A
Above the title
When the performer’s name appears before the title of the show on promotional material
Act
A section of a play or screenplay
Acting process
Choices made by the actor when bringing a character to life
Action (screen)
The word the director uses to start the scene
Ad lib
Improvised dialogue
ADR (screen)
Automated Dialogue Replacement – dialogue added in post-production
Advance
Money paid to an actor or member of crew in advance of the work being undertaken
Agent
The representative for a performer in the industry, responsible for negotiating fees and deals
Aisle (stage)
A walkway separating two seating areas in an auditorium
Apron
Staging that projects beyond the curtain into the auditorium
Art director (screen)
The person who designs the set for a film
Aside (stage)
A line directed to the audience and isn’t heard by the other characters onstage
Assistant director Assists the director
Assistant stage manager (ASM) (stage)
Assists the stage manager
Audition
When performers try out for a role or part
Auditorium
Where the audience sits in the theatre, also referred to as the “house”
B
Back to one
A direction for performers to return to their starting scene positions
Background (screen)
The people or “extras” in the background of a scene
Backstage (stage)
The area of the theatre not seen by the public
Beat
A pause in dialogue to emphasis a thought, idea or emotion
Beauty shot (screen)
The shot used to run the credits over on a tv show – the final shot
Beginners (stage)
Cast members on stage as the curtain goes up
Belt (stage)
To sing loudly at full tone, used in musical theatre
Best boy (screen)
Assistant to a gaffer
Billing (screen)
The list of names in the opening credits Bio
Short for “biography” – a brief description of performers or other people working on a production
Black box (stage)
When the stage and the audience are within a black curtained space
Black out (stage)
All the lights immediately go out onstage
Blocking
Mapping out the physical movements of actors in rehearsal
Blue screen (screen)
A blue screen behind action in film allows for special effects to be added in post-production
Book (stage)
A script for a play
Booking
Employing an actor for a role
Boom (screen):
A microphone on a long pole used during filming
Box office
Indicates the commercial success of any production/performer based on profits
Box office (stage)
Where tickets for a production are sold
Box office manager (stage)
A person in charge of ticketing and reservations
Break a leg
A term used among actors to mean, “good luck!”
Breakdown
A description of a production used by casting directors and agents to find performers for the project Breaking character
When an actor stops being in character
Broadway
Famous theatrical district in new york city
Buy out
A flat fee for a production or payment for subsequent showings or screenings of a performance
C
Call
An instruction to a company of actors – indicates a time to attend a rehearsal, be ready to start a performance etc
Call sheet (screen)
A filming schedule with a list of the cast and crew required
Call time
The time by which someone has to be on the set or stage
Callback
When an actor is asked to audition for a second time for a part
Camera crew (screen)
A team in charge of cameras
Camera left/right (screen)
From the camera operator’s perspective – this indicates which side of the camera the performers need to be
Camera operator (screen)
The person who operates the camera and is looking through the lens during a take
Camera ready (screen)
To be completely ready to appear on camera
Cans
Headphones Cast
All actors and performers in a production
Casting
The process of actors being chosen (cast) for the role, led by the casting director and/or director, producer
Casting director
The person responsible for casting a theatre or film production
Casting notice
A breakdown of the parts available to actors in a new production
Cattle call
Open auditions for anyone – not specifically actors
Catwalk (stage)
A walkway on the ceiling of a theatre on which lights and scenery are hung
Changes
When a performer has different costumes during a production
Character
The person who is going to be played by an actor
Cheat (screen)
The angle an actor is positioned to better accommodate the camera
Checking the gate (screen)
Checking the lens of a camera
Chief electrician
A person in charge of an electrical team, sometimes referred to as the “gaffer”
Choreographer
A person who creates dance movement
Chorus
A collection of singers and dancers or songs and dances performed by a group Cinematographer (screen)
Someone in charge of the camera crew, often referred to as director of photography (DOP)
Close-up (screen)
A close shot of an actor, from forehead to the chin (CU)
Closing off (stage)
When an actor turns away from the audience – the opposite of “opening up”
Cold reading
When an actor is asked to read out loud from a script they have not seen before
Colour cover (screen)
A stand-in wearing the same colour as the principal actor
Come down
When a theatre production ends it is said to “come down” ie the curtain comes down to end the show
Commission
The percentage of a performer’s fee taken by their agent or manager
Company (stage)
The whole cast and crew of a stage production
Company manager
A person responsible for everything that happens off-stage
Composite
Three to five different photographs of an actor to show off their various looks
Control booth (stage)
The place in the theatre where all the technical aspects of a production are controlled
Corpse
When an actor gets a fit of uncontrollable laughter on stage
Costume
The outfit/s worn by actors on stage or in film Costumer
The person responsible for costumes
Cover shot (screen)
An additional shot, which might be of a different angle to a master shot, and is done for editing purposes
Crane shot (screen)
A shot from above a scene by a camera hanging from a crane
Crawl (screen)
The ending credits
Credits (screen)
Appearance of names involved in the production, or a list of actor’s experience on their cv
Crew
Everyone involved in the production except for the actors
Cue
A signal for an actor or a member of crew to begin
Curtain (stage)
A screen of cloth on stage that separates the audience from the performers
Curtain call (stage)
The time the actors take their bows at the end of a performance
Cut (screen)
A cue to stop the action of the scene, usually given by the director
Cutaway (screen)
A short scene showing something other than the person in the previous shot
Cyclorama
A large piece of fabric which covers the back wall of the stage. Also known as the “cyc”
D
Dailies (screen) Footage that has been shot that day and has yet to be edited
Day performer
A person hired on a day-to-day basis and is not on a contract
Demo reel/showreel
A short film that showcases performers’ skills
Deputy stage manager (DSM) (stage)
The deputy to the stage manager. The DSM sits on the book and is responsible for the minute-by- minute running of the show
Designer
Designs all aspects of the production: set, costumes, wigs, make-up etc.
