Film Terms

abby singer (shot)

A nickname for the second-to-last production shot of the day

above the line

Refers to that part of a film's budget that covers the costs associated with major creative talent: the stars, the director, the producer(s) and the writer(s), although films with expensive special effects (and few stars) have more 'above the line' budget costs for technical aspects; the term's opposite is below the line

abstract (form)

A type of film that rejects traditional narrative in favor of using poetic form (color, motion, sound, irrational images, etc.) to convey its meaning or feeling; aka non-linear

absurd
(absurdism)

A stage, philosophical and literary term originally, adopted by film-makers, in which ordinary settings become bizarre, illogical, irrational, unrealistic, meaningless, and incoherent

Academy Awards

The name given to the prestigious film awards presented each year by AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, or simply 'The Academy'), a professional honorary organization within the industry, since 1927. The annual awards show, in slang.

act

A main division within the plot of a film; a film is often divided by 'plot points' (places of dramatic change) rather than acts; long films are divided mid-way with an intermission

action

(1) any movement or series of events (usually rehearsed) that take place before the camera and propel the story forward toward its conclusion;
(2) the word called out (by a megaphone) at the start of the current take during filming to alert actors to begin performing;
(3) also refers to the main component of action films - that often contain significant amounts of violence

actor

Refers either to a male performer, or to any male or female who plays a character role in an on-screen film

actress

Refers to any female who portrays a role in a film

adaptation

The presentation of one art form through another medium; a film based upon, derived from (or adapted from) a stage play (or from another medium such as a short story, book, article, history, novel, video game, comic strip/book, etc.) which basically preserves both the setting and dialogue of the original; can be in the form of a script (screenplay)

ad lib

A line of dialogue improvised by an actor during a performance; can be either unscripted or deliberate; improvisation consists of ad-libbed dialogue (and action) that is invented or created by the performer

aerial shot

A camera shot filmed in an exterior location from far overhead (from a bird's eye view), as from a helicopter (most common), blimp, balloon, plane, drone or kite; some aerial shots use miniatures, or are created with CGI (digitally)

Alan Smithee film

The pseudonym used by directors who refuse to put their name on a film and want to disassociate themselves, usually when they believe their control or vision has been co-opted by the studio (i.e., the film could have been recut, mutilated and altered against their wishes)

A-Level (or A-List)

Usually refers to top-tier actors/actresses who are paid upwards of $20 million per feature film; can also refer to producers, directors and writers who can be guaranteed to have a film made and released

allegory

Mostly a literary term, but taken in film terms to mean a suggestive resemblance or correspondence between a visible event or character in a film with other more significant or abstract levels of meaning outside of the film; an extended metaphor

allusion

A direct or indirect reference - through an image or through dialogue - to the Bible, a classic, a person, a place, an external and/or real-life event, another film, or a well-known cultural idea

alternate ending

The shooting (or re-shooting) of a film's ending for its theatrical release, usually enforced by the studio for any number of reasons (because of test audience preview results, controversial or unpopular subject matter, to provide a 'happy' ending, etc.)

ambiance

The feeling or mood of a particular scene or setting

ambient light

The natural light (usually soft) or surrounding light around a subject in a scene

ambiguity

A situation, story-line, scene, or character, etc. in which there are apparent contradictions; an event (and its outcome) is deliberately left unclear, and there may exist more than one meaning or interpretation; can be either intentional or unintentional, to deliberately provoke imaginative thinking or confusion

anachronism

An element or artifact in a film that belongs to another time or place

anamorphic

Related to different optical imaging effects; refers to a method of intentionally distorting and creating a wide screen image with standard film, using a conversion process or a special lens on the camera and projector to produce different magnifications in the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the picture

ancillary rights

Contractual agreement in which a percentage of the profits are received by individuals, or derived from the sale of action figures, posters, CDs, books, T-shirts, etc.

angle

Refers to the perspective from which a camera depicts its subject

animation
(and animator,
animated films)

A form or process of filmmaking in which inanimate, static objects or individual drawings (hand-drawn or CGI) are filmed "frame by frame" or one frame at a time (opposed to being shot "live"), each one differing slightly from the previous frame, to create the illusion of motion in a sequence, as opposed to filming naturally-occurring action or live objects at a regular frame rate. Often used as a synonym for cartoons (or toons for short), although animation includes other media such as claymation, computer animation

anime

A distinctive style of animated film that has its roots in Japanese comic books (known as manga)

antagonist

The main character, person, group, society, nature, force, spirit world, bad guy, or villain of a film or script who is in adversarial conflict with the film's hero, lead character or protagonist

anthology film

A multi-part or multi-segmented film with a collection or series of various tales or short stories sometimes linked together by some theme or by a 'wrap-around' tale; often the stories are directed by different directors or scripted by various screenwriters

anthropomorphism

The tendency in animated films to give creatures or objects human qualities, abilities, and characteristics.

anti-climax

Anything in a film, usually following the film's high point, zenith, apex, crescendo, or climax, in which there is an unsatisfying and disappointing let-down of emotion, or what is expected doesn't occur.

anti-hero

The principal protagonist of a film who lacks the attributes or characteristics of a typical hero archetype, but with whom the audience identifies. The character is often confused or conflicted with ambiguous morals, or character defects and eccentricities, and lacks courage, honesty, or grace. The anti-hero can be tough yet sympathetic, or display vulnerable and weak traits. Specifically, the anti-hero often functions outside the mainstream and challenges it.

aperture

Refers to the measurement of the opening in a camera lens that regulates the amount of light passing through and contacting the film.

arc shot

A shot in which the subject(s) is photographed by an encircling or moving camera.

archetype

A character, place, or thing, that is repeatedly presented in films with a particular style or characterization; an archetype usually applies to a specific genre or type classification.

arret

French word meaning 'halt' or 'stop'; refers to the in-camera trick technique of stopping the camera, then removing or inserting an object, then restarting the camera to have an object magically disappear or appear

art director

Refers to the individual (a member of the film's art department) responsible for the design, construction, look, and feel of a film's set, including the number and type of props (furniture, windows, floors, ceilings dressings, and all other set materials) and their placement

art-house

A niche motion picture theater that shows foreign, low-budget, or non-mainstream independent films, often refers to films that are considered high-brow or 'art' films

art-house film

Films, often low budget or 'art' films, that are acknowledged as having artistic merit or aesthetic pretensions, and are shown in an art-house theatre; films shown usually include foreign-language films, independent films, non-mainstream (sometimes anti-Hollywood) films, shorts, documentaries, explicitly-erotic films, and other under-appreciated cinema of low mass appeal

aside

Occurs when a character in a film breaks the 'fourth wall' and directly addresses the audience with a comment.

aspect ratio

In general, a term for how the image appears on the screen based on how it was shot; refers to the ratio of width (horizontal or top) to height (vertical or side) of a film frame, image or screen

assembly

The first stage or step of editing, in which all the shots are arranged in script order.

asynchronous (sound)

Refers to audio-track sounds that are mismatched or out of conjunction or unison with the images in the visual frame (or screen); sometimes accidental, but sometimes intentional

atmosphere

Refers to any concrete or nebulous quality or feeling that contributes a dimensional tone to a film's action.

audience

Refers to spectators, viewers, participants - those who serve as a measure of a film's success; although usually audiences are viewed in universal terms, they can also be segmented or categorized

audio

Refers to the sound portion of a film.

audio bridge

Refers to an outgoing sound (either dialogue or sound effects) in one scene that continues over into a new image or shot - in this case, the soundtrack, not a visual image, connects the two shots or scenes

audition

The process whereby an actor-performer seeks a role by presenting to a director or casting director a prepared reading or by 'reading cold' from the film script, or performing a choreographed dance

available light

The naturally-existing light in an off-set location; a film's realism is enhanced by using available or natural light rather than having artificial light.

avant-garde

Refers to an experimental, abstract, or highly independent, non-independent film that is often the forerunner of a new artistic genre or art form

axis of action

An imaginary or invisible line (or axis) that passes through two main subjects being filmed in a scene, who face each other (one is left, the other is right)

B-Film
(or B-Movie,
B-Picture)

An off-beat, low-budget, second-tier film, usually from an independent producer; they were predominant from the 1920s to the late 1940s; they were shot quickly with little-known, second rate actors, short run times, and low production values

backdrop

Refers to a large photographic backing or painting for the background of a scene (e.g., a view seen outside a window, a landscape scene, mountains, etc.), usually painted on flats (composed of plywood or cloth)

background

Refers to anything occuring in a rear plane of action (the background as opposed to the main action or attention in the foreground); abbreviated as b.g.

background artist

The individual who designs the visual background of a film scene, either traditionally painted or using digital technology

background music

Refers to part of the score that accompanies a scene or action in a film, usually to establish a specific mood or enhance the emotion.

backlighting

This phenomenon occurs when the lighting for the shot is directed at the camera from behind the subject(s), causing the figure(s) in the foreground to appear in semi-darkness or as silhouettes, or highlighted; with backlighting, the subject is separated from the background

back lot

An undeveloped area, on studio property, in an open-air, outdoor space away from the studio stages, where real-life situations with backgrounds can be filmed

back projection

A photographic technique whereby live action is filmed in front of a transparent screen onto which background action is projected

back story

Refers to the events that directly happened prior to the beginning of the story, or lead to the story; composed of information that helps fill out the skeletal story of a screenplay or a character's background, often to help actors (or the audience) understand motivation.

balance

Within a film's visual frame, refers to the composition, aesthetic quality, or working together of the figures, light, sound, and movement.

banned

The blocking of a film's release (in a theatre showing or on video) by either the government or an official movie classification board, for political, religious, sexual, or social reasons

barn doors

The black metal folding doors an all four sides of a light that can be bent back and forth on their hinges to control where the light is directed.

barney

A blanket placed over the film camera to reduce the amount of noise of the moving mechanisms inside

based on a true story

Films that consist of a story line that has at least some basis in real historical events, and may actually contain only a few factual elements. These films, loosely based on various biographies, stories, or events, may/may not significantly alter the characters or situations for greater dramatic effect

beat

Refers to an actor's term for how long to wait or pause before doing an action

behind the scenes

The off-camera events or circumstances during filmmaking.

below the line

Includes production expenses that are not above the line, such as costs of material, music rights, publicity, the trailer

best boy

The term for any technical assistant, apprentice or aide (regardless of sex) for the gaffer or the (key) grip on a set, responsible for the routing and coiling of power cables necessary to run the lights for a shot; also the 'best boy' schedules the people and equipment needed for a day's work

billing

The placement or display of names of actors, directors, and producers for a movie in publicity materials, opening (or closing) film credits, and on theatre marquees. A person's status is indicated by the size, relative position, and placement of their name. Generally, higher positions closer to the top with larger and more prominent letters designate higher importance and greater box-office draw, and precede people of lesser importance; the most prominent actor that appears first is said to have top billing, followed by second billing, and so forth.

bio-pic
(or biographic)

A biographical film of the life of a famous personality or historical figure

bit part
(or bit player)

A small acting role (usually only one scene, such as a waiter) with very few lines or acting

black and white

Simply means without color; before the invention of color film stock, all films were black and white; monochrome (literally meaning "one color") usually refers to a film shot in black and white, although it can refer to a film shot in shades of one color

black or dark comedy

A type of comedy film, first popular during the late 1950s and early 1960s in which normally serious subjects, such as war, death, dismemberment, misery, suffering, or murder, are treated with macabre humor and satire through iconography, dialogue, and the characters; settings may include cemeteries, war rooms, funerals

blimp

The sound-deadening housing a noisy movie camera is put in to prevent the recording of extra sounds by the camera's motor or sound equipment

blockbuster

Originally referred to a large bomb that would destroy an entire city block during World War II; now in common usage, an impactful movie that is a huge financial success - usually with box-office of more than $200 million (the new benchmark by the early 2000s, after the original mark was $100 million) upon release in North America; ticket lines for blockbusters literally go around the 'block'; also known as box-office hit

blocking a shot (or scene)

The process of figuring out where the camera goes, how the lights will be arranged, and what the actors' positions and movements - moment by moment - are for each shot or take

blooper

An actual error or mistake (misplaced action, or mis-spoken dialogue by a performer), usually embarrassing or humorous, made by a performer during filming

blow-up

An optical process - the enlargement of a photographic image or film frame; often used to create 70mm release prints from original 35mm films

blue-screen
or
blue-screen shot

A special-effects process whereby actors work in front of an evenly-lit, monochromatic (usually blue or green) background, screen, or backdrop. The background is then replaced (or matted) in post-production by chroma-keying or optical printer, allowing other footage or computer-generated images (CGI) to form the background image

blurb

Another name for a commercial or advertisement (usually for TV)

body double
(or double)

A performer who takes the place of an actor in scenes that require a close-up of body parts without the face visible, often for nude scenes requiring exposed close-ups (considered distasteful by some actors), or scenes requiring physical fitness; not to be confused with stunt double or stand-in

Bollywood

Refers to the burgeoning film industry of India, the world's biggest film industry, centered in Bombay (now Mumbai)

bookends

A term denoting scenes at the beginning and end of a film that complement each other and help tie a film together

boom

A traveling or moveable counter-balanced pole (also called fishpole or fishing rod), arm, or telescoped extension device upon which a microphone, light or camera can be suspended overhead above a scene and outside the frame during filming (by a boom operator or boom man)

boom shot

A continuous single shot made from a moving boom, assembled like a montage, and incorporating any number of camera levels and angles.

bootleg

An illegally copied, unauthorized, and/or distributed version of a copyrighted film/video/DVD, often of second-rate quality; also termed pirated.

bounce board

Refers to a device to reflect light during filming; the board is usually a large white surface made of foam or poster board

bowdlerize(d)

