1st assistant editor A member of the editing team. Assists the main picture editor. May digitize footage and/or cut scenes together.

2D animators Personnel who composite images.

2nd assistant editor A member of the editing team. Assists the 1st assistant editor. May log and digitize footage or cut scenes.

2nd team A term referring to the stand-ins on a set.

2nd unit An extra unit of crew that may shoot beauty shots, extra scenes, or specialized footage such as aerial or underwater footage.

2nd unit director The director for the 2nd unit.

3D animators Personnel who use software to create original animation of characters, buildings, or sets.

5.1 surround sound mix A sound delivery format used for DVD and theatrical applications that uses six speakers to aurally envelop the audience.

Above-the-line (ATL) Refers to the creative personnel who appear in the first section of the budget. ATL includes categories such as story, writer, talent, producer, and director.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) An association that exists to advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Gives out the Academy Awards (Oscars).

Accounting apprentice A member of the accounting team. Usually someone with little experience who desires to move into the entertainment accounting field.

Accounting department The department that handles funds for the production, including purchase orders, check requests, cash advances, payroll, and petty cash.

Actors Equity Association An association for actors and stage managers of the professional theater, based in New York City.

Actual Refers to the column in a budget report that shows the actual amount of funds spent on a particular line item.

Adaptation rights Rights that allow a person to alter a piece of music when used in conjunction with a production. Also refers to rights to take a story from an original source such as a book.

Additional labor Any labor that is used for a department in addition to the regular crew, such as additional makeup artists needed for a large cast.

ADR Automated dialogue replacement. The process of re-recording dialogue or narration for a production. Also called looping.

Aerial and underwater units Additional units hired to attain aerial or underwater footage for a production.

A list A list of actors who are “hot.”

Ambience An audio term that refers to the background sound of a scene, such as crickets in a nighttime scene.

American Association of Producers (AAP) An association for executive producers, producers, production executives, associate producers, segment producers, production managers, post-production supervisors, and coordinators.

American Federation of Musicians (AFM) A union that represents the interests of professional musicians.

American Film Export Association (AFEA) A division of the American Film Marketing Association dedicated to opening new markets in Europe.

American Film Market A film market event where independent filmmakers attempt to secure distribution for their projects.

American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) An association for makers of English-language independent films and television that promotes the idea that ownership of a project is retained by its producers.

American Humane Association (AHA) An association for the protection of animals from abuse.

American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) A society that monitors licensing and residuals for composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers.

Amount column The column in a budget that shows the number of units for that line item.

Animal handler Person who is hired to monitor animals on set.

Animation supervisor/director The person on a production who oversees the animators and will work with the visual effects supervisor if animation is to be combined with any visual effects.

Animators Members of the visual effects team who create animation.

Answer print Also referred to as a check print. The first film print with picture and sound, used to check colors and print quality for each scene.

Apple boxes Wooden boxes in varying sizes (pancake, quarter, half, and full) used by the grip and electric department for various tasks.

Apprentice editor A member of the editing team in an entry-level position. The apprentice position is usually unpaid and for someone who wants to work her way into editing.

Arbitration The legal process for determining ownership of a work or authorship of a script.

Arranger A member of the music department who helps to write music for different instruments based on a composer’s score.

Art department coordinator A member of the art department who coordinates work for the department and handles the processing of funds.

Art director A member of the art department who executes the look of a film for the production designer. He or she also supervises the construction of the sets.

Assistant casting director A member of the casting department who assists the casting director with auditions, cast lists, and communication with actors.

Assistant location manager A member of the location department who assists the location manager in securing, coordinating, and monitoring locations.

Assistant makeup A member of the makeup team who assists the key makeup artist in preparing actors for the set.

Assistant production office coordinator (APOC) A member of the production staff who assists the production coordinator with communication and support for the cast and crew. May also handle travel for the cast and crew.

Assistant to the costume designer A member of the wardrobe department who assists the costume designer in wardrobe matters.

Assistant to the producer An assistant for the producer who handles tasks such as screening telephone calls, scheduling appointments, taking notes at meetings, and sometimes running personal errands.

Associate producer A title for a member of the producing team who can occupy various roles on a production.

Atmosphere A term that refers to extras or background actors on a production.

Aural vision The concept or vision of the sound for a film or video.

Automated dialogue replacement (ADR) editorThe editor in the audio post-production team who records and then may add ADR to the picture.

Axis Refers to an imaginary line that exists between actors or between the camera and an actor. The axis serves to keep screen direction among actors consistent and logical.

B list A list of actors who are not currently “hot.”

Back matching The process of identifying references in a script to past or future actions.

Background Actors on a set who occupy the background of a scene. Also called atmosphere or extras.

Background coordinator A person hired by an extras casting agency who coordinates background actors on set.

Banded Electrical cables used to connect the generator to lights on set.

Beauty shots Shots of scenic panoramas, sunrises, or sunsets, usually shot by 2nd unit.

Below-the-line (BTL) Refers to the section of a production budget that contains crew and equipment.

Best boy electricA member of the electric department who is in charge of the lighting truck.

Best boy grip A member of the grip department who is in charge of the grip truck.

Big production meeting A meeting held in pre-production, approximately a week before principal photography, during which the script is read scene by scene and issues are discussed.

Black wrap A material made of blackened foil used by the grip and electric departments for various tasks such as blocking portions of a light beam.

The Blue Book A set of guidelines for working with minors, published by the California union for studio teachers.

Body makeup Makeup that is applied when an actor has to appear nude or semi-nude in a scene.

Boom operator A member of the sound team who places the microphone in the optimal place for recording.

