The Secret AV Language: Phrases Every Planner Should Know

A mini-dictionary for planners who want to talk the talk, or just actually know what their tech team is saying.

Event planning might not be rocket science, but it definitely has its own language. From technical jargon to behind-the-scenes slang, knowing the right terms can make your life a whole lot easier. At Clarity, we’re all about empowering planners with the tools, knowledge, and support to pull off unforgettable events. Here’s your cheat sheet to the secret AV language (and a few not-so-AV terms that’ll still make you sound like the smartest person in the ballroom). 

If you’re new to event planning, perfect! If you’re seasoned at this but never know what the hell anyone is ever talking about, we commend you! We’ve organized everything into easy categories so you can quickly find the terms you actually need when you need them.

🎭 Event Spaces & Layouts

Green Room

The backstage space where presenters or performers relax and prep before going on stage. It’s the calm before the show, usually stocked with coffee, water, and the occasional nervous energy.

Speaker Ready Room

A private prep space for presenters to test slides, review notes, and rehearse before taking the stage. Usually equipped with laptops, tech support, and calm reassurance.

Breakout Room (or Track Stage)

Smaller session rooms separate from the main general session, used for workshops, panels, or roundtables.

General Session (or Main, Plenary, Keynote Stage)

The primary event space where the entire audience gathers for keynotes, major presentations, or performances.

Trade Show (a.k.a. Exhibit Hall or Ex-Hall)

The large space where vendors and sponsors showcase products or services in individual booths. It’s the heartbeat of brand networking, full of lighting grids, power drops, and endless coffee runs.

Crossover

The backstage path that allows crew and talent to move behind the stage unseen.

🎨 Stage Production Terms

Front of House (FOH)

The Front of House is the main technical control area for lighting, sound, show calling, and sometimes cameras. It’s typically located in the middle of the audience or at the back of the room, directly facing the stage. From this position, technicians can see and hear the show exactly as the audience does, allowing them to fine-tune every cue and ensure the best possible experience for attendees.

Back of House (BOH)

The back of house is the command center for live events. Directly behind the curtain or stage, this is where crews manage all behind-the-scenes operations that keep the show running smoothly. It’s home to stage managers, audio and video techs, crew leads, and talent waiting to go on stage. From cueing presenters to swapping microphones and managing set changes, BOH is where organization, communication, and timing come together to make everything look effortless out front.

Gobos

Metal or glass stencils that fit into stage lights to project shapes, logos, or textures. Think of them as light stencils, perfect for adding branded patterns or ambience on walls, floors, or scenic panels.

Soft Goods

All fabric-based scenic elements like drape, masking, or cyc cloths.

Truss

The aluminum framework used to support lighting, screens, and scenic elements. Truss can be ground-supported or flown from the ceiling.

Rigging Points

Designated spots in the ceiling or truss structure where equipment like lights, LED walls, and scenic pieces can be safely hung. Each venue has pre-approved rigging points that determine what can fly and where.

Dead Hang

A rigging term for equipment hung directly from a ceiling point without motorized adjustment.

Show Deck

A raised platform or stage surface where performances or presentations take place.

Throw Distance

The distance between a projector and the screen. Determines projector type and image size.

🎥 Video/lighting Production Terms

iMAG (Image Magnification)

The live video feed that puts presenters or performers up on big screens so everyone in the audience can see. If you’ve ever watched a speaker’s close-up face on LED walls, you’ve seen iMAG at work.

Video Village (a.k.a. Video Land)

The area where the video crew controls cameras, switching, playback, and content feeds. It’s essentially “mission control” for anything visual (LED walls to livestreams).

DMX (Digital Multiplex)

A universal lighting control protocol that connects fixtures to the lighting console.

Timecode

A synced digital clock used to trigger video, lighting, and audio cues automatically in perfect timing.

🔊 Audio Production Terms

Reinforcement

Term used in audio to describe amplifying or enhancing the natural sound in the room.

Line Check

A pre-show audio test to confirm every microphone and sound input is working correctly before rehearsals or showtime.

Sound Check

A live test with presenters, musicians, or talent to balance microphones and ensure clear sound for the room.

