TV and Film Terms

Room tone

Audio background noise typical to a certain environment, sometimes referred to as “ambience.”  The natural background sound present in a room or other space, such as a train station or forest, without the sound of actors or performers.

blocking rehearsal

actors are called to the set for instructions from the director on a scenes particular movements/ blocking.   Mapping out the physical movement of a scene.

breakdown

information given out daily by casting directors to agents and managers, describing acting roles needed for TV, commercial and film projects.  

Pan Camera Movement

a horizontal movement, right to left or left to right. 

Tilt Camera Movement

a vertical movement up and down.

Dolly in/out Camera Movement

movement of the camera and pedestal toward the object or away from it. 

Track Camera Movement

movement of the camera and pedestal or dolly from left to right or from right to left while the camera is aimed in the same direction.

close-up

A basic shot in cinema and TV in which the face and shoulders (or sometimes face only) fill the screen. 

actor continuity

The practice of repeating movements in the same way throughout a scene.  Movements chosen in the Master Shot are sustained in all subsequent shots. (medium shot and close-up)

talent

actor with lines on a set.

“Checking the gate.”

This term is still used in the age of digital cameras – making sure all of the footage is usable.

green screen

A special effects film technique involving filming actors against a screen on which effects such as computerized graphics can be added later and integrated into a single sequence.

gun mic /shotgun mic

A highly directional microphone used mostly outdoors. The gun mic is usually a condenser microphone with a long body, hence the name “gun”. Also know as “shotgun mike.”

hand-held camera

A camera used without a mounting device such as a tripod or pedestal. The camera usually rests on the camera operator’s shoulder.

internal monologue

also known as inner voice, internal speech, or verbal stream of consciousness, thinking in words. It also refers to the semi-constant internal monologue one has with oneself at a conscious or semi-conscious level.

lavaliere mike

A small microphone that can be attached to a person’s jacket, shirt, or tie. Sometimes movement of the person causes the microphone to rub against the cloth causing undesirable noise.

location

A production site that is outside the studio in a place not meant for production, such as a street, a hotel, a forest, or a train station.

looping

The process of fitting speech to film already shot.  Projecting a scene for the actor and repeating or looping until synchronization of film and recorded speech is achieved.  

master shot

 Entire scene from start to finish, keeping all players in view.  

medium shot

A camera shot in which the subject is seen from a medium distance, usually from the waist up.

motion capture

Recording actions of actors and using that information to animate digital character models in computer animation.  Recording movement and transferring that movement to a digital model.

off camera

 Falling outside the camera’s field of view.  Actor is off camera feeding lines to an actor who is on camera. 

over-the-shoulder

A camera shot taken from behind the back of one of the actors.  The shoulder and back of the head are included in the shot. Usually in this kind of shot a person talking is seen from behind the shoulder of another who is listening.

residuals

A payment made to a performer, writer or director for each repeat showing of a recorded television show, commercial or film.

shooting schedule or production schedule

A detailed planning of a film or TV production’s timetable, including all facilities, equipment, crew, and performers needed for each day and location. 

shooting script

The full text of a TV program or a motion picture film divided into scenes and camera shots. The shooting script is used by the director and other crew members during all production stages.

steadicam

Trade name of a special mount for a portable camera. The steadicam is strapped to the camera operator’s body and absorbs vibration and movement caused by the operator’s walking or running.

subtext

The underlying meaning of a line or passage.   Referring to dialogue in a script.  An underlying and often distinct theme in a piece of writing or conversation. 

transition

the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.   In acting terms – a beat change ---a transition of change from one line of thinking to another.

two-shot

A camera shot with two persons in the frame.

slate

 Also term used in Commercial auditions where the actor is asked to say their name on camera, at the beginning of the audition.  

“It’s a wrap!”

an expression used to announce that a production is finished and equipment can be switched off and the crew released.

“Strike”

Equipment or set pieces are being moved.  Stay out of the way

“Back to One” (or reset)

Return to starting places for that shot

“Background”

Extras start moving, this is before action is called

Craft Service / Crafty

A tent of snacks and beverages set up all day for cast and crew.

“Martini Shot”

 Last shot of the day

Video Village

Where the monitor is set up for the director and other major crew members to look at a shot.  Easily becomes too-crowded.

“Last Looks”

Hair/make-up gives final touch-up to actors before a scene is filmed  

Magic Hour

Before sunrise/after sunset, the sky is dark but still illuminated.  Only lasts about 20 minutes, despite its name.

“Picture’s Up”

Alerts all on set that the cameras are almost set to start rolling

“Rolling”

The cameras are recording, this comes right before ‘Action!’

Sides

A half-sized printed script of only the scenes being shot that day