Glossary

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The Language of Acting

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Thank You.

Acting Lessons for
Everyday Life

a poem by John Lehman

The Woman:
Feed his ego, laugh at his jokes, order something expensive from the menu. You're a prize worth paying for.

The Man:
Act handsome and clever, as if you and she were both young, and it's you who are the desirable one.

The Scene:
Create something that transcends the sadness of this bar. It's Last Call, folks, what's so hard?

A Glossary of 1,223 Terms Used by Professionals in the Acting Business

A, B, C, D

E, F, G, H

I, J, K, L

M, N, O, P

Q, R, S, T

U, V, W, X, Y, Z

91 DAY OUT CLAUSE: A contractual agreement that allows the performer to terminate the contract if the performer doesn't earn a minimum amount of money within 91 days after signing the contract. Do not sign any agent or manager contract that does not contain a similar out clause.
18-TO-PLAY-YOUNGER: An actor who is 18 years or older but who can convincingly portray a younger character.
3 VOUCHER SYSTEM: A way of becoming eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) by acquiring a total of three SAG work vouchers. These vouchers are acquired by working as a non-union performer in a SAG contract film.
4-A'S: Associated Actors and Artists of America; parent organization for AFTRA, Equity, SAG, and other performers' unions.
8 X 10: A photo of the performer, commonly 8" x 10" in dimension, usually black and white, showing just the head and shoulders.
99-SEAT: The Actors Equity Association's agreement for low-budget theatres with a capacity of no more than 99 audience seats. Equity and non-Equity actors can perform in a production under this contract.
ABBY SINGER: The second-to-last shot of the day. Named after Abby Singer, a production manager, who would frequently call the last shot of the day, which frequently turned out to not be the last shot of the day.
ABOVE MINIMUM FEE: Fees contracted at rates in excess of the minimum fees and terms provided in a basic agreement.
ABOVE THE TITLE: In an a dvertisement, placement of a performer's name before the title of the production. Usually only available to big stars.
ABOVE-THE-LINE/BELOW-THE-LINE: Two main catagories of production expenses. Expenses relating to the purchase of rights script and performance rights, salaries for producers, writer, director, and main characters are "above-the-line" expenses. Expenses related to the hiring of crews; procuring studio space, equipment, purchasing and processing film or videotape, and other costs associated with production activities are "below-the-line."
ABOVE: Toward the back wall of a stage.
ABSURD, THEATRE OF THE: 1940s-1960s style of theatre that expressed existentialist philosophy through highly theatrical style. Frequently incorporates non-sensical dialogue and plot used to convey concepts related to human miscommunication and the irrationality of human existance. Noted absurdist playwrites include Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco and Jean Genet.
ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES AWARDS: The Oscars. Annual awards given for excellence in various aspects of motion picture production.
ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES (AMPAS): http: //www.oscars.org Usually referred to as "The Academy". The sponsoring organization of the Oscars as well as other competitions and services. Publishes the American Players Directory, a widely used reference for the casting community. The directory containing professional actor photos and contact info.
ACT CURTAIN or ACT DROP: A curtain or painted cloth, usually closest to the proscenium, which was closed or opened to signify the beginning or ending of an act or scene. Also called front curtain, main curtain, working curtain, or grand curtain.
ACT: (1) The largest divisions of the sections of a play. A short play is a "One-Act Play", a play with two sections has two Acts, a play with three sections has two Acts, etc. Acts are further divided into Scenes.
(2) To perform a role in a dramatic production
ACTING AREA: The area of a stage where performance occurs.
ACTING EDITION: A copy of the script which has the stage directions, technical cues, prop lists and costume descriptions from the prompt script of the first production.
ACTION: 1) A verbal cue which indicates that the scene is to begin and that the camera is filming.
2) An actor's movements in the context of a performance
3) The development of the plot of a production.
ACTION, DRAMATIC: Gesture, action or dialogue that advances the plot of a dramatic work.
ACTION, FALLING: Action following the climax; tension is reduced and plot develops toward the conclusion
ACTION, RISING: Action leading up to the climax; tension is increased and plot develops.
ACTOR'S EQUITY ASSOCIATION: Labor union for professional live performance actors.
ACTOR: A person who plays the role of a character. Historically, the term "Actor" refered exclusively to males, but in modern times the term is used for both genders.
AD LIB: Unscripted dialog or action performed with little to no preparation.
AD.: Assistant director.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Recalling actors and crew to film scenes that need to be filmed to correct mistakes or to add additional film footage.
ADR: Automated Dialogue Replacement. Dialogue specially recorded and added to a scene after the scene has been filmed. Also called"looping".