Splitter Snake

A long cable bundle that splits audio signals so both the monitor engineer (on stage) and the front-of-house engineer (in the audience) get the same inputs.

Backline

All instruments, amps, and music gear required by performers that aren’t part of the venue or AV package.

📋 Show Documents & Planning Tools

Cue Sheets

Detailed documents outlining every cue in a show: lighting and video playback to presenter entrances and mic swaps. It’s the show’s roadmap, keeping everyone on the same timeline down to the second.

Show Flow

The document outlining the run-of-show timeline, typically used by producers and show callers to track timing and transitions.

Runsheet

A simplified version of the show flow, often used by stage managers to track timing and cue transitions during live events.

Tech Rehearsal

A full run-through of the show focusing on technical cues, lighting, and transitions, not just presenter practice.

Patch

The process of connecting and labeling cables so each light, mic, or video feed is properly routed to its control system.

🧰 Logistics & Operations

Load-In / Load-Out

The setup and teardown periods before and after an event. “Load-in” means gear is coming into the venue; “load-out” means the crew’s packing it back into trucks, often late into the night.

Strike

Industry slang for “teardown.” When someone says “strike the stage,” it means it’s time to take everything down and wrap the show.

Power Drops

Electrical connections run from the venue’s power source to booths, scenic, or technical areas. Each drop provides dedicated electricity for lighting, LED, or exhibitor needs.

In-House (or In-House AV)

The venue’s own AV provider or production department. They handle basic audio-visual needs, though many planners bring in outside production partners (like Clarity) for higher-end, customized setups.

F&B (Food and Beverage)

Refers to catering services for attendees, staff, or talent. Includes everything from coffee service to plated dinners, often managed by the venue.

Comms

Short for communications headsets. Used by crew to coordinate silently during shows.

👥 Crew Roles & Show Positions

V1 / V2

Video engineers. V1 is the lead video operator responsible for all video playback, switching, and screen content. V2 assists with setup, routing, and troubleshooting.

A1 / A2

Audio engineers. A1 is the lead, mixing the show and managing all sound reinforcement. A2 supports the A by swapping mics, checking frequencies, and keeping presenters mic’d up and happy.

L1 / L2

Lighting engineers. L1 designs and runs the show lighting; L2 handles setup, focus, and fixture troubleshooting.

TD (Technical Director or TP/Technical Producer)

Oversees all technical departments and ensures cues run in sync. The TD is the calm voice in the headset when things get wild. They bridge the creative and technical worlds and manage budgets, schedules, and gear specs to make sure the show’s vision is technically achievable and on time.

Show Caller

The “conductor” of the show. The show caller gives verbal cues (“Go video,” “Go lights,” “Standby camera 2”) to keep every department aligned in real time.

Show Producer

Focuses on the big-picture attendee experience, content flow, and storytelling. Works closely with the technical producer and creative team to ensure the event feels seamless and intentional.

Stage Manager

Runs the backstage flow by getting speakers and talent to stage on cue, managing quick transitions, and keeping the show running on schedule.

Camera Ops (or Handhelds)

Operate cameras for live shots and iMAG feeds. Often running around the room or perched on platforms to capture the perfect angle.

Graphics Op (GFX)

Runs slides, lower thirds, videos, and any on-screen content during the show. One mistimed click and everyone notices.

Playback Op

Controls all video content roll-ins (like bumpers, intros, or walk-up music). Works closely with the show caller and TD to nail every cue.

Rigger

Handles all overhead installations and safety for flown equipment like truss, lights, and scenic pieces. The first crew in, the last to leave.

Lead / Crew Chief

Supervises department teams (audio, lighting, video, scenic) and ensures everyone’s working safely and efficiently.

Work With Clarity Experiences

Clarity helps planners make smart production choices that look incredible and perform flawlessly year after year. From stage design and lighting to video, audio, and overall show flow, our team builds adaptable solutions that work for every event size and style.

Great production isn’t just about what happens on stage, it’s about the planning, precision, and partnership behind it. Clarity brings the creativity, technical expertise, and foresight to help every cue, camera, and connection deliver maximum impact for your audience and your budget.

If you want your general session to run at this level, click below to contact us for a free quote!