Bounce Combining audio tracks in audio post-production.

Breakdown sheet A form used to categorize elements in a script.

Breaking film A production term that refers to the process of taking a film magazine and cutting off the amount that is exposed so that it can be sent to the film lab.

Budget report A report that shows how much of each line item has been spent in a production budget.

Budget structure The structure of a budget, including divisions such as Above-the-Line, Below-the-Line, Post-Production, and Other (contractuals).

Building the microphone The process of preparing the microphone for shooting, involving placing the microphone in a housing called the sound blimp and attaching cables and a boom pole.

Building the sound tracks The process of creating sound tracks such as sound effects, music, and ambience to complete the final sound track of a project.

Bumped Refers to the process of paying an actor or extra more money for a special skill or characteristic.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms The federal agency that, among other things, licenses special effects personnel for pyrotechnics.

Buyer A member of the art department whose main responsibility is to purchase items for the set.

C-stand A metal stand that is used to hold nets, flags, silks, and other grip items.

Cable person A member of the sound department who carries and distributes the cable between the boom operator and sound mixer.

Call sheet A form that informs cast and crew of the content and schedule for the following day’s shooting.

Call time The time that an actor or crew member is required to arrive on set.

Callback A second audition for cast.

Camera car A vehicle that provides a platform for placement of the camera.

Camera operator A member of the camera team who operates the camera.

Camera package The equipment that is ordered for the camera department. The package includes the camera, tripods, lenses, filters, and other items.

Camera reports A report that shows the footage count and amount of footage for each filmed take. The camera report is attached to and sent in with exposed film.

Cash advance A form to request a particular amount of cash to pay for various items.

Cash flow worksheet A worksheet that shows when, how much, and to whom cash will be distributed.

Cash rebate An incentive where a percentage of a production company’s expenses are sent back to the production by the state.

Cast insurance Insures actors for a production. Cast insurance requires that each covered cast member complete a physical before shooting.

Cast numbering The process of assigning numbers to each character in a production, which are used on the cast list, production schedule, shooting schedule, and one-liner.

Cast release A form that allows a production to reproduce the likeness of a cast member.

Casting director The head of the casting department, who supervises the casting of all speaking cast on a production.

Catering Meals provided to crew while on set.

Certificate of insurance A form that outlines insurance coverage for a production, required by most locations.

Character breakdown A list of characters from a script, with their general physical, age, and personality characteristics, used to help cast a project.

Check request A form used to request a specific amount of money.

Checking the gate The process of inspecting the film gate behind the lens of the camera for obstructions such as hair and dirt.

Child Performers Education and Trust Act of 2003 The updated form of the original Coogan Law, guaranteeing that a portion of a minor’s wages (15 percent) must be set aside in a trust that he or she can draw on upon turning 18 and that a child’s earnings are property of the child.

Choreographer A person who choreographs dancers or musical production numbers on a project.

Clapper A member of the camera team who operates the clapper, or slate, for the camera.

Clearance The process of obtaining permission on a project to use a company or person’s trademark, product, or name.

Closed dailies Refers to only a few people watching a day’s footage because the footage is either sensitive or confidential.

Closed set Refers to a set on which only a few people are allowed because the shooting is either sensitive or confidential.

Cloud tanks Water-filled tanks that are injected with a liquid to create cloud effects.

Cold reading When an actor must read a scene immediately after receiving it.

Color decision list A system developed by the American Society of Cinematographers that allows color-correction information to go between different software and equipment.

Company grips Members of the grip department who provide support to the camera and electric departments.

Completion bond An insurance document that guarantees an investor a full return on his or her money if a production is unable to finish.

Composer The person who writes the underscore for a project.

Compositing lead The person who oversees the compositors and answers to the compositing supervisor.

Compositing supervisor The person who oversees all composites that may be used to create an effect.

Compositors Computer artists who combine different footage and computer elements to create composites.

Computer-generated images (CGI) Images created on a computer.

Computer graphics supervisor The person responsible for choosing software that may be required for an effect, for the process by which the effect will be achieved, and for overseeing all graphics for a project.

Conductor The person who conducts the orchestra for the recording of a score for a project.

Construction coordinator A member of the construction team, under the art department, responsible for coordinating and overseeing the building of all the sets for a project.

Construction foreman A member of the construction team, under the art department, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the construction crew and who answers directly to the construction coordinator.

Construction laborers Members of the construction team who build the sets.

Contingency fee A portion of the budget (10 percent) that is set aside for unforeseen or unexpected production costs.

Continuity Refers to keeping track of consistency among the elements of a shot and of screen direction.

Contractuals Line items in a budget that are contracted, such as the completion bond, insurance, and legal costs. Contractuals usually are expressed as a percentage of the overall budget.

Coogan Law A law that came about when child actor Jackie Coogan turned eighteen and found that he had no money in his trust fund. The Coogan Law provided that 15 percent of a child’s earnings be set aside in a trust fund until the child turns eighteen. The rest of the earnings was community property between the child and the parents.

Copyist The person who takes the arrangement of a score from the arranger or orchestrator and separates out individual pieces for each musical instrument.

Cost report A report completed by the accounting team that shows current spending of the budget.

Costume designer The head of the wardrobe department, who designs the wardrobe looks for each cast member of a project. May design original wardrobe or oversee the purchase or rental of existing wardrobe.

Counter-to-counter service A service provided by some airlines through which a package can be brought to a counter at the airport, flown on a flight, and received at the counter of another airport.

Courtesy credit A main title or end credit given to someone as a courtesy or favor.

