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Production and Crew Titles
SCAD: Savannah College of Art and Design
154
Film, Theatre & Television
Undergraduate 1
03/26/2010

Additional Film, Theatre & Television Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
A.S.A. (F)
Definition
The American Standards Association. Establishes measurement standards for still and motion picture film stocks. Usually refers to the light sensitivity of the film stock. Same as ISO (International Standards Organization) and EI (Exposure Index).
Term
Abby Singer
Definition
Second to the last shot of the day. Named after the legendary producer.
Term
Action prop
Definition
Objects actually used (or handled) by performers in a film.
Term
Action
Definition
Director's command indicating actors are to begin performance.
Term
Aerial shot
Definition
A moving shot usually taken from a helicopter or airplane; essentially a variation of the crane shot.
Term
Animation
Definition
Photographing inanimate objects or individual drawings frame by frame, with each frame differing minutely from its predecessor. When combined and projected at the standard speed of24 frames per second, the resulting effect makes the images appear to move, and hence, seem "animated".
Term
Answer print
Definition
First trial film print, a composited print including sound of an edited, dubbed and scored motion picture.
Term
Aperture
Definition
An adjustable diaphragm or iris located in the camera lens. This iris controls the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens to the film plane or digital chip.
Term
Apple box
Definition
A sturdy wooden box (8" high, 12" wide, 18" deep), used on film sets to achieve a desired position for an actor or object in a camera shot.
Term
Arc
Definition
A powerful lighting instrument used in projectors or studio lights in which the source of illumination is an electrical discharge across a gap between two carbon arc poles. Arc lights have been essentially replaced by HMls.
Term
Aspect ratio
Definition
The ratio between the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the film or video frame. The shape of the frame of a motion picture or video.
Term
Background
Definition
1.) An extra or non-descript (nd) person who walks through the scene during a take. 2.) The area behind the principle actors.
Term
Blocking
Definition
Procedure to determine the movements of the cast and camera prior to shooting a particular scene.
Term
Boom, mike boom
Definition
An overhead, telescoping pole which carries a microphone, allows synchronous recording of sound w/o restricting the actors' movements.
Term
Boom person
Definition
Sound technician responsible for the operation of the microphone boom.
Term
Bullet hits
Definition
A small explosive charge placed behind or beneath a surface and electrically discharged to give the appearance of a bullet having struck and exploded on that surface.
Term
Business
Definition
Slang. A specific bit of action within the scene.
Term
Busy
Definition
A fussy or ornate background that detracts from the foreground action.
Term
Butt can
Definition
A small metal or plastic trash can, originally used for cigarette butts.
Term
C.R.T. (V)
Definition
Cathode Ray Tube. Vacuum tube used in television monitors and receIVers.
Term
Cable person
Definition
Person in charge of handling cables usually for the sound department.
Term
Call sheet
Definition
An elaborate form, part of the paperwork within the assistant director's area of responsibility. It announces the daily work schedule for cast and crew, including names, call times, locations, special equipment, etc.
Term
Camera operator
Definition
The person who actually operates the camera by panning and tilting during a take and states emphatically whether the shot was good or no good as soon as the director says "Cut!"
Term
Camera ready
Definition
The set, props and actors are ready for the scene to be shot.
Term
Camera right
Definition
1.) Direction given by director or cameraperson while blocking a scene into desirable patterns of motion. 2.) The right side of the camera as one faces the set from the camera position. Also Camera left.
Term
Condor
Definition
A crane, used as a platform for positioning a light up very high.
Term
Construction coordinator
Definition
In charge of the physical building of the set.
Term
Continuity
Definition
1.) A detailed plan or notes of the production consisting of both the action and dialogue in the order in which they will be seen. 2.) The person in charge of taking notes on the set. Aka, script-supervisor.
Term
Control track (V)
Definition
Sync pulse recorded onto the videotape which serves to control transport speed during playback.
Term
Costumer
Definition
The person in charge of acquiring and fitting the clothes worn in a film by having them made, buying them ready-made, renting them, or obtaining them from the studio's wardrobe department, aka the costume designer.
Term
Cover shots
Definition
General shots of an event or scene, to insure a smooth continuity in the editing in the event that the anticipated continuity will not cut as planned.
Term
Cover set
Definition
A location, usually weather protected, prepared to serve as an alternate set for the scheduled work in case of inclement weather conditions.
Term
Coverage
Definition
Detailed shots, close-ups, reactions or points-of-view, filmed to intercut with the master scene.
Term
Crane shot
Definition
A shot taken from a device (crane) that resembles a huge mechanical arm. The crane carries the camera and cameraperson or an electronically remote controlled head for camera movement.