ADVANCE BAR: Lighting bar positioned just downstage of the proscenium arch. Also known as ANTI-PROSCENIUM.
ADVANCE: Money received before rendering services.
ADVERTISING AGENCY: A company that does artwork and production for advertisements.
AEA: Actors' Equity Association (Equity) Actor union for live and stage actors.
AESTHETIC VALUES: Light effects, costumes, sets or other elements that create the production's sense of style and visual appeal.
AFFILIATE: An independent, local broadcast station under contract with a national or regional broadcasting company, for the purpose of broadcasting the national or regional company's programs.
AFI: American Film Institute. Organization of filmmakers and filmgoers to advance the art of film, television, video and digital media.
AFL-CIO: American Federation of Labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations. Parent organization for various performer unions.
AFM: American Federation of Musicians. Union for musicians and arrangers.
AFTRA: American Federation of TV and radio artists. For performers in radio, vocal recording and soap operas.
AGE RANGE/AGE CATEGORY: Ages that an actor can believably portray.
AGENCY COMMISSION: A percentage of a performer's earnings that is payed to the agency representing performer.
AGENCY: Refers to model or talent agency or to an advertising agency.Model and talent agencies handle booking work for models or actors. Advertising agencies create and produce advertising for businesses.
AGENT, CASTING: An individual who assists producers with casting.
AGENT, LITERARY: An individual who assists writers to sell their work with publishers and producers.
AGENT, TALENT: An individual, usually licensed, who helps actors get work. Theatrical agents specializes in dramatic television, film and theater. Commercial agents handles TV and radio commercials and voice-overs.
AGENT: A person responsible for the professional business dealings of an actor, director, or other artist (talent). Negotiates contracts on behalf of the talent, submits their talent for roles.
AGMA: American Guild of Musical Artists
AGVA: American Guild of Variety Artists
AIMP: Association of Independent Music Publishers.
AIR CHECK: Recording a program during broadcast for archival or legal purposes.
AIR PLAY: Radio broadcasting.
AISLE: A pathway for easy travel through a seating area.
ALL-AMERICAN LOOK: Middle-American appearance.
ALLARGANDO: Getting broader.
ALLEGRO: Happily. Lightly.
ALLITERATION: The purposeful repetition of sounds, particularly the beginning consonants of words. "She sells sea shell by the seashore"
AMATEUR: Not professional.
AMERICAN DINNER THEATRE INSTITUTE: (ADTI): A professional organization for Equity-franchised dinner theatres in the USA. Provides news of interest to the theatres and negotiates Equity dinner theatre contracts on behalf of the theatres'.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (AFTRA): For performers in radio, vocal recording and soap operas.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS (ASC): Dedicated to advancing the art of cinematography through artistry and technological progress. Publishes "American Cinematographer" magazine.
AMPTP: Alliance Of Motion Picture And Television Producers.
ANAGNORISIS: A character's self revelation or self discovery, particularly when the revelation initiates a turning point in the action.
ANALOG OR ANALOGUE: adj., Non-digital audio recording and playback technologies
ANAMORPHIC LENS: Camera lens that distorts a wide image to fit on a narrower 35mm frame of film.
ANCHOR: Secure a set piece to the stage floor.
ANDANTE: walking space.
ANGEL: Financial backer of a production.
ANIMATION PERFORMER: Performer hired to voice a role or roles in an animated production.
ANIMATION: Creating the illusion of motion by filming individual frames; each frame presents a small increment in the action. When viewed in real-time, appears to be continuous motion. Art for animation filming can be executed as drawings, 3-dimensional objects or computer generated images.
ANIME: A style of animation that had its roots in Japanese comic book art style.
ANNCR: Announcer.
ANNOUNCER: A performer hired to deliver a message other than a commercial.
ANTAGONIST: Opposes the hero (protaganist) of a drama.
ANTHOLOGY SERIES: a series each episode of which contains a separate complete story or other complete program entity, without a character or characters common to each of the episodes but held together by the same title, trade name or mark or identifying device or personality common to all of the episodes. A continuing host shall not be considered a character common to each of the episodes.
ANTICLIMAX: n. A minor decrease in dramatic tension.
APERTURE: The opening in the front of a camera through which light passes to create the image.
APRON: The frontmost section of a proscenium stage that is closest to the audience.
ARC: The progression of plot throughout a story and how those changes effect the various characters.
ARCHETYPE: An original after which other similar things are patterned.
AREAS: Divided portions of the stage.
ARENA STAGE (THEATRE-IN-THE-ROUND): An arrangement of performance and audience space in which the audience is seated around most if not all of the performance space.
ARIA: Operatic term denoting a solo number that suspends the dramatic action. Usually reflective in content.
ARISTOTLE: Greek philosopher (384-322 BC) First and most important dramatic theorist of the Western World. His Poetics describes Greek Tragedy and attempts to explain how it moves an audience. Aristotelian terms and principles, such as hubris, peripity, catharsis, are still useful to critics and dramatists.