Refers to purging anything considered disturbing, vulgar, or adult in content in order to make it sanitized for mass market consumption and appropriate for children

box-office

The measure of the total amount of money or box-office receipts paid by movie-goers to view a movie

bracketing

The act of shooting a scene several times with different F-stops to try and get a certain desired effect

bridging shot

A transitional type of shot used to cover or 'bridge' a jump in time or place or other discontinuity

buddy film

A subgenre of film (comedies, westerns, dramas, action films, road films, etc.) in which two mismatched persons (usually males) are forced to work together, often a pair of police cops; situations are often contrived to present the pair with challenges or strains that both strengthen their bond and weaken it

building a scene

Using dramatic devices such as increased tempo, volume, and emphasis to bring a scene to a climax

bumper

Usually refers to the pre-film segment of pre-made film that contains studio trademark and logo or title identification; also refers to a period of positive financial growth (i.e., it was a 'bumper year' for films)

buzz

Slang for the sense of excitement, expectancy, and hype that surrounds a film, an actor, or a director

buzz track

A soundtrack of natural, atmospheric, on-location background noise that is added to the re-recorded (or looped) track of actors' dialogue and other sound effects recordings to create a more realistic sound

call sheet

A type of schedule given out periodically during a film's production to let every department know when they are supposed to arrive and where they are to report; usually refers to a listing of actors necessary for scenes

cameo

Originally meaning "a small piece of artwork," refers to a bit part (usually a brief, non-speaking or walk-on role that is uncredited or unbilled) or special screen appearance by a famous actor, director, or prominent person who would ordinarily not take such a small part

camera

The basic machine involved in film-making, from a hand-held version to portables, to heavy studio cameras

camera angle

The point of view (POV) or perspective (including relative height or direction) chosen from which to photograph a subject. Various camera angles, compositions, or positions include: front, behind, side, top, high (looking down), low (looking up), straight-on or eye-level (standard or neutral angle), tilted (canted or oblique), or subjective, etc.

camera movement

The use of the camera to obtain various camera angles and perspectives.

camera operator

The individual who is responsible for operating the camera, under the direction of the film's director and director of photography (or cinematography)

camp
(or campy)

A type of comedy parody wherein conventional (and especially overused or clichéd) situations and plot devices are intentionally exaggerated to the point of absurdity to produce humor

can
("in the can")

Refers to the round metal/plastic container that holds or stores film (reels) for transport or for long-term storage

candlelight (lighting)

Refers to lighting that is provided by candlelight, to provide a warm hue or tone, and connote intimacy, romance, and harmony

capsule review

A short movie review

caption

The descriptive, printed line(s) of text that occasionally appears on the screen, usually at the bottom of the frame, to describe the time/place, or to translate a foreign word/phrase

caricature

A character appearing ridiculously out of proportion because of one physical, psychological or moral trait that has been grossly or broadly exaggerated; a caricature often portrays a character in an unrealistic, stereotypical fashion

cartoon

An animated film that is usually not of feature length

cash cow

In movie terms, a definitely guaranteed, 'can't-miss' blockbuster film that promises to generate disproportionately tremendous profits due to its lucrative franchise (sequels, merchandising, spin-offs, etc.)

cast

A collective term for all of the actors/performers (or talent) appearing in a particular film: usually broken down into two parts: the leads with speaking roles, and the seconds or supporting characters, background players or extras, and bit players

cast against type

An actor playing a role distinctly different from roles previously played

casting

The process of selecting and hiring actors to play the roles and characters in a film production, and be brought under contract; the lead roles are typically cast or selected by the director or a producer, and the minor or supporting roles and bit parts by a casting director

casting couch

Refers to the illegal practice (mostly during the heyday of the studio system) when unknown young actors or actresses (starlets) exchanged sex (literally on an office couch) with a casting director or producer in order to acquire/land a role in a film

cast of thousands

An advertising claim, often used in big-screen historical epics of the 1930s-60s, when literally 1,000s of extras were hired for crowd scenes, battle scenes, etc

catchphrase (film)

Short phrases, expressions, or words that have become favored and/or popularized due to repeated use, often by film critics

catharsis

During a film's climax, the audience may experience a purging or cleansing of emotional tension, providing relief or therapeutic restoration

cautionary tale

A literary term, referring to a narrative with a moral message warning of the consequences of certain actions, ideologies, character flaws, technologies or institutions, often with a downbeat ending

cel
(or celluloid,
animation cel)

Refers to each of the thousands of hand-drawn sheets (of clear, transparent material, either celluloid or Mylar) representing a single animation frame to allow several layers of composition. Cels consist of character cels (containing only the foreground characters or objects - those things that move from frame to frame) and background cels, (static drawings of scenery that remain the same). The character cels are placed against the background cels and filmed or shot one frame (or picture) at a time to produce the effect of motion.

censorship

The process of determining what can or can not be viewed by the public or depicted by the motion picture industry

CGI

aka Computer-Generated Imagery (or Images), a term referring to the use of 3D computer graphics and technology (digital computers and specialized software) in film-making to create filmed images, special effects and the illusion of motion

change-over cue

The small dot, oval or mark on the top-right corner of a film frame that signaled to the projectionist to change over from one projector (or film reel) to another (about every 15-20 minutes); nowadays, most film theatres have only one projector

character

The fictitious or real individual in a story, performed by an actor; also called players.

character actor

An actor who specializes in playing well-defined, stereotypical, archetypal, off-beat, humorous, or highly-recognizable, fictional roles of a particular physical, emotional, or behavioral type, in a supporting role

character color coding

Refers to identifying a film's character or persona with a particular color; changes in color often represent transformations, shifts, merges, or changes in persona

character study

A film that uses strong characterizations, interactions and the personalities of its characters to tell a story, with plot and narrative almost secondary to them

cheater cut

The introductory footage put into the beginning of a serial episode to show what happened at the end of the previous episode

chemistry (or screen chemistry)

Referring to performances between actors who are uncommonly suited and perfectly complementary to each other

chiaroscuro

Literally, the combination of the two Italian words for "clear/bright" and "dark"; refers to a notable, contrasting use of light and shade in scenes; often achieved by using a spotlight

'chick flicks'

Refers to films popular with women, but also used in a derogatory sense to marginalize films with heavy, sappy emotion and numerous female characters

child actor

Technically, any actor under the age of 18

chopsocky

Slang for a martial arts film

choreographer (and choreography)

A person who plans, designs, organizes, sequences, and directs dancing, fighting, or other physical actions or movements in a film or stage production

cineaste

Refers to a film/movie enthusiast or devotee

CinemaScope

The term commonly refers to widescreen processes or anamorphic techniques, that use different magnifications in the horizontal and the vertical to fill the screen

cinematic

Relating to or suggestive of motion pictures; having the qualities of a film.

cinematography (also cinematographer)

Specifically refers to the art and technique of film photography, the capture of images, and lighting effects, or to the person expert in and responsible for capturing or recording-photographing images for a film, through the selection of visual recording devices, camera angles, film stock, lenses, framing, and arrangement of lighting; the chief cinematographer responsible for a movie is called the director of photography (or D.P.), or first cameraman

Cinerama

A wide-screen filming process that first used three cameras and three projectors to achieve an encompassing view of the subject matter, and was projected on a curved screen of about 160 degrees

clapboard
(clapper (board))

A small black or white board or slate with a hinged stick on top that displays identifying information for each shot in a movie, and is filmed at the beginning of a take. The board typically contains the working title of the movie, the names of the director, the editor, and the director of photography, the scene and take numbers, the date, and the time. On the top of the clapboard is a hinged wooden stick (called a clapstick or clapper) which is often clapped to provide audio/visual synchronization of the sound with the picture during editing

claymation

Refers to the animation of models constructed of clay, putty, plasticine, or other moldable materials, often through stop-motion.

click

Slang denoting a 'hit' film

cliffhanger

A film characterized by scenes of great tension, danger, adventure, suspense, or high drama, often climaxing at the end of a film, or at the end of a multi-part serial episode, where the plot ending and the fate of the protagonist(s) are left unresolved

climax

The highest point of anxiety or tension in a story or film in which the central character/protagonist faces, confronts, and deals with the consequence(s) of all his/her actions, or faces the antagonist in a climactic battle or final engagement

close-up
(CU)

A shot taken from a close distance in which the scale of the object is magnified, appears relatively large and fills the entire frame to focus attention and emphasize its importance

(the) Coast

Slang meaning either Hollywood or Los Angeles, both entertainment centers

coin

A slang term for money or financing

color
(film)

A phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects caused by differing qualities of the light reflected or emitted

colorization

The film-altering process whereby a black and white film is digitally changed to include color

comedian
(comedienne)

An actor who specializes in genre films that are designed to elicit laughter from audiences

comedy (film)

A film with elicits laughter or humor by celebrating or showing the eternal ironies of human existence

comic relief

A humorous or farcical interlude in a dramatic film, usually provided by a buffoonish character, intended to relieve the dramatic, built-up tension or heighten the emotional impact by means of contrast

coming-of-age (film)

A film associated with difficult teen rites of passage (from adolescence to adulthood), the onset of puberty, the loss of naive innocence and childhood dreams, the experience of growing up, achieving sexual identity, etc

command performance

A great performance in a film by an actor, sometimes referring to the one before his or her death

commentary

An objective opinion or description of characters or events occurring in the film, presented from an omniscient point of view by a commentator

compilation film

A film made up of shots, scenes, or sequences from other films

complication

A plot event that complicates or tightens the tension of a film

composer

The musician who creates (writes or adapts) the film's musical score

composition

Refers to the arrangement of different elements (i.e., colors, shapes, figures, lines, movement, and lighting) within a frame and in a scene

concert film
(rock or comedy)

A film that records the live concert performance of musician(s), a band/group, or stand-up comic(s)

continuity
(or continuous)

Refers to action moving through multiple locations without interruptions; it usually refers to the degree to which a film is self-consistent without errors, jump cuts, or mis-matched shots and details

contract player

An actor (both stars and bit players) who has a contractual commitment or agreement to a studio/producer/company

contrast

Refers to the difference between light and shadow, or between maximum and minimum amounts of light, in a particular film image

conventions

The expected elements in a type of film, without question, thought, or judgment

Coogan's Law

Refers to landmark legislation in the late 30s designed to protect a child actor's earnings, by depositing some of the minor's earnings in court-administered trust funds that the child receives when he/she reaches the age of majority; named after child actor Jackie Coogan

costume
(or wardrobe) and costume design

Refers to the garments or clothing worn by actors/performers in a film

courtroom drama

A drama and/or mystery story, in which the main protagonist is a lawyer, and a majority of the drama and dramatic action takes place in a courtroom setting

coverage

Refers to all the shots, including closeups and reverse angles, that a director takes in addition to the master shot, to make up the final product

crane shot

A camera shot taken from a large camera dolly or electronic device (a piece of apparatus, such as a crane), resembling a extendable mechanical arm (or boom), that can raise the camera up in the air above the ground 20 feet or more

crawl

Refers to superimposed screen titles or text intended to move across, up, down, or diagonally on the screen

credits

In general, this term refers to the text appearing on screen - composed of a list of technical personnel, cast, and production crew of a film

crew

Refers to those involved in the technical production of a film who are not actual performers

Crisis

The period of highest tension just before the climax of a film (there can be more than one); the point at which events reach their highest level of tension

critic
(or film critic,
film reviewer)

An individual who writes and/or publishes a review of a film from either an artistic or entertainment point of view.

cross-cutting

The editing technique of alternating, interweaving, or interspersing one narrative action (scene, sequence, or event) with another - usually in different locations or places, thus combining the two; this editing method suggests parallel action (that takes place simultaneously)

cross-fade

Refers to a fading technique that occurs in two stages: (1) fade to black, and then (2) fade to next scene; a cross-fade always involves a black or blank screen

cross-over
and
cross-over appeal

A film or production that is made for one audience, but may easily 'cross-over' to another unexpected audience; also refers to a film, actor, or production that appeals to different demographic groups or age groups and can move between two or more distinct franchises

crowd shot

A shot or image of a large group of people (often extras) in a film; CGI is now often used to film large crowd shots, to avoid huge costs associated with hiring extras

cue

A signal or sign for an actor to begin performing, from either another performer, from the director, or from within the script

cue cards

A device (cards, scrolling screen, teleprompter, or other mechanism) printed with dialogue provided to help an actor recite his/her lines

cult film(s)

Usually a non-mainstream film that attracts a small, but loyally-obsessed group of fans, and remains popular and worshipped over many years

cut
(or cutting)

An abrupt or sudden change or jump in camera angle, location, placement, or time, from one shot to another; consists of a transition from one scene to another (a visual cut) or from one soundtrack to another (a sound cut); cutting refers to the selection, splicing and assembly by the film editor of the various shots or sequences for a reel of film, and the process of shortening a scene; also refers to the instructional word 'cut' said at the end of a take by the director to stop the action in front of the camera

cutaway shot

A brief shot that momentarily interrupts a continuously-filmed action, by briefly inserting another related action, object, or person (sometimes not part of the principal scene or main action), followed by a cutback to the original shot; often filmed from the POV of the character and used to break up a sequence and provide some visual relief, or to ease the transition from one shot to the next, or to provide additional information, or to hint at an impending change

cyberpunk

A sub-genre of science fiction, derived from combining the terms cybernetics and punk, and related to the digital or information technology society (referring to the proliferation of computers, the online world, cyberspace, and 'hacking'); this sub-genre also incorporates classic film-noirish characteristics into its style - traits include alienation, dehumanization, the presence of counter-cultural anti-heroes, darkness, dystopia, and corruption

cyclorama

The curved, seamless, floor-to-ceiling backdrop or background used in studio sets, often to represent the sky when outdoor scenes are shot inside

dailies

The immediately processed, rough cuts, exposed film, or first prints of a film (w/o special effects or edits) for the director (producer, cinematographer, or editor) to review, to see how the film came out after the day's (or previous day's) shooting

dark horse

In film terms, a little-known, unlikely movie (often a sleeper, a low-budget film, indie, or a foreign film) that is, surprisingly, nominated for a major award

day-for-night shot

A cinematographic technique for using shots filmed during the day to appear as moonlit night shots on the screen, by using different lenses, filters, special lighting and underexposure

deadpan

A specific type of comedic device in which the performer assumes an expressionless (deadpan) quality to her/his face demonstrating absolutely no emotion or feeling.

