basic technical terms

[Kenton Vannatten]

Conforming (does this have different meanings?)

Possibly, but I’ve always known it to mean either Onlining or prepping for Film Out

Laybacks = Dubs
Playouts = similar to Dub, but probably to some on-air device
Transcoding = to convert video from one format to another
Cadence = Film to video/video to film term (see “Pulldown”)
Stringouts = rough assembly seq usually to establish a rough storyboard – popular with RealityTV to allow producers to see story
Drivers – computer term

Now are you asking because you’re trying to get a job and the ad they have posted says “Must possess knowledge of Conforming, Laybacks, Playouts, Transcoding, …. ”

It just sounds like an odd mix of terminology to be unfamiliar with – some are related, others are from left field and I’m just trying to understand the context of your question.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Divya Pathak]

Some are terms that I’ve come across in ads for jobs (laybacks, playouts); some are terms I overheard at my last job (I was PA-ing for some assistant editors on a feature) quite often so I thought I should familiarize myself with them.

Also, any chance you could tell me what an optical is? That was another one I couldn’t find a proper definition of.

Thank you!

[Kenton Vannatten]

“any chance you could tell me what an optical is?”

Can you explain how it was used? They may have been referencing camera lenses?

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[David Braswell]

Terminology isn’t always set in stone, but a layback in my neck of the woods is when you resync the final, sweetened audio to picture. It’s pretty common if you’ve had extensive sound design in a project.

BTW, nice catch Kenton!

[Divya Pathak]

I am pretty sure they were referring to an optical print or something. I saw on the schedule for the final stages of post production that they had an “optical” penciled in. Anyway, if this is too vague or out of context, no worries.