ART DEPARTMENT: Responsible for achieving the overall "look" of the film as envisioned by the director. Department positions include: production designer, production buyer, special effects supervisor, draftsman, art director, assistant art director, set decorator, set dresser, property master, leadman, swing gang, and property assistant .
ART DIRECTOR: Person who conceives and designs the sets.
ASCAP: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
ASIDE: Lines spoken to the audience. By convention, the audience understand that the lines are not heard by the other characters in the scene.
ASL: American Sign Language.
ASM: Assistant Stage Manager.
ASSEMBLY: Part of the editing process in which outtakes are removed from the masters and the remaining takes are placed in broadcast order.
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: An assistant to the art director .
ASSISTANT CAMERA: Assistant Camera Operator, First Assistant Cameraman, 1st Assistant Cameraman, 1st Assistant Camera, Assistant Cameraman, Camera Assistant. A camera crew member who assists the camera operator . Reponsible for the care of the camera and preparing dope sheets. May also perform the duties of clapper-loader and/or a focus puller.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: AD, First Assistant Director, 1st Assistant Director. Duties include tracking the progress of the production schedule, and preparing call sheet.
ASSISTANT FILM EDITOR: Assistant Picture Editor, Assistant Sound Editor, Assistant Editor, First Assistant Editor, Second Assistant Editor, Apprentice Editor. Responsible for providing assistance to the editor.
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Assistant to the production co-ordinator.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Performs numerous functions as delegated by a producer
ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DU FILM D'ANIMATION: ASIFA, International Animation Association.
ASSOCIATION OF FILM COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL: AFCI. Non-profit educational organization to serve the needs of on-location film, television and commercial production.
ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC ARTS: Organization supporting Hispanic theatre companies with technical assistance, planning and financial management systems, identification of new and up-and-coming Hispanic playwrights and marketing.
ASSOCIATION OF MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCERS: AMPTP
ATA: Association of Talent Agents.
ATMOSPHERE ACTORS: Actors who appear in a scene to help establish the time, place, or mood of a scene. Usually do not have discernable lines. Also known as "extras."
ATTITUDE: State of mind or emotion that a character brings to the action of a production.
AUDIO: Pertaining to sound or sound technology.
AUDIOBOOK: Sound recording of a dramatic reading of a literary work.
AUDITION: A try out for a film, tv or stage part. Usually conducted by a casting director and/or producer.
AUDITORIUM: Area of a theater seating or accomodating the audience.
AUTHOR: The person entitled to hold a copyright.
AUTOMATIC DIALOGUE REPLACEMENT: ADR, Dialogue Looping, Dialog Looping, Looping. Re-recording of dialogue by actor s in a sound studio during post-production. Used to replace production track of poor quality or to change the delivery or inflection of a line.
AVAILABILITY: (AVAIL) A courtesy extended by a performer or an agent to a producer indicating availability to work a certain job. Avails imply no legal or contractual obligation.
BACK DROP: a large piece of canvas, usually painted with a scene, suspended behind the rest of the scenery. Also called a drop.
BACK PROJECTION: (Rear Projection) Live action is filmed in front of a screen upon which background action is projected.
BACK STORY: The history and personal relationships of a character before the events written in the script.
BACK TO ONE!: Cue for actors to return to the start of a scene.
BACK-END DEAL: Contract agreement for payment to be made after a project is produced, released, and begins making a profit.
BACK-UP: Actor who is hired to work only if the designated performer can't perform satisfactorily.
BACKDROP: A painted or plain surface hung from the grid and used to form a set on stage.
BACKGROUND ACTION: Actgion performed in the background of a shot.
BACKGROUND ACTOR: ""extra, atmosphere, non-principal performer who does not have lines.
BACKING FLAT: a painted canvas positioned behind a window or door in a set.
BACKING: Financial support for a production.
BACKLIGHT: A light that illuminates the actors from an upstage position.
BACK LOT: Area on studio property used for constructing large open-air sets or for filming outdoor scenes.
BACKSTAGE: Area off stage not seen by the audience.
BALCONY: Upper tier of seating in the auditorium.
BALLAD: A romantic, smoothly flowing song.
BAR: a pipe suspended above the stage upon which scenery, ighting and other equipment are hung.
BARNDOOR: Shutters attached to lights to control the amount of illumination.
BEAT: A deliberate pause for effect.
BEAT: Smallest unit of dramatic action which attempts to satisfy an intention.
BEAUTY SHOT: On TV soaps. A mimed scene over which the credits are rolled.
BEGINNERS: A call given to the actors who appear in the first part of a play.
BELL BOARD: A sound effects board on which are mounted different types of bells (doorbells, phone bells, etc.)
