Graphics Definitions

Terms

Asset

A designed graphic.

Aston

An uncommon term for the lower third.

Banner

An uncommon term for the lower third with no names. See lower third.

Board

See full screen.

Bug

A small logo in a corner of the raster, can be animated.

Bump

"Or bumps" See bumper.

Bumper

A transition video segment.

Crawl

See ticker.

Credit Line

Text on the raster crediting the source of the video or containing any credits (people recognized).

Countdown

A displayed countdown clock, either generated live or a rendered VT.

Double Box

The graphics background designed for a 2 Box PIP. Has holes left out for cameras.

Duratran

Another name for a full screen graphic.

Foxbox

See score bug.

Full Screen

A graphic that takes up the whole raster, can be a still or animated.

Graphics Package

See package.

Ident

See slate.

Insert

A graphic scheduled for within a broadcast segment rather than opening or closing.

L-Bar

Graphics taking up 2 sides of the raster, typically found on weather news stations, for sports information, and re-broadcasted content.

Live Bug

Text bug that indicates the video is live.

Locator Line

The bug in the top which identifies where something was shot.

Lower Third/Lower

A graphic that is in the lower third of the raster and typically has names and story titles. Commonly abbreviated L3 or just called “lower”.

Motion Graphic

An animated VT that often features 3D effects and visual eye candy along with logos and branding.

Motion Background

A VT similar to a motion graphic, but has no text and is primarily designed or filmed for background use, such as during keying.

Name Plate

A lower third that is specifically for names of people and typically contains their title or position.

Name Slide

An uncommon term for a name plate.

Open

A motion graphic VT that animates in the segment title or network name.

Over the shoulder/OTS/OC

See shoulder.

Overlay

Any graphic that is keyed on top of video.

Package

A group of graphics with a specific purpose or topic.

Phoner

A full-screen graphic that appears when there is no video that is displayed e.g. when someone is calling in by phone.

Rundown

A graphic that displays upcoming segments.

Score Bug

A bug that shows live updating scores, typically small to minimize distraction, although networks have been known to make them larger almost to the size of lower thirds.

Shoulder

A graphic that appears next to or behind the shoulder of a person.

Sidebar

A graphic that appears to one side of the raster. Typically a 50/50 or 25/75 or a 30/70.

Slate

A full-screen graphic that contains technical information, not for live use.

Slide

A single static frame full screen graphic, typically coming from an external CG/COMP.

Snipe

A graphic that promos a future program.

Split Screen

A 50/50 sidebar.

Spot

A commercial.

Sponsor Slate

A graphic, typically full-screen, that has sponsor logos. Does not have technical information.

Still

A single static frame full screen graphic or background, typically stored in the switcher.

Stinger

A quick graphic, typically animated, for transition between segments, camera shots, or other graphics.

Ticker

Scrolling text at the bottom of the raster.

Tier

A line on a lower third. e.g. a single-tier lower third.

Time & Temp Bug

Text bug that has the time and temperature.

Title Card

A full-screen graphic with the show or segment title, typically displaying “up next”.

Tombstone

A graphic that appears typically in a lower quadrant of the screen, typically with gameplay information (in sports broadcast).

VT

See video track.

Video Track

A video clip/file, formerly a video tape track.

Watermark

A translucent bug typically for the purpose of branding a source for copy protection.