Cover sets Locations that are set aside to shoot at in case the originally scheduled location, usually an exterior, becomes unavailable because of bad weather.

Craft service person The person who sets up and maintains the craft service table throughout the day.

Craft services A table of snacks that is replenished throughout the day for cast and crew.

Creature manufacturer A person who is in the business of creating creatures for motion pictures. This person usually works for a special effects house and is hired out by the company.

Crew gifts Gifts given out at the end of a production from the producer or production company to the cast and crew.

Crew packets Packets given to cast and crew on their arrival to the area of shooting (city, town, etc.) containing information such as a production schedule, shooting schedule, contact list, crew list, new script pages (if any), hotel information, new memos (if any), film commission information, brochures, and recreational information about the area.

Cross-collateralization A situation where a distributor uses income from one film in a package to offset expenses for another film in the same package.

Crosses Refers to the actions that extras will take in the background of a shot, when extras cross the frame.

Crossfades A term used in audio post-production. A crossfade may be created when two sounds are adjacent to each other. The first sound is faded out as the second sound is faded up.

Dailies The footage that is shot in one day.

Daily progress report A report prepared by the script supervisor that summarizes the scenes, minutes, pages, and setups accomplished for the day.

Day breakdown A form completed by the script supervisor that shows on which story day each scene occurs.

Day-out-of-days (DOOD) A chart that shows what days an actor starts work, works, is on hold, is dropped, is picked up, and/or finishes.

Day players A term referring to actors or crew who work and are paid by the day.

Deal memo An employment contract for cast and crew that stipulates rate and term of employment.

Defamation The making of false or injurious statements about someone, statements that present a person as immoral or expose a person to hatred or ridicule. Libel is written defamation, and slander is verbal defamation.

Delivery The date on which a project is delivered, for either airing on television or distribution to theater or video.

Development budget A budget, separate from a production budget, that covers the costs to develop a project. This may include costs for research, script writing, and/or packaging a project with cast and key personnel.

DGA trainee An apprentice in the Directors Guild of America, hired out to train on the director’s team of a production.

Dialect coach An expert in one or more dialects who trains actors how to perform their roles in that vernacular.

Dialogue editor An editor in the audio post-production department who takes dialogue that has been recorded on a project and cleans it up. He or she adds crossfades to smooth out the ambience differences of different takes, gets rid of unwanted background noises, and may edit ADR into the main dialogue.

Digital magazines Computer drives that fit into a digital camera and hold raw footage.

Digitize The process of recording footage, either analog or digital, onto a computer for editing.

Director The person who creates a vision for a project, constructs shots, and directs actors.

Director of photography The head of the camera, grip, and electric departments, responsible for the photographic look and lighting of a production.

Director’s assistant An assistant who works solely for a director managing schedules and providing personal assistance.

Directors Guild of America (DGA) The union for directors, unit production managers, assistant directors, technical coordinators, associate directors, stage managers, and production associates.

Dispatcher A person who coordinates the vehicles, drivers, and movements of a large transportation department.

Distant A term referring to any crew or location that is greater than 60 miles from the production office or main area of shooting. A distant crew member receives per diem and hotel.

Distribution The venue at which a project is played.

Distributor The company that distributes a project. Distributors can be for either theatrical or video release, domestically or worldwide.

Dolly A platform that rolls on wheels or track. The camera is placed on the dolly to achieve moving shots. This kind of dolly usually has a hydraulic lift for the camera, along with seats for the camera operator and director.

Dolly grip A member of the grip department who operates the dolly.

Dolly track Six- or nine-foot sections of attached metal poles on which the dolly rides.

Doorway dolly A flat platform dolly with its own wheels. The camera sits on its tripod on top of this type of dolly, which is narrow enough to fit through a doorway.

Dramatic rights Rights that allow someone to use the story or title from a song for a production.

Drop–pickup Refers to the status of an actor who may work ten or more days on a union shoot. After ten nonworking days, an actor is dropped from contract and then picked up at a later date.

DSP (digital signal processing) Refers to the process of applying digital effects to audio.

Editor The head of the editing team, who is responsible for achieving the final cut of a picture.

Eighths (1/8s) The minimum unit of measurement on a script page (measuring vertically). Used to determine the length of a scene.

Electricians Members of the electric department who place lights and cable to light a set. Also called electrics or lamp operators.

Electronic press kit (EPK) A videotape or digital package of press materials for a project. The EPK usually contains featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with stars, directors, and/or producers.

Element A category that is identified from a screenplay in a script breakdown. Major elements include speaking cast, extras, stunts, vehicles, animals, props, special effects, wardrobe, makeup, visual effects, and set dressing.

Emergency form A form filled out by cast and crew in pre-production that contains information about whom to contact in case of emergency and about any medical allergies or conditions.

Equalization (EQ) The process of increasing or decreasing certain frequencies from a sound to correct or create an effect.

Errors and omissions A form of insurance that covers legal costs if a production is sued for issues such as infringement of copyright, slander, invasion of privacy, plagiarism, unfair competition, or defamation.

Executive producer Person who may raise money for a film, or invest in the film, or represent the investors.

Exhibit G A sign-in and sign-out sheet for actors who belong to the Screen Actors Guild.

Expendables Items such as gaffer’s or camera tape, batteries, canned air, and grease pencils used on a production that are expendable, meaning they are used up during the course of a production.

Expense report A report that shows a receipt-by-receipt accounting of a cash advance or petty cash.

Exteriors Locations that are outside.

Extra makeup A position in the makeup department, utilized when more makeup artists are needed due to a large cast.

Extras Actors without dialogue who usually appear in the background of a scene. Also called atmosphere or background.