deep-focus
shot

A style or technique of cinematography and staging with great depth of field, preferred by realists, that uses lighting, relatively wide angle lenses and small lens apertures to simultaneously render in sharp focus both close and distant planes (including the three levels of foreground, middle-ground, and extreme background objects) in the same shot

deleted scene

Refers to a scene that was edited out of a film's final cut, for several possible reasons: the scene was poorly done, the scene was unnecessary, the film's running time needed truncation, the film was avoiding an R or NC-17 rating, the film's studio disapproved of it, etc.

denouement

The point immediately following the climax when everything comes into place or is resolved

depth of field

The depth of composition of a shot, i.e., where there are several planes (vertical spaces in a frame): (1) a foreground, (2) a middle-ground, and (3) a background; depth of field specifically refers to the area, range of distance, or field (between the closest and farthest planes) in which the elements captured in a camera image appear in sharp or acceptable focus; as a rule of thumb, the area 1/3 in front of and 2/3 behind the subject is the actual distance in focus; depth of field is directly connected, but not to be confused with focus

depth of focus

Related to depth of field - refers to an adjustment made technically to insure that a camera shot retains its deep focus throughout all the various planes (fore, middle, and back)

deus ex machina

Literally, the resolution of the plot by the device of a god ("deus") arriving onstage by means of a piece of equipment ("machina") and solving all the characters' problems; usually refers to an unlikely, improbable, contrived, illogical, or clumsy ending or suddenly-appearing plot device that alleviates a difficult situation or brings about a denouement - just in the nick of time

dialogue

Any spoken lines in a film by an actor/actress usually based upon a script

diegetic
(diegesis)

Simply means realistic or logically existing, such as the music that plays on a character's radio in a scene

diffusion

The reduction or softening of the harshness or intensity of light achieved by using a diffuser or translucent sheet (lace or silk) in front of the light to cut down shadows

digital production

Refers to filming on digital video using digital high-resolution cameras, and afterwards, post-production entirely using video editing methods; this technique completely eliminates traditional 35mm film

directing the eye

In cinematographic terms, using light and dark lighting and frame composition to emphasize what is important within the frame

direct sound

The technique of recording sound simultaneously with the recording of the image

director
(and directing)

The creative artist responsible for complete artistic control of all phases of a film's production (such as making day-to-day determinations about sound, lighting, action, casting, even editing), for translating/interpreting a script into a film, for guiding the performances of the actors in a particular role and/or scene, and for supervising the cinematography (director of photography) and film crew. The director is usually the single person most responsible for the finished product, although he/she couldn't make a film without support from many other artists and technicians

director's cut

A rough cut (the first completely-edited version) of a film without studio interference as the director would like it to be viewed, before the final cut (the last version of the film that is released) is made by the studio.

discovery shot

In a film scene, when the moving or panning camera unexpectedly comes upon or 'discovers' an object or person previously undisclosed to the viewer

Disney-fication
or
Disney-fied

Refers to the making of an adapted, sanitized, 'family-friendly' version of a book or play, by removing objectionable elements (such as crude language, sexuality, or violence) and modifying plot elements to make the tale more acceptable, entertaining, predictable and popular for mass consumption by audiences, as first exercised by the Disney studios in the 50s; now used as a derogatory term for how popular culture has been homogenized and cultural diversity has been minimized

dissolve
(or lap dissolve)

A transitional editing technique between two sequences, shots or scenes, in which the visible image of one shot or scene is gradually replaced, superimposed or blended (by an overlapping fade out or fade in and dissolve) with the image from another shot or scene

documentary

A non-fiction (factual), narrative film with real people (not performers or actors); typically, a documentary is a low-budget, journalistic record of an event, person, or place; a documentary film-maker should be an unobtrusive observer - like a fly-on-the-wall, capturing reality as it happens

Dolby stereo

A stereo-sound process for motion pictures created by Dolby Laboratories, Inc., used to improve sound quality; 35mm prints have two optical sound tracks (Dolby can decode and playback on four channels), while 70mm prints have six magnetic tracks for multi-channel playback

dolly (shot)

Refers to a moving shot in which the perspective of the subject and background is changed; the shot is taken from a camera that is mounted on a simple tripod, or on a hydraulically-powered wheeled camera platform (sometimes referred to as a truck or dolly), pushed on rails (special tracks or dolly tracks) and moved smoothly and noiselessly during filming while the camera is running

doppelganger

A German word literally meaning: "doublewalker," a reference to the fact that a shadow-self, duplicate, counterpart or double (spiritual, ghostly, or real) accompanies every individual

double

Refers to the person who temporarily takes the leading player's place for a dangerous or difficult stunt, or to photographically stand in for the actor (when the latter is not available or when the actor wants a body double for a nude scene, etc.)

double exposure

To expose a single frame twice so that elements of both images are visible in the finished product

double take

A comedic convention that refers to the way in which an actor first looks at an object (subject, event, scene, etc.), then looks away, and then snaps his head back to the situation for a second look - with surprise, disgust, sexual longing, etc.

drive-in

An outdoor movie theatre in which the patrons viewed a film from their automobile; films projected were often B-films or low-budget films

dub
(or dubbing)

The act of putting a new soundtrack on a film or adding a soundtrack (of dialogue, sound effects, or music) after production, to match the action and/or lip movements of already-filmed shots

dunning

The process or technique of combining shots filmed in a studio with background footage shot elsewhere

dutch tilt
(or canted angle)

A shot made with the camera leaned to one side and filming at a diagonal angle (the horizon is not parallel with the bottom of the frame)

dynamic frame

A photographic technique used to mask the projected image size and shape to any ratio that seems appropriate for the scene (e.g., the image narrows as an actor passes through a narrow passageway, and then widens as he emerges)

dystopia

An imaginary, wretched, dehumanized, dismal, fearful, bad, oppressive place or landscape, often initiated by a major world crisis (post-war destruction) coupled with, an oppressive government, crime, abnormal behavior, etc.; the opposite of utopia (a state of ideal perfection)

editing
(editor)

The process (performed by a film editor) of selecting, assembling, arranging, collating, trimming, structuring, and splicing-joining together many separate camera takes (includes sound also) of exposed footage (or daily rushes) into a complete, determined sequence or order of shots (or film) - that follows the script; digital editing refers to changing film frames by digitizing them and modifying them electronically; relational editing refers to editing shots to suggest a conceptual link between them; an editor works in a cutting room

ellipsis

The shortening of the plot duration of a film achieved by deliberately omitting intervals or sections of the narrative story or action; an ellipsis is marked by an editing transition (a fade, dissolve, wipe, jump cut, or change of scene) to omit a period or gap of time from the film's narrative

emcee

Another term for master of ceremonies

end (or closing)
credits

Credits appearing at the end of a film; aka end titles

ensemble (film)

A film with a large cast without any true leading roles, and usually with multiple plotlines regarding the characters

epic

A costly film made on an unusually large scale or scope of dramatic production, that often portrays a spectacle with historic, ancient world, or biblical significance.

epilogue

A short, concluding scene in a film in which characters (sometimes older) reflect on the preceding events

epiphany

A moment of sudden spiritual insight for the protagonist of a film, usually occurs just before or after the climax

episode

A self-contained segment or part of an anthology film or serial; a number of separate and complete episodes make up an episode film

episodic

A film that is composed of a series of loosely-related segments, sections, or episodes, with the same character(s)

establishing shot

Usually a long (wide-angle or full) shot at the beginning of a scene (or a sequence) that is intended to show things from a distance (often an aerial shot), and to inform the audience with an overview in order to help identify and orient the locale or time for the scene and action that follows

exec or exex

Abbreviations for 'executive' or 'executives'

executive producer

The person who is responsible for overseeing a film's financing, or for arranging the film's production elements (stars, screenwriter, budgeting/financing, etc.)

exhibitor

Term meaning 'movie theatre owner'

experimental film

Refers to a film, usually a low-budget or indie film not oriented toward profit-making, that challenges conventional filmmaking by using camera techniques, imagery, sound, editing, and/or acting in unusual or never-before-seen ways

exploitation film

A sensational, often trashy B-film aimed at a particular audience and designed to succeed commercially and profitably by appealing to specific psychological traits or needs in that audience without any fuller analysis or exposition; often refers to films with extremely violent or sexual scenes

exposition

The conveyance (usually by dialogue or action) of important background information for the events of a story; or the set up of a film's story, including what's at stake for the characters, the initial problem, and other main problems.

expressionism
(and expressionist)

Refers to the distortion of reality through lighting, editing, and costumes, to reflect the inner feelings and emotions of the characters and/or the filmmaker

extra(s)

A person who appears in a movie in a non-specific, non-speaking, unnoticed, or unrecognized character role, such as part of a crowd or background, e.g., a patron in a restaurant, a soldier on a battlefield; usually without any screen credit

eyeline match

A cut between two shots that creates the illusion of the character (in the first shot) looking at an object (in the second shot)

fade

A transitional device consisting of a gradual change in the intensity of an image or sound, such as from a normally-lit scene to darkness (fade out, fade-to-black) or vice versa, from complete black to full exposure (fade in), or from silence to sound or vice versa

farce

Refers to a light-hearted, gleeful, often fast-paced, crudely humorous, contrived and 'over-the-top' comedy that broadly satirizes, pokes fun, exaggerates, or gleefully presents an unlikely or improbable stock situation (e.g., a tale of mistaken identity, cross-dressing, etc.) often characterized by slapstick, pratfalls, and other physical antics

fast-cutting

Refers to a film editing technique of consecutive short, staccato cuts or shots of very brief duration to create an effect

fast motion
(or accelerated motion)

A camera device or effect to compress reality and highlight a scene or cause a dramatic effect, created by filming a scene with the film running at a rate less than the normal 24 frames per second and then projecting it back at standard speed, thereby creating the effect of moving faster than normal; generally used for comic effect

favor on

A term that refers to focusing on and/or highlighting a specific subject or action in a shot

feature (film)

A "full-length" motion picture, one greater than 60 minutes in length - but usually about 90-120 minutes on one particular topic; also known as a theatrical

"feel good" film (or movie)

Usually a light-hearted, upbeat comedy or romance that ends with an audience-pleasing conclusion

festival

An event at which films can often be premiered, exhibited, awarded, and engaged in distribution deals, such as Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, etc.

'fifteen minutes of fame'

A cliched term popularized by pop artist/painter Andy Warhol in the late 60s, who predicted that everyone could be famous for 15 minutes and experience a moment of 'crowning glory'; aka one-hit wonders

film

(1) as a verb, to record a scene or make (or lense) a motion picture;
(2) as a noun, refers to a motion picture, or
(3) the thin strip of material on the film negative (with a base and light-sensitive coating of emulsion) that is used to create images - through light exposure.

film aesthetics

The examination or study of film as an art form

film artifact

Unwanted film damage that could be a defect or error - dust, hair, specks, emulsion scratches, splices, reel-change marks, a hiss, crackle or pop on the soundtrack, mottling of the image, scratches on the negative being printed positive, etc.

film clip

A short section of film removed from a movie and often exhibited; a part of a film, and sometimes a complete scene or sequence, taken from a film

film(ic) codes (or conventions)

Many elements within a film (the use of music, audio, costuming, scripting, camera angles, framing, shot duration, a character's actions, etc.) speak a 'language,' 'grammar,' or code that when used by the filmmaker help the viewer to understand more about the plot and its characters

film form

Refers to various technical or logistical aspects which make up, compose, or produce a finished film, including Cinematography (Camera Movement), Sound and Editing, Lighting, Framing, Acting, and the Narrative itself

film gauge

Refers to the measurement of a width of a film strip (in millimeters) used in a camera

film grain

The amount of light-sensitive material in the film's coating or emulsion; results can either be fine-grained (or sharp) - that requires more light for filming, or excessively grainy (or coarse) - best for low-light situations.

filmmaker(s)

A collective term used to refer to a person(s) who have a significant degree of control over the creation of a film: directors, producers, screenwriters, and editors.

film noir

A French phrase literally meaning "black film" that developed in the early 40s; refers to a genre of mostly black/white films that blossomed in the post-war era in American cinema, with bleak subject matter and a somber, downbeat tone

filmography

A comprehensive (often chronological by year) listing of films featuring the work of an actor/actress, director, or other crew member; may also be a list of films for a specific genre or topic

film review

An evaluative oral or written judgment about the quality of a movie, based upon various assumptions, facts, biases, etc; professional film reviewers are known as critics

film stock

Refers to film size or gauge (8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 70mm, 105mm, for example), and film speed, among other things

film within a film

A particular story-telling approach, literally, to have one film within another; in some cases, the characters are aware of the 'film-within-a-film,' and break the fourth wall and enter into or interact with it

filter

Glass, plastic, or gelatinous substance placed before or behind a camera lens to change the effect and character of the lighting within the film's frame

final cut

The last edited version of a film as it will be released

fish-eye
(lens)

An extreme type of super wide-angle lens with a very short focal point (and nearly infinite depth-of-field), that exaggerates and distorts the linear dimensions of the image, giving it a sense of curvature

'fish-out-of-water' tale

A film (usually humorous) in which the main character(s) faces 'culture shock' by being placed in unfamiliar or new surroundings or situations

flashback

A filmic technique that alters the natural order of the narrative; a flashback may often be the entire film; it takes the story order back chronologically in time to a previous or past event, scene, or sequence that took place prior to the present time frame of the film; the flashbacked story that provides background on action and events is often called the backstory

flash-forward
(or flash-ahead)

Simply put, the opposite of flashback; a filmic technique that depicts a scene, event or shot taking place (or imagined) or expected that is projected into a future time beyond the present time of the film, or it can be a flashforward from the past to the present

flash frame
(or shot, or cut)

A quick or brief shot (or image), sometimes as short as a single frame, that is inserted between two other shots that can barely be perceived or is subliminal, for the intention of producing a shock or sudden dramatic effect

flash in the pan

transitory, impermanent success or recognition; derived from panning for gold experience

flat

A section of a studio's set, consisting of a constructed wooden frame covered with materials (such as plywood that is treated or covered with fabric, metal, paint, wallpaper, etc.)

flick

The flickering image in early films gave rise to the generic term flicks when referring to the movies

flicker

Refers to the unsteady, stroboscopic, fluctuating effect perceived by the viewer, often produced by an improperly-photographed or projected film

flood

A lamp that provides general diffuse lighting on a studio set

flop

A film that is a failure at the box-office

focus

Refers to the degree of sharpness or distinctness of an image (or an element of an image such as a person, object, etc.); as a verb, it refers to the manipulation or adjustment of the lens to create a sharper image

foil

An acting role that is used for personality comparison or contrast, usually with the protagonist or main character, as a means to show and highlight a character trait

foley artist

In the post-production and editing stage of a film's production, the foley artist (named after pioneer Jack Foley) creates or adds incidental sound effects/noises (e.g., footsteps, gunshots, kisses, fight-sounds, punches, storm noises, slamming doors, explosions, etc.) that are synchronized to the film as it is projected in order to match its visual component, often with props that mimic the action

follow
(or following shot)

A shot with framing that shifts to follow and keep a moving figure or subject onscreen; also known as a type of tracking shot

follow-up

Refers to a cinematic work that comes after, regardless of whether it is a sequel or a prequel

footage

Any length, portion or sequence of film (either shot or to be shot) measured in feet

foreground
(abbreviated as f.g.)

