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One of the problems of being a dilettante are those awkward silences when no matter what you've read or heard about a.jpg)
subject, something comes up that you can't fake. There is a lot about the film industry I've learned by hanging around, but there is far more I have to learn. To help my fellow neophytes, I am passing on a list of terms and definitions from Chuck Slavin and New England Talent & Crew that Chuck passed on from Jim McIsaac...
Thought some members of the Group might find this useful.
Industry Terms Defined (Provided courtesy of castingworkbook.com)
ACTION! - The command from the director for the scene to begin. It also means that the camera is rolling.
A.D. - The Assistant Director.
AD LIB - Extemporaneous delivery without relying on a prepared script.
ADR - Automated Dialogue Replacement. Dialogue added to a scene in post production. Also called "looping".
AEA - Actors' Equity Association; also called "Equity". SAG's sister union which represents stage actors. See also BAE, CAE and MEAA.
AFI - The American Film Institute
A.C.C.T. - Association of Canadian Craftspeople
ACTRA - Alliance of Canadian Cinema Television and Radio Artist
AFTRA - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Represents radio artists and news broadcasters, and, in earlier times, television performers. In more recent times, however, television performers may be represented by either AFTRA or SAG, depending on the producer's contract. Discussions about merging the two organizations have been ongoing for several decades; recent Television & Film and Commercial Contracts have been jointly negotiated.
AGMA - American Guild of Musical Artists
AGVA - American Guild of Variety Artists
AMPTP - Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
ART DIRECTOR - Person who conceives and designs the sets.
ATA - Association of Talent Agents
AUDITION - A tryout for a film, TV or stage role. Usually auditions involving reading from the script, but can also require improvisation.
AVAIL - A courtesy situation extended by performer or agent to a producer indicating availability to work a certain job. Avails have no legal or contractual status.
BACKGROUND - The Extra performers. On the set, "Background!" is a verbal cue for the Extras to start their action.
BACK TO ONE! - The verbal cue for performers to return to the mark where they started the scene.
BAE - British Actors Equity
BEAUTY SHOT - On TV soaps, the shot over which the credits are rolled.
BEST BOY - The assistant to the Chief Electrician, or Head Gaffer.
BILLING - The order of the names in the title of opening credits of a film or TV show.
BIO - Short for "biography". A resume in narrative form, usually for a printed program or press release.
BLOCKING - The actual physical movements by performers in any scene. Also can refer to the movements of the camera.
BOOKING - A firm commitment to a performer to do a specific job.
BOOM - An overhead microphone, usually on an extended pole. The Boom Operator is the member of the sound department responsible for holding the boom pole, with mic attached, over and sometimes under the actors. Also usually responsible for placing radio mics on actors.
BLUE SCREEN - Shooting in a studio against a large blue or green backdrop, which allows a background to be superimposed later on the final image. The actors must imagine the set they are on and be aware of the limitations of their movements. Casting Workbook™s Audition studio in their Vancouver location is a Blue Screen.
BREAKAWAY - Specially designed prop or set piece that looks solid but shatters easily.
BREAKDOWN - A summary description of a script prepared by or for the casting director often including the names of the director, producer, network or studio, together with audition location and times, storyline and roles available for casting in a production. These are, and have traditionally been, provided only to qualified talent agents. Breakdowns are posted on the Casting Workbook by the Casting Director and go out to as many as 1000 agents in 20 cities. See also Casting Notices.
BRIEF - The Australian equivalent to the Breakdown.
BROWSER - See Web Browser
CAEA - Canadian Actors Equity Association
CACHE - Your Web browser's cache, which contains the most recent Web files that you have downloaded and which is physically located on your hard disk.
CALLBACK - Any follow-up interview or audition.
CALL SHEET - A sheet containing the cast and crew call times for a specific day's shooting. Scene numbers, the expected day's total pages, locations, and production needs are also included.
CALL TIME - The actual time an actor is due on the set.
CAMERA CREW - With the D.P. (Director of Photography) as its chief, this team consists of the camera operator, the first assistant camera operator (focus puller), the second assistant camera operator (film loader and clap stick clapper) and the dolly grip.
CAMERA OPERATOR - The member of the camera crew who actually looks through the lens during a take. Responsible for panning, tilting and keeping the action within the frame.