Dialect
A regional accent and vocabulary used by actors when appropriate to the character being portrayed
Dialogue
A verbal exchange between at least two actors
Director
The person responsible for all aspects of the production
Director of photography (screen)
The person responsible for the filming process and camera crew; works with the director to make decisions
Dolly (screen)
A piece of equipment used on the camera to allow for more mobility
Dolly grip (screen)
The person from the crew responsible for working with dolly
Double
A person who is used in a place of a principal actor
Downstage (stage)
Part of the stage that is closest to the audience Dramatist
The person who writes plays, also known as playwright
Dramaturg
A person who works alongside writers to develop their plays for performance
Dress rehearsal (stage)
A final rehearsal just before the show with the cast in full costumes
Dressers (stage)
People responsible for helping performers to get in and out of their costumes during the show
Dressing (screen)
Props used on the set to make the scene look more realistic
Dressing rooms (stage)
Rooms in the theatre where actors get ready for performances
Drop (stage)
Fabric that is hung on the stage and often used during the production
Dropping cues
Actors forgetting their lines or missing the cue
Dry
An actor who has forgotten their lines is said to “dry”
Dualogue
A conversation between two characters
E
Electrician
The person responsible for lighting and sound equipment
Ensemble
A group of performers in a production
Equity The industry trade union
Established (screen)
When a person or object has been established in the shot in a specific position or doing a specific action
Ethnic types
Refers to the race of an actor or character
Executive producer
The person responsible for overseeing the business side of a production
Exit (stage)
A stage direction for an actor to leave the stage
Ext. (screen)
Short for “exterior”; used in a screenplay to indicate a scene outside
Extra (screen)
A non-speaking role in the production that is used in the background to give the scene atmosphere
F
Feature (screen)
A full-length film
Featured (stage)
Second to lead role in a stage production, similar to supporting in films
Field representative
A representative of the union that is responsible for making sure that their standards are upheld
First ad (screen)
The person responsible for giving most of the directions on the set to the cast and crew. Short for “first assistant director”
First team
Principal actors
Fit up (stage) The building of the set on stage
Flat (stage)
An oblong frame of timber that forms part of the set
Fly (stage)
Scenery that is raised into the roof (flown out) or lowered on the stage (flown in)
Follow spot
A spotlight used to follow a performer around the stage
Footlights
Floodlights placed along the front of the stage
Forced call
When the cast and crew are required to work in less than 12 hours after they have finished
Foreground cross (screen)
When an extra crosses in front of the camera or principal actors
Fourth wall (stage)
An imaginary wall between the audience and actors, the fourth wall of the stage
Front of house (FOH) (stage)
Area of theatre and people who deal with the audience such as ushers etc
FX (screen)
Special effects
G
Gaffer
Head electrician, also known as chief electrician
Get in
Erecting the set and staging for a production in a theatre or space
Get out
When all elements of a production (scenery, set etc) are dismantled and removed from the theatre Go up (stage)
When a production starts, it “goes up” ie the curtain goes up
Golden time (screen)
Sixteenth hour on the shooting day. Extras receive base pay for every single hour spent on set past this point
Green room (stage)
A room backstage where performers relax before going on stage
Green screen (screen)
A green screen used behind the action to enable the addition of special effects during post-production
Grips (screen)
Crew responsible for moving the equipment around the set
H
Half (the)
Half-an-hour before the first actors are due on stage (ie 35 minutes before the show begins)
Hand props (stage)
Objects held by performers used to tell a story
Headshot
A photograph a performer uses to showcase their look
Holding (screen)
A room/area where extras are staying while not working on the set
Holding book
When a member of the crew assists performers by giving them their lines
Hot set (screen)
A set that is ready for filming
House (stage)
The audience in the theatre or is short for front of house
House lights (stage) Lights that are used to light the auditorium
House manager (stage)
The person responsible for anything to do with the audience
House open (stage)
When the audience have access to the auditorium and are being seated. Used to warn performers not to cross the stage
I
Improvisation
When performers spontaneously come up with lines or actions that are not scripted
Industrial (screen)
Film, short or a video clip used for educational purposes only
Inserts (screen)
A shot that is used in the footage during post-production
Int. (screen)
Short for “interior”, a term used to indicate a scene taking place inside
Iron (stage)
The safety curtain
L
Libretto (stage)