Extras casting coordinator The head of the extras department, who casts extras for a production.

Extras release A form for extras that allows the production to use their likenesses.

Fair use A law which states that some use of copyrighted works is permissible.

Faulty stock A form of insurance that covers the cost of replacing and reshooting scenes from any film or tape stock should they become lost or damaged. Damage to film stock includes that which occurs if the film is fogged or ruined by a camera and any damage that may occur at a lab.

Featurette A behind-the-scenes short documentary about the making of a film or video.

Federal Income Compensation Act Also known as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. A federal tax taken out of a person’s pay for social security.

Federal Unemployment Insurance A federal tax taken out of a person’s pay for unemployment insurance.

Federation of Independent Film Producers A Paris-based association that protects and promotes the interests of the global feature industry.

Film courier A company that specializes in transporting exposed film to and from a lab.

Film development The period of time before pre-production where a film’s script is developed, principal players are attached, and operating agreements are solidified.

The Film Foundation An organization of industry personnel interested in preservation and restoration of films. They merged with the former Artists Rights Foundation to form the Artists Rights Education Legal Defense Fund, which advocates for artists’ rights by holding public events, national campaigns, and educational programs.

Film magazine The compartment on a film camera that houses the film.

Film office An office, of a city or of a state, that provides production support.

Film stock summary report A daily report filled out by the 2nd AC that shows an inventory of short ends, wasted film, no-good film, and printed film and a total amount of film for the day.

Final crew list The crew list that is distributed at the end of a production, showing every crew member who ever worked. This crew list is coveted by crew members for networking.

First assistant accountant A member of the accounting team. Assists the head accountant with purchase orders, check requests, cash advances, and possibly payroll.

First assistant cameraperson (1st AC) A member of the camera team. Assists the camera operator, measures and pulls focus, and levels the tripod.

First assistant director (1st AD) A member of the director’s team. Runs the set, responsible for making the day.

First shot call The telephone call placed by a set PA or assistant director to the production office with the time that the first shot of the day was achieved.

First team on set A phrase called out by the 2nd AD when actors are arriving on set.

Flags Metal frames of different sizes (18" × 24" or 24" × 36") and covered with black material that are used by the grip department to block flares in the camera lens or to redirect or block light.

Flare A reflection on the camera lens from a light.

Flat fee One fee paid for all of a person’s work on a show, as opposed to a daily or weekly payment.

Fogger A device used by the special effects department to create fog or smoke effects with liquid nitrogen, oil, kerosene, or dry ice.

Foley artist A person who re-creates sound effects on a stage in audio post-production. Foley effects may include footsteps and opening or closing doors.

Foley sessions Sessions held for recording Foley effects.

Foley tracks Audio tracks in an audio session that contain sounds recorded in a Foley session.

Form 1099 A form from the Internal Revenue Service given to an independent contractor that shows his or her nontaxed earnings for the year.

Freelancers People who work from production to production as opposed to working on salary for one company or production.

Fringe benefits Benefits paid to employees, such as vacation, health insurance, and pension. Also called fringes.

Full-scale physical effects Special effects that are created on set. These kinds of effects usually happen in real time and on an actual-life scale; they include explosions, crashes, squibs, or weather effects.

Gaffer The head of the electric department, in charge of lighting the set and responsible for executing the look the director of photography wants.

Garage sale A sale held after a production has finished principal photography where items such as props, set dressing, or vehicles are sold to the public.

General expenses A section of the budget that contains line items for telephones, postage, office supplies, office equipment rental, office meals, and sometimes legal fees, the MPAA seal, post-production accounting, bank fees, and interest.

Generator A transportable device that provides electricity for lights.

Generator tow A vehicle that is used to tow large generators.

Genny operator The person who operates and maintains the generator.

Glidecam A portable rig that holds a camera that an operator uses to achieve moving shots. It is like a Steadicam but does not attach to the operator’s body.

Greenery Any foliage that is used as set dressing on a production.

Grip A member of the grip department who provides support to the camera and electric teams through the use of grip equipment or any rigging of anything.

Grip package The equipment and truck that is used by the grip department, which comes in 2- to 10-ton sizes.

Ground squib An electrical device that is placed on the ground or on an object to simulate bullet hits.

Hair and makeup tests Filmed or videotaped trials in pre-production to test hair and makeup looks for particular actors.

Hair breakdown A breakdown of various hair looks for characters in a script, scene by scene.

Head accountant The head of the accounting department, responsible for the actual disbursement of funds to vendors, cast, and crew. Also known as the production accountant.

Header board A section of the production strip board that shows character names and their cast numbers.

Headshots Photographs of themselves that actors use to get work.

High budget Varies greatly, but usually a budget of $50 million or more.

Hold days The number of days an actor is under contract with the production but not shooting.

Honeywagon A vehicle used in production that contains dressing rooms for actors and bathrooms for cast and crew.

Hotel log A log, kept by the APOC, that shows the departure, arrival, and room number of each member of the cast and crew staying at a particular hotel.

House power The electricity that comes from the actual location.

IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) The union for below-the-line crew.

Independent contractor A person who works for a production and does not get taxes taken out of his or her pay. An independent contractor pays taxes quarterly directly to the government.

Industry Code of Conduct A guideline for crew behavior written by the Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee, a committee under IATSE.

Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Safety Bulletins Safety guidelines distributed by IATSE that promote safety on sets. These guidelines cover the proper handling of firearms, water hazards, pyrotechnics, vehicles, food, and so forth.

Interiors Locations that are inside.

International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) A Washington, DC–based trade association of the U.S. core copyright industries. The IIPA provides access to government agencies for trade discussions.