Term
Crew call or Call time
Definition
A notification to personnel of the time and place to report for the day's film work.
Term
Cross
Definition
An actor's movement from one side of the set to the other in a camera shot, performed usually in a horizontal line before the camera.
Term
Cross cutting
Definition
The alternating of shots from two sequences, often in different locales, to suggest the sequences are taking place simultaneously.
Term
Dolly
Definition
A moving shot accomplished by physically moving the dolly about the set with the camera mounted on It. Aka, dolly shot.
Term
Downstage
Definition
The front area of the stage, nearest to the camera or audience.
Term
Drive by
Definition
Refers to a car that passes in front of the camera and out of the frame.
Term
Dubbing
Definition
The process of rerecording several sound tracks into one composite track.
Term
Ellipsis
Definition
The compression of time in a movie created through editing techniques.
Term
End sticks (tail slate)
Definition
A clapperboard held upside down and used to mark the end of a take instead ofthe beginning.
Term
Establishing shot
Definition
Usually an extreme long shot shown at the beginning of a scene or sequence providing the viewer with the geographic location or the context of the subsequent closer shots.
Term
Executive Producer
Definition
The person in charge of the financial affairs or gathering of financial resources for a motion picture production.
Term
Exposure
Definition
The length of time that light is allowed to strike the film emulsion or digital chip.
Term
Extra
Definition
An actor who plays a very minor role in a film production, has no lines and often appears in crowd scenes, also referred to as 'background'.
Term
Extreme close-up
Definition
A minute detailed view of an object or person. An extreme close-up of an actor generally includes only his eyes or mouth.
Term
Extreme long shot
Definition
A panoramic view of an exterior location photographed from a great distance.
Term
Eyemo
Definition
A small, basic, camera, used during stunt shots when a regular production camera might be put in jeopardy.
Term
Fade-in
Definition
The slow brightening of the frame from black to normal screen brightness.
Term
Fade-out
Definition
The slow fade of the frame from normal screen brightness to black.
Term
Flash back
Definition
Editing technique which suggests the character's past or a previous time.
Term
Flash-forward
Definition
An editing technique which suggests the interruption of the present by a shot or series of shots representing the future.
Term
Focus
Definition
The degree of acceptable sharpness and clarity in a film image. "Out of focus" means the images are blurred and lack acceptable linear definition.
Term
Forced call
Definition
Under union conditions, when a person is recalled to work before a minimum number of hours have elapsed to constitute an acceptable rest period, resulting in varying financial penalties.
Term
Frame
Definition
An individual section of film that includes one separate exposure. In video, one complete picture consisting of two fields.
Term
Freeze frame
Definition
A shot composed of a single frame that is reprinted a number of times on the filmstrip, which when projected gives the illusion of a still photograph.
Term
From the top
Definition
A term used meaning to repeat the performance or a portion thereof.
Term
Full load, half load
Definition
Refers to the amount of film in the camera or prop gun.
Term
Gaffer
Definition
The chief lighting technician in charge of the lighting crew and lighting equipment.
Term
Gain (V)
Definition
The level of signal amplification.
Term
Generation (V)
Definition
A term used to describe the'number of duplications from the original recording.
Term
Genlock (V)
Definition
The locking of one video system to the sync signal of an incoming signal.
Term
Genre (F)
Definition
A recognizable type of film which depends on certain established conventions. The most common American genres are westerns, thrillers, musicals and historical spectaculars.
Term
Glitch (V)
Definition
Slang term for picture or action disruption.
Term
Hiatus
Definition
Between seasons; a break in production of a television series or movie.
Term
High contrast
Definition
A style of lighting emphasizing harsh shafts and dramatic streaks of light and dark. Often used in tragedies and melodramas. See high key.
Term
High angle shot
Definition
A shot in which the subject is photographed from above.
Term
High key
Definition
A lighting style emphasizing bright, even illumination with few conspicuous shadows. Used generally in comedies, musicals and light entertainment films. See high contrast, low key.
Term
Hit mark
Definition
Predetermined place on a set for an actor to stand near where light, sound, and cameras have been optimized for executing the scene.
Term
Honeywagon
Definition
Bathroom and/or dressing room and/or make-up trailer.
Term
Hyphenate
Definition
A person who functions in two or more capacities on a film production: e.g., writer-director or actor-writer-director.
Term
Hyster
Definition
A type of forklift. Operated by a Teamster.
Term
I.A.T.S.E.
Definition
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. The collective bargaining agent for most ofthe film technicians throughout the U.S.
Term
Impedance (V)
Definition
Resistance to the flow of an electrical current.
Term
Insert car, Camera car
Definition
A car or truck specially equipped to carry the camera, lighting gear and crew members for shooting while the vehicle is in motion.
