Last Updated 2 months ago
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IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)
International Alliance of Theatre and Stage Employees. Check out their site.
IB Print (Interscholastic Black and White)
A type of high-quality black-and-white release print used for archival or special purposes.
IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
IMAX
A motion picture film format and set of cinema projection standards known for large screens and high resolution.
Image Plane
The flat surface (film stock or sensor) onto which a lens projects its focused image.
Independent Film
A film produced outside the major studio system, often with lower budgets and more creative control.
In-Camera Effects
Effects achieved on set during shooting rather than in post-production (e.g., double exposure, lens flares, lens whacking).
In One (Shot)
A scene blocked and performed entirely in a single continuous take without cuts.
In the Can
A finished / Completed project. “We got this picture in the can.”
A term meaning a shot, scene, or film has been successfully completed and is ready for editing.
Insert / Insert Shot
A.K.A. Insert Shot – A quick close up shot of an object that is inserted in an edited segment or scene of a film.
A close-up of an object or action, often used to emphasize detail, sometimes shot by a second unit.
Insert Car — Vehicle used to tow the “hero car” for moving shots. Camera and lights are usually mounted on the insert car.
INT. (Interior)
The short form of INT. and EXT. are uses in scripts to designate where a scene takes place.
Script abbreviation meaning the scene takes place indoors. Used alongside “EXT.” for exterior.
Intercut
To alternate between two or more scenes or shots during editing to create narrative connection.
Internegative / Interpositive
Film elements used in the duplication process of a film for creating release prints.
Intertitle
A piece of text edited into a film, common in silent films, used to convey dialogue or exposition.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Creative content protected by copyright, trademark, or patent law, often referenced in development and legal phases.
International Cinema Lighting Society (ICLS)
A professional organization dedicated to advancing the art and craft of cinematic lighting through community, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing among gaffers, cinematographers, and lighting professionals.
Invisible Cut
A cut made to look like a continuous shot by hiding the transition, often using whip pans or darkness.
Iris Shot / Iris In / Iris Out
A circular mask in which the picture either opens up (iris in) or closes down (iris out), often used in silent films.
IS (Image Stabilization)
A technology in cameras or lenses that reduces image shake.
ISO
A measure of a camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO means more sensitivity, but also more noise.
That wraps up our Film & Television Dictionary – Letter I entries.
This glossary is a living resource—new terms and updated definitions are added regularly as the industry evolves. If you have a suggestion or notice a term we’ve missed, feel free to reach out and share your input.
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Want to keep building your filmmaking vocabulary? Browse the full A–Z index above, or continue directly to Letter J for more film and television terminology.