Video Television Networks Terms Part 02
Caramate (ST) a little, self-contained unit, made by Kodak, that back-projects one carousel of slides, accompanied by a synchronized soundtrack, on to its own little screen. The whole thing looks like a slightly clumsy TV set. Caramates have been immensely well-liked for a long time, being one of the most portable – and idiot-proof – systems of showing single-projector slide-tape programmes.
Carousel (ST, BT) many people use this as a term to refer to any rotary slide magazine and the system of projection that goes with it. However, it is a trade name belonging to the mighty Kodak.
Car-park job (VT, film, ST) usually a short sequence that’s left until last in a production, after the crew has completed shooting on location. If it’s an exterior shot it can usually be bone on a bandy bit of local terrain like, for example, the production company’s car park, so saving toe client time and money by avoiding unnecessary more location costs.
Cart (all) abbreviation for cartridge.
Cartridge (all) a closed package of tape with just one reel inside. Normally, cartridges control on a loop principle, which means they’ll go on playing the programme over and over again until you push a button to shut them up. Cartridges are used a lot in radio stations for commercials, station identifications, jingles and so on. This is because they don’t have to be threaded up into tape players. They’re also used for sound modifications – most sound studios will have records of SFX carts ready to incorporate into a production.
Cassette (all) a stopped package of either sounds or videotape. Inside there is a take-up reel and a supply reel – the latter feeds the former. The thing that differentiates cassettes from cartridges is that they play the programme once only, and then have to be rewound.
Cast (VT, film, BT)
(1) As a noun, the cast consists of all actors and extras performing in any given production. This does not normally include other performers such as presenters, reporters, company executives taking part, etc., as they only play them-selves. The cast are performers who play the parts of others.
(2) As a verb, to cast means to select actors for the job in hand.
Casting (VT, film, BT) the act of selection by performers for a production.
See also casting director
Casting director (VT, film, BT) the person who auditions and selects the cast for a production. When budgets are little this job tends to be done by the director or producer, but when there is to be a large cast, a specialist can sort out the wheat from the chaff very efficiently. Many casting directors are freelance.
Cat glass (ST, VT, film) the special grain-free screen material used when back-projecting one medium to transfer it to another, e.g. slide to videotape. For more complicated move see multiplexer.
CATV (VT) stands for community antenna television. It’s a relatively new concept which allows a community of homes to receive TV down cables from a central antenna, which picks up broadcast signals and distributes them.