🎬 Video Production Terms & Glossary

At Hilo Motion Pictures, we believe in transparency, collaboration, and empowering our clients with knowledge. Whether you're new to video production or a seasoned creative, this glossary breaks down key industry terms so you can feel confident every step of the way.

Pre-Production

This is where the magic begins—before the cameras roll.

  • Storyboard: A visual outline of your video, scene by scene.

  • Script: The written dialogue and action plan for your video.

  • Call Sheet: A daily schedule for cast and crew, including locations and shoot times.

  • Treatment: A narrative summary that outlines the concept, tone, and style of the project.

Production

Lights, camera, action—this is the filming phase.

  • B-Roll: Supplemental footage used to enrich the main narrative.

  • Director of Photography (DP): The visual mastermind behind the camera work and lighting.

  • Gaffer: The chief lighting technician on set.

  • Slate: The clapperboard used to sync audio and video and mark takes.

Post-Production

Where raw footage becomes a polished story.

  • Color Grading: Adjusting the color and tone to create a specific mood or style.

  • Editing: Cutting and arranging footage to tell a cohesive story.

  • Voiceover: Narration recorded off-camera and added during editing.

  • VFX (Visual Effects): Digital enhancements added to footage, from subtle tweaks to full-blown CGI.

General Terms

  • Aspect Ratio: The width-to-height ratio of your video frame (e.g., 16:9).

  • Frame Rate: The number of frames per second (fps) in your video.

  • Resolution: The clarity of your video, such as 1080p (HD) or 4K (UHD).

  • Render: The final export of your edited video, ready for delivery.

Want to dive deeper into any of these terms or see how they apply to your project? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it—no jargon, just clarity.

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🌐 Website Terms of Use

Effective Date: [Insert Date]

Welcome to the Hilo Motion Pictures website (“Site”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree, please refrain from using the Site.

1. Use of Site

This Site is intended to provide information about our video production services, showcase our portfolio, and allow potential clients to contact us. You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe on the rights of others.

2. Intellectual Property

All content on this Site—including videos, images, text, logos, and graphics—is the property of Hilo Motion Pictures or its licensors and is protected by copyright and trademark laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content without prior written permission.

3. User Submissions

If you submit any content through our contact form or upload files, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use that content for the purpose of evaluating or fulfilling your project request. You are responsible for ensuring that your submissions do not violate any third-party rights.

4. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of those sites and encourage you to review their terms before engaging with them.

5. Disclaimer

The Site is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information is complete, current, or error-free.

6. Limitation of Liability

Hilo Motion Pictures shall not be liable for any damages arising from your use of the Site, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

7. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

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📄 Terms of Service

Effective Date: [Insert Date]

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern all video production services (“Services”) provided by Hilo Motion Pictures LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) to you (“Client”). By engaging our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Scope of Services

Our Services include pre-production, production, and post-production as outlined in project proposals or estimates. Any additional services not specified in the original scope may incur additional charges.

2. Application of Terms

These Terms apply to all goods and services we provide, whether explicitly stated or implied. Verbal agreements via email or text are valid when accompanied by the phrase “Do you agree to these terms” and followed by an invoice or scope of work.

3. Delivery

Deliverables will align with the agreed-upon brief, established through meetings or written proposals. One master copy will be provided in downloadable format (HD, SD, 4K, or 360 Web). Additional copies or formats will incur extra charges.

Delivery timelines are estimates and not guaranteed. Time is not of the essence unless explicitly stated.

4. Furnishing Materials & Releases

Clients are responsible for providing props, creative direction, and necessary clearances unless otherwise noted in Addendum A. We will secure talent releases and provide all agreed-upon deliverables unless exceptions are documented.

5. Changes in Specifications

Additional charges may apply for:

  • Inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the Client

  • Failure to obtain third-party permissions

  • Significant changes to the original brief

  • Additional edits or versions not included in the initial scope

6. Quality & Creative Direction

All work is completed to a professional standard as determined by our team. If the Client requests changes outside our creative recommendations, we cannot guarantee the final product will meet the original objectives.

7. Additional Requests & Revisions

Revisions beyond the agreed scope will be billed per Addendum A. Examples include:

  • Minor re-edits (text, clip length, transitions): $200/hr

  • Advanced 4K editing: $275/hr

  • Motion graphics: $375/hr

  • 2D animation: $475/hr

  • 3D animation: $675/hr

  • Advanced CGI: $875/hr

8. Payments

  • A non-refundable deposit is required to initiate production.

  • Payment is due upon invoice, project start, talent/location booking, and final delivery.

  • Late payments incur 7.5% monthly interest. Recovery fees will be billed in full.

  • All payments must be made in USD and in cleared funds.

  • Projects over $2,000 may be invoiced in stages or upon completion of production.

We reserve the right to withhold deliverables or pause services if payment is overdue.

9. Cancellations

  • Cancellations must be submitted in writing.

  • Deposits are non-refundable.

  • Rescheduling is subject to availability and may incur additional fees.

10. Rentals & Pyrotechnics

Rental equipment and special effects (e.g., pyrotechnics) are subject to separate terms and cancellation policies. These will be outlined in the project estimate or Addendum A.

11. General Terms

We reserve the right to apply payments toward any outstanding balance. All payments must be made in full without deductions or offsets. We retain a lien on any materials provided until full payment is received.

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