Can someone explain to me what does VT inserts, VT locations and VT shoots mean? I thought that VT is for Video Tape but know I'm little confused. Thanks!
What does VT stand for?
by Ana Gruden on 25th Jul 2016 Answers
To add your answer, please
You are right it does stand for Video Tape or any area that relates to where video is filmed, acquired or broadcast from.
It does stand for Video Tape. However it is now used in a similar way to "film" even though many programmes no longer actually record on film. So, a VT insert can describe a short film played into a larger programme, for example a 5 minute history film for the One Show or a short item for Country File. VT locations and VT shoots simply mean filming locations and filming generally, usually shot with one or more single operator cameras (PMW500, C300, etc) where the media is then taken to an edit and cut.
As the others have said, VT does stand for Video Tape.
But I believe you're looking for a slightly different answer. VT is also a reference to pre-recorded and edited segments of a live show. For instance, the news is read live but the articles that get played in between the newsreader would be referred to as VTs. It's not just for news though, any packaged film that gets shown within another programme would be a VT - anything that couldn't really be done live.
They are called "VTs" because (like Graham says) they are used for inserts in magazine shows like the One Show - which are often broadcast live from a studio. Pre-prepared segments for this type of show used to be stored on videotapes - "VTs" - which would be brought to the studio on transmission day. When the moment came for each segment to be broadcast, the studio director would call "Roll VT" and a technician would play the correct pre-recorded videotape. It has since become TV slang for any kind of pre-prepared sequence in a larger show.