Film lingo

all film terminology needed for starting out

Pictures up

Called 1st. The warning shouted right before the camera starts rolling to let everyone know filming is about to begin

Back to One

A command for actors and crew to return to their original starting positions for a retake (instead of calling cut and starting a new take)

Rolling

Actively recording

Roll camera

Called 5th. Instruction for the camera operator to begin recording

Cut

The command from the director to stop rolling

Check the Gate

Means the director liked that take artistically, and now we need to watch playback to make sure everything is good before moving the camera or An inspection of the camera film gate to ensure no dust or debris reined the shot.

Abby singer

The second-to-last shot of the day

Martini shot

The final shot if the shooting day

Whats your 20?

Asking for someones current location

10-1

Code for a bathroom break

10-2

Code for a longer bathroom break

First team

The principal actors when called means they are needed in set for the shot

Second Team

Stand-in actors for setting up camera and lighting

Blocking

The choreography and positioning of actors, camera, and lighting for the scene

Copy

I understand

Roll sounds

Called 4th. Instruction for the sound operator to begin recording

1st AC

The focus puller: this person is respinsible for keeping the camera’s focus sharp

2nd AC

Operates the clapperboard, also does tape marks for blocking

ADR

Re-recording actor dialogue in a studio

Apple Box

A wooden box used by grips to prop up or elevate equipment, furniture, or people

Backround actor

The non-speaking performers in a scene

Basecamp

The central hub for a production where the trailers, catering, and various department trucks are located

C47

Clothes pin

Camera operator

The person who controls the camera

C-Stand

A heavy-duty metal stand to hold various things

Company Move

When the entire production packs up and moves to a new location

Crafty

Snack and drink table, available to the cast and crew all day, managed by a PA

Dailies/ Rushes

The raw, unedited footage from the previous day’s shoot

Day player

An actor or crew member hired for a single day

Deal memo

A contract outlining the terms of employment for a cast and crew member

Diffuser

A translucent material placed in front of a light source to soften it

DIT (digital Imaging Technician)

The crew member responsible for managing the backing up all the digital data from the camera

Dolly

A cart with wheels that the camera is mounted on, used to creat smooth, horizontal camera movements (in and out)

DP/DoP

Also called the cinematographer. The head of the camera and lighting departments, responsible for the visual style of the film

Fill Light

Used to fill the shadows caused by the Key Light

Fire Watch

When a PA is assigned to watch the set and equipment to ensure nothing is stolen or damaged. Means that it’s someone else’s responsibility, but something has come up

Flag

A black fabric on a metal frame used by grips to block light and create shadows

Foley

Creating sound effects in post-production that are synchronized with the images on screen

Gaffer

Head of the electrical department manages the physical placement and day-to-day execution of the lighting plan

Genny

A portable generator that provides power for the production on location

Green room

Area given to the talent to rest between shot set-ups

Grip

A crew member responsible for rigging and setting up non-electrical equipment on set

Holding area/ Crowd Base

The place where background actors wait between scenes

Hot Points (Points)

A warning shouted when carrying something long and dangerous

Insert Shot

A close-up shot of an object or detail, often to emphasize something important

Key Grip

The head of the grip department. If it supports light or camera gear mechanically without electricity, it belongs to them.

Key Light

The main and most powerful light source in a scene

Last Looks

The final chance for hair, makeup and wardrobe to touch up the actors before the camera rolls

Lock it Up

Called 2nd. A command from the 1st AD telling PAs to secure the set and prevent anyone from walking into a shot. Cue for everyone to stop what they’re doing; filming is about to start, and we don’t need any outside noise.

