Glossary of Terms
The Glossary of Terms is a curated collection of definitions from the worlds of film, games, art, and design. Whether you're a student, artist, creative director or technical developer, this glossary is made to streamline your workflow and sharpen your understanding. All terms are written with clarity in mind, so you can move from confusion to creation faster.
The glossary includes industry-specific language used in animation, storytelling, production, visual effects, interactive media, conceptual art, and design systems. It’s structured for creative professionals, by creative professionals.Browse through categories like visual language, camera techniques, character design, game mechanics, UI principles, rendering technology, and more.
What is the Glossary of Terms?
The Glossary is a living index of essential concepts across entertainment and creative industries. It helps define and demystify production terms, art direction language, cinematic devices, and technical terminology — all in one place. You can use this glossary to learn the language of the industry, write clearer documentation, improve production notes, or enhance your storytelling vocabulary.
Why use a Glossary?
Many terms in the entertainment industry are often used inconsistently or misunderstood. The Glossary gives you clean, consistent definitions across mediums — helping teams stay aligned, students learn faster, and artists speak the same language. It also supports better communication between departments, whether you're working in pre-production, post, or interactive pipelines.
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Perspective in 2D art refers to the technique of creating the illusion of depth and 3D space on a 2D surface. In VFX, it helps artists represent the spatial relationship between objects in a scene, adding realism and immersion.
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A device used to create the illusion of motion from a sequence of static images, an early precursor to the motion picture.
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A series of photographs that tell a story or explore a theme, often used in journalism to provide visual context or commentary on social or political issues.
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An artist’s book made up of photographs, often presented in a carefully curated sequence that enhances the narrative or thematic concept behind the images.
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A photographic technique where an object is placed directly on light-sensitive paper and exposed to light, creating a silhouette or image without a camera.
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Photogrammetry is the process of using multiple 2D photographs of an object to create a 3D model. The images are analyzed from different angles, and the data is used to recreate the object’s geometry in 3D space.
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The practice of capturing images using light-sensitive surfaces or digital sensors, evolving from chemical film processes to digital photography.
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A printmaking technique in which photographic images are transferred to a metal plate through acid etching, used for high-quality, detailed reproductions.
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A form of journalism that uses photographs to capture and report news stories, conveying information and emotion through visual imagery.
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A technique where photographs are cut, combined, and pasted together to form a new composition, often used to convey a message or critique of social or political issues.
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A method of duplicating documents or images by projecting them onto sensitized paper, creating either positive or negative copies, often used for archival purposes.
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A symbolic image or drawing used to represent a word, idea, or concept, commonly seen in ancient or non-verbal languages.
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Representational in quality, resembling or imitating a picture, with an emphasis on visual imagery rather than abstraction.
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The representation of depth or three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface, such as a painting, through the use of perspective and spatial relationships.
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An early photography movement that emphasized the artistic potential of photography by using soft focus, staged compositions, and darkroom manipulation to create mood and emotion.
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The flat, two-dimensional surface of a painting, representing the visual boundary between the viewer and the depicted scene in traditional perspective-based art.
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A group of artists in the late 1970s and 1980s who critiqued mass media and questioned ideas of authorship and originality, often using photography to explore identity and consumerism.
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A term used to describe a type of landscape that is visually appealing and typically combines beauty with a certain degree of wildness or rustic charm, often favored in classical landscape painting.
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The powdered, colored substance used in paints and inks, derived from natural or synthetic sources, which provides color to the medium when mixed with a binder.
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A pilcrow (¶) is a typographical symbol used to mark the start of a new paragraph or section of text.
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A process of displaying widescreen films on standard 4:3 televisions with vertical black bars on the sides of the image.
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A film shot that usually serves as a filler or transitional shot, often using images like clouds, landscapes, or empty spaces.
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Refers to a film project in development or production, scheduled for future release.
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A concise presentation or proposal for a film project, often used to secure financing or distribution.
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A visual presentation that accompanies a film pitch, typically containing concept art, financial details, and a storyline.
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The smallest unit of an image or graphic displayed on screen. Games rely on pixels to create visuals, with higher pixel density leading to clearer images.
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A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image, made up of individual coloured elements that combine to form the complete picture.
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Technique creating the illusion of movement in three-dimensional subjects by printing selected frames from a continuously-exposed negative.
