Action
The cue that is shouted when the camera starts rolling.
Apple Box
Wooden boxes of varying sizes with holes on each end used chiefly in film production. These boxes are specialized pieces of equipment belonging to the grip department and are used for either people to stand on or equipment to be place on. Apple boxes come in four sizes: Full (8″×20″×12″), Half Apple (4″×20″×12″), Quarter Apple (2″×20″×12″) and Pancake (Eighth Apple) (1″×20″×12″).
Art Director
Designs and constructs sets for the production designer. This person needs to be well-versed in a variety of art and design styles, including architecture and interior design. He or she works with the cinematographer to achieve the right look for the production.
Assistant Camera (A.C.)
Responsible for the care and maintenance of the camera and all of its associated pieces and parts. The first A.C. works closely with the camera operator and the director of photography at the cameras, while the second A.C. loads the film and runs the slate. A director of photography will often have a favorite A.C. with whom he or she prefers to work.
Assistant Director (A.D.)
An assistant to the director, the first A.D. runs the set, plans the cost-efficient scheduling of locations and talent, schedules the days’ shooting and is responsible for carrying out the director’s instructions. The First A.D. plans a shooting schedule by breaking the script into sections that can be filmed in a single day and in the most efficient order. During filming the A.D. manages the set, helps line up shots for the director, calls for quiet on the set and coordinates the extras. The assistant director is often a member of the Directors’ Guild of America.
The second assistant director (second A.D.) is a liaison between the production manager and the first assistant director. Usually works with the cast and crew and handles paperwork, including call sheets (who needs to be on the set and when), actors’ time sheets, production reports and is usually the person in charge of production assistants. This person also helps the First A.D. place extras and control crowds.
Background/Extras
Background is the term for the non-speaking extras seen in the background of a scene.
Best Boy (Previous Titles)
There are actually two separate positions that previously used the title Best Boy– the Best Boy Grip now titled the 2nd Company Grip and the Best Boy Electric now titled Assistant Chief Lighting Technician — who are second in command to the Key Grip and the Chief Lighting Technician, respectively. The 2nd Company Grip is in charge of the rest of the grips and grip equipment. The Assistant Chief Lighting Technician” is in charge of the rest of the electricians and the electrical equipment.
Blocking
The physical movements used by actors in a scene.
Body Make-up Artist
Union rules state that the body make-up artist apply any make-up below the actor’s breastbone, or above the elbow.
Boom Operator
The boom operator is a sound crew member who handles the microphone boom, a long pole that holds the microphone near the action but out of frame, allowing the microphone to follow the actors as they move.
Breakdown
A detailed listing and description of roles available for casting in a production.
Call sheet
Production term for daily listing of shooting schedule, scenes and cast involved.
Call time
The time you are due on a set.
Callback
A follow-up audition.
Camera Operator
Runs the camera during shooting. On low-budget films, the D.P. may also serve as the Operator. The camera operator is responsible for keeping the action in frame, and responding quickly to the action as it unfolds.
Casting Director
Responsible for supplying actors for the film. Works with the producer and director.
Chief Lighting Technician (Formerly Gaffer)
Works with the D.P. and the lighting director to light the scene. Handles the equipment. The Chief Lighting Technician is the chief electrician on the set, and is responsible for lighting the set according to the instructions of the cinematographer.
Close-up (CU)
Camera term for a tight shot of the shoulders and face.
Cold reading
An unrehearsed reading of a scene, usually at auditions.
Costumes (Formerly Wardrobe)
Not to be confused with the costume designer, the costume department handles the costumes on the set. The costumer takes care of the costumes on the set, keeping them in good, clean condition, and making sure the right actor gets the right costume.
Costume Designer
The costume designer creates all the costumes worn by the cast on a production. This person contributes to the overall look of the film, as well as the style and interpretation of the film’s characters.
Craft Services
The people responsible for coffee, beverages and snacks on the set. They also perform various small chores.
Dailies
Screening of footage before it is edited.
Day Player
A day player is an actor hired on a daily basis. This actor only has a few lines or scenes. The day player must be notified that they are finished by the end of the day; otherwise they are automatically called back for another day of work.
Dialogue Coach
The dialogue coach helps actors learn their lines and master accents and dialects that are necessary for their roles.
Director
Controls the action and dialogue in front of the camera. Translates the written word into visuals and dialogue. The director is responsible for all creative aspects of a movie. The director usually helps hire actors, decides on locations and plans the shots before filming begins. During filming the director oversees the actors and crew, sets up shots and keeps the movie on schedule and on budget. The director is usually hired by a producer, unless he or she is also producing the film.
Director of Photography (D.P.)