MOS (Mit Out Sound)

A shot filmed without sound

ND Filter (Neutral Density)

A filter placed on the lens that reduces the amount of light entering the camera without affecting the color

PA (production assistant)

An entry-level crew member who does a little bit of everything

Pick Ups

Shots that the crew were unable to film on the scheduled shooting day

Practical lighting

Lighting fixtures that is visible directly within the frame

Prop Master

Head of the prop department

Script supervisor (scripty)

The crew member who tracks continuity, dialogue, and camera coverage to ensure it will all cut together in post-production

Sides

Small, printed copies of the scenes being shot that day. Usually in the order the scenes are being shot that day. Typically scaled down and printed on half-letter-sized paper

Sound speed/ Speeding

That call from the sound mixer confirms that their equipment is recording

Steadicam

A stabilizing contraption that straps a camera to your chest

Sticks

Another name for the camera tripod

Stingers

An extension cord on a film set

Striking

What you say right before turning on a light

Talent

Refers to any of the actors on set

Tail Slate

Slating a shot at the end instead of the beginning. The slate is held upside down. After clapping it upside down, turn it right side up so the scene number and take can be read easily

Walk and Talk

A scene where two or more characters are walking while having a conversation

Wild Sound

Audio that is recorded on set without any accompanying video

Wrangler

A person hired to manage a specific element on set, such as animals or vehicles

Saving

Announced when turning off the lights on set to prevent confusion, trips, or falls

Make it Safe

A directive to secure equipment, lock off stands, or stabilize a setup before moving on to the next task

Hot Set

An active set that has props or lighting in exact positions must not be touched

Safety take/ For safety

Shooting an extra take just in case there was an unseen technical problem

Hollywood/ Hollywooding

To hold something in place instead of setting it up on a c-stand

86

get rid of it

Audition it

hold it in place to see if you want to keep it (usually said by the DoP) Different because there is a chance that you set it up

Flying in

Hold on its on its way

Playback

Reviewing the take

Sharps

Pull focus

Walk-Away

A set-up at the end of the day that you will not tear down because you’re coming back to it the following day

Last Man

When the last person gets their food, meaning the time has started till you have to be back on set

Rack Focus

A camera technique that shifts the focus of the lens from one subject to another within the same shot

Three-point Lighting

A standard lighting setup using a key light, fill light, and back light to illuminate a subject

Above-the-Line (ATL)

The primary creative and administrative powerhouses of a project include the producers, directors, screenwriters, and principal actors. usually fixed/ flat rates. They may also receive Back-end percentages of the project’s profits.

Below-the-Line (BTL)

The technical, hands-on crew members are responsible for the physical production. This includes cinematographers (DoP), Editors, Sound engineers, Gaffers, Costume designers, Grips, etc. Unlike others if a shoot day runs long, they earn time-and-a-half or double time.

Aperture

the opening of a camera lens that controls the amount of light allowed to pass through

Arc shot

a shot that captures a subject while moving around in a circle

Ambient light

Is the naturally occurring light you find on the film location

Barn Doors

Slang for the four metal folding doors found on all sides of a light or on a camera with a matte box

Grips

Set up the heavy stands/rigging. THEY DO NOT TOUCH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.

Lighting department/ Electricians

Crew member who physically runs the cables, sets up the heavy lights, and plugs into power sources.

Bounce Board

A board used to reflect light during filming is typically a solid white surface to help add soft light to a scene

Chimera (soft box)

A cloth frame that attaches to a hard light and turns it into a diffused light. Generally makes the light more spead out/ larger

Day for Night shot

Filmed during the day to make it appear as if it takes place at night

Tracking shot

When the camera moves alongside the subject throughout a space

Wide Shot (WS)

A shot that shows a subject with a large portion of their surrounding environment

Close-Up

A shot that tightly frames a subject often to emphasise emotion or detail

Over the Shoulder Shot

A shot filmed from behind one character while framing another, commonly used in conversation

Two-Shot

A composition that includes two subjects within the same frame

Dutch angle

A deliberately tilted camera angle used to create a sense of unease or instability

Dolly zoom

A camera effect that combines a zoom with movement in the opposite direction to create a distorted sense of perspective

Establishing Shot

A shot that introduces the location or environment where a scene takes place