Invasion of privacy Occurs when a person’s right of privacy has been infringed upon. See Privacy.

Investors People who provide financing for productions.

Jib A rig on wheels that has a long extension-type pole, at the end of which the camera is attached. A jib provides height that can range from 2 to 7 feet, along with a 5- to 8-foot reach.

Key grip The head of the grip department, responsible for providing support to the camera and electric teams.

Key hair The head of the hair department, responsible for styling actors’ hair.

Key makeup artist The head of the makeup department, responsible for the makeup and hair budget and for applying makeup to cast.

Key PA A production assistant who is put in charge of the other set production assistants.

Last supper Production slang for the meal that is served on the last day of shooting. Traditionally it is an upscale meal to celebrate the end of shooting.

Lead man A member of the art department in charge of transporting set dressing to and from a set. Also in charge of the swing gang.

Letter of intent A letter that states a person’s intention to work on a production, usually based on particular conditions such as achievement of financing.

Libel When someone commits defamation through the printed or written word.

Licensing The process of permitting someone to use copyright-protected work for a fee.

Lighting grid A diagram showing the placement of lights on a set.

Lighting package The equipment and truck used by the lighting team. A lighting package includes lights, stands, scrims, and so forth.

Line-item production budget The type of budget used for productions.

Line producer The person who is responsible for the budget and running of a production.

Lining the script The process of identifying shots on a script page as they are being taken on set.

Loader A person in the camera department who loads film magazines.

Local A person is local if he resides in the area in which the production is shooting. Local crew typically does not receive per diem or hotel.

Local production coordinator A person who is hired to set up a production office at a particular location. This person is usually local to the area and answers directly to the main unit production coordinator.

Location fee A fee paid to a location’s owner for use of the facility and the right to film there.

Location list A list of locations being used for the production, along with contact information.

Location manager The head of the locations department, responsible for finding locations for the production.

Location map A map constructed by the location team that shows the area of shooting and has directions from the production office to the location.

Location release agreement An agreement between the production company and the owner of the location granting to the production the right to film there.

Location scout (event) An event where heads of departments travel to possible locations to discuss the viability of using a particular site.

Location scout (person) A member of the location department, usually a local, who goes out and photographs potential locations.

Locked A term referring to the status of an item when most changes for that item are complete or that item is secured. Items include the script, cast, locations, and picture.

Lockup A term referring to a situation on set in which all possible passersby are stopped and asked to wait until the shot is over. Production assistants usually provide lockup.

Logline A brief one- or two-sentence description of the story.

Look-up Tables (LUT’s) A way of looking at your footage in a natural way, rather than viewing the less colorful image that comes directly from the camera. It imitates the way the film might look at the end of the post-production process.

Looping The process of re-recording an actor’s dialogue or narration. Also called automated dialogue replacement.

Loss and Damage A line item in a production budget that allows for the loss of or damage to any equipment in that category.

Low budget Varies greatly but could signify a budget of less than $10 million.

M&E Music and effects. This identification is used for a type of mix in which the dialogue track is stripped of any effects, leaving other tracks having all music and effects. This is done so that the dialogue track can be easily removed from the tracks and replaced with a foreign language track.

Make the day A phrase that means to shoot all scenes that were scheduled for the day.

Makeup breakdown A breakdown completed by the makeup department that shows each character’s makeup requirements and choices scene by scene.

Martini An industry slang term referring to the last shot of the day.

Mechanical effects Special effects that are accomplished on set, such as fire, rain, or snow.

Meet-and-greet A party held a day or so before principal photography where crew members can meet and socialize.

Men’s costumer/women’s costumer Member of the wardrobe department who dresses the actors.

Miniatures Small models of aircraft, creatures, or almost anything.

Minor permit A permit that allows a production to use a minor. Also known in some states as a theatrical permit.

Modelers The craftsmen who construct physical models of creatures with wire frames, latex, and paint.

Mono mix A mix intended for a mono format medium such as 16mm.

MOS Stands for “mit out sprechen.” To shoot MOS means to shoot without recording any sound.

Motion control camera A camera that allows computerized positioning. The camera has the ability to move into exactly the same position or in exactly the same direction, whether panning or tilting, take after take.

Motion Picture Association An international arm of the MPAA, formed in 1945 after World War II to reestablish films in the worldwide market.

Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) An association founded in 1922 to restore a favorable image for movies. The association keeps seven studios on their board of directors and issues the Academy Awards yearly.

Movie Magic Budgeting A software program for writing a production budget.

MPAA seal A seal given by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Multiple elements An element that may contain many items, such as extras.

Music editor The person who edits music into the sound tracks of a production.

Music or public performance rights Rights that include the right to recite, play, sing, dance, or broadcast a composition in public.

Music package fee A fee paid to the music supervisor or composer to provide a package that would include everything involved with the music for the production, from composing to recording to delivery.

Music supervisor The person who supervises all aspects of music in a show. He or she may be the person hiring a music clearance company or working with a project’s composer.

Nagra A 1/4-inch analog tape recorder used for recording sound on location.

ND stunt/ND stunt people A stunt that happens with background in a scene, such as a crowd of people diving away from a speeding car.

Negative insurance Insurance that covers the cost of replacing your film negative due to loss or destruction.

New deal A term used on set to alert crew that the current shot is completed and they are about to move on to another shot.

Non-owned or rented vehicles A section of coverage under production insurance that covers picture cars or production vehicles.

Office production assistant An entry-level job assisting the production coordinator in the production office.

The Official Bulletin  A quarterly magazine published by IATSE.