BELOW-THE-LINE EXPENSES: Production costs not included in the above-the-line expenses, such as material costs, music rights, publicity, trailer, etc.
BELOW: Toward the audience.
BELT: To sing in a forceful manner.
BEST BOY: Second in command to the gaffer or to the key grip. The best boy/grip is in charge of the rest of the grips and grip equipment; the best boy/electric is in charge of the rest of the electricians and the electrical equipment.
BIFOCAL SPOT: spotlight with special shutters to allow hard and soft edges.
BIG and TALL MEN: Male models wearing size 44 suit and up.
BILLBOARD: The opening announcements to a program.
BILLING: The relative sizes, positions, and order of names and a production's title in printed publicity material as well as the opening credits.
BIO: Short for biography. Used for a printed program or press release.
BIOGRAPHIC PICTURE: (Biopic) A filmed story of a person's life story.
BIT PART: A small role.
BLACK BOX: A theatre, usually small where the audience is in close proximity to the actors and action.
BLACK COMEDY: A comedy in which the humour is derived from "serious" subjects such as death, war, suffering, and murder.
BLACK LIGHT: ultra violet light.
BLACKLISTING: Discriminating against someone by refusing them work due to their personal, political, social, or religious beliefs.
BLACKOUT: Rapidly dimming lights to total darkness.
BLACKS: Black clothing worn by technical personnel during productions.
BLACKS: black curtains at the back and sides of the stage.
BLANK VERSE: A type of verse that approximates the rhythm of natural prose.
BLOCKBUSTER: Hit A movie which is a huge financial success.
BLOCKING REHEARSALS: A rehearsal during which the actors' stage movements are rehearsed.
BLOCKING: The movement and positioning of actors for a scene.
BLUE PAGES: Pages inserted into a script after it has been numbered and distributed. The new or revised pages are dated and printed on colored paper (first blue, then pink, etc.)
BLUE SCREEN: Shooting against a large blue or green (green screen) backdrop. Later, a background is electronically added to the filmed scene to create the final image.
BODY DOUBLE: An actor who replaces another actor in a scene because the double's body or part of the double's body is more suitable for the shot. Frequently used for shots requiring nudity or specific physical characteristics.
BODY MAKEUP: Makeup applied below the neck or above the wrists.
BOMB: A production that is a financial disaster.
BOOK (THE): The stage manager's copy of the script which includes all cues and notes. AKA "prompt copy."
BOOK: To be offered and accept a role.
BOOK: The spoken dialogue in a musical or play.
BOOK FLAT: Two scenery flats hinged together in an "L" shape in order to be free standing.
BOOKING: A firm commitment to accept a role offered to an actor.
BOOM MICROPHONE: AKA: Boom Mike, Boom, Fishpole, Giraffe A long pole with a microphone on the end. The boom is extended out near the actor s. Ideally, the microphone at the end should be placed in the camera 's safe area .
BOOM: A pipe or pole supporting an overhead microphone, light or camera.
BOOTH: n. Control room for lights and sound equipment of a production facility.
BOOTH: area in the theatre with the light and sound boards. Usually in the back of the theatre facing the stage.
BORDER: Drapery or masking scenery hung above the acting area to mask overhead lights and the area above the stage.
BOX OFFICE: Area where admission tickets are sold for a performance. Also used mean the size of the audience or the amount of money taken in.
BOX SET: A set (usually of an interior space) composed of a back and two side walls and sometimes a ceiling.
BREAK A LEG: A traditional alternative to saying "Good Luck" (which is considered bad luck).
BREAK CHARACTER: Speaking or acting which is not in keeping with the character.
BREAKAWAY: Costume, prop or scenery element specially constructed to break or shatter easily.
BREAKDOWN SCRIPT: A list of all items, people, props, equipment, etc needed for a shoot on a daily basis.
BREAKDOWN SERVICES LTD.: A company that provides to talent agencies descriptions of roles being cast for film and television projects.
BREAKDOWN: A detailed description of roles to be cast for a production.
BRIDGE: Music linking two scenes.
BRIDGE: Walkway above the stage to reach stage equipment.
BROADWAY: Area of New York city on and adjacent to the street named Broadway where the commercial theaters of the united states are located.
BUILD: To increase the emotional level, loudness, rate, and energy of a line, speech, scene or song.
BUMPER: A short, non-commercial announcement such as "we'll be right back".
BURLESQUE: A sex and comedy variety show.
BURY: To hide someone or something out of sight in a scene.
BUSINESS: An incidental bit of unscripted or improvised action used to establish a character or establish the scene.
BUSKER: Itinerant open-air street players such as jugglers, conjurers or acrobats.
BUYOUT: An agreed-to offer of full payment to a performer in lieu of residuals.
BUZZER: Sound device used in a film/TV production that cues everyone to be quiet for the shooting of a scene, and later that a scene has finished shooting.
CABARET: Entertainment presented to any audience in night-clubs, hotel-restaurants or at dinners. Emphasizes skits, songs, magic and comedy acts.
CABARET AGREEMENT: Union/producer agreement for cabaret theatres.
CABLE NETWORK: Nationally distributed programming provided by a cable hookup (such as Showtime, ESPN, CNN, HBO.)
