The list below is a collection of film set terminology thats widely used throughout the uk and can also apply to american film sets. I wanted to share with you a smattering of what is said, not said, and what it all means. Film slate, clapboard, slate, clapperboard, slapperboard, time slate, board a clapper is a board used for syncing and identifying a shot in post. On most film sets there is an assistant editor who will roughly cut together the days scenes and audio. Onset terminology film production assistant flashcards. Today, feature films are generally defined as any film at least one hour long that people pay to see. Apparent camerasubject distance subject seen from head to toe. Check out matt webbs blog post on indie film hustle. Mar 10, 2020 12 film set terms every actor needs to know. When you step onto a film set for the first time, its an overwhelming kaleidoscope of equipment, people and a strange array of concocted phrases an almost alien language. The gaffer on a film crew is the head of the electrical unit.
They constitute their own department on a film set and are directed by a key grip. Prior to the dit position and its focus on on set image work, several other positions, including video controllers, video shaders and video engineers performed similar functions of exposure and color control on a live video feed. These boxes come in different sizes and are used to prop up or support lighting and camera equipment. There are usually four ads on each production the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and trainee ad. A guide to understanding film production lingo on set. While we have endeavored to create as complete a resource as possible, the usage of some terms will vary depending on the. Others say they were named after the bin in which they were stored. Film terms are any words or phrases used in film and television production that have evolved over the life of the industry. Lets say a house is being used for filming, but you. This is the truly final draft used on set by the production people, actors, and director to make the movie from the. Get ready to learn some filmmaking phrases in film set 101. Film set vocabulary makeup artists should know makeup dept. One of the first things youll notice while working on a film set is that everyone there speaks a language that you may not be familiar with.
Between the equipment and unique filmmaking terminology, it can be easy to get lost in the sauce. For newcomers, it can seem like filmmakers and videographers are speaking a foreign. To allow flexibility in the degree of elevation, apple boxes are available as full 8 high, half 4 high, quarter 2 high and eighth 1 high sizes. Usually a big name who ties themselves to a project that they believe in and contributes money to get it going. In the olden days of cinema, people watched a series of short films. Green a term used to describe people who are new to the film industry. On the film can this will be indicated by 1r appearing on the label. Its useful to know them if you are just starting out. Film set terminology theres lots of words and phrases used in the film industry that sound bizarre to anyone else. A person who is responsible for weapons on the set of a movie or television show. Worried that you wont know what something is your first time on set. Unfortunately, when it comes to the moviemaking biz there is a lot to learn. Here is a short list of showbiz terms that an actor might want to be familiar with.
Style of editing involving rapid cutting so that one image is juxtaposed with another or one scene quickly dissolves into the next. They use slang for just about everything, from tripods to bathroom breaks, and learning what these terms are is vital to communicating on set. Cinematography and film terms every working filmmaker. Even more important, do you know the correct terminology for a bathroom break. New guys on set provide these to their bosses all day long, as needed. Single perf 16mm film with a row of perforations along one edge. A guide to understanding film production lingo on set shutterstock. Onset jargon explained its important to know your honeywagons from your dope sheets by ben kirby posted 30 jan 2014. While electricians set up the lights and cabling, grips provide everything else that is built around the lights to create the quality of light that the gaffer desires. A set of wheels and a platform upon which the camera can be mounted to give it mobility. A short list of film terms carnegie mellon university. Each department camera, lighting, props, costume, special effects etc have their own vocabulary, but it is as an actor or extra. Working on a film set can be a daunting, albeit exciting, opportunity. You will quickly get used to all of these film production terms, but in case it helps i wrote a list of.
They also provide a variety of special rigging, securing and safety measures on set. Download and print 51 drama terms appropriate for primary students pdf format. Start studying onset terminology film production assistant. Mow make own way an actor or crew member will transport. A to z guide to film terms video and film production. An apple box is a wooden box used to raise furniture or actors ie make a shorter actor taller. Some say it was named after the c47 airplane because of its versatility. While we have endeavored to create as complete a resource as possible, the usage of some terms will vary depending on the country and region in which it is used. For this to happen, using the proper terminology is crucial.
Sep 21, 2018 ever get lost in the lingo on a film set. Limelight productions, inc 471 pleasant street lee, ma 01238. May 25, 2018 sometimes, there are creative executive producers who offer filmmaking input without being on set. Then, as films became longer, they would watch some short films and one long film. Single system single system refers to recording, editing or projecting sound and picture together on the same piece of film. The long film became the main attraction, hence the term feature film. Knowing the jargon used by the pros as silly as it may sound sometimes is key to not only fitting in on a professional film set. This refers to the team of individuals who are involved in shooting the sections of the film that are of primary importance, typically scenes. Film may be clamped into the gang, so that it can be measured with a footage counter on the front of the synchronizer.
Throughout the shoot, youll hear ads yelling out words from dawn till dusk and the most important thing is to understand if they are calling for you. The idea behind onset jargon is for speed and efficiency. Typically a clapper will have a place to write the scene, take, and shot with some other information like production title, director, and dp. Sometimes, there are creative executive producers who offer filmmaking input without being on set. Only one of each group of takes appears in the final film. Prior to the dit position and its focus on onset image work, several other positions, including video controllers, video shaders and video engineers performed similar functions of exposure and color control on a live video feed. Above the line part of a films budget reserved for major players in the production such as the director, producer, writer, main actors, etc.