Objects or action closest to the camera

foreshadow-ing

To supply hints (in the form of symbols, images, motifs, repetition, dialogue or mood) within a film about the outcome of the plot, or about an upcoming action that will take place, in order to prepare the viewer for later events, revelations, or plot developments; also, ominous music often foreshadows danger or builds suspense

"for your consideration"

A phrase often used in special trade advertisements (in publications such as Variety) that are paid for by studios to promote "Oscar-worthy" films (and their actors) and create Oscar buzz for Academy Award nominations, especially for borderline films and/or lesser known indie efforts and lesser-known performers that would probably be overlooked without the additional publicity

format

The size or aspect ratio of a film frame

fourth wall

Refers to the imaginary, illusory invisible plane through which the film viewer or audience is thought to look through toward the action; the fourth wall that separates the audience from the characters is 'broken through' when the barrier between the fictional world of the film's story and the "real world" of the audience is shattered - when an actor speaks directly to the viewers by making an aside

frame

Refers to a single image, the smallest compositional unit of a film's structure, captured by the camera on a strip of motion picture film - similar to an individual slide in still photography; a series of frames juxtaposed and shown in rapid succession make up a motion (or moving) picture

frame rate
(also frames per second or fps)

Refers to the rate at which film stock passes in front of the camera's aperture while filming; present-day films are usually run through a camera or projector at a frame rate (running speed or camera speed) of 24 fps (frames per second)

framing
(or framed shot)

Refers to the way a shot is composed, and the manner in which subjects and objects are surrounded ('framed') by the boundaries or perimeter of the film image, or by the use of a rectangle or enclosing shape (such as a shadow, mirror, door or hallway) within the film image

freeze
(or freeze-frame)

An optical printing effect in which a single frame image is identically repeated, reprinted or replicated over several frames

f-stop

The scale measurement of the size of the opening of the iris (the opening that lets light in) on a lens; common f-stops are 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, and 22

f/x

Abbreviation for special (or visual) effects

gaffer

The chief or head electrician or supervisory lighting technician in the film/photography crew on a movie set, responsible for the design and execution of a production's lighting plan on the set

gag-based comedies

These are comedy films that are often non-sensical and literally filled with multiple gags (i.e., jokes, one-liners, pratfalls, slapstick, etc.), are designed to produce laughter in any way possible, and often with comic or spoofing references to other films

gate

The aperture assembly of a camera, printer, or projector at which the film is exposed

gel

A transparent, tinted colored sheet of plastic used as a filter for a movie light to create a colored glow over a scene, usually to evoke a desired mood. Black-and-white silent films would often physically tint film stock to achieve the same effect

gender-bending role

Usually, a cross-dressing role in which a male or female plays a character of the opposite sex

gender twist

A role traditionally played by a male or female that is switched and played by a member of the opposite sex

general release

Refers to the widespread simultaneous exhibition of a film

generation

Usually refers to the number of times a videotape has been copied; third generation means three steps away from the original media master

genre

Originally a French word meaning "kind", "sort" or "type"; refers to a class or type of film (i.e., westerns, sci-fi, etc.) that shares common, predictable or distinctive artistic and thematic elements or iconography (e.g., bad guys in Westerns wear black hats), narrative content, plot, and subject matter, mood and milieu (or setting) or characters. Film genres are distinct from film styles (a recognizable group of conventions used by filmmakers to add visual appeal, meaning, or depth to their work) that can be applied to any genre

gothic

A literary or film style characterized by dark and dreary influences, such as ghouls, the supernatural, the grotesque, deathly forces, and the mysterious. Settings include old mansions, castles, and a threatened heroine. Often used in reference to horror films with these characteristics

greenlight
or "greenlighting"

A term denoting the 'go-ahead' for a film to be made; contrasted to being redlighted; shouldn't be confused with green-screening

grip

The crew member responsible for setting up dolly tracks and camera cranes, erecting scaffolding, moving props or scenery, or the adjustment or maintenance of any other production equipment on the set - a physically demanding job; the key grip is the head grip who coordinates all of the other grips in the crew, and receives direction from the gaffer or head lighting technician; the key grip's right-hand assistant is known as the best boy grip

gross

Refers to the box-office take - the total amount of money taken in during theatrical release, not including earnings from film rentals or sales, or the entire profit made by a film

grotesque

A term originally coined by Federico Fellini to describe the bizarre-looking or deformed background characters in his films

guerrilla film

A low-budget film usually shot without seeking location permits, using non-SAG (Screen Actors Guild) actors, etc.

'guilty pleasure' films

An escapist film that engenders low expectations (usually an awful B-movie or a critically-lambasted film) that the public enjoys despite or, more likely, because of its flaws; these are often quite personal film choices that are sometimes embarrassing to admit. Universally-loved 'guilty pleasure' films become cult films.

handheld shot

A shot taken with a handheld camera or deliberately made to appear unstable, shaky or wobbly

head-on shot

A shot in which the action moves or comes directly toward or at the camera, to enhance the audience's feelings of participation

helicopter shot

A moving shot, often breathtaking; an establishing shot from a bird's eye view or from overhead, usually taken from a helicopter - due to its maneuverability, the shot may pan, arc, or sweep through a landscape

helm

Terms used to refer to the director (aka helmer) of a film

hero/heroine

Refers to the major male and female protagonists in a film with whom the audience identifies and sympathizes. Character traits often include being young, virtuous, handsome, pretty, etc

high-angle shot

A shot in which the subject or scene is filmed from above and the camera points down on the action, often to make the subject(s) small, weak and vulnerable

'high-concept'

Refers to the saleable or marketable elements of a film; a high concept (actually low-concept in practice) refers to a film's main premise expressed as a simple formula in just a few words (as a one-liner) that can be easily understood by all

high-definition

An on screen television image that will appear in a ratio of 16:9 compared to today's analog signal ratio of 4:3

highlighting

The use of thin beams of light to illuminate selected or limited parts of the subject (e.g., an actress' eyes)

hike

Slang term for the following verbs, meaning "to increase", "to raise" or "to promote"

hitting a mark

An actor's term for moving to the correct, predetermined position during rehearsals and during camera takes so that the camera can smoothly record the action

hold over

The term used by a director for an actor used for an extra day

homage

Usually a respectful tribute to someone or something; this often occurs within one movie when a reference is made to another film's scene, image, etc.

hoofer

A slang term denoting a dancer

horror (films)

A popular film genre designed to frighten and thrill with familiar elements (monsters, killers, vampires, zombies, aliens, mad scientists, the devil or demons, etc.), gothic qualities or settings (e.g., castles), psychological terror, etc.; initially influenced by German expressionism; subgenre types include slasher films, occult films, and gore-fests; often combined with the sci-fi genre

horse opera

General slang for a western film

hybrid (film)

A film or production that combines or intersects two or more distinct genre types, and cannot be categorized by a single genre type

hype

The abbreviation for hyperbole; refers to manufactured promotional buzz and excessive advertising/marketing for a film or project, including celebrity appearances, radio and TV spots or interviews, and other ploys

iconography
(or icon)

The use of a well-known symbol or icon; a means to analyze the themes and various styles in a film

image

Generally refers to the picture that is the result of the photographic process

IMAX

A specialized, big-screen film format about ten times larger than the traditional cinema format (35mm) and three times larger than the standard 70 mm widescreen format

in-camera editing

Refers to filming in the exact order required for the final product, thereby eliminating the post-production editing stage; a fast, albeit unprofessional way to produce a film, often employed by student or amateur film-makers

in the can

A term for an entire film or a subset of shots that are all finished shooting; also denotes when a director has the take that he wanted

independents
(indie and independent films)

Small independent, low-budget companies, mini-majors, or entities for financing, producing, and distributing films (i.e., Miramax, New Line Cinema, Polygram) working outside of the system or a major Hollywood studio; however, an indie may lose its independent status when its grows large and powerful; also refers to a movie, director, distributor or producer (sometimes unconventional) not associated with or produced by a major Hollywood film studio

industry, the

Another name for the film or entertainment industry; also referred to as the biz, show business, show-biz, Hollywood, or the town.

ingenue

A young, teenaged female actress often in an important or lead role in a film; usually portrays an innocent, sometimes naive, and attractive character

ink

Slang term meaning to 'sign' a contract

insert shot

A shot that occurs in the middle of a larger scene or shot, usually a close-up of some detail or object, that draws audience attention, provides specific information, or simply breaks up the film sequence (e.g., a quivering hand above a gun holster in a Western, a wristwatch face, a letter, a doorbell button, a newspaper headline, a calendar, a clock face, a key inserted into a car's ignition)

inside joke

In a film, an obscure, show-biz related joke that is understood (or realized) only by those who know the reference (outside the context of the film)

intercut shots

Usually refers to a series of shots, consisting of two simultaneous events, that are alternated together to create suspense; intercutting can also consist of shots of two people involved in a telephone conversation

interlude

A brief, intervening film scene or sequence, not specifically tied to the plot, that appears within a film.

intermission

A break in the middle of a film, normally in a feature-length film of three hours or more (although rare in current-day films)

into frame

Refers to a person or object that moves into the picture frame without the camera moving; in live-action stage plays, this refers to a character entering the stage

iris
(or irising)

An earlier cinematographic technique or wipe effect, in the form of an expanding or diminishing circle (known as iris-out or iris-in), in which a part of the screen is blacked out so that only a portion of the image can be seen by the viewer

"It" List

Refers to the tendency in show business to prioritize individuals (stars, writers, would-be celebrities, or up-and-comers) as 'hot' or 'watchable' - highlighting those who have suddenly 'burst onto the scene' and are either notable and bankable; those who had some transient success or 'brush with greatness, but then were demoted from the list are called forgotten, has-beens, shooting stars, or flashes in the pan (after "fifteen minutes of fame" - an Andy Warhol expression)

jukebox musical

A filmed musical (drama, or animation, etc.) that uses pre-existing popular songs (usually from a variety of artistic sources) as its song score; the songs are often re-imagined with different song styles

jump cut

An abrupt, disorienting transitional device in the middle of a continuous shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and/or cut between two similar scenes, either done accidentally (a technical flaw or the result of bad editing) or purposefully (to create discontinuity for artistic effect)

juvenile

The role of a young, teenaged male character; the female counterpart is known as an ingenue.

juxtaposition

In a film, the contiguous positioning of either two images, characters, objects, or two scenes in sequence, in order to compare and contrast them, or establish a relationship between them

key light

The main or primary light on a subject, often angled and off-center (or from above) that selectively illuminates various prominent features of the image to produce depth, shadows, etc

kick-off

A term denoting the start of production

Klieglight

A type of powerful carbon-arc lamp that produces an intense light, often used in film-making

landmark film

A revolutionary film, due to either its technical or performance artistry; those films recognized by the National Film Registry

lap dissolve

Refers to a type of transition between two scenes - the first scene closes with a fade out, and a fade in brings up the next scene

lavalier (microphone)

A miniature type of microphone, usually omni-directional and wireless, and small enough to be taped or clipped to an actor, to record dialogue

L-cut

A digital film editing term, also known as a split edit, J-cut or delayed edit; it refers to a transitional edit in which the audio and video edit do not start at the same time

lead role

Refers to the most important, main character in a film, often distinguished by gender; usually there is at least one male and female lead role; also usually known as protagonist

'legs'

A film that has 'legs' has strong and profitable box-office, stamina and audience drawing power far beyond the opening weekend

leitmotif

An intentionally-repeated, recurring element or theme associated with a particular person, idea, milieu, or action

lens

A piece of optical glass in a camera through which light passes and the image is focused before hitting the film stock inside

letterboxing
(or letterboxed)

The technique of shrinking the film image just enough so that its entire width appears on TV screen, with black areas above and below the image; refers to the way that videos emulate the widescreen format on television screens

library shot

A stock shot, often unimaginative or commonplace

lighting

Refers to the illumination of a scene, and the manipulation of light and shadows by the cinematographer.

line producer

Refers to the film producer who works on location and is responsible for daily operations and budget of a particular film shoot - to manage the day-to-day aspects involving all of the people and expenses

lines

Refers to the spoken dialogue belonging to a single performer; also refers to the full complement of spoken words in a film or stage script; also known simply as dialogue.

lip sync

Refers to synchronization between mouth movement and the words on the film's soundtrack

location
(or on location)

The properties or places (interior or exterior) used for filming away from the studio, set, or (back)lot, often to increase the authenticity and realism of the film's appearance

location sound

Refers to recording background sound on location, to improve the film's realism; see also buzz track

locked-down shot

Refers to a camera shot in which the camera remains immobile and fixed, while something happens off-screen (e.g., an off-screen death) - usually employed as a technique to create suspense

logline

A short, introductory summary of a film, usually found on the first page of the screenplay, to be read by executives, judges, agents, producers and script-readers; all screenwriters use loglines to sell their scripts; also known as premise

long-shot
(LS)

A camera view of an object or character from a considerable distance so that it appears relatively small in the frame, e.g., a person standing in a crowd of people or a horse in a vast landscape

long take
(or lengthy take)

A shot of lengthy duration

looping

Refers to the process in which dialogue is re-recorded by actors in the studio during post-production, matching the actor's voice to lip movements on screen; aka ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement)

low-angle shot

A shot in which the subject is filmed directly from below and the camera tilts up at the action or character, to make the subject appear larger than life, more formidable, taller and more menacing

madcap comedy

A fast-paced, wild, and reckless humorous work, usually with plenty of slapstick humor, goofy and farcical action, and crazy characters

made-fors
made for TV

Short for feature-length movies filmed or specifically made-for-television, often mid-way in style between a short drama and a cinematic release

magic hour

The optimum time for filming romantic or magical scenes due to 'warm' and 'soft' lighting conditions, characterized by a golden-orange hue color and softened shadows; occurs for about 30 minutes around the time of sunset and sunrise; aka golden hour

mainstream

A Hollywood-made film with major stars, big budgets, and big hype; compare to independents

majors

Refers to the major Hollywood motion picture producer/distributor studios at the present time (i.e., DreamWorks SKG, MGM/UA, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Sony (Columbia/TriStar), Warner Bros, Universal, and Disney)

makeup

Refers to the materials that are used to prepare the performer for his/her respective role(s) before the camera, anywhere from facial pancake to elaborate costuming, latex masks, and other ghastly transformations; the makeup department is headed by a makeup artist

making of...