CASTING DIRECTOR - The producer's representative responsible for choosing performers for consideration by the producer or director.
CASTING FACILITY - A studio or space used by one or more casting directors for holding audition taping sessions. Many casting directors have their own casting facility and others rent facilities for their auditions as required.
CASTING NOTICE - Similar in format to a Breakdown, the casting notice is not restricted to agents only. They are distributed to actors, agents and the public, much the same as a posting in a newspaper.
CATTLE CALL - The actual time you are due on the set
CATERER - Responsible for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a set. Different from Craft Services.
CD-ROM - A compact disk that holds text, music and images. One of the principle new venues for interactive video games as well as for full motion video films. Acting for CD-ROM's is a new arena for actors.
CDS - The Casting Delivery Service run by Casting Workbook in Toronto as a daily 5 point drop-off courier and package delivery augmenting the electronic service.
CFTPA - Canadian Film & Television Production Association. A non-profit, trade association representing almost 400 Canadian production companies involved in television, film and interactive media.
CHANGES - Outfits worn while performing.
CHEAT - The actor's adjustment of body position away from what might be absolutely "natural" in order to accommodate the camera; can also mean looking in a different place from where the other actor actually is.
CHECKING THE GATE! - A verbal command to check the lens on the camera; if the lens is OK the cast & crew will move on to the next scene or shot.
CHIEF ELECTRICIAN - Heads the electrician crew; also called the Gaffer.
CINEMATOGRAPHER - Director of Photography
CLOSE-UP (CU) - Camera term for tight shot of shoulders and face.
COLD READING - Unrehearsed reading of a scene, usually at an audition.
COMMISSION - Percentage of a performer's earnings paid to agents or managers for services rendered.
COMPOSITE - A series of photos on one sheet representing an actor's different looks.
CONFLICT - Status of being paid for services in a commercial for one advertiser, thereby contractually preventing performing services in a commercial for a competitor.
COOKIE - A cookie is information that a Web site puts on your hard disk so that it can remember something about you at a later time.
COPY - The script for a commercial or voice over.
COVERAGE - All camera shots other than the master shot; coverage might include two-shots and close-ups.
CRAFT SERVICES - On-set beverage and snack table. Different from the Caterer
CRANE SHOT - A camera shot raised over or above the set or the action.
CRAWL - Usually the end credits in a film or TV shot which "crawl" up the screen.
CREDITS - Opening names in a film or TV show; also refers to a one's performance experience listed on a resume or in a program.
CSA - Casting Society of America. Professional society of Theatrical (Film, TV, Stage) Casting Directors.
CUE - Hand signal by the Stage Manager
CUT! - The verbal cue for the action of the scene to stop. At no time, may an actor call, "cut!"
CUTAWAY - A short scene between two shots of the same person, showing something other than that person.
DAILIES - Screening of footage before it is edited.
DAY PLAYER (DAY PERFORMER) - A principal performer hired on a daily basis, rather than on a longer - term contract.
DAYTIME DRAMA - Soap opera.
DEMO TAPE - An actor™s audio or video tape that agents use for audition purposes. These are now going digital and are being uploaded to the Casting Workbook saving duplication and shipping costs for agents and their actors.
DGA - Directors Guild of America.
DGC - Directors Guild of Canada
DIALECT - A distinctly regional or linguistic speech pattern.
DIALOGUE - The scripted words exchanged by performers.
DIGITIZING - The process of converting something into a form for use in a computer
DIRECTOR - The coordinator of all artistic and technical aspects of any production.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (D.P. or D.O.P) - Supervises all decisions regarding lighting, camera lenses, color and filters, camera angle set-ups, camera crew and film processing.
DOLLY - A piece of equipment that the camera sits on to allow mobility of the camera.
DOLLY GRIP - The crew member who moves the dolly.
DOUBLE - A performer who appears in place of another performer, i.e., as in a stunt.
D.P. - Director of Photography or Cinematographer.
DRESS THE SET - Add such items to the set as curtains, furniture, props, etc.
DRIVE-ON PASS - In Los Angeles, a pass to drive onto and park on a studio lot.
DUPE - A duplicate copy of a film or tape; also, a "dub"
8x10 - Commonly used size of a performer's photos, usually in black and white.
