Pickles and Biljax?!? Critical Live Event Terminology.
“There’s an old little jingle: ‘The chief use of slang is to show that you’re one of the gang.’ What that means is that every social group has its own linguistic bonding mechanism. If there’s a group of lawyers, they have their own slang. If there’s a group of doctors, they have their own slang, and so on.” David Crystal
This definition of Slang is equally true in Live Event Production. TV production slang differs from Film Production, and the same is true about Live Event Production. New live event terms have even emerged around Live Streaming technology and production. Here are some interesting words and live event terminology that you might hear used by your live event production team or the team that is producing your Live Stream. And after you’ve read this post, you’ll never have to stop a Pre-Production meeting and ask “what does that mean?”. So hand me the pickle and let’s click-through this!
Popular Live Event Terminology
Biljax: Genericization is when a registered trademark is used to describe a generic type of product. Like Xerox is to Photocopy or Kleenex is to Tissues, Biljax is to Modular Stage Segments for Live Event Production. Biljax is in very good company Popsicle, Dumpster, Escalator, Chapstick, Zamboni, Aspirin, Yo-Yo, and Google are just some of the many “Genericizations”.
Click-Through: Is the act of talent and production team double checking the cadence, content, and flow of slides and video before a show. It also can be included or similar to a rehearsal of the slide deck.
Encoder: An encoder is a device or application that takes your content and converts it into a digital format to stream to a streaming platform of the client’s choice.
Edison: This refers to Single Phase 120 Volt Power. In AV lingo Edison typically refers to Extension Power Cords, whereas in film production, this is called a Stinger.
Fluid Head: The fluid reduces the risk of the camera operator introducing any jerkiness or vibration to the shot during a pan or tilt through dampening, and also reduces the friction between moving parts from the head of the tripod. They provide extremely smooth free movement.
Flypack: A Flypack is a kit that includes everything for a particular task in one rolling case. It could be an Audio Flypack, Switcher Flypack, or Presentation Flypack.
Flats: Flush flat wall may be used by itself or with a banner created to cover the flat surface. Typically at the rear of the stage.
Hero Shot: This term is used very differently in various contexts. For a Live Stream, this a Camera specifically placed and utilized to make your presenter, guest or talent look amazing on the Live Stream, via IMAG, or in Post-Production.
4-Pack: (Or 2-Pack or 8-Pack). Refers to Audio and Microphones. X Number of channels of wireless Audio and Microphones.
Locked-Off: Locking off a shot ensures the camera will not move from one cut to another. This will save you a Camera Operator.
Lighting Tree: A structure, typically truss or tripod stand with the weight capacity to hold lighting fixtures.
Load-In: The phrase “load in” refers to the time during which our production team starts to carry all of their gear into a venue for a show. It is a prearranged time that usually starts a few hours to a day before rehearsals and showtime. Load in time should be used for setting up and preparing for an event.
LED Uplights: Typically different colored LED lights to create a beautiful ambiance that shoots up from the ground level.
Mixer: A Mixer takes various audio sources through multiple input channels. Compresses, filters, optimizes, and adjust levels. You will often hear A1’s talk about equalizing a room before an event. To make sure the sound is dialed before a live show or presentation.
Pipe and Drape: Pipe, fixed or adjustable telescoping vertical uprights supported by a weighted base, and adjustable telescopic or fixed horizontals that provide a drape support frame with removable drape panels. Pipe and Drape is used to divide, hide, and/or decorate a space temporarily.
Pickle: Our favorite Live Event Terminology. In meeting and event-speak, a “pickle” is a handheld remote that allows a presenter to manually advance slides at his/her own pace without being tied to a laptop’s keyboard while onstage.
Playback Pro: DT Labs PlaybackPro is industry standard for professional, high-definition, nonlinear media playback and is tailored to meet the unique demands of live-event experts.
ROS: (Run of Show) A common tool used to organize a show is a production schedule. A production schedule is an hour by hour breakdown of what production teams will be working on while on show site. A run of show details a minute by minute view focused on what the show cues will be in any given minute.
Ringing Out: This process is used by an Audio Engineer to prevent Audio Feedback between Microphones and Speakers. There is almost nothing more awful during a Live Event or Live Stream than Feedback, it is 100% noticeable and Ringing Out the room is the only way to prevent it.
Soundcheck: Check 1-2, 1-2… anyone? Making sure the sound quality is equalized and balanced in the room or venue.
Scaler: A video scaler is a system which converts video signals from one display resolution to another; typically, scalers are used to convert a signal from a lower resolution (such as 480p standard definition) to a higher resolution (such as 1080i high definition), a process known as “upconversion” or “upscaling”.
Sync-Test: Make sure the audio and video are sync’d up on live stream and records. If you see an Audio Technician tapping on the Microphone and counting, or using very expressive mouth gestures while looking directly at the Camera, they are probably performing a Sync-Test or Lip-Sync Test.
Stage-Wash: Area lighting composed of a single hue, evenly balanced in level across the stage. Not exclusively Live Event Terminology, but just as critical Live Event Production and crucial for great Quality Live Stream Production.
Switcher: A vision mixer (also called video switcher, video mixer or production switcher) is a device used to select between several different video sources and, in some cases, compositing video sources together to create special effects.
Tech Rehearsal: The technical rehearsal or focuses on the technological aspects of the performance or live event.
Talent: The people that are being filmed on stage for a live event.
Truck Call: What time the truck with AV equipment will be at the site/venue. Time for people to be by the truck to unload.
Truss: Assembly of beams or other elements that creates a rigid structure. usually made out of aluminum or steel.
These are just a few live event terms to name a few, live event terminology is ever-changing and adapting to the event production world. Live event terms are important for us to communicate effectively and safely in a complex work environment with hundreds of technicians from around the world. Share some of your favorite live event terminology in the comments below, we’re always excited to add a few new live event terms to our repertoire ;)