A specialized documentary that focuses on the production of a specific film

mark

(1) the name for the clapping of the sticks to sync up the sound and the picture; and
(2) something on the ground (tape, a stick, chalk, etc.) that lets the talent know where they should be for the shot

mask
(or blackout)

Refers to covering up or blocking out a portion of the frame with blackness or opaqueness; most masks are black, but they could be white or some other color

master shot

A continuous shot or long take that shows the main action or setting of an entire scene (most scenes are shot with one or two master angles and then broken up into a series of smaller or tighter angles during editing (such as one-shots, two-shots, close-ups, and reaction shots))

match cut (to)

A transitional technique that refers to a cut between two unrelated shots (outgoing and incoming) that are deliberately joined, matched, or linked by physical, visual, aural, or metaphorical parallelism or similarities, to establish continuity; there can be audio matches, segues (a segue refers to a smooth, uninterrupted transition), and visual match-cuts of various kinds

matte shot

The optical process of combining (or compositing) separately-photographed shots (usually actors in the foreground and the setting in the background) onto one print through a double exposure that does not meld two images on top of each other, but masks off (or makes opaque and blank) part of the frame area for one exposure and the opposite area for another exposure; the second image is printed in the masked-off area; it is a photographic technique whereby a matte painting or artwork from a matte artist - usually painted on glass - is combined with live action footage to provide a convincing setting for the action

medium shot (m.s.)

refers to a conventional camera shot filmed from a medium distance; although it is difficult to precisely define, it usually refers to a human figure from the waist (or knees) up, to clearly see body language (but not facial expressions)

melodrama

Originally referred to "a drama accompanied by music"; a film characterized by expressive plots with strong and intensified emotion, often with elements of pathos, illness and hardship; called 'women's films' or 'weepies' (tearjerkers) during the 1940s

metaphor

A filmic device in which a scene, character, object, and/or action may be associated, identified, or interpreted as an implied representation of something else (that is unrelated)

method acting

A style of acting first expounded by Konstantine Stanislavsky in the early 1900s, and popularized by Lee Strasberg (1899-1982) in the US in his Actors Studio; refers to actors who gave realistic performances based upon and drawn from their own personal experiences and emotions

midnight movies

Offbeat, often independent (non-Hollywood) counter-cultural cult films exhibited at theatres for late-night shows - sometimes involving audience participation; appealed to various small segments of niche audiences with different tastes; these films (originally sexual thrillers, slasher flicks, etc.) were often box-office bombs upon initial release, but then gained a faithful following

mime
(or pantomime)

Acting without words, emphasizing facial expressions, body movements, and gestures; common during the silent film era.

miniatures

Small-scale models photographed to give the illusion that they are full-scale objects; also known as model or miniature shots.

miscast

Refers to an actor/actress who is completely wrong, untalented, or unbelievable for the role he or she has been cast in.

mise en scène

A French term for "staging," or "putting into the scene or shot"; in film theory, it refers to the sum total of all the factors or elements placed (by the director) before the camera and within the frame of the film, in order to affect the artistic look and feel of the shot -- including their visual arrangement and composition; elements include settings, decor, props, actors, costumes, makeup, lighting, performances, and character movements and positioning

mix (mixing)

The electrical combination of different sounds, dialogue, music, and sound effects from microphones, tape, and other sources onto the film's master soundtrack during post-production

mockumentary

A fictional, farcical film that has the style, 'look and feel' of a documentary, with irreverent humor, parody, or slapstick, that is deliberately designed to 'mock' the documentary or subject that it features

'modern'
(or modern-day) classic

A popular, critically-acclaimed film in recent years destined (possibly?) to ultimately become an all-time classic

mogul

Refers to a domineering, autocratic head of a major film studio; most commonly used when the studio system dominated film-making

money shot

aka payoff shot; a term originally borrowed from the pornographic film industry; referring to a scene, image, revelation, or climactic moment that gives the audience "their money's worth," may have cost the most money to produce - and may be the key to the movie's success

monitor

Refers to a small television screen hooked up to the camera and/or recording device that allows crew other than the camera operator to check the quality of a scene as it is being shot or to check and see if it needs to be reshot

monologue

A scene or a portion of a script in which an actor gives a lengthy, unbroken speech without interruption by another character

montage

A French word literally meaning "editing", "putting together" or "assembling shots"; refers to a filming technique, editing style, or form of movie collage consisting of a series of short shots or images that are rapidly put together into a coherent sequence to create a composite picture

morality tale (or play)

A literary term mostly, but used also to refer to a film (often heavy-handed and obvious in tone) that presents a judgment on the goodness/badness of human behavior and character, and emphasizes the struggle between good and evil

morph

The transformation of one digital image into another with computer animation.

motif

Refers to a recurrent thematic element in a film that is repeated in a significant way or pattern; examples of motifs - a symbol, stylistic device, image, object, word, spoken phrase, line, or sentence within a film that points to a theme.

motion pictures
(movies, pic(s), pix, or "moving pictures")

A length of film (with or without sound) with a sequence of images that create an illusion of movement when projected; originally referred to the motion or movement (due to the principle of persistence of vision) perceived when a string of celluloid-recorded images were projected at a rate of 16 or more frames per second

motivated and unmotivated lighting

Refers to lighting (or a light source) that is naturally existing in the real world, i.e., from a lamp post, table lamp, sunlight shining through a window, etc., that appears in a scene; for the lighting to appear natural in a film scene, it should seem to be coming from light sources that are visible or implied within the scene

MPAA

acronym-initials meaning 'Motion Picture Association of America' - an organization that represents the interests of the major motion picture studios

MTV style editing

Refers to the style of filming and editing first found on the MTV cable channel in the 1980s and its music videos, consisting of rapidly-cut shots, fast-paced action, jump-cuts, fast-edits, numerous camera angles

musical (film)

A major film genre category denoting a film that emphasizes segments of song and dance interspersed within the action and dialogue

narration

The telling of a story, and the supplemental information given to the film audience by an off-screen voice; sometimes the narrator is a character in the film, who provides information in a flashback

narrative film

A structured series of events, linked by cause and effect, that provide the plot of a film; a film that tells a chronological or linear story (with a beginning, middle, and end)

naturalism
(naturalistic)

A stage, artistic, philosophical, or literary term as well as a film term, signifying an extreme form of realism in which life is depicted in a stoic, unbiased way

negative

Refers to film that has an inverted record of the light and dark areas of the photographed scene

Neo-Realism

An influential movement of the late 1940s and 1950s that originated in Italy; inaugurated by Jean Renoir, but associated with Italian post-war directors (Rossellini, Visconti, and De Sica); refers to films made outside the studio, with shooting on real locations, sometimes the absence of a script and/or non-professional casts and actors - all designed simultaneously to cut costs and increase the impression of spontaneity

network TV

Originally referred to the "Big Three" (ABC, NBC and CBS), but now with additional competitors, including Fox Channel, often known as 'free-TV'

newsreel

Refers to a filmed cinema news report

nickelodeon

The term for a makeshift motion picture theater, often a converted store, which proliferated all over the US, mostly in working-class areas of metropolitan centers, during the first decade of the 20th century. The name was derived from the 5 cents/nickel charged to patrons.

nihilistic (nihilism)

A dark and brooding film that features a downbeat, depressing, dreary, cynical, gloomy or bleak tone; often doom-laden and concerned with the subjects of death, suffering, tragedy, unhappiness, and existential despair; the protagonist often meets with death or tragedy in a film's conclusion

non-speaking role

A small role in a film, usually a brief appearance on screen, that has no dialogue but where the individual is clearly identifiable and usually appears in the credits

non-sync
(non-synchronized)

Refers to a scene shot without synchronized sound - and sounds must be added later during the editing stage

non-traditional casting

A movement, now officially headed by the Non-Traditional Casting Project (NTCP) to "promote inclusive hiring practices and standards, diversity in leadership and balanced portrayals of persons of color and persons with disabilities"

nostalgia film

A film that wistfully looks back at an earlier past time, often depicting it as more innocent and uncomplicated than it actually was, historically; nostalgia films usually look back on the protagonist's or narrator's childhood.

novelization

Refers to making a novel from a film or screenplay

NTSC

An abbreviation, refers specifically to National Television System Committee that sets TV and video standards; also refers to the US, Canada and Japanese video display systems that have 525 horizontal scan lines of resolution, 16 million different colors, at 30 frames per second (or 60 half-frames (interlaced) per second)

nudie
(or nudie flick)

An old term for a pornographic movie, often used during the age of the Hayes Code when nudity was forbidden by censors in mainstream films on the silver screen

nut

In the movie-theatre business, refers to operating expenses associated with a film (the exhibitor's calculation of what it takes to lease his theater, to staff and run it, etc.)

obligatory scene

A cliched and expected scene for a particular genre, e.g., a love scene in a romance or dramatic film, a shoot-out in a Western, the solving of a crime in a mystery, a rescue in an action film, etc.

off or offstage
(or off-camera)

Refers to action or dialogue off the visible stage, or beyond the boundaries of the camera's field of vision or depicted frame

off book

Refers to a performer who has no need for a script (or book), after completely memorizing all lines of dialogue

omniscient
point-of-view
(POV)

A film in which the narrator knows (and sees) everything occurring in a story, including character thoughts, action, places, conversations, and events

on or onstage
(or on-camera)

On the visible stage, or within the boundaries of the camera's field of vision

180 degree rule
(or line)

A screen direction rule that camera operators must follow - an imaginary line on one side of the axis of action is made (e.g., between two principal actors in a scene), and the camera must not cross over that line - otherwise, there is a distressing visual discontinuity and disorientation

one-liner

A term for a short, one-line joke (that contains its own punchline); also the term may refer to the 'high concept' description of a film - a few words used to describe a script, storyline or a film's premise that a person can easily understand with a simple one-liner

one man (or woman) show

A scripted or filmed narrative (or an avant-garde or experimental film) featuring a solo performance piece with only one actor or actress who sometimes plays multiple roles or characters; often presented by a stand-up comedian

one-reeler

refers to a film 10-12 minutes long

one-sheet

Refers to the typical size of a movie poster

opening credits or title (sequence)

The presentation of the 'opening credits' (as an introduction to the audience about the film and including selected important members of the production) is known as the opening credits sequence; sometimes it is superimposed on the action, but often exists as static letters on a solid background; since the closing or end credits usually list the entire cast and production crew, the opening credits sequence is usually positioned to set the mood of the film, and sometimes even lacks any credits except the film's title

optical(s)
(or optical effects)

In film-making, refers to a visual device, e.g., a fade, wipe, dissolve, superimposition, freeze-frame, split-screen, composite (a train reflection in a car window), or another effect, some of which can be created in the camera, and others that have to be achieved in post-production by mixers or other specialized techniques

Oscar(s)

The name given to the awards of AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) given each year to various performers and others in the film industry

out-takes

Refers to camera shots that are not included (literally, they are 'taken out') in the final cut or print of a film, often retrieved from the cutting room floor, and shown during the closing credits

overacting

Poor, overly-broad, or 'over-the-top' acting by a 'ham' actor; aka "hamming it up" or 'chewing up the scenery'; sometimes considered in a positive light as 'campy';

overcrank(ing)

refers to speeding up a camera's frame rate - to shoot at more than the normal 24 fps, so that the resulting image, when played back at the normal frame rate, appears to be in slow-motion; this technique is often used to shoot miniatures

overexposed

Refers to a film shot that has more light than normal, causing a blinding, washed-out, whitish, glaring effect; deliberately used for flashbacked or dream scenes

overlap

The carry-over of dialogue, sounds, or music from one scene to another; occurs when the cut in the soundtrack is not at the same time as the cut in the image; can also refer to two or more characters speaking at the same time

over-the-shoulder (OTS) shot

A very commonly-used medium camera angle or view in a dialogue scene, mostly with alternating shot/reverse-shot editing, in which the camera records the action from behind the shoulder and/or head of one of the characters, thus framing the image

overture

In film terms, a pre-credits or opening credits musical selection that sets the mood and theme for the upcoming film

ozoner

Slang term for a drive-in movie theater

p.a.