CADENCE: Pitch and rhythm of a vocal pattern.
CALL BACK OR CALLBACK OR CALL-BACK: Follow-up casting call for select talent who appeared at a previous call.
CALL BOARD: Bulletin board for posting audition notices, casting calls, rehearsal schedules and the like.
CALL SHEET: List of actors and crew required for various scene rehearsals. Includes when various actors will be required.
CALL TIME: The time an actor is to be on the set ready to work.
CALL: Alert announced to technicians and actors when they are needed on stage.
CAMEO: A bit part played by a notable actor who would normally only perform larger roles.
CAMERA CREW: Crew members involved with operation of the camera .
CAMERA LEFT: actor's right when facing the camera.
CAMERA LOADER (Clapper-Loader, Clapper Loader): The person who loads film and operates the clapboard at the beginning of a shot.
CAMERA OPERATOR (Cameraman): Member of the camera crew who operates the camera.
CAMERA PRESENCE: an actor's presence and sense of energy on camera.
CAMERA RIGHT: actor's left when facing the camera.
CAMERA: A device for recording images.
CAMP: Comedic parody where the dramatic form is deliberately exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness.
CANNED: Pre-recorded effects interjected into a performance.
CANS: Headphones.
CARD: Refers to how an actor's name appears in the credits: "separate card", appearing alone on the screen, "shared card", appearing with other names on the screen.
CAST ALBUM: An audio recording featuring music from a live musical production.
CAST PARTY: Party for the cast (and often crew) of a production.
CAST: The talent hired to play the characters in a production. Also, the process of selecting talent for a production.
CASTING COUCH: Refers to the highly unethical practise of pressuring talent into providing sex in return for a role.
CASTING DIRECTOR: Producer's representative responsible for pre-auditioning performers for consideration by the director and or producer.
CASTING SOCIETY OF AMERICA (CSA): A professional organization for Casting Directors.
CASTING: Process of selecting actors to play the characters in a production.
CATTLE CALL: An audition during which a large number of actors are moved in and out of the audition area as quickly as possible.
CATWALK: A narrow walkway suspended above the stage and/or house from which lights and scenery can be hung and accessed.
CD: Compact Disc. Can contain digital text, music and images.
CEL: A sheet, usually made of a clear material, upon which an image is drawn and which is then used as an animation frame.
CENSORSHIP: Mandatory changes to content of a performance imposed upon the producers of a production by an outside person or organization.
CENTER LINE: A line (real or imagined) that divides the acting area into two equal parts. Runs from upstage to downstage.
CENTER STAGE: The middle of the performance space.
CGI: Computer generated graphics and special effects .
CHANGE PAGES: Changes made to a script during production. Changed pages are usually printed on a colored paper stock that is different from the original pages.
CHANGES: The different clothing that is worn for a performance.
CHARACTER ACTOR: An actor who specializes in playing a particular personality type using mannerisms, speech patterns and physical appearance.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: Concise description of a character for casting purposes.
CHARACTER LOOK: Physical appearance of a character type.
CHARACTER MAN/WOMAN: Talent who specializes in mature roles or roles that require specialized physical or vocal skills.
CHARACTER MODEL: A model who has unusual an look or skill.
CHARACTER OBJECTIVES: The goal a character is trying to achieve.
CHARACTERIZATION: The physical attributes of a character as performed by an actor.
CHEAT: When an actor turns toward the audience or the camera a small amount so as to show more full-face. A common technique used in theatre and film.
CHECKING THE GATE: To check the lens on the camera before proceeding to the next shot.
CHEWING THE SCENERY: An actor who gives an over-the-top (hammy) performance.
CHIEF ELECTRICIAN Gaffer): The head of the electrician crew.
CHILD LABOR LAWS: Government regulations (vary from state to state) covering the employment of children.
CHILDREN'S AGENT: An agent who specializing in the representation of child performers.
CHOREOGRAPHER: One who creates dance movements and supervises dancers in a production.
CHORUS CONTRACT: Used for those actors who are primarily performing chorus work.
CHORUS PERFORMER: Performer hired as a group of singers, dancers or actors.
CHORUS: In ancient Greek theatre, a character or group or characters who comment on the action, provide exposition and advance the plot. Also, a group of singers and dancers in a musical production.
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Person responsible for all aspects of filming.
CLAIMS: Those things a character knows or believes about themself (such as social status, tastes, habits, foibles, strengths, temptations, position in family or business, birth place, age, tastes in food, etc.).
CLAPBOARD (Clapper, Slate): A small board which holds information identifying a shot such as working title of the film, the scene and number of take, the date, and the time. Filmed at the beginning of each take, a hinged stick (attached at the top) sharply snapped shut which creates a quick clapping sound that is used to synchronize the sound to the image.
