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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An independently-made, low-budget film often with first-time directors and actors, made quickly and designed to look amateurish, usually containing exploitative subject matter and a campy appeal.
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ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool used for creating highly detailed 3D models. It is widely used in film and gaming for character design, allowing artists to create intricate textures and shapes, particularly for characters and organic models.
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A small, self-published booklet, often produced by non-professional publishers, typically used for sharing countercultural or activist ideas, as well as art and personal expressions.
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A device that creates the illusion of motion from a rapid succession of static images, an early animation technique.
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A strategy where a player controls specific areas of a game map, often forcing opponents to avoid certain zones or restricting their movement.
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A camera shot taken with a lens that has a variable focal length, allowing the cinematographer to alter the visual distance between the camera and the subject without physically moving the camera, transitioning from a wide-angle shot to a telephoto shot in one seamless motion.
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Zoptic Special Effects
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A 3D process invented by Zoran Perisic, incorporating synchronized zoom lenses in the camera system and projector to create the illusion of depth movement.
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A tough non-player character designed to challenge the player, often marking the end of a level or significant game event.
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An artistic movement founded in the Netherlands in 1917, characterized by geometric abstraction, the use of primary colors, and the aim to express universal harmony through art.