Abbreviation for 'personal appearance' - often required of major stars - to promote or provide PR (p.r.) or 'public relations' (marketing) for their films

pace

The speed/tempo of the dramatic action, which is usually enhanced by the soundtrack and the speed of the dialogue, the type of editing, etc.

package

The marketing elements of a film project, such as script, signed film stars, director, locations, 'high-concept' hook, etc.

pan

A noun, meaning 'to express a totally negative opinion of' a film, normally in a critical film review; also known as 'trashing' a film

pan
(or panning shot, or panoramic shot)

A verb, and the abbreviation for panorama shot; refers to the horizontal scan, movement, rotation or turning of the camera in one direction (to the right or left) around a fixed vertical axis while filming

pan and scan

A technique that avoids the 'letterboxing' of a widescreen film for a full-framed 4x3 home video or TV picture, by focusing on the elements of the picture that are most important to the plot and by adjusting or cropping the image

parallel
(editing, action, sound, etc.)

Editing that cuts between two sequences taking place at different locations and possibly different times; parallel action refers to a narrative device in which two scenes are observed in parallel by cross-cutting; parallel sound refers to sound that matches the accompanying image

parenthetical

Refers to screenplay directions (shown in parentheses) to guide a performer to deliver his/her lines in a particular way, such as (calmly) or (angrily), etc., but should not be over-used

parody

A comedy that imitates or makes fun of an existing work(s) in an absurd, non-sensical way, and exaggerates its characteristics

payoff

A dramatic scene that justifies everything that preceded it; the necessary result of a complication for which the audience has been prepared

payola

Refers to bribery or under-the-table payments

persona

Literally, Latin for "mask"; related to the on-screen image or personality associated with a star

pic(s) (also pix)

Slang terms for motion picture(s)

picture within a picture

pin-up girl

Refers to the most sexually-attractive star-actresses of an era, who would be popularized in seductive poses usually semi-clad - in pictures, calendars, or mass-produced posters that were usually literally "pinned-up", usually with thumbtacks, on bedroom walls, the insides of lockers, and so forth

pipeline

Refers to movie projects in the system that are under development or production and scheduled for release in the future

pitch(es)

Orally or written (sales) proposals for film projects usually made by screenwriters (to sell a screenplay idea), or independent producers for studio producers or executives to obtain financial backing; anything from a one-line description to a two- to three-page treatment of an idea (before becoming a script)

pivotal character

Refers to the character that launches the action between the protagonist and the antagonist; or the character who sets the main events of the plot in motion; films with a classic "love triangle" involve a woman who serves as the 'pivotal character' between two rival suitors

pixillation

An animation technique in which the illusion of continuous, real movement of three-dimensional objects, often people, is broken and/or made to move unevenly or jerky through the use of stop-action cinematography (single frame animation) or by printing only selected frames from the continuously-exposed negative

plot and
plot point

Refers to a series of dramatic events or actions that make up a film's narrative; a plot point is a key turning point or moment in a film's story that significantly advances the action; plot points either set the story further into motion, or disrupt and complicate the plot; also known as beat or A story; contrast to a subplot (aka B story or C story) - a secondary plot in a film; a plot plant is the technique of 'planting' an apparently trivial piece of information early in a story - that becomes more important later on

point of view
(POV)

The perspective from which the film story is told, and to let the viewer know what the character is seeing

P.O.V. shot
(or point-of-view shot)

A subjective shot made from the perspective of one of the characters to show the audience the scene as it would look through the character's eyes; usually coupled (before and/or after) with a reaction shot (or a three-shot sequence called a shot reverse shot) to establish the POV; also known as first-person point-of-view shot or subjective camera (the use of the camera to suggest the POV of a particular character)

porn
(porno, or pornographic)

Refers to a film that exploits or graphically depicts sex, often rated XXX

portmanteau film

Refers to a style of film (usually of interwoven stories, as in an anthology film) in which everything revolved around or was tied together by a single event, or person, or single location

positive print

refers to an original light image printed or captured on film

post-credits sequence

Either a throwaway scene or an epilogue that happens during or after the end credits; sometimes used as a bonus for theatergoers who remain to watch the credits, and partly to generate 'buzz' about the extra scene

post-modern

Refers to a return to tradition, in reaction to more 'modernist' styles

post-production

The final stage in a film's production after principal photography or shooting, involving picture editing, the addition of sound/visual effects, musical scoring, mixing, dubbing, distribution, etc.; in digital post-production, can also include changing facial expressions, removing flaws or obtrusive objects (microphone, boom, etc.), enhancing the visual image, etc.

post-synchronization (aka Automatic Dialogue Replacement, or ADR, or post synching)

Refers to the post-production process of recording the sound after the film has been shot, often adding dialogue spoken by actors as they watch the projected film

potboiler

A literary reference to the hard-edged, American detective/crime thrillers (also often called 'pulp fiction' or 'dime novels') rapidly written and filled with violence, crime, and sex - to literally 'boil the pot'; also known as hard-boiled

pre-Code

Refers to the four-five years (1930-1934) before the enforcement of the Hays Production Code in Hollywood, to rigidly sanitize and censor films. In film plots from mid-1935 and lasting about the next 30 years, adultery and promiscuity were prohibited (unless they ended in a miserable downfall), and all crimes (and their criminals) had to be punished.

premiere

The first official public screening of a movie, marking the kick-off, opening or opening night

premise

The main idea of a movie, usually explainable in a few sentences

pre-production

The planning stage in a film's production after the project is finally greenlighted, and before principal photography or actual shooting commences, involving script treatment and editing/rewriting, scheduling, set design and construction, casting, budgeting and financial planning, and scouting/selection of locations

prequel

The second or third film in a series of films that presents characters and/or events that are chronologically set before the time frame of the original movie

preview

A short film, usually with excerpts from a future film, intended as an advertisement; a sneak preview refers to an unadvertised, often surprise showing of an entire film before its general release or announced premiere, often to gauge audience reaction

pre-screen

To view/watch/see a movie before it is released for the public (at the premiere)

principal photography

Refers to the filming of major and significant portions of a film production that involves the main/lead actors/actresses

principals

Refers to the main characters in a play or film (usually those that have dialogue)

print

Refers to a positive copy of a film

prison film

A very popular sub-genre with the film's plot usually set within the walls of an institutional prison; themes involve imprisonment and/or escape, the effects on the characters involved and interactions between officers and inmates, and issues of justice/injustice

process
(projection or shot)

A technique that shoots live action in front of a screen on which the background view is projected

producer (film)

One or more of the chiefs of a movie production, involved in various logistical matters (i.e., scheduling, financing, budgeting); raises funding and financing, acquires or develops a story, finalizes the script, hires key personnel for cast, crew, and director, and arranges for distributors of the film to theaters; serves as the liaison between the financiers and the film-makers, while managing the production from start to finish (post-production).

product placement

Refers to how companies buy advertising space within a film for their products, as a way for a producer to fund some film production costs

production

The general process of putting a film together, including casting, set construction, costuming, rehearsals, and shooting; also refers to the middle stage of production which is preceded by pre-production and followed by post-production

production design

Refers to a film's overall design, continuity, visual look and composition (colors, sets, costumes, scenery, props, locations, etc.) that are the responsibility of the production designer; the art department refers to the people in various roles (e.g., matte painters, set designers and decorators, illustrators, title designers, scenic artists, and storyboard artists) who work under the production designer's supervision

production (value)

Production value refers to the overall quality of a film, based not on the script, acting, or director, but on criteria such as costumes, sets, design, etc.

projector

The machine that rapidly puts ('projects') a succession of motion picture images (individual frames) up onto a screen, using the principle of illusion of motion

prologue

A speech, preface, introduction, or brief scene preceding the the main action or plot of a film

promo

Slang term for sales promotion

props
(or property)

Abbreviation for properties - refers to the furnishings, fixtures, hand-held objects, decorations, or any other moveable items that are seen or used on a film (or stage) set but that are not a structural part of the set

protagonist

The lead or main character in a film

pull back

A type of camera shot in which the camera physically moves away from or zooms out from the subject to reveal the full context of the scene

punchline

A funny, witty line that culminates a story, joke or scene

push in

A type of camera shot in which the camera physically moves toward or zooms in to the subject or object for a closer look

Q rating

Refers to an ad research rating that gauges how easily a celebrity is recognized -- and how well the celebrity is liked

rack focusing

Refers to an on-screen film technique of focus change that blurs the focal planes in sequence, forcing the viewer's eye to travel to those areas of an image that remain in sharp focus; the focus changes from an object in the foreground to an object in the background or vice versa, to direct, shift, and steer the attention of the viewer forcibly from one subject to another

rating system(s) or ratings

Also known as the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) film rating system, first officially instituted in late 1968; it refers to the ever-evolving classification system for films usually based upon age-appropriateness, and the judgment of a film's suitability for various audiences, in terms of sexual content, offensiveness, or violence

reaction shot

A quick shot that records a character's or group's response to another character or some on-screen action or event

real time

Actual time it would take for an event to occur in reality, as contrasted to filmic time (time can be sped up or slowed down). Real and filmic time often coincide for long sequences within a film

realism

Filming so that the reality outside the camera is shown in a neutral style with as little distortion and interference as possible; realism is attained by long, uninterrupted takes, deep focus shots, and other filmic techniques

rear (screen) projection

A special effects technique to create backgrounds, in which actors are filmed in front of a screen on which a background scene is projected; commonly used in early films to produce the effect of motion in a vehicle

red carpet

Literally, to "roll out" a welcoming 'red carpet', laid down for major ceremonies (film premieres, awards ceremonies) to signify an important, honorary event with dignitaries and esteemed guests attending

red herring

An instance of foreshadowing that is deliberately planted to make viewers suspect an outcome--but the audience is to be deceived - the opposite happens and the false clue 'plant' is irrelevant; often done for humor, irony, or for other thematic reasons

redlighted

Refers to a film project that was in production, but lost its financial backing - resulting in a premature abandonment by the studio

reel

Refers to a plastic or metal spool for winding film; also, earlier films were measured in reels (one reel = about 10 minutes of running time).

re-enactment

A film production that re-creates an actual event as closely as possible

reference

Refers to how one film in its storyline (through dialogue, images) alludes to, recalls, or refers to another film

reissue

Refers to a studio releasing a work subsequent to the original or initial release

release
(or released)

Refers to the first distribution and general public exhibition of a film to theatre audiences for viewing.

remake

Refers to a later production (of a previous film), with different credits, script, and cast; a redone, second version of a film's narrative and subject matter; remakes have been common throughout all of film history.

rentals

Refers to that portion of film grosses that goes to film distributors; also refers to videocassette (or DVD) rentals

re-release

The revival or rebroadcast of a work by the original distributor, studio, releaser, or broadcaster.

reshoot contingency

Refers to the funds kept or saved by a producer in case supplementary shootings (reshoots) are required - often occurring after test screenings or decisions made by studio executives

resolution

The outcome, or the "untying" of tension in the scenes after the climax of a film; refers to how things turned out for all of the characters; some films abruptly end without a scene following the climax

retrospective

Usually a tribute, exhibition, or 'looking back' at a film star's, artist's or director's work over a span of years with a comprehensive compilation or montage of film clips or excerpts; also known as a retro; also, in terms of a screenplay, a film in which nearly the entire story is looking back in time at events that have already taken place, usually accomplished by flashback

reverse (angle) shot

A basic camera angle composed of a shot photographed from the opposite (or reverse) side of a subject to provide a different perspective or different angle from the preceding shot

reverse motion

Refers to a trick camera effect, created by running film backwards in the camera or during optical printing

revisionistic

Refers to films that present an apparent genre stereotype and then subvert, revise, or challenge it

revival house

Film or exhibition theatres that are dedicated to emphasizing or specializing in only one type of film - such as foreign films, older films, silent films, classics, rarely-screened films, etc.

rigger

A production worker on set during film-making who sets up, hangs, and focuses lighting equipment, and constructs scaffolding

roadshow

Refers to exploitation films (such as "sex-hygeine" films) with controversial content (disguised as educational medical information) that were heavily promoted and shown on the road, and would be packed up quickly in case of the authorities

rotation

Refers to a camera rotation - which can be a vertical or horizontal pan; or it may refer to a camera move in which the camera is moved in a complete (or half) circle to produce a spinning, disorienting effect to the viewer

rotoscoping

An animation technique in which images of live, motion-picture action footage are traced frame by frame (manually or automatically) by animators; now a process that uses computers, although originally this was done by hand

rough cut

An early edited (or 'cut') version of a film - with all the pieces of the film assembled in continuous, sequential order, but without any fancy editing; also sometimes known as first cut; one of the stages toward the final cut

running time

A measure of the duration or length of a film, usually about two hours for a feature film.

rush(es)

The prints of takes (of the camera footage) from one day's shooting, usually without correction or editing, for examination by the director before the next day's shooting

satire

A mocking, ridiculing commentary on an economic, political, religious or social institution, ideology or belief, person (or group), policy, or human vice.

scenario

(1) the outline for a screenplay, or
(2) a complete screenplay

scene

Usually a shot (or series of shots) that together comprise a single, complete and unified dramatic event, action, unit, or element of film narration, or block (segment) of storytelling within a film, much like a scene in a play; a scene normally occurs in one location and deals with one action; the end of a scene is often indicated by a change in time, action and/or location

scenery

Refers to the outdoor background in a set (represented by either a backdrop or a natural view).

scene-stealing

Usually refers to a character (or group of characters), usually subsidiary, whose appearance, actions and/or dialogue draws more attention than other actors in the same scene; similar to the term 'chewing up the scenery.'

schlock film

From the Yiddish expression for 'inferior' - refers to a forgettable, cheaply-made, low-budget, luridly-advertised B-film (or lower Z-film) with little or non-existent quality - often unintentionally hilarious

(film) score

The musical component of a movie's soundtrack, usually composed specifically for the film by a film composer; the background music in a film, usually specially composed for the film; may be orchestral, synthesized, or performed by a small group of musicians

screen direction

Refers to the direction that characters or objects are moving in a film's scene or visual frame; common screen directions include "camera left" (movement to the left) or "camera right" (movement to the right)

screen test

Refers to a filmed audition in which an actor performs a particular role for a film production; casting often depends upon the photogenic (the projection of an attractive camera image) quality of the star.