Responsible for the “look” of the film; works with the lighting director to set-up shots and camera moves. The D.P. has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that each scene is properly recorded on film. Sometimes called the cinematographer. The D.P. directs the lighting for each scene, helps frame shots, chooses lenses, selects film stock and ensures that the visual look of the film conforms to the director’s vision. The cinematographer usually does not operate the camera on set (this is the duty of the camera operator).
Dolly Grip
Prepares the camera dolly and associated hardware, and operates the dolly during the shoot.
Dress the set
To add items/props to the set.
Drive-on pass
A pass to drive on and park at a studio.
Editor
Cuts the film and splices it together. There is usually more than one editor on a large project. The editor works with the director in editing the film. The director has the primary responsibility for editing decisions, but the editor often has significant input in the creative decisions involved in putting together a final cut of a movie. The editor often starts work while the film is still being shot, by assembling preliminary cuts from the daily footage. Increasingly, editors work on computerized editing consoles without touching the actual film.
Electrician
A member of the electrical department; reports directly to the Chief Lighting Technician.
Emancipated minor
A minor under 18 who has been given the status of a legal adult by a judge.
Employer of Record (EOR)
The company responsible for employment taxes and unemployment benefits.
Executive Producer
Arranges financing and tries to keep the project on budget, but may not be directly involved with the day-to-day productions of the film. This is sometimes conferred upon a studio executive who works with several projects simultaneously. Increasingly the executive producer credit is given as a perk to a powerful actor’s agent or spouse, or some other person who made the project possible.
EXT. (Exterior)
A scene shot outside.
Foley Artist
A sound effects artist who works on a special “Foley” stage where sound effects are recorded to match visuals such as doors closing, feet walking, and window breaking.
Forced call
A call to work less than 12 hours after dismissal of the previous day.
FX (Effects)
Special Effects.
Golden Time
Overtime after the 16th hour.
Grip
Works with the lighting and camera departments. The backbone of the film shoot, grips are responsible for moving equipment and generally assisting the production team. The key grip is the head of the grip department.
Hairdresser
The hairdresser is licensed to cut, color and style the hair of actors in a production. He or she also styles and cuts wigs when necessary. Usually the hairdresser provides all the necessary equipment and rents it to the production on a weekly basis.
Hiatus
Time when a TV series is in between production.
Hold
A contractual obligation for a performer to be available for work.
Holding fee
Set payment by an advertiser to retain the right to use a performer’s services, images or likeness on an exclusive basis.
INT. (Interior)
A scene shot indoors.
Key Grip
The key grip is the chief grip on the set. Grips create shadow effects with lights and operate camera cranes, dollies and platforms as directed by the cinematographer.
Leadman
The leadman answers to the set designer and heads the swing gang (the people who set up and take down the set) and the set dressing department.
Line Producer
Responsible for keeping the film’s costs down. Approves expenses, including locations, actors, and crew. The line producer supervises the movie’s budget. This includes unique expenses like a star’s salary as well as daily costs like equipment rentals. The production manager reports his or her expenses and needs to the line producer.
Location Manager
Scouts locations and negotiates use agreements with property owners. Works with the transportation captain to make sure there is enough parking at the location; works with local officials to coordinate shooting schedules, and is responsible for the condition of the locations after shooting is finished. The location manager reads the script, decides what locations are necessary for the film, then scouts for them. After locations are chosen, the location manager acquires all the permits and permissions necessary for filming.
Location Scout
Searches for the perfect locations, both in terms of artistic and logistic considerations. Often becomes the location manager once production has begun.
Looping
An in-studio technique matching voice to picture (also known as ADR).
Make-up Artist
The make-up artist is usually a licensed professional who applies any make-up to an actor above the breastbone to the top of the head and from the tips of the fingers to the elbow.
Meal Penalty
A set fee paid by the producer for failure to provide meals as set by the contract.
Mixer
Takes care of all sound levels in a studio, on location and in post-production. Head of the sound department.
Out time
The actual time after which you have changed out of wardrobe and are released.
Pan
A camera shot which sweeps from side to side.
Pick-up
An added take because of a problem with a shot.
Pilot
The first show introducing the characters and situations for a potential series.
POV shot
A point of view shot; camera angle from the perspective of one actor.
Principal
A performer with lines or special business which advances the storyline.
Producer
Brings a specific production together. Chooses the screenplay, arranges financing, hires a director, helps in the casting process, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the shoot. Is involved with the editing and all post-production and may also consult on marketing and distribution.
Production Assistant (P.A.)
The runners, ‘gophers’ on the set. The job can include holding back onlookers, getting coffee, answering phones in the production office, escorting actors to locations, acting as a stand-in while a short is worked out, or performing any other tasks required to make the production run more smoothly. The P.A. performs small but essential tasks for the cast and crew.
Production Caterer
The production caterer provides all the meals for a production, especially for on-location shoots. The caterer makes sure that the food provided meets the needs of the cast, often including special items for the star of the movie.