Term
Insert
Definition
Close-up of an object; i.e. book, etc., used to call attention to the object.
Term
Jib Arm
Definition
A small moveable arm mounted on a dolly to enhance camera movement.
Term
Juice
Definition
Electric current. Slang term.
Term
Juicer
Definition
An electrician who is responsible for the DC current.
Term
Light change, relight
Definition
Changing the lighting arrangement for the next shot.
Term
Local 40 man
Definition
A bona fide electrician, not a crewmember, who handles the practical lights, generators, etc. Responsible for the AC current.
Term
Lock-Up
Definition
The control of all entrances and exits (doorways, roadways, walkways, alleys, etc.) in the vicinity of the shooting set to prevent unwanted visitors or bogies from entering the frame. Can be exterior or interior.
Term
Long shot (LS)
Definition
Shot taken at a distance from the subject.
Term
Looping
Definition
Known formally as ADR, or automatic dialogue replacement, where an actor recreates dialogue on the sound stage in sync to the picture.
Term
Low key
Definition
A style of lighting emphasizing diffused shadows and atmospheric pools oflight. Often used in mysteries, thrillers, and films noir. See high key.
Term
Looser
Definition
The command to widen the framing of a particular camera shot.
Term
Losing the light
Definition
Refers to outdoor filming that has to be discontinued due to loss of natural light.
Term
Luminance (V)
Definition
A component of a video signal describing what its brightness equivalent would be in black and white rather than in color.
Term
Magazine (F)
Definition
The light-proof container that feeds and takes up film stock in a motion picture camera.
Term
Magic hour
Definition
Dusk, aka Golden Hour, sunset, when the sun is no longer in the visible sky and the light is diffused through the atmosphere. (approx 20 minutes).
Term
Make-up artist
Definition
A production craftsperson who applies a performer's make-up, does not include body make-up.
Term
Martini
Definition
The last shot of the day.
Term
Master
Definition
The shot that covers all or most of a scene.
Term
Matching background
Definition
Keeping track of extras' movements to match for the next shot for continuity.
Term
MOS
Definition
"mit out sound." Used to notate a shot to be filmed without sync sound.
Term
N.T.S.C.
Definition
National Television Systems Committee. The engineering group that developed the U.S. television specifications (ca 1950) currently in use.
Term
N.D.
Definition
Non descript; used to describe general background physical traits.
Term
N.D. Breakfast
Definition
Non-deductible breakfast given to an actor to avoid a meal penalty.
Term
Negative (F)
Definition
Raw film stock when exposed and properly developed contains a reversed density image, dark for light, light for dark.
Term
Next shot's in the glass
Definition
The final shot of the day, i.e. the martini shot.
Term
Night for Day (F)
Definition
Shooting during the night with the scene lit to look like daytime.
Term
Noise (V)
Definition
Distortions in an electronic signal characterized by 'snow' in a video signal or 'hiss' in an audio signal.
Term
Non-synchronous sound (F)
Definition
Sound and image are not recorded simultaneously, or the sound is detached from its source in the film image. Music, for example, is usually non-synchronous in a movie.
Term
Not my job
Definition
Term sometimes used by a crewmember referring to something being out of their jurisdiction. Sarcastic term.
Term
Oblique angle
Definition
A scene photographed with a tilted camera. When this image is projected onto the screen, the subject itself seems to be tilted on its side.
Term
Offset arm
Definition
A small metal arm mounted to the dolly used to offset the camera and gearheadfrom a central position; also used with lighting equipment.
Term
Off-line (V)
Definition
Sometimes called a work edit or scratch tape editing; preliminary editing, usually and low cost editing system where decisions can be made prior to an expensive on-line edit session.
Term
On a bell:
Definition
Notification on the set that a shot is about to commence or is in progress.
Term
One-liner
Definition
part of AD's paperwork. Helps identify the scenes with a one line description and is a schedule of the day's work, includes shooting day, date, day, page count, scene numbers, and address oflocations.
Term
Optical (F)
Definition
Fades, dissolves and other effects created in an optical printer.
Term
Over-the-shoulder shot
Definition
A medium shot useful in dialogue scenes in which one actor is photographed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor.
Term
Picture Car
Definition
Any vehicle to be photographed.
Term
Production report
Definition
Yet another of the AD's many pieces of paperwork. A detailed form that lists all performers and crew used on a specific day, their work time, amount of footage shot, and other information useful to the producer in determining the progress of the production. It is a legal document.
Term
Promo
Definition
An advertisement.
Term
Prop Master
Definition
The crew-member responsible for providing the necessary props.
Term
Prop Maker
Definition
A craftsman, usually a carpenter, who constructs,special props needed in a specific scene or scenes.