One-liner A schedule that lays out production schedule information in scene order.

Optical effects Traditionally refers to effects created with an optical printer. Currently also refers to any effects that are created in post-production.

Orchestrator The person who helps to write music for different instruments, based on the composer’s score. An orchestrator specifically writes out the score in orchestral form.

O.S. Stands for offscreen. This usually refers to a speaking actor who is in a scene but not seen in a shot.

Overhead A line item in a production budget that refers to the cost of running a production company.

Padding Adding additional funds to a production budget, “just in case.”

Parent’s consent form A form signed by the parent of a minor that allows the production to reproduce the likeness of the minor.

Partial A term referring to a scene that is only partially completed at the end of a shooting day.

Payroll fee A fee paid to a payroll company for that company to handle payroll for a production.

Penalties Monetary fines levied against a production for violating union rules.

Per diem A daily monetary allowance given to distant cast and crew to pay for meals.

Permits Permission from a city that allows a production to film in public areas.

Petty cash An allotment of cash to pay for minor items.

Physical effects Special effects that are created on set.

Pickup report A report given to drivers in the transportation team with information about whom to pick up at the airport and when.

Picture vehicles Vehicles that appear on camera. Also called picture cars.

Post-production supervisor The person who makes sure that everything in the post-production process is coordinated and completed on time.

Press day A day during shooting when print and broadcast press are invited to come watch shooting and conduct interviews with actors and, sometimes, the director or producer.

Previous A term found on various reports that refers to what was previously shot.

Principal photography The period of time when a production is shooting.

Prints and advertising budget A budget used in the distribution process to pay for advertising costs and the cost of theater prints.

Privacy The right for a person to live his or her life in seclusion, without unwanted publicity.

Pro Tools A sound editing and mixing software program sold by Avid.

Producer–Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic Agreement of 1998 An agreement that states that the producer of a show will notify the AHA if using animals.

Producer’s and Distributor’s Guide to Product Delivery A document published by the American Film Marketing Association providing production support for independent filmmakers.

Producers Guild of America (PGA) A union made up of executive producers, producers, and associate producers.

Product placement Placing a brand-name product in a shot so that it is clearly visible and recognizable.

Production assistants (PAs) Assistants for various departments. Many departments have their own assistants, such as camera PA, wardrobe PA, and set PA.

Production board A document that shows the order of scenes in strips. Each strip contains information on each scene.

Production designer (PD) Head of the art department, responsible for the look of the film in terms of everything the camera photographs.

Production documents Paperwork provided by SAG-AFTRA that a production company fills out during the course of filming a project, which can consist of payroll checks, pension and health contributions, contracts, the exhibit G, the cast list, and cost reports.

Production interns Interns that work on set or in the production office.

Production music Music that may come from a singer or musician on set.

Production office coordinator The liaison between the studio and set and the person who oversees the running of the production office.

Production package A type of insurance package specifically written for projects in the entertainment industry. This package typically contains four different kinds of insurance: cast, negative, third party, and faulty stock.

Production report A report completed after a day’s shooting that shows what happened that day in terms of cast and crew work times, hours of shooting, location of shooting, amount of the script that was shot, and the amount of footage shot.

Production schedule A schedule that shows what scenes are shot on what days.

Production staff People who work for the producer, typically the UPM, POC, APOC, office PAs, and accountants.

Production vehicles Vehicles that are used to transport equipment, such as the grip truck, or provide support services, such as a honeywagon.

Props person The person who creates and/or acquires props for a show. Also called the prop master.

Prosthetics Latex appliances used by the special effects makeup department for effects, such as a large nose.

Public domain Refers to material that is no longer protected by copyright and is freely usable by the public.

Pulls focus The process a 2nd AC performs to keep a subject in focus when either the subject or camera is moving.

Pyrotechnics Effects that include fire, such as explosions.

Quarterly dues Money paid to a union for the benefits of membership.

Rain tower/stand A device used by the special effects department to simulate rain.

Rebate on Labor An incentive that gives production companies monies for hiring resident crew.

Releases Contracts allowing for the use of another’s likeness.

Remote camera system A camera system that allows the operator to turn the camera on and off remotely.

Rendering A computer function that occurs when effects are finalized and processed.

Re-recording mixer The main sound mixer in a mixing session who mixes all the tracks of a project together to reach a final sound track.

Residuals Additional money paid to actors or writers based on a percentage of the total actual compensation they received on a project.

Revenue stream How box office income flows in the distribution process.

Reverb Short for reverberation. Refers to the sound created by natural audio reflections of a room.

Revision colors The colors that code each revision that a document goes through. The standard colors are white, blue, pink, green, and yellow.

Rigging crew A lighting crew that works one set ahead of the main unit, prelighting the set.

Right-to-work state A state that guarantees that any person has a right to work in that state.

Room tone The sound of a room while quiet, recorded on set after shooting is completed.

Rough cut Traditionally the first cut of a film or video.

Run of show Refers to people or equipment being employed for the entire production.

Rushes Another term for dailies.

Safety check The process of examining weapons on set, before they are handed to actors.

Safety manager The person who is responsible for all safety conditions on the set. Also called the safety officer.

Sandbags Small bags filled with sand, used by the grip and electric departments for various tasks such as securing light stands.

Scale The minimum amount of payment for a cast or crew member based on union rates.

Scene log A log filled out by the script supervisor that shows for each shot how many takes were shot, how long each take was, how much footage was used, which sound roll the take occurs on, and which lens was used.

Scoring The process of writing a musical composition, called the underscore, that will play underneath a scene.

Scoring sessions The sessions in which the underscore is recorded.

