Word Bank Inventory: D
dailies
meeting to review artist submissions and to provide feedback.
DaVinci Resolve
A video/audio editing software.
day for night
A VFX process of making a live action footage that is filmed during daytime look like nighttime.
decal
A detail added to the surface of objects; like a sticker.
deep comp / deep compositing
A more complex level of comp. While Comp work is usually 2D, deep comp uses a depth channel usually from 3D renders –but not always, to gain more control of elements in a shot’s z space. By having z space info/reference, it gives artists more flexibility in up-resing the quality of shots and other elements; making them look less 2D. Helpful in adjusting the camera focus without sending it back upstream, adding atmospheric haze, and layering elements.
deep focus
When both the foreground and background are in focus.
definition of done / DoD
A project management term that formalizes the team and client’s agreed upon requirement(s) or criteria for a deliverable/process/project to be considered complete. This is especially important to establish to avoid misunderstandings, scope creep, or gold plating.
deliverable
An output or product.
delivery
To pass something to a client, vendor, or another department for review or usage.
denoise
Graininess of shots.
depth channel / z channel
Elements in a shot that has z-depth data (think front to back in relation to the camera and vice versa) to help provide control of depth perception when seen in shot.
depth of field / DoF
The range of distance in a scene that appears in focus from the object nearest to the camera to the furthest. Controlling the depth of field lets you decide which will be in focus within that range.
Design Bible
A compilation of references and notes that sets the Look of Show.
Design Department
Sets how assets appear based on the functionality needed, the script, CG limitations, and Look of Show.
destructive
Used to describe workflows or actions that result in redoing of work and / or upending of previously established workflows.
DI / Digital Intermediate Department
Responsible for the final look adjustment of shots to ensure that the colours and other elements will be shown the way they are meant to, at the right settings/levels, when viewed on the consumer’s screen/device(s). Common tasks include QC and colour correction.
dials / dialogue
Voice actor(s)’ recorded lines.
diffusion
Softening of how light or shadow hit a surface.
digidouble / digi double
A 3D model of an actor or object. It’s meant to appear as close to the live action version as possible (minus the clean up like wire removals) but created in CG to allow for enhancements or other actions that may not have been possible or as smooth to enact in real life.
Sample: A character getting punched so hard, they smash through multiple walls. It’s often easier, cleaner, and faster to do this in CG than in live action.
digital artist
Often the generic term for any artist at any department.
director
Generally is the person who has the vision and final call on shots and acting/performance.
displacement
Much like bump, it is a technique in Look Dev to give the illusion of adding details on the surface of an object, like sculptural details) without requiring additional model or sculpt work.
distortion
Usually an error where there appears to be some warping on the shot.
dither
An optical illusion that makes it seem like there are more colours on an image than actuality.
ditty
A short song that a character sings.
DMP / Digital Matte Painting Department
Paints skies or background sets to save asset time if the BG or set can be painted convincingly to appear real or CG.
In other cases, where the camera is static, DMP can also paint in elements for Comp to save on cost and time in creating them in Assets/FX/CG.
DoD / definition of done
See “definition of done”
DoF / Depth of Field
Pertains to the distance between the object closest to the camera and the object farthest from the camera. Often used to convey distance.
Sample:
To show that the mountains are much farther away than the character in front of the camera, Depth of Field is adjusted and results in the mountains looking blurry in the background because it is much farther away.
Dolby
A company that develops sound and visual technology for film, TV, music, and gaming.
dolly
A camera movement when the camera moves towards the front or back.
dome light
Half of a sphere used as a light source and scaled up big enough to illuminate a whole CG set.
double beat
To repeat. When a section of the script seems to recur or happen again. Sometimes a flag for redundancy or it could be intentional for emphasis.
double exposure
When 2 images are overlaid on top of each other.
double framing
Duplicating every frame in a shot to give an illusion of slow motion (action taking longer).
double geo
An error when an asset is mistakenly duplicated in the same shot or scene.
DP / Director of Photography
Main cinematographer and responsible for camera work, lighting, and shot composition –What we’ll see and how we'll see it on camera.
.DPX / Digital Picture Exchange
A type of file format usually uncompressed, high quality, and heavy.
drop
In scheduling, a drop is a batch of pre-determined deliverables at specific milestones throughout the course of a project.
dropped frame
When a frame in a shot seemed to have disappeared. Often a blank or black frame.
dub / dubbing
To replace the audio/dialogue of an existing shot/film. Like a voice over, but the new audio is different from the original/previous version. Like translating an episode in a different language.
dutch angle
Tilted camera position.