screener

The term for a promotional DVD (or video) version of a film that is sent to voters (and film critics) by the movie studios for their convenience during the awards season, before the movie is officially available to the public through video rental chains

screening

The exhibition or display of a movie, typically at a cinema house/theatre; to screen (or unspool) a film means to show or project a film; types of screenings include a critical screening (a pre-release viewing for film critics), a pre-screening, or a focus-group screening (to test audience reactions to a film's rough cut)

screenplay

A script or text for a film production written by a scripter or screenwriter(s) (or scribe), written (scribbled, scripted, or penned) in the prescribed form as a series of master scenes, with all the dialogue provided and the essential actions and character movements described; a script is written to be made into a movie; screenplays are often adaptations of other works

screenwriter

The scripter who writes an original film screenplay or adapts another work into a film

screwball comedy

A type of highly-verbal comedy prevalent in 1930's Hollywood, and typified by frenetic action, verbal wit and wisecracks (substituting or serving as a metaphoric euphemism for sex), a battle of the sexes with conflict that is ultimately resolved - all elements that serve as important plot points.

script
(also shooting script)

Refers to the written text of a film - a blueprint for producing a film detailing the story, setting, dialogue, movements and gestures of actors, and the shape and sequence of all events in the film

second banana

In general terms, an actor who plays a subordinate or secondary role

second-unit photography

In larger film productions, this refers to the less important scenes (large crowd scenes, scenery, foreign location backgrounds, various inserts, etc.) that are filmed by a smaller, secondary or subordinate crew, usually headed by a second-unit director

segment (or seg)

A section or episode of a film; a series of sequences that comprise a major section of the plot; segmentation of a film often helps to further analysis

sell-through

An industry term meaning prerecorded videocassettes or DVDs priced lower, to encourage their sale rather than rental

sepia tone

A black-and-white image that has been converted to a sepia tone or color (a brownish gray to a dark olive brown) in order to enhance the dramatic effect and/or create an "antique" appearance

sequel

A cinematic work that presents the continuation of characters, settings, and/or events of a story in a previously-made or preceding movie

sequence

A scene, or connected series of related scenes that are edited together and comprise a single, unified event, setting, or story within a film's narrative; also refers to scenes that structurally fit together in the plot

serial

A multi-part, 'short-subject' film that was usually screened a chapter/episode per week at a film theatre; the predominant style of the serial was melodrama; often, each chapter or episode, continually presented in installments over several weeks, would conclude with an unresolved cliffhanger to ensure that audience would return the following week to discover the resolution

series

A string or sequence of films with shared situations, characters or themes and related titles, but with little other inter-dependence, especially with respect to plot or significant character development. Usually presented without cliffhangers; the term also applies to feature films with more than one sequel

set

The environment (an exterior or interior locale) where the action takes place in a film; when used in contrast to location, it refers to an artificially-constructed time/place (a backdrop painting or a dusty Western street with a facade of storefronts)

set-piece

Usually a self-contained, elaborate scene or sequence that stands on its own (i.e., a helicopter chase, a dance number, a memorable fight, etc.), and serves as a key moment in the film; in terms of production, it may also refer to a scene with a large set

setting

The time (time period) and place in which the film's story occurs, including all of the other additional factors, including climate (season), landscape, people, social structures and economic factors, customs, moral attitudes, and codes of behavior

set-up

The place or position where the director and the director of photography put the camera (and lighting) when shooting a scene; a scene is usually shot with multiple setups and with multiple takes from each setup

set-up
(screenplay)

In screenplay terms, set-up refers to the first act in which the characters, situation, and the setting are established.

sex comedy

A humorous, light-hearted film with an improbable plot about sexual relationships and extra-marital affairs, with various pairings between numerous characters, often characterized by slamming doors

sexploitation

Refers to non-pornographic, non-explicit, soft-core films that feature sexual themes or explicit sexual material and nudity often in an apparently crude, immature, leering way; these films exploited the concept of sex without violating long-standing cultural and legal taboos against showing it all on the screen

shaggy dog tale
(or story)

A long-winded, overly convoluted, often irrelevant, protracted or complicated plot, tale or storyline, that often pointlessly or meaninglessly ends up (sometimes after an extensive quest or search) with no resolution at all or with an anti-climax

shoot

The process of filming or photographing any aspect of a motion picture with a camera

short subject
(short or
short films)

A film that is shorter than around 30 or 45 minutes, and definitely less than 60 minutes

shot

The basic building block or unit of film narrative; refers to a single, constant take made by a motion picture camera uninterrupted by editing, interruptions or cuts, in which a length of film is exposed by turning the camera on, recording, and then turning the camera off

shot, scene, and sequence

A shot, scene, and sequence together make up the larger dramatic narrative of film; scenes are composed of shots, sequences are composed of scenes, and films are composed of sequences.

shot list

The list distributed and used by a film crew of all the shots to be filmed during the day

shutter speed

Refers to the length of time a single frame is exposed

sight gag

aka visual gag; an image that conveys humor visually, usually non-verbally

silent film
(or silents)

The term for motion pictures without sound (spoken dialogue or synchronized soundtrack), although they were often accompanied by live commentary, piano-music, sound effects, and/or orchestration

silver bullet

aka "magic bullet" - a solution that completely solves the complicated dramatic problem within a film; the term was derived from European folklore in which only a silver bullet could kill a werewolf.

size

Refers to a film element, used by the film-maker to indicate a character's or object's relative strength compared to other things or persons

skip frame

The optical printing effect of skipping or cutting out certain frames of the original scene to speed up the action

slapstick (comedy)

A broad form of comedy in which the humor comes from physical acts or pantomime, frequently harmless violence and pratfalls intended to produce laughter. The name was derived from a device called a slapstick, two boards that slapped together with a loud crack when used to strike something or someone; prevalent during the silent era and in early talkies, with its primary motif being pie-throwing.

slasher film

Usually a cheaply-made sub-genre film (usually in the horror genre) designed for the teenage audience (teen movie), deliberately made to contain gory, blood-splattering, explicit deaths without any build-up, style or suspense, often committed by an unstoppable serial killer, with a sharp bladed weapon; most slasher films are created to generate sequels and repetitive boredom

slate (board)

Refers to the digital board held in front of the camera that identifies shot number, director, camera-person, studio and title; the slate has the clap sticks on top and the scene number, take and production name or title usually written on it, and the person operating the slate will say "mark" and clap the sticks for picture and sound sync purposes; originally the data was written with chalk on a slate board

sleeper

A movie that is released with little publicity or pre-release buzz, often directed by and starring relatively unknown people, that eventually becomes popular (as a cult film) or financially successful beyond expectations, usually due to positive word-of-mouth

slow-motion
(or slo-motion)

Refers to an effect resulting from running film through a camera at faster-than-normal speed (shooting faster than 24 frames per second), and then projecting it at standard speed; if a camera runs at 60 frames per second, and captures a one second-long event, a 24-frame playback will slow that event to two and a half seconds long; overcrank(ing) means to speed up the camera, thereby making the action appear slower when projected - the term dates back to the old days of physically hand-cranking film through a camera; this filmic technique is usually employed to fully capture a 'moment in time' or to produce a dramatic (or romantic feeling)

smash-cut
(or shock cut)

A cinematic term that refers to an abrupt, jarring and unexpected change or transition in the scene or film's image (and the audio) to another scene or image, in order to surprise the viewing audience

snipe

Any piece of projected footage during (usually prior to) a motion picture feature presentation that is not a trailer or film presentation, i.e., announcements and theatre promos for the concession stand, courtesy requests and prohibitions (such as turning off cell phones, curbing loud talking, etc.)

snub

During nominations or awards proceedings, when a prominent, leading, or favored performer/director/crew member or film is inexplicably excluded or denied an award or nomination

soft-focus

A cinematographic effect in which a filter, vaseline or gauze-like substance placed over the camera lens reduces the clarity or sharpness of focus, blurs the image, and produces a diffused, hazy light; the visual effect can also be created by simply shooting out-of-focus

soliloquy

A dramatic monologue delivered by a single actor with no one else onstage; sometimes expressed as a 'thinking aloud' dialogue of inner reflections; delivered by a character to him or herself, or directly to the audience

sound

The audio portion of a film including dialogue, music, and effects

soundstage
(or stage)

A large, soundproof area/room in a studio used in film production, where elaborate sets may be constructed, to allow film-makers greater control over climate, lighting, and sound, security, and spectators.

soundtrack

Technically, this term refers to the audio component of a movie, including the dialogue, musical score, narration, and sound effects, that accompany the visual components. Popularly, it refers to a collection of songs heard during the movie, and often sold as an album.

spaghetti western

A western, low-budget B-movie filmed in Italy (or Spain) during the 60s, usually characterized by low production values, sparse dialogue.

spec script

An unsolicited or non-commissioned ("speculative") screenplay sent to a studio by a screenwriter for consideration (hoping that it will possibly be 'optioned' or purchased)

special effects
(or F/X, SFX, SPFX, or EFX)

A broad, wide-ranging term used by the film industry meaning to create fantastic visual and audio illusions that cannot be accomplished by normal means, such as travel into space. Many visual (photographic) or mechanical (physical) filmic techniques or processes are used to produce special illusionary effects, such as optical and digital effects, CGI, in-camera effects, the use of miniatures/models, mattes, rear-camera projections, stop-motion animation, bluescreens, full-scale mockups, pyrotechnics (squibs (miniature explosions, i.e. a gunshot)), stunt men, animatronics (electronic puppets), rain/snow/wind machines, etc

spin-off

Refers to a derivative work (film or TV), either a sequel or a prequel which includes characters from the previous original product

split edit

An editing technique used to ease the transition from one scene to another, in which the audio starts before (or after) the picture cut

split-reel

In the silent era, refers to two different short-subject films (each too brief for a separate screening) that were joined together on one reel for movie-house exhibition

split-screen

The combination of two actions filmed separately by copying them onto the same negative and having them appear side-by-side within a single frame (without overlapping)

spoiler

Information about the plot or ending of a film that may damage or impair the enjoyment of the film if known ahead of time; usually, critics or reviewers warn readers with a 'spoiler alert', or avoid revealing spoilers altogether

spoof

Usually a comedic film that pays tribute to an earlier film in a humorous way.

stand-in

A substitute person who is physically similar (in size and appearance) to an actor and who takes the actor's place during often lengthy preparation of a scene (the taking of light meter readings, camera setup, light adjustment, etc.) but not during filming.

star

The name given to famous, talented, and popular actors or celebrities, often in lead character roles, who can draw an audience to a film with their photogenic appearance, inspirational acting, or some other quality. Historically, a starlet (or ingenue) was an attractive actress promoted by a film studio in a small role as an up-and-coming star during the 40s and the 50s

star system

Refers to the way in which studios "groomed" stars under contract, and sought star vehicles for them; studios served as protectorates for their stars

star vehicle

A film expressly made to show off the talents of a performer, with all other aspects almost secondary

static shot

An unmoving or immobile camera shot that is stationary, due to the use of a tripod

Steadicam (shot)

A hand-held camera technique using a stabilizing Steadicam (introduced in the late 70s), developed by inventor Garrett Brown, with a special, mechanical harness that allows the camera operator to take relatively smooth and steady shots, though hand-held, while moving along with the action

stealing a scene
(or scene-stealing)

Usually refers to a supporting actor/actress attracting attention from the lead actor or actress to whom the center of interest legitimately belongs

stereotyping

The act of portraying a particular character (or group) with a formulaic, conforming, exaggerated, and oversimplified representation, usually offensive and distorted

still

refers to a single, static image, either
(1) a frame still (possibly enlarged) from a finished film,
(2) a production still taken from an unfinished film, or
(3) a publicity shot (of an actor or scene)

stinger

A surprising, last-minute bit of dialogue (or footage) that appears after the end (or closing) credits

stock character

A minor character whose actions are completely predictable, stereotypical, or standard for his/her job or profession; similarly, a stock situation is a basic, recognizable plot situation (e.g., a lover hiding in the closet, twins mistaken for each other, etc.).

stock footage
(or stock/library shot)

Refers to previously-shot or recorded footage or film of common elements or scenes, such as canyons or deserts in the American West, or travelogue shots (e.g., skylines, airplane takeoffs/landings, famous places, etc.), or historical events footage, that are kept in a film archive or library and used by editors to fill in portions of a movie in different film productions, thereby saving the time of reshooting similar scenes over and over

stop-motion
(animation)

A special-effects animation technique where objects, such as solid 3-D puppets, figures, or models are shot one frame at a time and moved or repositioned slightly between each frame, giving the illusion of lifelike motion. Stop-motion was one of the earliest special-effects techniques for science-fiction films, now replaced by CGI and animatronics

story

The events that appear in a film and what we can infer from these events

storyboard

A sequential series of illustrations, stills, rough sketches and/or captions (sometimes resembling a comic or cartoon strip) of events, as seen through the camera lens, that outline the various shots, indicate camera angles, blocking of actors, and the size of the frame; they provide a synopsis for a proposed film story (or for a complex scene) with its action and characters; the storyboards are displayed in sequence for the purpose of visually mapping out and crafting the various shot divisions and indicating camera movements in an animated or live-action film; a blank storyboard is a piece of paper with rectangles drawn on it to represent the camera frame (for each successive shot)

straight man

An actor/actress who serves as a stooge for a comedian (or funnyman), usually by adopting a serious stance or reaction to the comic partner; the straight man often feeds lines to the other irreverent comedian - who replies with witty comments

studio(s)

(1) the for-profit companies that specialize in developing, financing and distributing most American commercial films;
(2) also refers to the actual site for a film production, with physical sets, stages, offices, backlots (located on the outdoor grounds of a film studio and used for filming exteriors), etc

studio chief

The head or chairperson of a film studio who has the final authority for each film project (gives the green light - or authorization go-ahead), and oversees the many departments (financial, legal, marketing, advertising, distribution, etc.)

