Filmlexikon.
Term of the day · June 13
Iris Out
Editing · Terms

Iris Out.

Iris schließen.

Circular wipe where the image closes from edges to a point, created via iris diaphragm or digital radial mask.

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11 disciplines, one language

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One pictogram per category. Click → A–Z of that discipline.

Camera 2.354 Lighting 1.205 Editing & Post 419 Sound 404 Art Department 202 Directing & Theory 480 VFX & SFX 613 Production 1.060 Grip & Stage 136 Stunts & Action 37 General 273 Manufacturers 49 Suggest + new

M

60 terms
Lighting · Equipment M18 1800W HMI light with electronic ballast, producing daylight-balanced illumination (5600K) for hard shadows… Camera · Terms M39 Mount M39-Mount M39 Mount: Leica screw-thread lens mount (1930) with 39mm diameter and 28.8mm back focal distance; mechanical… Lighting · Equipment M40 Aputure M40: Compact LED light with 4,680 lumens, 70-minute runtime, and magnetic rear mount for mobile film… Camera · Terms M42 Mount M42-Mount Threaded mount with 42mm diameter and 45.46mm flange distance, introduced by Pentax in 1957. Now widely used… Lighting · Terms M8 Metric thread (8mm diameter) standard on European lighting accessories—barn doors, color filters, diffusers… Lighting · Equipment M90 ARRI M90: 9kW HMI spotlight, 6000K color temperature, 8°–55° focus range; standard for large-scale… Camera Macbeth chart Macbeth-Referenzkarte 24-patch color reference card with standardized grays and primaries — place in frame at lens height for white… Camera · Equipment Macbeth Chart / ColorChecker / X-Rite ColorChecker / Color Reference Chart Macbeth-Chart / ColorChecker / Farbkarte / Farbreferenzkarte A standardized color reference chart featuring 24 scientifically selected color patches – used on film and… Theory · Terms MacGuffin MacGuffin / Hitchcock-Objekt An object, item, or goal that serves as a plot device to motivate characters and drive the narrative forward… Theory Mach banding Mach-Banding Optical illusion where the eye perceives sharp bands at soft color transitions — neuronal over-contrast… Grip Machine fumigène Nebelmaschine Heat-vaporized fluid creates visible fog layers—reveals light beams and spatial depth. Essential for mood… Art Department Machinerie Kulissensystem Motorized sets, stairs, platforms—enable rapid scene shifts and spatial transforms in one take. Complex but… VFX Machinima Filmmaking using real-time game engines — characters, environments, and camera work rendered live in virtual… VFX · Studio Mackevision / Mackevision Medien Design / Accenture Song (formerly) Mackevision / Mackevision Medien Design German visual effects and CGI company headquartered in Stuttgart – known for high-end VFX work on Game of… Camera Macro Makroaufnahme Extreme close-up with magnification from 1:1 — insects, watch mechanisms, water droplets dominate the frame… Camera Macro cinematography Makrokinematografie Cinematic magnification of microscopic detail — insects, dewdrops, crystal structures — extreme close focus… Camera · Equipment Macro Lens Makroobjektiv Specialized lens enabling extreme close-ups at 1:1 magnification or greater, minimum focus distance 24–29 cm… Camera · Lenses Macro Lens Macro-Objektiv Specialized lens for extreme close-ups — 1:1 or larger reproduction ratio. Camera Macro Photography Makroaufnahmen Extreme close-ups with lenses focused at distances under 10cm — reveals texture and micro-scale detail… Camera Macro shot Makroaufnahme Extreme close-up with macro lens — objects rendered 1:1 or larger, razor-thin depth of field. Tiny details… Theory Macrovision Analog copy-protection system for VHS tapes — introduces signal distortion when dubbed illegally. Obsolete… Grip · Equipment Mafer Clamp Mafer-Klemme Mafer Clamp: Versatile steel grip clamp with 16mm spigot, opens to 75mm, holds 35kg. Secures lights to pipes… Theory Mafia Film Mafiafilm Subgenre centered on organized crime's inner structures — not mere gangster thrills, but psychological dramas… Camera Magazine Boîte Light-tight cassette for raw stock mounted on camera — rewind mechanism without light leak. 35mm mags hold… Camera Magazine (camera) Filmmagazin Removable film spool housing bolted to camera body — holds exposed or unexposed stock. Digital equivalent… Lighting · Terms Magenta Shift Magenta-Verschiebung Magenta color cast produced by certain LED and discharge lamps, corrected using green filters or gel. Lighting · Terms Magic Arm Three-segment articulated aluminum arm with ball joints, mounts lights flexibly on C-stands without… Lighting · Terms Magic Cloth Black cotton velvet (98% light absorption) moved in front of the lens during shooting to gradually darken… Lighting · Terms Magic Hour Magische Stunde Magic Hour: 30-minute window after sunrise or before sunset with warm, soft light and 3–4 stops of contrast… Theory Magic Lantern Laterna Magica 17th-century optical projection device with glass slide and lens — precursor to cinema. Foundation of visual… Lighting · Terms Magnetic Ballast Magnetisches Vorschaltgerät Electromagnetic ballast for HMI lamps operating at 50/60 Hz, producing 100/120 Hz light flicker; requires… Sound Magnetic film Magnetfilm Film strip coated with magnetic emulsion for audio recording — ran parallel to picture or striped directly… Sound Magnetic Film / Mag Stripe Bande magnétique Film stock with magnetic coating for sound recording — analog standard before digital audio. Durable but… Sound Magnetic sound Magnetton Audio recorded magnetically on film or tape stock — superior to optical sound, easier to master and… Camera Magnification Vergrößerung Degree to which a lens enlarges or reduces the scene—focal length determines magnification ratio. Wide-angle… Camera · Terms Magnum Dolly MovieTech's flagship electromechanical camera dolly with removable center column, wireless control and… Camera Magoptic Camera Magoptische Kamera Recording camera combining magnetic and optical sensing — hybrid capture merges light and motion data… Production · Dienstleister Maier Bros. Maier Bros. / Maier Brothers Renowned German film equipment rental house based in Berlin – providing professional camera systems, lenses… Production · Terms Main Unit Hauptteam Principal production crew of 60–90 personnel across 12–15 departments, responsible for filming all scenes… Production Majors/Major Studios The six major Hollywood studios (Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, Universal, Sony, Fox) — control funding… Production Major Studios Major Studios / Großstudios Six Hollywood corporations control production, distribution, and exhibition — Warner Bros., Disney… Art Department · Terms Makeup Maske Cosmetic design of performers using foundation, prosthetics, and special effects. Standard foundation mixed… Art Department · Terms Makeup Artist Maskenbildner Makeup Artist creates actor appearances using makeup, prosthetics, and special effects; applies medical… Art Department · Terms Makeup Chair Maskenstuhl Specialized chair used for makeup application, typically with mirrors and lighting. Art Department · Terms Makeup Department Head Chef-Maskenbildner Head of Makeup responsible for lead actors' makeup design and application; creates detailed makeup charts… Art Department · Terms Makeup Kit Masken-Kit Collection of makeup products and tools used by makeup artists. Art Department · Terms Makeup Trailer Masken-Trailer Mobile facility equipped for makeup application and preparation. Production · Content Making Of / Behind the Scenes / BTS / EPK / Electronic Press Kit Making-Of / Hinter den Kulissen / Behind the Scenes Documentary content capturing the filmmaking process behind a production – including interviews with cast and… Lighting · Terms MA Lighting German lighting control console manufacturer; grandMA3 controls up to 250,000 DMX parameters across 64… Camera Maltese Cross Malteserkreuz Mechanical gear mechanism in film cameras and projectors — converts continuous motor rotation into… Lighting Mama Silk or fabric diffusion frame positioned between light source and subject — softens hard shadows, creates… Camera · Terms Mamiya 645 Mamiya 645 modular medium-format camera system with interchangeable film magazines and lenses (24–500mm) for… Camera · Terms Mamiya RZ67 Mamiya medium-format camera with 6×7cm film, bellows extension for macro focusing up to 1:1, electronic… Camera · Terms Mamiya Sekor Japanese medium-format lenses for Mamiya cameras (1961–1999), engineered for 6×7 cm format with focal lengths… Grip Mandrel Dorn Tapered metal rod for spooling lights cables and grip kit — prevents kinks and storage damage. Standard… Camera · Terms Manfrotto Italian manufacturer of tripods and fluid heads, known for the 500 series with 7-step counterbalance system… Camera Manual Focus Pulling Manuelles Scharfstellen Focus puller turns the focus ring by hand, not relying on autofocus — absolute control over depth of field… Camera Manual Focus Pulling Manuelles Scharfstellen Focus puller adjusts lens sharpness live during take — mandatory on zooms, dollies, and actor movement. Craft… Theory · Terms Man vs. Man Mensch gegen Mensch Classic dramatic conflict between protagonist and antagonist escalating through three stages over 90–120… Theory · Terms Man vs. Nature Mensch gegen Natur Narrative structure where characters struggle against natural forces—from survival thrillers to disaster…
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