Scoring stage The studio where a score is recorded. A scoring stage typically has room for an orchestra, a theater-sized screen, equipment for synchronized projection of the picture, and a control room for recording.

Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) The union for actors.

Script breakdown The process of breaking down a script into elements.

Script clearance companies Companies that specialize in, for a fee, identifying items that may require clearance via a clearance report.

Script supervisor The person in charge of the continuity of the film and recording what is shot each day.

Second assistant accountant A member of the accounting team. Assists the first assistant accountant.

Second assistant cameraperson (2nd AC) A member of the camera team. Assists the 1st AC. May load film magazines, carry camera boxes, and operate the slate.

Second assistant director (2nd AD) A member of the director’s team. Assists the 1st AD in running the set, keeps the set quiet, coordinates cast movement on set, writes the call sheet and production report, and may direct background.

Second meal A meal given to cast and crew six hours after the first meal, if necessary.

Second second assistant director (2nd 2nd AD) A member of the director’s team. Assists the assistant directors in the running of the set. May handle SAG paperwork and the production report and assist in lockups.

Second team The stand-ins.

Segue A transition between scenes, for either picture or sound, in the form of a hard cut, dissolve, or crossfade.

Sequence A group of scenes that share a common theme or time.

Set box A box of files kept on set that contains various paperwork that might be needed on set, such as blank call sheets and production reports, emergency forms, production schedules, and location documents.

Set designer The person who works directly under the art director to draw any sets that may need to be constructed from scratch.

Set dresser A full-time on-set art department person. He or she is on set to make sure that all set dressing is placed correctly and maintains continuity.

Set massage therapist A person hired to provide massage therapy to tired cast and crew.

Set production assistants Assistants who work on set directly under the assistant directors.

Shipment log A log that shows when and where all shipments to and from the production office go.

Shooting schedule A schedule that shows what is being shot on a particular day along with what props, special effects, actors, and set dressing may be required.

Shot list A list handed out at the beginning of the day to heads of departments that shows the number and order of shots for the day.

Side A copy of a scene from a script, used to audition actors.

Signatory Signing on with a union to employ members of that union and abide by its regulations for rates and work hours.

Signatory documents Paperwork provided by SAG-AFTRA that a production fills out in order to become signatory to the guild for a project. May consist of the information sheet, adherence letters, and agreements.

Silent bit An extra with some sort of physical characteristic or special ability. Also known as special ability extra.

Silk A typically white piece of silk that is placed on a metal frame and hung to block out harsh light.

Site fee A fee paid to the owner of a property for use of the location. Also known as a location fee.

Slander When someone commits defamation through the spoken word.

Slate A rectangular sign that shows the names of the director and producer and the name and number of the shot. The slate is photographed at the beginning of a shot so the shot can be identified in post-production. Also known as a clapper.

Sound designer The person responsible for the aural concept of a project.

Sound editing The process of building dialogue, ADR, sound effect, and music tracks to achieve the final sound track of a project.

Sound editor The person who oversees the sound editing of a project. May also edit the tracks. Sometimes synonymous with supervising sound editor.

Sound effects Sounds that occur in a scene, such as walking, items touching, or items hitting each other. Sound effects can be descriptive or connotative, meaning they either identify objects in a scene or enhance the dramatic impact of a scene.

Sound effects editor The person who builds the sound effects tracks in a sound track.

Sound mix A session in which all of the sound tracks are blended to form a complete sound track.

Sound mixer The person who records sound on location.

Sound package The equipment needed to record sound on location. A typical package includes the recorder, microphones, cables, and boom poles.

Sound report A form the sound mixer fills out that identifies each take and gives its length, whether it is sync or wild, its time code, and comments about how the take sounded.

Source music Music that comes from a specific source on-screen, such as a car radio or a jukebox.

Speaking cast Any cast member who has lines.

Special effects coordinator The person in charge of the coordination and execution of all special effects for a project.

Special effects makeup A makeup artist who specializes in creating special effects makeup such as bullet wounds, bleeding, sores, growths, or prosthetics.

Special equipment A piece of equipment that is not traditionally needed for shooting, such as a rainmaker or aerial camera.

Special or visual effects unit A unit of crew that shoots separately from the main unit to work solely on special or visual effects.

Speed The term the sound or camera operator uses after turning on the recorder or camera and giving the machine a few seconds to get to full running capacity.

Split calls Giving different calls to different members of the cast and crew. There is one crew call for most crew, but some members of the crew, such as the still photographer, might have a later call.

Spotting session A session in which the sound, ADR, sound effects, or music editor sits down with the director and/or producer to watch a show and identify points at which sound will be added, deleted, or changed.

Spreadsheet budgeting Using a spreadsheet program such as Excel to write and work in budgets.

Squib An electrical charge that creates a small explosion; used to simulate someone being shot by a gun.

Staging area Areas on a set where various departments, such as grip, lighting, camera, and sound, place a small amount of their equipment for easy access. Also refers to a place where actors or extras are held until needed on set. Also called a holding area.

Stake bed A pickup truck with an oversized, flat bed, used to haul anything.

Standard screenplay format A format for writing screenplays that is standard in the industry, with guidelines to margin size, spacing and placement of dialogue, scene numbers, scene pages, and descriptions.

Standby greensperson A member of the art department who creates, places, and dresses foliage on the set.

Standby painter A member of the art department who paints sets and set dressing.

Stand-in A person who has the same general physical characteristics as an actor—height, weight, and coloring—and who stands in his or her place on set, in a scene, while the electric department lights the scene. This is done to see how the lighting will look on the actor.

