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camera

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on camera

Being filmed, as in When the talk-show host began, I wasn't sure if we were on camera. This usage dates from the first half of the 1900s, soon after the birth of motion-picture and television filming. The same is true of the antonym off camera, meaning "outside the view of a movie or TV camera," as in Go ahead and scratch-we're off camera now.

See also: camera, on

in camera

Outside of the public view: The committee met in camera to discuss the report.

See also: camera

off camera

Outside the field of view of a movie camera.

See also: camera, off

on camera

Within the field of view of a movie camera.

See also: camera, on