CLAQUE: People hired for the purpose of initiating and sustaining applause, cheering, whistling, or other enthustic displays of appreciation for a performer or a performance. This is done to solicit up a more enthusiastic response from the audience than they might otherwise be spontaneously offered.
CLASS A COMMERCIAL: the most lucrative remuneration for performance in a commercial.
CLAYMATION: Animation using three dimensional figures figures made of clay or plasticine.
CLEAN SPEECH: A take in which dialogue is performed without error.
CLIENT: A person or company who hires a model.
CLIFFHANGER: A moment of high suspense, frequently used at the end of a serial drama. Leaves the audience wanting to know what happens in the next installment of the series.
CLIMAX: The most powerful, dramatic moment in a script. Action which follows proceeds to the final resolution.
CLIP: a brief excerpt from a filmed ot taped performance. Also, to abruptly cut off the beginning or end of a syllable, sound or musical note.
CLOSE CAPTIONED: AKA: Close-Captioned, CC A system which displays the current dialog on screen for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers. Contrast with subtitles, intertitles . On the web: National Captioning Institute
CLOSE-UP (CU): Detailed shot in which the subject extends beyond the boundry of the frame.
CLOSED POSITION: To face away from the audience.
CLOSED TURN: To turn away from the audience.
CO-STAR: A supporting lead role.
COLD READING: Unrehearsed reading of lines. Commonly done at auditions.
COLD SUBMISSION: Sending an unsolicited headshot and resume to a casting person.
COMEDIAN: Actor who specializing in comedy.
COMEDY: A performance primarily meant to amuse.
COMIC RELIEF: A comedic line or scene included in what is otherwise a serious production. Used to provide relief of tension.
COMMENTARY: A script used by the commentator (or announcer) to describe fashions for a fashion show.
COMMENTATOR: One who comments on the action of a film.
COMMERCIAL ACTOR: Actor (male or female) who performs in commercials.
COMMERCIAL AGENT: Agent or agency who represents talent who work in television, radio or movie commercials.
COMMERCIAL ARTIST: One who does artwork for advertising purposes.
COMMERCIAL MODELING: Modeling something other than fashions.
COMMERCIAL SOUND STUDIO: A studio that provides space, equipment and engineers to ad agencies, producers and others for a fee.
COMMERCIAL THEATRE: Professional theatre productions developed with the goal of making money for investors.
COMMISSION: Percentage of a performer's earnings paid to agents or managers.
COMMUNITY THEATRE: Local, non-commercial, amateur acting group that performs theatrical productions.
COMPANY: Cast, crew and other staff associated with a production.
COMPOSITE: A variety of photos printed on one sheet; represents an actor's different looks.
COMPOSITION: Placement of people or objects within the performing area or film frame.
COMPS: Complimentary tickets.
CONFLICT: Dramatic tension created by opposing forces. in a play.
CONFLICT (AGENCY): When an agency has too many of an actor's "type".
CONFLICT (COMMERCIAL): Contractual limitation preventing, for a set amount of time, an actor who represents one client's product, from representing a competing product.
CONFLICT: n. A factor or person that opposes the protagonist and causes tension.
CONTACT MIC (Boundary Mic, PCC, PZM): A microphone designed to pick up sound vibrations transmitted through a solid material.
CONTACT SHEET: A print sheet made up of all the shots from a roll of film.
CONTINUITY: Attention to progression of story-line and acton, expression of dialog, and matching the details of set dressing, props, and wardrobe to prevent discrepancies in same from shot to shot.
CONTRACTS: Legal agreement entered into by a performer and agents, managers and/or producers which defines the services to be rendered and the type of compensation to be paid.
CONTROL BOOTH: Room used to house equipment to operate lights and sound for a production.
CONVENTION: A widely used and device or technique that an audience traditionally agrees to accept as part of the theatrical production. For instance, a "stage whisper" is one which can, in reality, be heard by all the characters on the stage and by the audience. It is a convention accepted by the audience that the characters who are not the intended recipient of the whisper do not hear it and do not react to it.
COPY: the written words of a script or advertisement.
COPYRIGHT: Legal rights to control reproduction and sale of intellectual property.
CORNER: The "prompt corner"; the place from which the stage manager communicates with the actors and the production crew.
COSTUME DESIGNER: A person who designs the costumes for a production.
COSTUME FITTING: the process of getting measured and trying on costumes for a production.
COSTUME PARADE: A process during which actors, wearing their costumes, parade and pose in front of the director and costume designer who approve or suggest changes to the costumes.
COSTUME: Clothing and accessories worn by an actor for a production.
COUNTER: When an actor moves, another actor may shift their own position to balance the composition of a scene.
COUNTERCROSS: A cross by an actor to re-establish visual balance of the acting area after another actor's cross.
COUNTERWEIGHT SYSTEM: A system used for raising and lowering scenery and lights which uses heavy weights to counterbalance the weight of the scenery and lights.
COVER: To block the audiences view of stage action or of another actor.
COVERAGE: All camera shots except the master shot.
