GLOSSARY OF FILM TERMS

• Action


  Director of first AD's command to begin shooting on set (What a character does to achieve and objective in script analysis)
• Actors demo reel


  A 1-2 minute edited video featuring clips of an actor's best performances to market themselves to industry professionals
• Actor's Slate


  An actor's introduction of themselves for an on-camera audition directly into camera, usually including name, height and the role they're reading for
• Automated Dialogue Repartement (ADR)


  The process of re-recording dialogue in a studio after a scene has been shot to replace unacceptable sound quality, also known as looping
• Back to one


  A phrase used by the 1st AD to instruct actors to go back to their first positions at the top of the scene after a take is completed
• Beat


  A smaller subdivision of a scene in script analysis, a new beat occurs when there's a shift in subject in the text or subtext between the characters
• Beat


  A pause in the dialogue or action in screenwriting, appearing between two lines of dialogue to indicate an internal shift or change in thought/emotion
• Blocking


  Physical direction given by the director to the camera operators to be performed in the scene, positions are marked with color-coded spike tape on the floor
• Boom operator


  Assistant to the production sound mixer who operates the boom microphone to record the dialogue in a scene
• Call Sheet


  A document that is sent out at the end of the day to the cast and crew containing details for the next day's shooting orders
• Camera operator


  The person who operates the camera and executes the framing as directed by the cinematographer and/or the director
• Camera right or left


  The direction of the actor's movements as seen from the camera, if the actor is instructed to take two steps camera left, they will take two steps to their right
• Camera Time


  When the actor moves a little slower to allow the camera operator to move with them
• Casting Director


  The person who organizes all aspects of casting including recommending actors, scheduling auditions, and negotiating the deal when an actor is hired
• Cinematographer or Director of Photography (DP)


  Responsible for the artistic and technical decisions about the lighting and framing of each shot
• Close-up (CU)


  A tight shot that frames the face from the neck up
• Continuity


  The process of ensuring the physical details and emotional content from shot to shot are consistent, the actor and director are responsible for tracking emotional continuity and the script supervisor is responsible for tracking the physical details and actions
• Cover


  A series of shots needed to tell the narrative of a scene
• Craft Service


  The department that provides meals for the cast and crew
• Cross-Camera Reaction


  A reaction where the actor crosses the lens with their eyes to the other side of the camera
• Cut


  The director's instruction to stop recording, an abrupt transition from one shot to another for the editor
• Cut


  A version of the film or show that was edited (director's cut, final cut, etc.)
• Day Player


  An actor in a supporting role paid by the day
• Depth of field (DOF)


  The range of distance that a camera's subject will be in focus, a large DOF refers to a deep area of focus that is sharp and clear, a shallow DOF refers to a small area of focus where the subject is in focus but the background is blurred
• Director


  The person in charge of the creative and dramatic aspects of the film who guides the cast and crew toward the execution of their vision
• Dutch Angle or Tilt


  A camera angle where the camera is tilted on its roll or x-axis causing the horizon in the shot to no longer be parallel to the bottom of the frame, used to create a sense of unease or disorientation for the viewer
• Emotional Continuity


  The believability of your character flowing from one scene to the next throughout the story
• Extreme Close-Up (ECU)


  A very tight shot focusing perhaps on just the eyes or lips
• Eye-line


  The focal point where the actor is looking during a scene, eye-lines help the audience understand who or what the actor is looking at
• First Assistant Camera (1st AC or Focus Puller)


  Stands next to the camera and is in charge of keeping the subject in focus throughout the scene
• First Assistant Director (1st AD or First)


  Manages the entire film, works with the director and cinematographer, creates the daily call sheets and tracks daily progress
• First team


  The principal actors
• Focal Shift


  When an actor shifts focus from one point to another, they can help create a reaction or a cutting point for the editor
• Frame


  The actor's playing space or picture that can be seen through the viewfinder on a camera and set by the Cinematographer
• Given Circumstances


  Facts about the character and scene provided by the screenwriter, including the location, time and all present or past facts that affect the character in that moment
• High angle


  When the camera is positioned high and focused on the actor below
• Insert Shot


  Usually a close-up shot that has the viewer focus on a specific detail in a scene
• Lavalier


  A small body microphone that can be placed underneath clothing or clipped to the collar of a shirt
• Low angle


  When the camera is positioned low and looking up at the actor
• Mark


  The position of each actor indicated with a small piece of color-coded spike tape on the floor, "hitting your mark" is landing on your proper position