🎬 Video Production Terms & Glossary

At Hilo Motion Pictures, we strongly believe in transparency, collaboration, and empowering our clients with knowledge throughout every phase of the video production journey. Whether you're new to the world of video production or a seasoned creative professional, this comprehensive glossary breaks down key industry terms, helping you feel confident and informed every step of the way.

Pre-Production
This is where the magic truly begins—long before the cameras start rolling, the groundwork is laid.

  • Storyboard: A detailed visual outline of your video, broken down scene by scene to convey the flow and mood.

  • Script: The written dialogue and an action plan that guide the storytelling and pacing of your video.

  • Call Sheet: A daily schedule provided to cast and crew, detailing locations, shoot times, and contact information.

  • Treatment: A narrative summary that clearly outlines the concept, tone, style, and overall creative direction for the project.

Production
Lights, camera, action—this is the exciting filming phase where vision starts to take shape.

  • B-Roll: Supplemental footage used to enhance and enrich the main narrative, adding depth and context.

  • Director of Photography (DP): The visual mastermind responsible for crafting the camera work, composition, and lighting.

  • Gaffer: The chief lighting technician on the set, responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan.

  • Slate: Also known as a clapperboard; used to sync audio and video and mark each take for seamless editing.

Post-Production
Where raw footage is meticulously transformed into a polished and compelling story.

  • Color Grading: The process of adjusting color and tone to establish a specific mood or stylistic look that supports the story.

  • Editing: Cutting, arranging, and refining footage to craft a cohesive and engaging narrative.

  • Voiceover: Narration recorded off-camera and incorporated during editing to add clarity or storytelling elements.

  • VFX (Visual Effects): Digital enhancements added to footage, ranging from subtle corrections to full-scale computer-generated imagery (CGI).

General Terms
A quick reference to common technical terms you might encounter.

  • Aspect Ratio: The ratio of the width to the height of your video frame (e.g., 16:9), affecting how your video is displayed.

  • Frame Rate: The number of individual frames displayed per second (fps), influencing the smoothness of motion.

  • Resolution: The level of detail and clarity in your video, such as 1080p (HD) or 4K (Ultra HD).

  • Render: The final export or output of your edited video, fully processed and ready for delivery or distribution.

If you want to dive deeper into any of these terms or learn how they specifically apply to your project, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to guide you with clear explanations—no complicated jargon, just straightforward clarity.

Interested in a downloadable PDF version of this glossary to keep on hand, or perhaps a more interactive version for your website? We’d be happy to assist you in creating these resources as well.

🌐 Website Terms of Use

Welcome to the Hilo Motion Pictures website (“Site”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to comply with and be legally bound by the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please refrain from accessing or using the Site entirely.

  1. Use of Site
    This Site is intended solely to provide detailed information about our video production services, to showcase a curated selection of our portfolio, and to enable potential clients to easily contact us. You agree to use the Site only for lawful and legitimate purposes and in a way that does not infringe upon the rights or restrict the use of the Site by any third parties.

  2. Intellectual Property
    All content displayed on this Site—including but not limited to videos, images, written text, logos, and graphic designs—is the exclusive property of Hilo Motion Pictures or its licensors and is protected under applicable copyright and trademark laws. Without prior written authorization from Hilo Motion Pictures, you are prohibited from reproducing, distributing, modifying, or otherwise using any content found on this Site.

  3. User Submissions
    If you choose to submit any content through our contact form or upload files to the Site, you hereby grant Hilo Motion Pictures a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and evaluate that content solely for the purpose of assessing or fulfilling your project request. It remains your responsibility to ensure that all submissions do not infringe on any intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties.

  4. Third-Party Links
    This Site may contain links to external third-party websites for your convenience. Hilo Motion Pictures assumes no responsibility or liability for the content, policies, or practices of these linked websites. We encourage you to carefully review any third-party terms of use or privacy policies before interacting with those sites.

  5. Disclaimer
    The Site and all information provided herein are offered “as is” without any warranties or guarantees of any kind, either express or implied. While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date content, we do not guarantee that the information available on the Site is complete, current, or free of errors.

  6. Limitation of Liability
    Hilo Motion Pictures shall not be held liable for any damages arising directly or indirectly from your use or inability to use the Site. This includes but is not limited to any loss of data, profits, or other incidental, consequential, or punitive damages.

  7. Changes to Terms
    We reserve the right to change or update these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of the Site following any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

If you would like to add a privacy policy or cookie notice to complement these terms, I would be happy to assist you in drafting those as well.

📄 Terms of Service

Effective Date: [Insert Date]

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern all video production services (“Services”) provided by Hilo Motion Pictures LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) to you (“Client”). By engaging our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Scope of Services

Our Services include pre-production, production, and post-production as outlined in project proposals or estimates. Any additional services not specified in the original scope may incur additional charges.

2. Application of Terms

These Terms apply to all goods and services we provide, whether explicitly stated or implied. Verbal agreements via email or text are valid when accompanied by the phrase “Do you agree to these terms” and followed by an invoice or scope of work.

3. Delivery

Deliverables will align with the agreed-upon brief, established through meetings or written proposals. One master copy will be provided in downloadable format (HD, SD, 4K, or 360 Web). Additional copies or formats will incur extra charges.

Delivery timelines are estimates and not guaranteed. Time is not of the essence unless explicitly stated.

4. Furnishing Materials & Releases

Clients are responsible for providing props, creative direction, and necessary clearances unless otherwise noted in Addendum A. We will secure talent releases and provide all agreed-upon deliverables unless exceptions are documented.

5. Changes in Specifications

Additional charges may apply for:

  • Inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the Client

  • Failure to obtain third-party permissions

  • Significant changes to the original brief

  • Additional edits or versions not included in the initial scope

6. Quality & Creative Direction

All work is completed to a professional standard as determined by our team. If the Client requests changes outside our creative recommendations, we cannot guarantee the final product will meet the original objectives.

7. Additional Requests & Revisions

Revisions beyond the agreed scope will be billed per Addendum A. Examples include:

  • Minor re-edits (text, clip length, transitions): $200/hr

  • Advanced 4K editing: $275/hr

  • Motion graphics: $375/hr

  • 2D animation: $475/hr

  • 3D animation: $675/hr

  • Advanced CGI: $875/hr

8. Payments

  • A non-refundable deposit is required to initiate production.

  • Payment is due upon invoice, project start, talent/location booking, and final delivery.

  • Late payments incur 7.5% monthly interest. Recovery fees will be billed in full.

  • All payments must be made in USD and in cleared funds.

  • Projects over $2,000 may be invoiced in stages or upon completion of production.

We reserve the right to withhold deliverables or pause services if payment is overdue.

9. Cancellations

  • Cancellations must be submitted in writing.

  • Deposits are non-refundable.

  • Rescheduling is subject to availability and may incur additional fees.

10. Rentals & Pyrotechnics

Rental equipment and special effects (e.g., pyrotechnics) are subject to separate terms and cancellation policies. These will be outlined in the project estimate or Addendum A.

11. General Terms

We reserve the right to apply payments toward any outstanding balance. All payments must be made in full without deductions or offsets. We retain a lien on any materials provided until full payment is received.

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