COWBOY SHOT: A shot framed from mid-thigh up. A common framing used for the filming of many westerns.
CRAFT SERVICE: The catering company that feeds the cast and crew.
CRANE SHOT: A shot, usually from overhead, taken by a camera mounted on a crane.
CRASH BOX: Metal box filled with broken crockery which is dropped offstage to simulate breaking glass.
CRAWL: Screen credits or written text that slowly move into the screen from one side and off the other side of the screen.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Person in an advertising agency who creates and develops advertisement concepts.
CREDITS: The names of the people responsible for a film or TV production; also a list of performance experience included on a resume or in a program.
CRITIC: Journalist who writes reviews of recorded or live productions.
CROSS ABOVE: To move upstage.
CROSS BELOW: To move downstage.
CROSS-FADE: To bring lights down in one stage area of the stage while bringing lights up in another stage area.
CROSS: To move from one area of the performance area to another.
CUE: A verbal or physical signal that indicates when actor is to move, speak a line, execute stage business or execute a technical effect.
CURTAIN CALL: The final appearance of the by cast at the end of a performance to receive applause and take bows.
CURTAIN LINE: 1) the line on the stage floor where the front curtain touches when brought in.
2) the final line in the play. Also called the tag line.
CURTAIN LINE: Imaginary line across the performance space marking the point where the front tabs / curtain is flown.
CURTAIN LINE: The last line of an act or play. Also, the place where the act curtain meets the floor.
CURTAIN SPEECH: Introduction given from the stage just before a performance starts.
CURTAIN TIME: Advertised start time of a performance.
CURTAIN: A drape across the stage to conceal some or all of the performance space.
CUT AND HOLD: A verbal cue to have all principal action stop and freeze in position until told to release.
CUT: A direction given by the directo to stop the action of a scene. Also, the point at which one shot is changed for another.
CYC (CYCLORAMA): A curved wall at the back of the stage. Frequently painted light blue.
D. P.: Director of photography
DAILIES (RUSHES): Film and sound clips that are quickly processed for next day viewing.
DARK THEATRE: A day or night with no performance.
DAY PLAYER: A principal performer hired on a day to day basis.
DAY-OUT-OF-DAYS: The number of days a performer will work out of the total production schedule of days.
DAYTIME DRAMA: Soap opera.
DEADPANNING: To get laughs using a neutral facial expression.
DEALER COMMERCIAL (DEALER SPOT): Commercial produced and paid for by a national advertiser which is then turned over to local dealers to book air time, usually with the dealer's tag added.
DECIBEL (DB): Measurement of sound volume.
DECIBEL OR DB: n., A unit of sound volume.
DELIVER: To speak a line.
DEMO TAPE: (DEMO REEL) An audio or video tape containing scene or sound clips that actors and their agents use for auditions.
DEMONSTRATOR: A model who demonstrates a product in a trade show, convention or store.
DENOUEMENT: The part of the play following the climax, during which events and conflicts are brought to their resolution.
DEPTH OF FIELD: Area within the camera's view in which objects are in focus
DEPUTY: Works in conjunction with the Stage Manager as the elected company member responsible for facilitating communication between Equity and the rest of the company.
DGA: Directors Guild of America.
DIALECT COACH: Specialist who trains actors in a specific dialect or accent.
DIALECT: A distinct regional or linguistic speech pattern.
DIALOGUE: The spoken line in a script.
DIM: Decreasing the intensity of lights.
DIMMER: A device which controls the intensity of lights.
DINNER THEATER: A restaurant that also stages theatrical productions
DIPS: lights set into the stage floor usually covered by trapdoors.
DIRECTING: Interpretation of a script and development of the action which is to take place.
DIRECTION: Guidance and instructions from the director.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (D.P.): Responsible for technical and artistic decisions required for filming of scenes as desired by the director.
DIRECTOR'S CUT: A cut of a movie without studio interference as as the director would like it to be seen. May not be color or density corrected or have final music and effects
DIRECTOR'S GUILD OF AMERICA: DGA
DIRECTOR: The principal creative artist on a production. Responsible for coordinating and overseeing all artistic and technical aspects of a production. Conducts performances and rehearsals and who supervises, defines and gives unity to the performances. Director's duties might include casting , giving direction to the actors, script editing , shot selection , shot composition , and editing .
DISCOVERED: A person or object on stage when the curtain is raised.
DISCOVERY: Moment of revelation.
DISSOLVE: Transition from one shot to another by briefly superimposing one image upon another and then allowing the first image to fade away.
DOCUMENTARY: A non-fiction narrative which records an event, person, or place.
DOLLY GRIP: A person responsible for physically moving the camera during a shot.
DOLLY SHOT: A moving shot taken from a dolly which moves the camera toward or away from the subject.
DOLLY TRACKS: A set of tracks upon which a dolly-mounted camera is moved.
DOLLY: A wheeled platform upon which a camera is mounted which allows physical movement of the camera.