18-TO-PLAY-YOUNGER - A performer legally 18 years old, who can convincingly be cast as a younger age.
E. I. C. - Entertainment Industry Coalition
ELECTRICIAN - In film, crew members who place lighting instruments, focus, gel and maneuver the lights.
EMPLOYER OF RECORD (EOR) - The company responsible for employment taxes, unemployment benefits and workers compensation coverage.
ENCODING - Converting a digital file, usually audio or video, into a specific format. Ie: MP3, AVI, MOV etc.
EQUITY - Actors Equity Association (see AEA, BAE , CAEA and MEAA) Union representing stage actors.
EQUITY WAIVER - In Los Angeles, 99-seat (or less) theatres which were otherwise professional, over which Equity waived contract provisions under certain circumstances. Now officially called "Showcase code", the term "Equity waiver" is still used informally.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Person responsible for funding the production.
EXT. (Exterior) - A scene shot outside.
EXTRA - Background performer, used only in non-principal roles.
FICA - Social Security taxes (Federal Insurance Corporation of America).
FIELD REP. - Union staff member who ensures contractual compliance on sets.
FIRST A.D. - First Assistant Director; person responsible for the running of the set. Gives instructions to crew and talent, including calling for "first team," "quiet," "rehearsal," and "take five."
FIRST ASS'T. CAMERA OP. - First Assistant Camera Operator is responsible for focusing the camera lens during the shooting of a scene; also known as the Focus Puller.
FIRST TEAM - The production term for the principal actors in a scene.
4-A's - Associated Actors and Artistes of America; umbrella organization for SAG, AFTRA, Equity and other performers' Unions.
FORCED CALL - A call to work less than 12 hours after dismissal on the previous day. See TURNAROUND.
FOREGROUND CROSS - Action in a scene in which an Extra Performer passes between the camera and the principal actors; sometimes called a "wipe".
FX (Effects) - Special Effects.
GAFFER - The Chief Electrician.
GOLDEN TIME - Contractually called 16 Hour Rule Violation for Extra Performers, is overtime, after the 16th hour, paid in units of one full day per hour.
GRIPS - Members of the film crew who are responsible for moving set pieces, lighting equipment, dolly track and other physical movement of equipment.
HAND MODEL - A performer whose hands are used to double for others.
HIATUS - Time during which a TV series is not in production
HOLDING - The designated area to which the Extra Performers report and stay while waiting to go on set.
HONEY WAGON - A towed vehicle containing one or more dressing rooms, as well as crew bathrooms.
IATSE - International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees; the union which represents most off - camera crew members.
INDUSTRIAL - Non-broadcast film or video, usually of an educational nature
INSERTS - Shots, usually close -ups of hands or close business, inserted into previously shot footage.
INT. (Interior) - A scene shot indoors.
"IN" TIME - The actual call time or start time; also, return time from a break.
LINE PRODUCER - The producer responsible for keeping the director on time and budget; generally the most visible producer actually on the set.
LONG SHOT (LS) - A camera shot which captures the performer's full body.
LOOPING - An in-studio technique used to fix dialogue already performed during principal photography by matching voice to picture.
MARK - The exact position(s) given to an actor on a set to insure that he/she is in the proper light and camera angle; generally marked on the ground with tape or chalk.
MARKER! - A verbal cue that the take has been identified on camera both verbally and with the slate board.
MASTER SHOT - A camera shot that includes the principal actors and relevant background activity; generally used as a reference shot to record the scene from beginning to end before shooting close-ups, over-the-shoulders, etc.
MATCHING ACTIONS - The requirement that the actor match the same physical movements in a scene from take to take in order to preserve the visual continuity.
MEAA - Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Australia)
MEAL PENALTY - A fee paid by the producer for the failure to provide meals or meal breaks as specified by the contract.
MIXER - Chief of the sound crew; responsible for the quality of the sound recording on a shoot.
MODEM - A device that converts digital signals from a computer or other digital device, into a form that can be transmitted across copper wires. It also re-converts them when received from another device.
MOS (Mit Out Sound/Motion Only Shot) - Any shot without dialogue or sound recording. Also sometimes called S.O.C. , silent on-camera.
M.O.W. - Movie of the week
N to Z coming next week
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