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Placeholder text, often “Lorem Ipsum,” is used to fill in spaces where the final copy will go, helping designers visualize the layout before final content is available.
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A type of architectural drawing that shows a building or space from above, offering a view of its layout, rooms, corridors, and structural elements.
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A flat surface, especially in the context of painting or sculpture, where distinct areas of an artwork exist, such as the background, foreground, or the boundaries of the depicted form.
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A fine, white powder that, when mixed with water, forms a paste which hardens to a solid. It is commonly used in sculpture and casting to create lightweight forms.
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A versatile material that can be molded into various shapes, commonly used in sculpture, design, and art production, including synthetic polymers and resins.
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A plate is the original footage captured on set before VFX or digital elements are added. Plates are used as the base for compositing and integrating visual effects into the scene.
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A photographic print process that uses palladium or platinum salts, producing rich, warm tones and notable archival stability, often used for fine art photography.
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A concept devised by philosopher Plato to explore the nature of belief versus knowledge, often applied in film theory.
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A French term meaning "outdoors," referring to the practice of painting scenes directly from nature, rather than from sketches or photographs, often associated with Impressionist artists.
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A base or pedestal on which a sculpture or other artwork is displayed, often serving as a support to elevate the work for visibility or to give it a more prominent position in a gallery or space.
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A term referring to the embrace of diverse styles and approaches in the art world, particularly from the 1960s onward, emphasizing a wide range of perspectives, techniques, and subjects.
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A French term for stencil, a technique in which color is applied to a surface through cut-out areas, often used in printmaking and illustration for vibrant, controlled coloration.
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Point of View (POV) Shot
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A shot taken from the perspective of a character, showing what they would see in the scene.
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Point size is the measurement of a font’s height, traditionally used in print and digital media, defined as the distance from the top of the ascender to the bottom of the descender.
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A painting technique developed by Georges Seurat, using small, distinct dots of pure color applied in patterns to create an image that the eye blends at a distance.
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A brand of instant cameras and film that develops a photograph immediately after exposure, allowing users to see a printed image moments after taking a photo.
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A movement in China during the 1980s that combined elements of Western pop art with socialist realism, critiquing the rapid political and social changes in China with a commercialized style.
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Polygons are the basic geometric units used to define the shape of 3D models. They consist of vertices, edges, and faces, and their complexity determines the level of detail in a 3D model. High polygon counts often require retopology to optimize performance.
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A painting or artwork consisting of multiple panels or sections, usually related in theme or composition, commonly used in altarpieces in religious settings.
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An art movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, drawing on imagery from mass media, advertising, and consumer culture to challenge traditional boundaries between fine art and popular culture.
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The set of ideas, practices, and objects that are prevalent and widely accepted in society, often transmitted through mass media and having a significant influence on art and culture.
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A collection of an artist’s works, often organized around a specific theme, style, or series, used to showcase the artist’s skill and vision, typically kept in a protective folder.
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A portfolio is a curated collection of an artist's work showcasing their skills and experience. For VFX artists, it includes examples of their best work across various VFX disciplines, such as modeling, texturing, and animation.
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A representation of an individual, typically focusing on capturing their likeness, character, and expression through various artistic mediums like painting, photography, or sculpture.
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The original light image captured or printed on film, opposite of a negative print.
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The phase of filmmaking that occurs after shooting, involving editing, sound design, visual effects, and finalizing the film.
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Post-Credits Sequence
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An epilogue or additional scene occurring during or after the end credits, often used to tease future events or developments.
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A late 19th-century movement that followed Impressionism, with artists like Van Gogh and Gauguin using bold colors and expressive forms to convey emotional depth and personal interpretations.
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Small printed cards, often featuring photographic or illustrated images, used for sending messages, advertising, or souvenirs, with a significant place in art history and collecting.
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Art that reflects, critiques, or addresses the legacies and impacts of colonialism, often exploring themes of identity, race, and cultural heritage in post-colonial societies.
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A large printed work, typically used for advertising or decoration, often designed with bold visuals and typography to attract attention, and sometimes a form of collectible art.
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Describes art that challenges traditional narratives and structures, often subverting audience expectations.
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A broad cultural movement in art, architecture, and literature that emerged as a response to modernism, characterized by skepticism, irony, and a blend of multiple styles and media.
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A 19th-century optical toy that created animated images by reflecting drawings on a rotating cylinder, offering a precursor to modern motion pictures.
