movies terminology

• Franchise


  a series of films based on an original idea or an adaptation of, for example, a book. E.g. Hunger Games, Harry Potter, James Bond
• distributor


  the company that markets the film and organises the distribution of the film to the cinema and for DVD release.
• Major Hollywood studio


  a large film production company such as Warner Bros. These studios have large budgets, but also need to ensure that their films are successful in order to make a profit. The Hollywood film industry consists of a number of 'major' film studios.
• Teaser


  a poster or web advert that initiates interest in a film, for example, by offering an intriguing interest in a film but with little else. This 'teases' the audience!
• montage


  a collection of different images edited together in one place. Meaning will be communicated through the individual pictures as well as the overall effect.
• Billing Block


  the list of main cast and crew members, such as the star actors and director.
• ensemble cast


  a group of actors who have more or less equal roles in the production: there is not always a main protagonist or star.
• tentpole' film


  a very high-budget film, usually from a major producer, expecting large audiences.
• high-concept


  emphasis on a striking but easily communicable central premise, designed to have wide audience appeal.
• Rule of Thirds


  a framing technique - if a frame is divided into a 3-by-3 grid, objects along the lines of at the intersection dominate.