Movie-Making Lingo

Much of the story takes place on a movie set, where cast and crew have their own language. Here are the terms used by crew members.

10-1: A tactful way of saying “I need to go the bathroom”

20: Location. Used by film crew and the police.

Abby Singer: the second last shot of the day. Named for Abby Singer, a well-known assistant director.

Action: Called out to indicate the take has begun and that the actors should begin their performance.

Apple box: wooden boxes used as ubiquitously on set as Gaffer’s tape. “Apples” are used to prop up furniture and C-Stands. In some cases, actors stand on them to make them appear taller on camera.

Background: a term often used by a film crew to refer to the background performers (i.e., extras).

Background Action: When this phrase is called, the background actors start performing.

Back to one: Called out to restart the current scene. Cast and crew need to return to their original positions so the scene can be shot again.

Blocking: the process where a director positions the actors, lights, and camera in a scene. Done early in the rehearsal, and often before the actors are on set.

Buff & Puff: slang for sending an actor to hair and makeup.

Call sheet: A schedule distributed to the crew so everyone knows when they need to arrive on set. It also lists the actors required in each scene as well as logistical details, like weather and meal times.

Clapperboard (slate): a black and white board listing important information about the scene being filmed. It has a hinged top, which is “clapped” to the board shortly after the camera begins filming. Since audio and video are often recorded separately, the clap provides a way to synchronize them during post-production. I was inspired by the clapperboards on the Magnoli Props website.

Closed set: A set where only the essential crew are present. Sets are closed if there is nudity or other sensitive content.

Commando cloth: a type of duvetyn cloth. Being heavy and black, it’s ideal for blocking out unwanted light, such as blacking out windows or hiding reflective objects off-camera.

Composition: the arrangement of lighting, actors, and props within a frame.

Continuity: Internal consistency within a film. Most movies are shot out-of-order, and scenes are often shot multiple times and from different angles. Continuity ensures that the appearance of the actors remains consistent with the different scenes are stitched together.

Craft Services/Crafty: provides drinks and snacks to the crew. The craft services tables are one of the popular hangouts for the crew when they have a moment of downtime.

C-stands: large light stands with three legs, so that it can be positioned on uneven ground (like stairs).

Director: (Xander Theodopolis) The person responsible for the artistic aspects of a movie (acting, casting, lighting, sound, editing, shot composition, and editing).

Dolly: A wheeled cart used to move a camera while filming. Sometimes a dolly is mounted on a track to create a path for it to move upon. Although the term Dolly wasn’t used in Shooting Star, it was described by Ally in the crowd scene and Richard in the den.

Establishing Shot: a shot, often with the camera far from its subject, allowing the viewer to orient to the time and location of the next scene.

Executive Producer: The person responsible for a movie’s finance and legal issues.

Extra: An actor who appears in the background of a scene, often in a crowd. Movie crews often refer to them as “background.”

Eyes on…: a phrase called out (usually on a walkie-talkie) when looking for a specific person.

First Assistant Director/AD: (Neil Keating) The person responsible for keeping the film on schedule, arranging logistics and maintaining safety and order on the set.

Frame: a single image on a filmstrip. A film is a series of frames displayed rapidly to create the illusion of a moving picture.

Gaffer Tape: strong fabric tape, that is easy to remove. It comes in many colors and has a multitude of uses from marking actor positions on the floor to holding props in place.

Generator: an engine that produces electricity from fuel. Not all movie locations have adequate electricity available, so sometimes generators are used to power the equipment and trailers.

Going off walkie: a phrase called out to inform others that the speaker will be unreachable by walkie-talkie.

Green Screen: a large monochromatic screen or backdrop, generally placed behind actors. After filming, the screen is later replaced with a desired image or footage.

Holding Area: The gathering area where the cast waits before being called to set (the cast that don’t have their own trailers).

Honeywagon: The truck or trailer with the washrooms. Some configurations of honeywagon trucks contain dressing rooms or offices.

Hot Brick: a battery with a full charge. Very important for walkie-talkies.

Juice: electricity

Juicer: an on-set electrician

Last Looks: The final opportunity, right before the camera rolls, for actors to have their makeup, hair, and wardrobe touched up.

Last Man: called out by a Production Assistant when the last person in the lunch line has started eating, marking the “beginning” of the lunch break

Martini Shot: the last shot of the day, usually announced (happily) by the assistant director.

Method Actor: An actor who strives for completely identifying with a character they are portraying.

Overexposed: A shot that has so much light that it washes out the subject of the scene. Often flashback or dream sequences.

PA: Production Assistant

Pan: A one-way horizontal camera movement, often to follow a moving object.

Pick up: Refilming part of a scene, not from the beginning, but rather from a specific point in the action.

Points/hot points: called out to announce that the speaker is carrying a sharp object, implying that others should get out of the way.

Post-Production: work performed after the shooting is complete, such as editing, sound mixing, and visual effects.

Production Assistant (PA): A crew member who performs a variety of behind-the-scenes activities to support a film’s production. See: A Day in the Life of a Production Assistant.

Principal Photography: The time period during which a film shoots the scenes with its lead (principal) actors.

Reel: A spool for winding film.

Rolling: a camera that is actively filming is said to be rolling. Called out by production assistants to announce to everyone that filming is about to begin and therefore to stop moving and be quietly until filming is complete.

Sandbag: Bags filled with sand, usually weighing about fifteen pounds, used to weigh down C-stands, marking positions, and other miscellaneous purposes.

Second Assistant Director: (Tommy Schneider): Working under the First AD, the person responsible for writing up the call sheets and ensuring cast and crew are where they need to be. The specific duties will depend on what the First AD needs and on the size of the crew.

Sides: a few pages containing (among other things) the portions of the script that will be shot that day.

Standin: a person who fills in for an actor during blocking and lighting.

Take: the continuous recording of a single shot of a scene. Directors typically want several takes so they have the freedom to select the best one.

Turning Around: a change of the camera setup to shoot a scene from the opposite direction.

Unit base (trailer city): the location where all the trailers are located (makeup, costume, catering, honeywagon, etc.)

Wardrobe: the costume department

Wrap: calling out “wrap” indicates the completion of shooting for the end or for the entire production.