Term
Prowler/Layton/Scotty
Definition
Different trade names for dressing room trailers. Prowler: nicest. Layton: OK. Scotty: not so nice.
Term
Pull-back
Definition
A technique used to surprise the viewer by moving the camera in a scene to reveal an object or character that was previously out of the frame.
Term
Quiet
Definition
Command given by the director, assistance director, or anyone else with a loud voice to request silence on the set for filming.
Term
R.G.B. (V)
Definition
Red, green, blue - the component parts of a color video signal.
Term
Rack focus
Definition
To shift focus from one focalplane to another which forces the viewer's attention to "travel" in sequence to the next area of the frame in which the image becomes distinct or "in focus".
Term
Radio mike, radio mic
Definition
A microphone attached to an actor that transmits sound through radio waves for use in difficult or dangerous shots.
Term
Raw stock (F)
Definition
Unexposed film, can be negative or positive film stock.
Term
Reaction shot
Definition
A shot of a character reacting to the content of the preceding shot within the scene.
Term
Registration
Definition
The accurate alignment of RGB images to form a faithful reproduction of the original scene's colors and lines.
Term
Remote head
Definition
A device on which the camera can be mounted and electronically controlled (pan/tilt) from a distance.
Term
Remote head
Definition
A device on which the camera can be mounted and electronically controlled (pan/tilt) from a distance.
Term
Remote head
Definition
A device on which the camera can be mounted and electronically controlled (pan/tilt) from a distance.
Term
Release Form
Definition
Permission to use an individual's likeness, voice or performance.
Term
Script supervisor
Definition
The person who keeps a record of the details of each take during film production so continuity can be maintained when edited in the correct sequence in the movie. Official time keeper on the set. Aka Continuity.
Term
Second team
Definition
Term for the stand ins when lighting or blocking the scene (see first team).
Term
Second Grip
Definition
Best Boy Grip. Keeps the grip department paperwork, ordering additional grip equipment and is in charge of repair of broken grip equipment.
Term
Second Assistant Camera
Definition
Claps the slate prior to the beginning of each shot. Keeps track of camera reports, slate, paper work and film stock inventory, can load film into camera magazines and will pull focus in the absence of the first assistant camera person. Aka Clapper/Loader
Term
Sequence
Definition
A unit of action where there is no lapse of time, sometimes containing several scenes.
Term
Set dressing
Definition
Any item used as set decoration, i.e., furniture, drapery, carpeting, and hand props which are not designated by the script or director as part of a specific action.
Term
Set-up
Definition
The position of the camera and lights for a specific shot.
Term
Shoot the rehearsal
Definition
Command by the director to film the rehearsal.
Term
Short end
Definition
Unexposed film, too short to be used, near the end of a reel of raw stock.
Term
Shot maker
Definition
A camera car/crane. Can be used as a crane, an insert car, or it can tow.
Term
Shot
Definition
Those images on film or video recorded continuously from the time the camera starts to the time it stops. An unedited, uncut strip of film. Areas just out of sight from the camera.
Term
Sight lines
Definition
The line of sight for the actor.
Term
Stand in
Definition
A person who should bear some physical resemblance to a lead performer and is used as a substitute during the set up time for lights and camera equipment prior to the actual shooting of a scene.
Term
Standing adjustment set:
Definition
A set that is used continuously in a television series.
Term
Steadicam shot
Definition
A moving camera shot, made by a camera operator with an apparatus used when a dolly is too cumbersome to perform the move.
Term
Still person
Definition
A still photographer assigned to the film crew to take still photos of the actors and the crew during production for use later in advertising.
Term
Stock (F)
Definition
The raw unexposed footage of a film. There are many types of movie film stocks, including those highly sensitive to light ("fast"), and those with less sensitivity to light ("slow").
Term
Strike
Definition
1, To dismantle and store props or equipment used on a set.

2. A legal action taken by a union when contractual agreements are not upheld, faithfully negotiated, or are otherwise broken by the producers.
Term
Studio teacher
Definition
A board-certified teacher, present on the set who conducts school for the minors when school is normally in session.
Term
Stunt double
Definition
An actor who doubles for the lead performer and performs the dangerous work in a movie or television show.
Term
Sub-text
Definition
Term used in story, comedy or drama, to signify dramatic implications beneath the spoken words of a play or movie. Often the sub-text concerns ideas and emotions that are totally independent of the language of a text.
Term
Swing gang
Definition
Production crew members who work the swing shift.
Term
Swish pan
Definition
Also known as a flash or zip pan; a swish pan is a horizontal movement of the camera usually around its horizontal axis at such a rapid rate that the subject blurs on the screen.
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