Film terminology list and film set jargon 2020 amy clarke films. If talent and crew dont understand what you are talking about, the making of your documentary film or video can turn out to be a disaster. Teachers and students can use the definitions and word wall printouts below to better speak the language of the stage. On a budget sheet, there are individuals who contribute to the direction and narrative of a film. Green screen a special effect technique where a green backdrop is. Film set vocabulary makeup artists should know makeup. Dont be confused and browse through our film crew glossary below. A film set is a funny place full of strange film terminology and abbreviations. Jan 30, 2014 a film set can be a confusing place for an outsider, replete as it is with insider acronyms and strange vocabulary.
Film set terminology list freelance video collective. Film terminology shot types shot type explanation and effect establishing shot places the characters and action in a context long shot shows the whole subject, with room to spare at the top and bottom of the frame medium shot shows the figure from the waist up two shot shows two people in mediumlong shot to show conversations. Glossary of grip and gaffer terms film and video lighting. A general knowledge of film terms is necessary for moving up in any department on a film set. Crew job titles positions descriptions film in colorado. Learn all about the different crew job positions that occur on a film set. Between all the people, equipment, and terminology on a film set, its easy to get overwhelmed but if you know a few basics, youll already.
Lets face it, no one wants to be that guy on set that doesnt know what hes doing. Duties include providing the correct weapons to suit the era and style of the film, advising the director on use of weapons, choosing the correct blanks, creating a safe set for the use of said weapons, teaching actors about handling and using weapons. All furniture and props in the scene have been set into place and the set should not be disturbed or altered. These films are often lowbudget, foreign, andor independent.
A shot taken from a moving dolly a platform on a set of wheels. Called out by the ads to cue the extras to begin their movement. The first is to work closely with the camera department to provide camera support, especially if the camera is mounted. Sets are usually built for a film, as opposed to shooting on location, where a scene is shot in the actual. Each department camera, lighting, props, costume, special effects etc have their own vocabulary, but it is as an actor or extra the words you will hear most often will be. Editing editing refers literally to how shots are put together to make up a film. Apparent camerasubject distance camera appears far away. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. As a film director, you want to make sure that your commands are understood when directing film talent and film crew pros.
Abby singer being the secondtolast shot of the day, it is named after an a. Curious to know the difference between a best boy and a gaffer in the movies ending credits. So called because these names used to appear above an actual line on old budget formats, separating them from the other filmmakers on the project. Apparent camerasubject distance camera appears far away long shot. Film terminology updated list of film set jargon april 03, 2019 by amy clarke in filmmaking tips, popular if you are new to the film industry, you might find yourself overwhelmed with the extent of film set jargon that is used on a typical work day. Proper use of onset jargon is essential to a smooth flowing set. On set film lingo, what does it all mean so, what exactly does being on set mean.
One revolution of the synchronizer equals one foot of film. The dictionary is an extensive online reference of film, video and audio terminology as applicable to production and post production. Art director the person responsible for the look and feel of the films set. Producers hire people, organize shoot days, and generally create the films production timeline. An adjustment in position, look, or movement by the actor for the sake of the cameras perspective or movement. Film set lingo, film terminology or on set slang sydney. Here are the definitions of common film terminology that youll hear while working on set. Guide to film set etiquette freelance video collective. In the usual suspects, for instance, a set might be the interrogation room in the film. The origin of why it came to be called a c47 is somewhat fuzzy. Arthouse film nonmainstream films that are still thought to hold artistic value.
Its your first day on set and set and to avoid looking like a complete newb, youre going to want to have some basic film terminology down pat. Like any job, there is shorthand and slang thrown about on sets, but the difference in this profession is how prevalent it truly is. This episode of the film industry i talk about some of the top film set lingo that you will hear on set. With the powers of this glossary and your marvelous memory combined, we know you got this. This week, i will focus on general production slang.
Learn strange sounding movie terms and phrases such as. The first is to work closely with the camera department to provide camera support, especially if the camera is mounted to a dolly, crane, or in an unusual position, such as the top of a ladder. Jan 11, 2014 this episode of the film industry i talk about some of the top film set lingo that you will hear on set. Single reel in 35mm a reel is 1,000 feet of film or usually a little less. Key grip the key grip is the lead grip on a film set and in charge of all the other grips. A film set can be a confusing place for an outsider. Working on a film set can be a loud experience, with a variety of terms or jargon bandied about that has developed over the past hundred and twenty years or so. A term used in film production more than as a term in film analysis. He or she is responsible for overseeing the lighting plans on a film. A hot set refers to when crew members have completed preparing a set for the filming of a scene. There are tons of hurdles to jump including experience, pace and, of course, language. The dictionary is an extensive on line reference of film, video and audio terminology as applicable to production and post production. Hand signalsthese can help to reduce the noise on a set, which is a good thing, since the last thing you as a crew member want is. Traditional film loaders also continue to be employed on film productions where the skills of a dit arent applicable.
Well, weve compiled a list of terms commonly used in the industry that you. Spanishdict is the worlds most popular spanishenglish dictionary, translation, and learning website. Producer the producer is the lead of the business side of the film. Film acting terms flashcards flashcard machine create. A clapper is most notably the most iconic accessory on any movie set. A film maker shoots one or more takes of each shot or set up. Many are used to suss an individuals familiarity with a department, the film set or the industry itself.
Apple box a wooden box used by the grip department. Example if applicable abby singer shot a nickname for the secondtolast production shot of the day. Traditionally a film is made up of sequences or in some. The director will watch over dailies to doublecheck if any pickups will be needed for tomorrow.