L-cut is a type of editing technique used in digital films refers to a transitional edit in which the video and audio do not begin simultaneously. The audio of an L-cut may begin before or after the picture is cut. Also known as a "delayed edit," "J-cut," or

A landmark film is a revolutionary film, due to either its technical or performance artistry. Landmark films are recognized by the National Film Registry.

Lap dissolve refers to a type of transition between two scenes. The first scene of a lap dissolve closes with a "fade out" and a "fade in" brings up the next scene.

Lavalier is a miniature type of microphone, usually omnidirectional and wireless, and small enough to be taped or clipped to an actor, to record dialogue. Also known as a "lav," "lapel," or "lap microphones."

The lead role is the most important main character in a film or script.

Legs is a term for a film that has strong and profitable box-office, stamina, and audience drawing power far beyond the opening weekend. Legs usually applies to films that last many months.

Leitmotif is an intentionally-repeated, recurring element or theme associated with a particular person, idea, milieu, or action. The leitmotif element presents itself as a repeated sound, shot, bit of dialogue, piece of music, etc., that helps unify a film by reminding the viewer of its earlier appearance. Sometimes presented along with a film's tag line on a film poster.

A lens is a piece of optical glass in a camera through which light passes and the image is focused before hitting the film stock inside. Various types of lenses include wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, normal, etc.. "To lense" means to film a motion picture.

Letterboxing, or letterboxed, is the process of shrinking a film image to appear on a television screen with black spaces below and above the image. This emulates the widescreen format typically used on older, box-shaped TV screens.

A library shot is a stock shot, often unimaginative or commonplace.

A license is the contract between two parties, giving one the rights to distribute, or exhibit a program in a specific market, or all markets.

Lighting refers to the illumination of a scene and the manipulation of light and shadows by the cinematographer.

A line producer is a film producer who works on location and is responsible for daily operations and budget of a particular film shoot to manage the day-to-day aspects involving all of the people and expenses.

Lines is the term for the the spoken dialogue belonging to a single performer. Lines also refers to the full complement of spoken words in a film or stage script. Also known simply as "dialogue."

Lip sync refers to synchronization between mouth movement and the words on the film's soundtrack.

Location, or on location, is any place or property used to film. A location can either be exterior or interior, and it can take place in a real location or on a studio lot. Interiors are abbreviated as “INT.” while exteriors are abbreviated as “EXT.”

Location sound refers to recording background sound on location to improve the film's realism. See also "buzz track."

A locked-down shot refers to a camera shot in which the camera remains immobile and fixed, while something happens off-screen (e.g., an off-screen death). A locked-down shot is usually employed as a technique to create suspense.

A longline is a short, introductory summary of a film, usually found on the first page of the screenplay, to be read by executives, judges, agents, producers, and script-readers. All screenwriters use loglines to sell their scripts. Also known as "premise." See also "high concept."

A long shot, sometimes shortened to LS, is the camera view of a character or object from a vast distance away. This makes the subject appear small in the frame. You can also have a medium or extreme long shot. Contrast to "close-up" (CU).

A long take, or lengthy take, is a shot with a long duration. See also "mise-en-scene."

Looping refers to the process in which dialogue is re-recorded by actors in the studio during post-production, matching the actor's voice to lip movements on screen. Also known as automated dialogue replacement (ADR). Contrast with "dubbing."

A low-angle shot is when the subject is filmed from below. The camera tilts up to capture the character or action, making the subject seem larger than life or more formidable. Contrast to a "high-angle shot."

L-cut

landmark film

lap dissolve

lavalier

lead role

legs

leitmotif

lens

letterboxing (letterboxed)

library shot

license (licensor)

lighting

line producer

lines

lip sync

location (on location)

location sound

locked-down shot

logline

long-shot (LS)

long take (lengthy take)

looping

low-angle shot

Stage 32 Glossary