studio system

Refers to the all-powerful control the monopolistic film studios had over all aspects of assembly-line filmmaking and film production from the 1920s until the late 1950s, when chiefs - moguls (Mayer, Selznick and Zukor) ruled; tactics included the ownership of property, control of publicity and marketing, and iron-clad contracts with star-actors, directors, composers, cameramen, costume designers, writers, and producers.

stunt double(s)

A stunt performer(s) (aka stunts) that take the place of an actor when the scene calls for a dangerous or risky action (car crash, fight, window jump, etc.); doubles usually have the same build or appearance as the star; also called stunt performer, stuntman or stuntwoman; not to be confused with a stand-in or a body double

stylize(d)

A term that refers to the artificial exaggeration or elimination of details in order to deliberately create an effect - in other words, to make (or interpret) a person, a face, a tree, a figure, or something as 'grotesque,' 'disturbing,' or 'overbright' as opposed to realistic or naturalistic.

subjective
point-of-view (POV)

A film in which the narrator has a limited point-of-view regarding the characters, events, action, places, thoughts, conversations, etc.; a subjective camera is a style of filming that allows the viewer to look at events from the POV of either a character or the author, when the camera position is close to the line of sight of the character

subplot

A secondary, subordinate, or auxiliary plotline, often complementary but independent from the main plot (the A story), and often involving supporting characters

subtext

The deeper and usually unexpressed "real" meanings of a character's spoken lines or actions - if the viewer can 'read between the lines'.

subtitles

Refers to the printed line(s) of text superimposed and displayed at the bottom of the screen frame, often used to translate a foreign-language phrase, or to describe a time/place; also the text translating an entire foreign language film (that hasn't been dubbed)

Sundance

Short for the influential Sundance Film Festival, known for the exhibition and screening of the best of independent films each year in Utah

superimpose
(or superimposition)

An optical printing process that places or 'exposes' one image on top of another on the same piece of filmstock, such as inserted credits and titles at the beginning of a film

supporting role(s)
(or players, characters)

Characters seen less frequently than the lead role characters, but still in important, secondary roles; often termed a featured player or feature player; well-known guest stars often play brief supporting roles in a film

surreal (surrealism)

A term applied to a film, signifying a distorted or fantastic dream state, a nightmarish or hallucinogenic world, or a subconscious thought or death experience

suspenser

Another term for a suspense/thriller film

swashbuckler

Asually refers to adventure films with an heroic, athletic, sword-wielding character

sword-and-sandal epic

A term for a movie, usually a Roman or Biblical epic, characterized by the weapons (swords) and footwear (sandals) of the period

sword and sorcery

A term for the class of fantasy movies characterized by the presence of wizards and warriors, magic and sword fighting

symbol

An object in a film that stands for an idea, or that has a second level of meaning to it, e.g., a window or train=freedom, a rose=beauty, a cross-roads=a decision point, etc.

symmetry

Within a film when two or more distinct plotlines 'mirror' each other or develop variations on the film's theme or plot

synchronous sound

Refers to sound whose source can be seen in the image's frame, or whose source can be understood from the context of the image

tag line

A clever phrase or short sentence to memorably characterize a film, and tease and attract potential viewers, or sell the movie; also creates a catchy 'soundbite' often repeated or presented in a trailer or on a film's poster, sometimes along with the film's leitmotif

take

A single continuously-recorded performance, shot or version of a scene with a particular camera setup; often, multiple takes are made of the same shot during filming, before the director approves the shot

talent

A term applied to the actors, as a group, on a film set

talkies

The common term used for films with sound (beginning in 1927), although rarely used currently. The advent of talkies marked the dawning of the era of sound films, as opposed to silent films

talking head(s)

A medium shot of people conversing; used as a criticism - denoting an uninteresting image

tap

A slang term, meaning to "pick", "select", "name", or "appoint"

tearjerker(s)

An excessively-sentimental or emotional film, usually with suffering female protagonists, tragic circumstances, manipulative scenes, and dramatic musical scoring

Technicolor

The trade name for the best known color film process; 3-strip color is often used as a synonymous term; also used generically as a term for rich, bright, vibrant, sometimes garish colors

tech-noir

Modern day (or post-modern) expressionistic film noirs set in the future, with dark, decaying societies

telefilm

Refers to a feature-length motion picture made for television; also known as telepic or telepix

telephoto
(lens)telephoto
(lens)

Refers to a camera lens with a very long focal length and narrow angle of view - the effect is to compress or condense depth in space, thereby bringing distant objects closer to the viewer (without moving the camera), but it also flattens the depth of the image

tentpole

An industry slang or trendy buzzword term, meaning a film that is expected to serve as a primary support for a studio, i.e., to be a top-grossing blockbuster (usually during the summer season), to compensate for a studio's other flops

theatre - theater
(film)

The place for screening, presenting, or viewing a film or motion picture; aka cinema

theatrical

A slang term referring to a feature-length motion picture

theme music

The opening or closing music of a motion picture, often containing the film's 'signature' or leitmotif tune/phrase that is associated with a character or situation within the film

3-D

A film that has a three-dimensional, stereoscopic form or appearance, giving the life-like illusion of depth

three-shot

Refers to a medium shot that contains three people

tie-in

Refers to any commercial venture connected to a film

tight on

A cinematography term that refers to a close-up camera shot of the subject, aka extreme closeup or tight framing

tilt shot
(or oblique angle)

A camera tilted up or down on a diagonal along a vertical axis

time lapse

A method of filming where frames are shot much slower than their normal rate, allowing action to take place between frames, and giving the appearance of the action taking place much faster in the finished product

tint

The use of color to physically tint film stock to achieve a desired mood, usually done selectively by hand

title role

The lead part in a movie or other production for an actor or actress, that is named after the title of the film

titles

The words that appear on the film screen and convey information; categories of titles include: credit titles, main titles, end titles, insert titles, and subtitles

tix

Abbreviation for tickets

tone

The mood or atmosphere of a film scene, often revealed by the director in the way a film is directed

toon

Abbreviation for cartoon

topline

To star; or to be billed above the title of a film

topper

Refers to the head of a company or organization

tour de force

Literally "forceful turn" (French); usually refers to a lead actor's performance that was incredibly skillful, brilliant, notable, masterful, reflecting a very high standard, and perfectly displaying the actor's ability

tracking shot
(or truck)

A smooth shot in which the camera moves alongside ('tracking within') or follows the subject through space, usually with the camera mounted on a dolly (on a dolly track)

trademark

Refers to a personal touch or embellishment of an actor, director, writer or producer within a film

trades

Refers to the professional magazines and publications that report the daily or weekly entertainment news of the entertainment industry.

trailer

A short publicity film, preview, or advertisement composed of short excerpts and scenes from a forthcoming film or coming attraction, usually two-three minutes in length

transition
(or transitional technique or device)

One of several ways of moving from (or joining together) one shot or scene to the next one, including such transitional effects or shots as a cut, fade, dissolve, and wipe

trash film

Refers to second-run, low-budget films that are deliberately over-the-top, infantile, amateurish, sometimes excessively gory or raunchy which are intended to shock, disgust, and repel mainstream audiences, and appeal to non-traditional audiences.

travelogue

A film made for the purpose of showing scenes from foreign, exotic places

treatment

A detailed literary summary or presentation of a film's story (and each major scene), with action and characters described in prose form, and sometimes including bits of dialogue

trilogy

A group of three films that together compose a larger narrative and are related in subject or theme

triple threat

Refers to an actor or actress who can sing, dance and act skillfully and equally well on a consistent basis

tubthump

A term that denotes to promote or draw attention to; usually conducted by publicists, advertisers, and agents

turnaround

Refers to a film or project that has been abandoned by a studio and is no longer active (and now available for being shopped to another studio)

24 frames per second

Refers to the standard frame rate or film speed - the number of frames or images that are projected or displayed per second

twist ending

A film that is marketed as having a surprise ending that shouldn't be revealed (as a spoiler) to those who haven't seen the picture

two-fer

Slang for coupons that discount an film's admission price to "two for" the price of one

two-hander

Refers to a film with only two characters

two-reeler

In the silent era, this referred to a film lasting a little over 20 minutes

two-shot

A medium or close-up camera shot of two people (often in dialogue with each other), often framed from the chest up; often used to provide a contrast between the two characters

typecasting

When an actor or actress is commonly (but unfairly) identified, associated with, or 'stereotyped' by a particular character role; casting against type is the reverse of typecasting

U-matic

Refers to 3/4 inch magnetic tape, originally a professional cassette tape format now being supplanted by new digital formats

unbilled role

A 'supporting' role for a major (sometimes minor) star that is officially credited (usually in the end credits), but no mention (or billing) is made in the film's advertisements or the opening credits

uncredited role

A role that a major (or minor) star plays that is not credited in the credits or in the film's poster

underacting

Refers to an understated, neutral and muted acting performance

undercranking

Refers to the slowing down of the frame rate of a camera, by shooting at less than the standard 24 fps, so that the captured image, when normally projected, will appear to be in fast motion

underexposed

Refers to a film shot that has less light than normal, causing an indistinct, dimly-lit, unclear image lacking contrast

underground film

A low-budget, non-commercial film, usually independently-made, without the traditional sources of funding or distribution

unions

Organizations that represent professionals in the motion picture industry (e.g., directors, actors, writers, etc.), and help those individuals negotiate contracts, receive recognition, pursue rights, protect interests, etc

unreliable narrator

A literary term meaning a protagonist or narrator whose perspective is skewed to their own perspective, producing a portrayal of events that may or may not be accurate or truthful

unspool

A slang term meaning to screen or show a film

utopia(n)

Refers to an imaginary, ideal (or mythical), perfect state or place (especially in its laws, government, social and moral conditions), often with magical healing, restorative properties

vamp

A femme fatale or woman with a bad reputation, usually seductive and scheming in nature or behavior.

Variety

A respected, oft-quoted show-biz periodical or trade paper (or one of the trades) that reports and provides coverage on the entertainment industry (including the film industry), and best known for its goofy, shorthand 'Varietyese' headlines, using made-up words

vaudeville

A stage variety entertainment show, featuring a series of short acts - songs, dancing, acrobatics, comedy skits, and animal acts

VCR

Literally, 'Video-Cassette Recorder'; aka VTR (video tape recorder); a consumer-level machine for home entertainment that plays-back and records images and sounds from TV on magnetized tape in a videotape cassette; VHS stands for 'Video Home System' or the 1/2 inch video cassette tape format

vertigo effect

Refers to a camera technique created by tracking backwards while simultaneously zooming in, making the person or object in the center of the image seem stationary while their surroundings change

video

Literally, "to see," in other words, the visual or pictured image (either projected, taped, etc.)

video nasty

A British term from the 1980s that refers to a select group of ultra-violent videos (low-budget films produced in Italy and the US) that were considered highly objectionable and to be regulated

vigilante film

Usually a type of action film in which the protagonist takes the law into his/her own hands as a self-appointed doer of justice, revenge, and payback.

vignette

A scene in a film that can stand on its own; also refers to a masking device, often with soft edges.

visual effects

Considered a sub-category of special effects; refers to anything added to the final picture that was not in the original shot

voice-over
(or v.o.)

Refers to recorded dialogue, usually narration, that comes from an unseen, off-screen voice, character or narrator (abbreviated as o.s. meaning beyond camera range), that can be heard by the audience but not by the film characters themselves

vorkapich

The term 'vorkapich' was popularized in screenplays of the 1930s and 1940s - it meant a montage sequence

walk-on

A minor role consisting of a single, brief appearance on the screen, usually not appearing in the credits and without dialogue

walk-through

The first rehearsal on the set, to figure out lighting, sound, camera positioning, etc.

walla walla

Refers to the atmospheric, background sound effect for the indistinct murmurings and buzz of voices in a crowd

wardrobe

The general name for the costume department, or the costumes (and their accessories) themselves

weenie

Refers to the object that motivates the main action in a serial (e.g., a lost city, buried treasure, or missing plans, etc)

whistleman

In early film production, an individual on a film set's sound stage who was employed to make sure all noises were "shushed" before filming.

white (or color) balance

Refers to electronically setting or 'color-correcting' a camera's white balance - or the true color of white, since white doesn't appear 'white' with all lighting conditions

whodunit

Refers to a mystery/detective film

whoop-whoops

In sound effects, this refers to the extra noises added to a sound, e.g., bells, horns, or whistles to an explosion, to make it more interesting or exciting

wide-angle shot

A shot (often abbreviated WS) taken with a lens that is able to take in a wider field or range of view (to capture more of the scene's elements or objects) than a regular or normal lens

widescreen

Refers to projection systems in which the aspect ratio is wider than the 1.33

wig-wag

A red warning light located above each entrance-exit door on a film set sound stage, designed to flash (with a buzzer sound) to indicate when shooting commences or ends

wipe

A transitional technique or optical effect/device in which one shot appears to be "pushed off" or "wiped off" the screen by another shot replacing it and moving across the existing image

word of mouth

A term referring to the public discussion or buzz that a film can acquire, fueled by sneak previews and advance advertising

wrap

Refers to the completion of film shooting (either for the day or for the entire production or project); in the early days of cinema, the cameraman would say after filming: "Wind, Reel, And Print' - abbreviated as WRAP

writer

Refers to the individual who authors the content of the piece from pre-existing material or uses an entirely new idea

yawner

A slang term, meaning a boring film

Z-film or
Z-movie

Refers to a very low-budgeted, independently-made, non-union, less than B-film grade movie, usually with first-time director and actors

zoom shot

A single shot taken with a lens that has a variable focal length, thereby permitting the cinematographer to change the distance between the camera and the object being filmed, and rapidly move from a wide-angle shot to a telephoto shot in one continuous movement

zoptic special effects

A revolutionary special effects, 3-D process invented by cameraman Zorian Perisic, incorporating a camera system and a projector with synchronized zoom lenses, to create the illusion of movement in depth

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