On Set Terminology
Common Terms Used
ABBY SINGER: The second-to-last shot of the day. Named after production manager Abby Singer, who would frequently call “last shot of the day” or “this shot, and just one more,” only to have the director ask for more takes. Also called a martini shot.
ADDITIONAL CAMERA (B Camera): An extra camera operator often needed for complicated action sequences or stunts. Contrast with additional photography.
ARMORER:A person who is responsible for weapons on the set of a movie or television show. 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, making sure use of all weapons is properly licensed, and ensuring the safety of everyone on the set while weapons are in use.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: ( AD, First Assistant Director, 1st Assistant Director, 2nd Assistant Director)
An assistant director’s duties include tracking the progress of filming versus the production schedule, and preparing call sheets.
A First Assistant Director is responsible for the preparation of the shooting schedule and script breakdown used to plan the shooting of a film or television show. The AD works directly with the Director to manage of the minute to minute operations on the set during the process of filming, as well as coordinating the necessary communication of details of future operations as the filming progresses. Other duties include tracking the progress of filming versus the production schedule, observing all rules related to union crafts, labor contracts and location agreements, maintaining safety on the working set, and working with the Unit Manager to keep operational costs within the budgeted plan.
A Second Assistant Director is responsible for information distribution and reporting, cast notification and preparations during the shooting process, recording of all data relative to the working hours of the crew and cast, management of the background cast (atmosphere or “extras”), preparation of call sheets, production reports,and other documentation. When needed, the Second Assistant Director can assume the duties of the First Assistant Director on a temporary basis.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: An individual who performs a limited number of producing functions delegated to her/him by a producer, under the direct supervision and control of that producer. The term may also refer to a person who would qualify as an executive producer of a project, but for the fact that (s)he acts on behalf of a production company which is subordinate to another one on that project.
BEST BOY: There are two types of best boys: electrical and grip. Best boy electric is the gaffer’s assistant. There is also a best boy grip. A best boy grip assists the key grip.
BLOCKING: Planning the position and movement an actor takes or does in a scene.
BOOKING: The practice where you confirm and commit to a position on a particular show when contacted by a casting director or agency.
CALL TIME: The time you are to report to the set or location for work. It is always good practice to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your actual call time.
CALL SHEET: This printed form lists the day’s filming schedule along with the cast, crew, and props needed.
CAMERA READY: Definition for anyone who is ready to appear in front of the camera. Extras are usually instructed to arrive on set “Camera Ready.” This means you should arrive completely dressed, with your hair and makeup done, and ready to begin for the day.
CAMERA RIGHT / CAMERA LEFT: Directions assigned when facing the same way the camera lens is facing. This means that actors and extras facing the camera need interpret the directions as opposite. For example if you are facing the camera and are asked to move a few steps camera right you will actually move to your left.
CHANGES: Costume or clothing changes actors or extras endure throughout the day are simply known as “Changes.” Changes should be noted on your voucher as you may receive a Bump if you are asked to change into other clothing you provided yourself. You only receive additional payment if you provide the clothing and not if you are asked to change into something provided by the Wardrobe Department.
CHECKING THE GATE: The process of looking into the camera lens or removing the lens and checking the film plane for any dust or scratches. After each individual camera set up one of the members of the camera dept., usually the Assistant Camera Operator (A.C.), checks the gate before moving on to a new camera set up. This is usually a good notification that the director has the shots wanted and there will be a short break before filming will commence again.
COLD READING: An audition or unrehearsed reading of a script. When actors are requested to spontaneously read and/or perform part of a script for a casting director it may be a Cold Reading where they have not previously seen the script.
COLOR COVER: The process of wearing the same color as the principal actor when standing in for the actor. During a lighting or camera setup a stand in is called upon to fill in for the principal actor. It helps the crew set up or adjust lighting and lens/filter properties if the stand in wears the same color clothing the principal actor is wearing.
CONTINUITY: The term for matching shots, action, or locations of actors, extras, or pops. The matching of two shots from different camera angles or multiple takes so the shots seem to appear to mach each other as if occurring at or within a time frame. To keep continuity, actors and extras need repeat actions exactly as they occurred previously over again and again so to match the action when switching camera angles in the editing process.
COVERAGE: The term used when filming additional materials after the main scene or “Master Shot” has been filmed. Coverage can consist of new camera angles or tighter shots of individual actors or props so that the scene has various shots that the editor can use when assembling the picture.
CRAFT SERVICES: All purpose snacking table. Usually consists of junk food and your basic munchies-Sometimes known simply as “Crafty.”
DAILIES: Also called “rushes.” Picture and sound work prints of a day’s shooting; usually an untimed one-light print, made without regard to color balance. Delivered from the lab daily during the shooting period, for viewing by
the director, cameramen, etc. so that the action can be checked and the best takes selected; usually shown before the next day’s shooting begins
DOLLY: (1) A truck built to any camera and camera operator to facilitate movement of the camera during the shooting of scenes. (2) To move the camera toward or away from the subject while shooting a scene.
DOLLY GRIP: A dolly grip operates the movie camera dolly
DOWNSCALE: Term for actors and extras who appear dressed in regular nondescript or casual clothing. The opposite of Downscale is Upscale.
DRESSING: Items positioned in front of the camera or on the set to make the scene look more realistic-also called Set Dressing.
EIGHTEEN TO PLAY YOUNGER: The term for someone who is actually 18 years or older but looks young enough to play a teen-ager.