Production Designer
Responsible for sets, props and costumes. Works closely with the director to determine the overall ‘look’ of the film.
Production Manager (P.M.)
Makes the business deals, including hotel/housing, crew hiring, equipment rental and budget management. The P.M. works with the A.D. on scheduling and review production reports. The P.M. signs checks.
Production Office Coordinator
The production office coordinator (P.O.C.) handles the production’s office duties and stays behind when a production goes on location. He or she coordinates the crew, makes sure paperwork gets done and answers the phone. The P.O.C. also puts together new versions of the script as changes are made.
Production Sound Mixer
The production sound mixer (or recordist) records sound during filming. This person is also responsible for mixing the various soundtracks into the film’s composite soundtrack, which is then put onto the film with either a magnetic or optical stripe.
Property Master
The property master finds, maintains and places on the set all essential props for a scene. A prop is a moveable item that is essential to a scene.
Re-write
Changes in the scripts; often made using color-coded pages.
Scale
Minimum payment for services under Union contracts.
Scale+ 10
Minimum payment + 10% to cover agent’s commission.
Screenwriter
Writes a script, either from an original idea or from an existing book or story. The term “Written By” in the credits is a Writers Guild of America designation meaning “Original Story and Screenplay By.” The writer creates and shapes an original story, or adapts a book, play or other work for use on the big screen. A script may go through many writers, so the Writer’s Guild of America must often determine who gets screen credit as the Writer.
Script Supervisor
Keeps track of how many takes are made of each shot and scene, how long they ran and who was in them, and makes detailed notes about what took place, such as; was her hat on or off? Was the glass half full or empty? This is important so scenes can be recreated if they need to be re-shot. Also referred to as continuity.
Second Unit Director
The second unit director heads the second unit — a separate production crew that shoots sequences not involving the main actors. These can include background shots at remote locations, shots used for special effects and scenes that are not essential to the plot.
Set Designer
The set designer takes direction from the art director about the look of the set, and then plans its technical construction.
Set Dresser
The set dresser is responsible for everything on a set except props that are essential to the scene. The set dresser selects items like drapes, artwork, bed linens, dishes and anything else, to make the set a realistic environment.
Sides
Pages or scenes from a script used for auditions.
Signatory
An employer who has agreed to produce under the terms of a union contract.
Slate
A board (usually black and white) placed in front of the cameras at the beginning or end of each take of each scene, identifying the scene and take numbers.
Special Effects
Can be either mechanical (breakaway chairs), or optical (in-camera effects like speeding up the film), computer graphics, or a combination.
Stage Manager
The person who oversees the technical aspects of an in-studio production.
Stand-in
A member of the production team who takes the place of the actor while the director, D.P. and camera operator set up the shot.
Story Editor
The story editor supervises several story analysts who work for the studios. The analysts read screenplays, books and other literary efforts looking for potential movies. The analyst then writes “coverage” (a synopsis) of the material. The story editor reviews the coverage and passes on promising prospects to the studio bosses for possible development into a motion picture.
Studio Teacher
Set teacher or tutor, hired to provide education to working with young performers; also responsible for enforcing Child Labor Law.
Stunt Coordinators
Stages the stunts and works with the stunt players. Responsible for the safety of all involved in the filming of a stunt.
Taft-Hartley
A federal statute that allows 30 days after first employment before being required to join a Union.
Take
The clapboard indication of a shot “taken” or printed.
Talent Agent
Represents actors, models and extras and tries to get them work on film, television, video or still-print projects.
Transportation Captain
Makes sure everyone gets to the location. Responsible for all vehicle movement and parking. All drivers report to the transportation captain.
Transportation Coordinator
The transportation coordinator makes sure that actors, crew and equipment have some way of getting to the location shoot. He or she coordinates the use of everything from limos to semis. The transportation captain reports to the coordinator.
Unit Manager/Unit Production Manager (U.P.M.)
Assists the production manager or the company’s business manager with the day-to-day financial operations of the shoot. Sometimes also functions as a location scout.
Unit Publicist
The unit publicist makes sure the media are aware of a production by sending out press releases, arranging for interviews of cast and crew, setting up on-set visits and organizing media kits, which include publicity pictures, video and audio clips and plot summaries.
Video Assist
Operates a small video system called a video tap that records everything the camera is recording. This allows the director to see what the camera operator sees thus assuring that the shot looks the way it was planned to.
Visual Effects Director
The visual effects director’s job varies according to the needs of the production. Sometimes the visual effects director helps with effects on the set. But he or she could also be called upon to supervise separate teams of effects technicians working away from the set.
Work Permit
A legal document required to allow a child to work, issued by various state or local agencies.
Wrap
Finishing a production.