientific name of squalene which is also found in shark’s liver oil.
Nose Room – When a subject is in profile, nose room is the space between their face and the edge of the frame, similar to Head Room. In a profile shot, nose room is considered “good” when a little extra room in front of the person’s face, rather than behind their head. The general rule is that the space around the subject should be apportioned to 2/3rds in front of the subject’s head, and 1/3rd behind.