DOMESTIC COMEDY: A production that explores the contradictions and eccentricities among individual characters.
DOMESTIC DRAMA: A production that explores the problems of ordinary people in a serious, non-tragic manner.
DOMESTIC RUN: Television broadcast of a program within the broadcast area of a particular station.
DOUBLE BILL: Two movies shown consecutively.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE: two distinct images appearing simultaneously with one superimposed upon the other.
DOUBLE TAKE: Looking at something or someone, then looking away, then quickly looking back.
DOUBLE: An actor who briefly stands in place for another actor as for a stunt.
DOUBLING: Actor performing more than one part in a production.
DOWN RIGHT: Acting area closest to the audience, on the right side of the stage as the actor faces the audience.
DOWNGRADE: Reduction of a performer's on-camera role from principal to extra.
DOWNSTAGE: Acting area nearest to the audience
DRAMA: A production that takes a thoughtful, serious attitude toward its subject matter.
DRAMATIST: One who writes plays.
DRAMATURG: Someone who works as a consultant to the production company, who researches script selection, and background and historical relevance of the production. Can be a liaison between director and playwright and can assist with editing & revising scripts.
DRAPES: Stage Curtains.
DRAWING ROOM COMEDY: Witty, upper-class comedies popular from the turn of the century.
DRESS CIRCLE: Seating area above the stalls and below the balcony.
DRESS PARADE: Final check of costumes before the first dress rehearsal. The cast parade each of their costumes under stage lights in order for the director and costume designer to make any necessary changes or improvements to the costumes.
DRESS REHEARSAL: A full rehearsal, with all technical elements included.
DRESS STAGE: To slightly change position to balance the acting area after another actor made a cross.
DRESS THE SET: Add curtains, furniture, props, etc. to the set.
DRESSER: A wardrobe assistant assigned to help with costume changes costume maintenance throughout the run of a production.
DRESSING ROOMS: Rooms in which actors change into their costumes and apply make-up.
DRIVE-ON PASS: A pass which permits one to drive onto and park on a studio lot.
DROP: A piece of cloth, often painted to depict scenery, which is lowered from above the acting area to set a scene.
DROP: suspended cloth flown rite stage area.
DROPPING LINES: Unintentionally not speaking lines or inadvertantly speaking them so they that cannot be properly heard.
DRY ICE: Frozen carbon dioxide which produces a low-lying mist or fog when dropped into boiling water.
DRY TECH: A rehearsal, usually without actors, during which the light and sound cues are worked out.
DRY: To forget ones lines.
DUBBING: After filming, matching an actor's voice with the lip movements of the same or a different actor on the screen. Also copying a sound from one medium to another.
DUOLOGUE: Conversation between two characters.
DƒNOUEMENT: The events following the climax of a production in which the resolution or clarification takes place; Back to Top
EAR PROMPTER: Ear device worn to assist actors with scripts that are difficult to memorize.
ECHO: Reverberanting sound
ECU: Abbreviation for extreme close-up.
EDITING: Process of combining together (manually or electronically) individual shots into a complete film.
EDITOR: Person who assembles the visual and audio elements of a film into a completed film.
EFFECTS PROJECTOR: Lantern used to project an image onto a stage or, more commonly, the cyclorama.
EFFECTS STOCK: Special film stock that is used to generate computerized composites.
ELEVATION: A working drawing showing the side view of the set or lighting arrangement.
ELEVATOR: A mechanized stage that raises and lowers the floor to get scenery, properties, and performers on and off the stage.
ELEVEN O'CLOCK NUMBER: A big finish show tune that occurs shortly before the end of a musical.
ELIZABETHAN THEATRE: Period in English theatre associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Among the many notable authors from this period are William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, Ben Jonson and Beaumont & Fletcher.
EMOTIONAL MEMORY: A technique of acting by which an actor recalls the intricate details of a past experience and the emotions experienced for the purpose of evoking a similar emotion which is then used by the actor in performance.
EMPLOYER OF RECORD (EOR): Company responsible for employment and for taxes and unemployment benefits.
ENGAGER: Any person, producer, advertising agency, corporation or other entitiy that contracts and/or pays performers for their performance in a television or radio commercial.
ENSEMBLE: A group of actors who work together with no one actor outshining any others.
ENTR'ACTE: a musical interlude between play acts.
ENTRANCE: Entering the acting area. Also the opening in the set that is used for entering.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEATER: A theatrical performance in which the audience area and the acting area are intermixed with the action occurring all around the audience.
EPIC: A film that requires an immense production.
EPILOGUE: A short scene at the end of the main action of a production which explains or comments upon the action.
EPIPHANY, EPIPHANAL MOMENT: A character's sudden insight into his/her condition or circumstances.
EPISODIC: Series of self-contained productions sha