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Refers to the period in Hollywood before the enforcement of the Hays Code, characterized by films featuring themes prohibited in later years.
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The planning stage of production occurring after a film is greenlit and before principal photography begins, involving script treatment, casting, and set design.
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A group of English painters, poets, and critics founded in 1848 who rejected the academic standards of the Royal Academy, opting for a style influenced by early Renaissance art before Raphael.
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A showing of a movie before its official release to gauge audience reactions and gather feedback.
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A construction technique where building components are assembled off-site and then transported for assembly, often used to streamline production and reduce costs.
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A film set chronologically before the events of the original movie, exploring the backstory of characters or events.
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Previsualization (Previs) is the process of creating rough visual representations of scenes before actual filming begins. It allows directors and VFX teams to plan complex shots, helping to visualize effects and camera movements in advance.
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Primary/secondary colors
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Primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) are the foundational colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. Secondary colors (orange, green, purple) are formed by mixing two primary colors.
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Art from non-Western cultures or early Western periods, often valued for its directness and emotional impact, influencing modern artists seeking simplicity and authenticity.
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A term referring to the Western fascination with the art, culture, and aesthetics of "primitive" or indigenous societies, often seen in the work of artists inspired by African and Oceanic art.
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Principal Photography
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The phase of filmmaking where the majority of scenes involving lead actors are shot, distinct from second-unit photography or VFX work.
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Main characters in a movie, typically those with dialogue and significant roles, distinguished from extras.
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A work of art that is created by transferring ink from a surface (such as wood or metal) to paper, producing multiple copies, often using techniques like etching, woodcut, or screen printing.
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A professional who works with artists to produce prints, managing the technical aspects of printmaking processes and ensuring the final editions meet artistic standards.
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A printer's proof is a print sample used to verify a design before the final print run. It ensures that everything is correct and helps avoid costly mistakes.
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A printer's proof is a print sample used to verify a design before the final print run. It ensures that everything is correct and helps avoid costly mistakes.
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Procedural Generation
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A technique in which game content, such as levels, landscapes, or quests, is generated algorithmically rather than manually, creating near-limitless variations.
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Procedural modeling is a technique where 3D models are generated using algorithms and rules, rather than manually sculpting each element. It allows for efficient creation of complex structures, such as landscapes or cityscapes.
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An art movement where the creation process itself becomes part of the artwork, with emphasis on the methods, time, and physicality involved in making the art rather than just the final product.
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The individual responsible for overseeing the production, financing, and distribution of a film, managing the entire process.
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The creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing products for mass production, such as furniture, appliances, and tools, blending art and functionality.
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A contractual agreement outlining the terms of payment and services for individuals involved in film production.
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Production Assistant (PA)
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A member of the crew who performs various tasks, such as assisting with setup, running errands, and helping the director.
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The overall visual look and design of a movie, created by the production designer and art department.
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The production pipeline refers to the series of processes and stages involved in the creation of VFX for a project, from pre-production and asset creation to post-production and rendering. It ensures that all departments work efficiently and cohesively.
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The overall quality of a movie based on criteria such as set design, costumes, and cinematography.
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Progressive Art Studio
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Nonprofit studios that support artists with disabilities by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities to create and sell artwork, fostering a community of artistic self-expression.
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A brief scene or preface preceding the main plot of a movie, often providing background information.
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A print made for evaluation, which may be used to assess progress or make adjustments before producing the final edition, including artist’s proofs and printer’s proofs.
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An object used in a film, typically something handled by actors or that serves a specific purpose within a scene.
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A form of communication designed to influence public opinion and promote particular political, social, or cultural agendas, often using art to persuade or manipulate.
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A person who designs, creates, and maintains the props used in a film, ensuring they are functional and fit the story’s world.
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The relationship between the sizes, shapes, and spatial relationships of the elements in an artwork, ensuring balance and harmony in its composition.
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The main character who drives the story forward and serves as the central focus.
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An early version or model of a product or artwork, developed to test concepts, usability, and design before mass production or public release.
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Refers to the influence of the Japanese photographic magazine "Provoke" (1968-1970), which rejected glossy commercial imagery in favor of more raw, emotive, and socially critical photography.
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Art inspired by the mind-altering effects of psychedelic substances, particularly in the 1960s, known for its bright, swirling patterns and intense, surreal, and hallucinatory visual styles.
