A
AI Video Generation
TechnologyThe process of using artificial intelligence to automatically create video content from text descriptions, scripts, or prompts. AI video generators like Veo 3 use machine learning models trained on millions of videos to understand and recreate realistic scenes, movements, and visual elements.
Aspect Ratio
TechnicalThe proportional relationship between a video's width and height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9, 9:16, 1:1). Different platforms prefer different aspect ratios.
B
B-Roll
ProductionSupplementary footage used to enhance the main narrative or cover cuts in the primary footage (A-Roll). B-roll provides visual variety and context, often showing what's being discussed rather than just the speaker.
C
Character Consistency
Veo 3 SpecificMaintaining the same physical appearance, clothing, and characteristics of characters across multiple scenes in AI-generated videos. Essential for professional-looking content, as AI tends to generate slightly different character appearances in each independent scene.
Cinematic
StyleA visual style that mimics professional film production, characterized by carefully composed shots, intentional camera movements, dramatic lighting, and a polished aesthetic. Often includes shallow depth of field and color grading.
Close-Up (CU)
Camera WorkA camera shot that tightly frames a subject, typically showing a person's face from shoulders up or focusing on a specific object detail. Close-ups emphasize emotion, detail, or importance.
D
Dialogue
Script WritingSpoken words between characters in a video or film. In Veo 3, dialogue must be 95 characters or less per scene and is rendered as text overlays or subtitles synchronized with the video.
"I wanted to tell you about this amazing thing that happened to me yesterday afternoon when I was walking home" (108 characters) ✗ Too long, needs splitting
Depth of Field
Camera WorkThe range of distance in a shot that appears acceptably sharp. Shallow depth of field (blurred background) focuses attention on the subject, while deep depth of field keeps more of the scene in focus.
E
Establishing Shot
Camera WorkA wide shot that shows the entire setting or location, establishing where a scene takes place. Typically used at the beginning of a scene to orient the viewer.
F
Frame Rate (FPS)
TechnicalFrames Per Second - the number of individual images displayed per second in a video. Common rates are 24fps (cinematic), 30fps (standard video), and 60fps (smooth motion).
G
Generative AI
TechnologyArtificial intelligence systems that can create new content (images, videos, text, audio) based on training data and user prompts. Veo 3 is a generative AI system specialized in video creation.
I
Inference
AI TechnologyThe process where an AI model generates output based on input. In Veo 3, inference is when the model creates video frames from your text prompt or script.
L
Lighting
ProductionThe illumination in a scene, which dramatically affects mood, visibility, and visual quality. Key types include natural (sunlight), artificial (studio lights), hard (sharp shadows), and soft (diffused).
M
Medium Shot
Camera WorkA camera framing that shows a person from approximately waist up. Balances showing the subject's expressions with their body language and some surrounding context.
Motion Blur
TechnicalThe visual streaking of moving objects in video, occurring naturally when objects move faster than the camera's shutter speed can freeze. Adds realism and smoothness to motion.
N
Narrative Flow
Script WritingThe smooth, logical progression of a story from one scene or moment to the next. Good narrative flow keeps viewers engaged and makes the story easy to follow.
P
Prompt Engineering
AI TechnologyThe art and science of crafting effective text prompts to guide AI systems toward desired outputs. Good prompts are specific, descriptive, and structured to match how the AI model processes information.
Strong prompt: "A 30-year-old woman in professional attire sitting at a modern desk in a bright office, natural window lighting, medium shot, working on laptop"
Pacing
EditingThe rhythm and speed at which a story unfolds, controlled through scene length, cuts, and timing. Fast pacing creates excitement; slow pacing builds tension or allows emotional moments to resonate.
R
Resolution
TechnicalThe number of pixels in a video, typically expressed as width × height (e.g., 1920×1080, 3840×2160). Higher resolution means more detail but larger file sizes. Common standards: 1080p (Full HD), 4K (Ultra HD).
S
Scene
StructureA single continuous segment of video action occurring in one location at one time. In Veo 3, each prompt generates one scene. Multiple scenes are combined to create a complete video.
Scene Atoms
Veo 3 SpecificVeo 3's advanced feature that breaks prompts into smaller, more manageable components (atoms) for more precise control over scene generation. Allows detailed specification of camera work, lighting, subject actions, and timing.
Storyboard
Pre-ProductionA visual plan for video production, typically a series of sketches or images representing key frames or scenes. Shows what will appear on screen, camera angles, and sequence of shots.
T
Transition
EditingThe method of moving from one scene to another. Common types include cut (instant change), fade (gradual appearance/disappearance), dissolve (blend between scenes), and wipe (one scene replaces another with a moving edge).
Text-to-Video
AI TechnologyAI technology that generates video content directly from written text descriptions. Veo 3 is a text-to-video system that converts prompts and scripts into visual video sequences.
V
Veo 3
PlatformGoogle's advanced AI video generation model that creates high-quality videos from text prompts. Veo 3 features improved realism, better physics simulation, character consistency capabilities, and support for various video styles and formats.
Visual Continuity
ProductionMaintaining consistent visual elements (lighting, colors, character appearance, props, environment) across scenes. Essential for professional videos as inconsistencies break immersion and confuse viewers.
Voice-Over (VO)
AudioNarration or dialogue recorded separately and added to video, where the speaker is not visible on screen. Commonly used for tutorials, documentaries, and explainer videos.