ETHNIC TYPES: Referring to the race, nationality, or creed of the talent or extras. Most often describes individuals that are not Caucasian.
ESTABLISHED: When an individual or object is clearly visible on camera in a specific position or location. Because filmmakers require many takes often from several different angles, individuals who are established and are thus clearly seen in the shot, must be able to either maintain their positions or perform the same action again and again throughout the many different shots as to maintain the scene’s continuity.
FEATURED: When an extra is clearly visible on camera and not just a blur in the background.
FIRST TEAM: The main or principal actors. The stars of the show.
FOLEY ARTIST: A Foley artist is responsible for creating the sound effects in a movie.
FORCED CALL: Having to return to the set less than 12 hours after you left the set the previous day.
FOREGROUND: The area in front of the camera between a photographed object or principal actors. Sometimes extras will appear in the foreground of the shot moving in front of or past the principal actors to give the illusion a crowded or busier area.
GAFFER: A gaffer, or lighting technician, is the chief electrician. A gaffer manages the entire electrical department. The electrical staff’s main responsibility is lighting.
GRIP: A general-purpose handyman, the movie set’s counterpart of the theater’s stagehand. His duties include laying dolly tracks, moving flats, setting up parallels, building platforms, placing reflectors and gobos, doing light carpentry, and generally performing tasks that require brawn.
HOLDING: A room or area where extras are usually sent when not working on the set. It is important for extras to stay in the holding area when not working so they can easily be located when they are needed.
HONEYWAGON: The name of the big truck trailer with the many individual doors on the side. This truck houses the bathrooms, changing rooms, and sometimes doubles as offices for crew members.
HOT SET: Any set or location that is being used for filming or taping. Even if the cameras are not rolling, a location can be considered “Hot” if all the props, lights, and camera arrangements are set up and ready. It is important to not disturb anything on a Hot Set as to maintain Continuity.
KEY GRIP: The head grip on a film set, in charge of a group of men, usually numbering from five to fifteen.
HOT SET: Any set or location that is being used for filming or taping. Even if the cameras are not rolling, a location can be considered “Hot” if all the props, lights, and camera arrangements are set up and ready. It is important to not disturb anything on a Hot Set as to maintain Continuity.
LOCATION: The set, stage, or area where filming is being done.
MATCHING: The process of matching your action when repeating the same scene over and over again when doing multiple takes or filming the scene from different angles. To keep the scene’s continuity actors and extras need match their action each time the scene is filmed so to make the varying shots appear seamless when edited.
MCGUFFIN: A term invented by Alfred Hitchcock for something, usually a prop, that drives and motivates the characters but means little or nothing to the viewers. Examples would include the $40,000 in Psycho or the brief case in Pulp Fiction. Both objects are vitally important to the characters within the story but actually do little to advance the plot as far as the audience is concerned
MEAL PENALTY: All film productions should break at least once every six hours to allow for cast and crew meals. If production does not halt for meals at least once every six hours then actors and extras are entitled to a “meal penalty” payment for every half hour over the six hours you are not fed.
M.O.S.: This is the term used for a scene filmed without sound.
OPEN CALL: Known as a “Cattle Call,” this is general audition for anyone seeking a role in a particular shoot. Open Calls are almost always long tiresome days.
ON A BELL: This is the term used when the production uses a bell, often accompanied by a red light, to signal the beginning of a take. Usually the bell rings just before the cast and crew is asked to settle and the cameras are ordered to roll. The red light illuminates when the filming is about to begin or is in progress and is turned off between takes or setups. Never enter a set where the red light is lit.
OUT TIME: The actual time one has been released from set.
OVERTIME: Overtime begins after 8 hours of work. This applies to union and non union talent alike.
PICTURE CAR: The name for any vehicle shown in a movie.
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Referring to the stages of filmmaking. The actual filming of a movie where actors are present.
PROP: Any object on a film set that is handled by an actor. All other objects are considered set pieces.
SECOND UNIT: A smaller crew of filmmakers who film many of the additional shots not involving the principal talent or critical action. Usually a Second Unit will film insert shots of locations, scenery, crowd shots.
SET: The area used in filming a motion picture. A Set is usually a constructed environment designed to appear as a natural environment or existing location when filmed. Sets frequently used because they are easier to maintain and control than are real locations.
SIDES: A physically smaller size set of script pages that actors and filmmakers can easily carry around with them on the set. The Sides only include the pages that will be filmed that day. Actors use the pages to read and rehearse their scenes as the crew sets up the shot.
SPEC: Anyone who arrives on location when not officially booked. Often individuals show up just hoping to be added to the call list.
SQUIB: A small explosive device that can simulate the effect of a bullet or other wound when worn by actors. The device usually pops a small container of stage blood to give a realistic visual impression. Extras need be upgraded to Principal Talent before being permitted to wear a Squib.
STAND-IN: A substitute for a motion picture star during the tedious process of preparing scenes, setting up the camera, taking light-meter readings, adjusting lights, etc. The men or women in question are chosen for their physical resemblance to a particular star, in size, coloring, and facial features. The stand-in may occasionally be used to substitute for the star in long shots or crowd scenes that require no acting. When a stand-in is used as a substitute for the star in potentially hazardous situations or in stunts requiring specialized physical agility, he or she is better known as a double
STUNT: Any action that is considered dangerous and thus requires a Stunt Double.
TAKE: The single continuous action recorded for a scene. Each assembled scene usually consists of many different takes comprising several different camera angles.