State Unemployment Insurance A tax taken out of a person’s pay for state unemployment insurance. The amount taken out varies from state to state.

Steadicam A camera mounted on an apparatus that is attached to a person’s body. Used in filming for smooth movement of the camera.

Stereo mix A sound mix where dialogue, music, and ambience are routed to two speakers.

Sticks Another term for the camera tripod.

Still photographer The person who takes still photographs on set for use in publicity and advertising.

Stock footage Prefilmed footage that is cut into a picture, such as city skylines or historical news footage.

Storyboard artist A person who draws storyboards for a director.

Storyboards Sketches of all shots in a picture, drawn in pre-production and distributed to heads of departments so they can see what each shot will look like.

Strike To tear down a set after it is no longer needed.

Strip board A document that shows the order of scenes in strips. Each strip contains information on each scene. Also known as a production board.

Strips A graphic representation of a scene that shows the names of the actors involved and the name, location, and time frame of a scene. Used in the strip or production board.

Stunt coordinator The head of the stunt department. Budgets, coordinates, and executes all stunts for a project. Also responsible for the safety of each stunt.

Summing tool A tool (∑) in spreadsheet software such as Excel that will calculate columns of numbers; used in spreadsheet budgeting.

Swing gang Members of the art department, answering directly to the lead man, who work to move heavy set dressing to and from the set.

Synchronization or reproduction rights Music rights that allow a person to reproduce music in sync with a certain picture.

Table read A meeting in pre-production where cast, director, and producer read the script out loud.

Taft–Hartley A situation/contract where a nonspeaking actor on an SAG-AFTRA show is given lines in a scene and thus becomes eligible to join SAG-AFTRA.

Tagging The process of completing a script breakdown by identifying elements in a scene using computer software such as Movie Magic Screenwriter.

Tax credit A financial reward where a portion of the income tax owed to the state is removed.

Tax incentive A financial deal offered by different states to entice film production to shoot in their state.

Tech scout An event that takes place after a location is locked, in which heads of departments go to the location and discuss any unresolved matters regarding shooting in that specific place.

Technical advisor A person with a certain expertise who is hired by a production to advise on technical matters of shooting a scene, such as a lawyer, doctor, or military person.

Telecine The process whereby raw film footage is transferred to a digital format and may be given some color correction.

Television version The version of a project that is suitable for showing on television. Television versions must go through the standards and practices department, which checks the program for objectionable content not suitable for the general public.

Theatrical permit A permit for the use of minors on a production. Also known in some states as a minor permit.

Third man A term used historically for the cable puller, or cable person, in the sound department.

Third-party insurance Insurance that covers items rented or borrowed from a third party, such as a wardrobe or prop house.

Timing the script The process of reading a script and timing each scene, usually performed by the script supervisor in pre-production.

Trademark The name of a product or logo that identifies a specific product and distinguishes it from other products.

Transcoding The process of converting digital footage from one format to another.

Transfer The process of taking film and transferring it to a video format for editing.

Transportation captain A member of the transportation team who assists the transportation coordinator in running the transportation department.

Transportation coordinator The head of the transportation department who oversees the acquisition of all picture vehicles, coordinates the movement of all production vehicles, and coordinates airport pickups and deliveries.

Travel allotment The amount of funds allotted to a distant crew or cast member to travel to and from a location.

Travel/movement The process of transporting all cast and crew on a daily basis to and from the location.

Turnaround The amount of time between camera wrap and crew call the next day.

Two-point system The system used for loading a production vehicle, which involves two people working in tandem to load the truck as quickly as possible.

Tying in The process of hooking up lights to an electrical source such as a generator or power box.

Underscore The musical piece that plays under a scene to heighten dramatic impact.

Unfair competition A section of the Lanham Act, which states that a person cannot use the name or title of an existing product that would cause the public to confuse that name with the trademarked product.

Unit production manager (UPM)  The person who oversees the day-to-day running of the crew and set.

Unit publicist The person who handles all publicity for a show.

Video village An area on set, usually under a tent, where the camera team sets up monitors for the director and producer(s).

VIP office A nondescript office set aside for any “VIP” that might visit the production, such as an executive producer or studio executive.

Visual effects Effects that are created inside a computer.

Visual effects producer The person, working either independently or for a visual effects house, who oversees the creation and delivery of all visual effects.

Walking meal A meal given six hours after the first meal. It is called a walking meal because it usually consists of foods that a person can eat while continuing to work. Also called a second meal.

Wall of envelopes A wall that is set aside in a production office and covered with envelopes for each department, used for the distribution of paperwork.

Wardrobe breakdown A breakdown written by wardrobe personnel that shows each wardrobe look for each actor, scene by scene.

Wardrobe supervisor The person who oversees wardrobe operations on set and answers directly to the costume designer.

Wedges Small triangular blocks of wood that are used by the grip department for various tasks, including leveling the dolly track.

Weekly player Refers to actors or crew who work, and are paid by, the week.

Wescam A camera rig that is attached to a helicopter, used for getting aerial shots.

Wild sound Refers to audio recorded on set but that is not synchronized to any picture.

Workers’ compensation A form of insurance that covers any cast or crew who may become injured or ill during a shoot. This insurance pays for medical, disability, death, and lost wage benefits.

Work for hire Terms by which any work a person produces while in the employ of a production is owned by the production.

Wrap The period after shooting is finished at the end of the day when remaining cast is dismissed and crew puts away all equipment. Also refers to the period after principal photography is finished and the production office is closed out.

Wrap party Party after principal photography is finished to celebrate the production.

Writers Guild of America (WGA) The union for screenwriters.