A book or script of a musical or opera production
Lighting designer (stage)
The person responsible for show’s lighting
Line producer (screen)
The person responsible for keeping the director on the budget and on the schedule
Location (screen)
Refers to the area where the filming is taking place
Long shot (screen) A shot that exposes most or all of actor’s body (LS)
Looping (screen)
Dialogue is re-recorded and added to the film in post-production
LX (stage)
Electrics. The title is given to the lighting department
M
Mark (screen)
The position where an actor must stand to be at a perfect angle/lighting for the shot
Marker (screen)
The AD shouts “marker” and shuts the slate board to give a cue to the camera. This happens before the director shouts “action”
Marking out (stage/screen)
The process of marking out the stage to indicate where the props and furniture are to be placed
Master shot (screen)
An important shot used to create a scene involving the principal actor(s) and background
Matching actions (screen)
When an actor has to match their previous actions in another shot
Matinee (stage)
An afternoon performance
Meal penalty (screen)
A payment to actors and extras if there is no meal break at least every six hours
Mixer (screen)
The person in charge of the sound crew, responsible for the quality of the sound
Monologue
A long speech presented by one actor, often to express a character’s thoughts out loud
MOS / SOC (screen) Short for “motion only shot” and “silent on camera” – where the shot is taken without any sound or dialogue
MR sands (stage)
A code word used to warn theatre employees of a fire
Musical director (stage)
The person responsible for musical effects of the show. Usually works with the director and orchestra
N
Night premium
Additional pay for people working past 8pm
Notes
At the end of each rehearsal, the director will give the company notes, which are comments on the performance
O
Off book
When actors have memorised their lines, they are said to be “off book”
Off-camera (OC) (screen)
A dialogue or monologue performed by an actor who isn’t in shot
Offstage (stage)
Area of the stage that the audience cannot see
On book
When actors are still reading their lines from the script (opposite to “off book”)
Open call
General auditions open to everyone
Opening credits (screen)
Credits shown in the beginning of a film or a TV show
Opening up (stage)
When an actor turns away from the audience; opposite of closing off Orchestra pit (stage)
A sunken area of the theatre in front of the stage where the orchestra and conductor sit
Out of frame (screen)
When a performer is outside of camera’s field of vision
Over the shoulder (screen)
A shot that is focused on an actor while being filmed over the shoulder of the actor opposite them
Overdubbing (screen)
When one audio track/sound is used on top of another
Overtime
The term refers to the time outside of contracted working hours
Overture (stage)
The introductory music to a musical
P
Pan (screen)
A single, sweeping horizontal camera shot from one side to the other
Paper
When tickets to a show are given away for free in order to fill the house
Per diem
A fee paid to those working on a production to cover meal costs
Personal props (stage)
Props that actors have on their person
Pick up
To start from a place in the script which isn’t the beginning
Picking up cues
When performers act more quickly on their cues
Picture’s up (screen) Used as a cue to shoot a scene
Pilot (screen)
The first episode of a new tv show, produced in order to sell the whole show
Pit
The sunken area in front of the stage where the orchestra sits
Places (stage)
A command meaning all actors have to take their designated positions before going on stage
Playbill (stage)
A programme that contains information about the show, or a poster for the show
Playwright (stage)
A person who writes plays, also known as a dramatist
Post-production (screen)
Once filming is complete, a film then goes into the post-production stage
POV shot (screen)
A shot indicating a character’s perspective (short for “point of view shot”)
Pre-production (screen)
The stage before filming begins
Preset (stage)
When a prop or costume is placed on the stage before the show begins
Preview
Many shows have previews before they open officially
Principals
Actors with speaking parts
Producer
The person responsible for the business side, as well as financing and supervising the production
Production assistant (screen) Supports the work of the producer and is responsible for a variety of aspects of a film production. Often abbreviated as pa
Production company
The company that is making the production happen
Profile
Performers’ view from the side
Prompt (stage)
A person who follows the play by the book and gives actors the line when they forget
Prop manager (stage)
The person in charge of props
Props
Objects and items used by performers on the set and stage
Proscenium (stage)
Arch that frames front of a theatre stage
R
Reading (stage)
When actors read a new play for an audience with few or no actions
Read-through (stage)
A first reading of the play by the cast
Rehearsal
Time of practice and blocking before the actual performance either on stage or in front of the camera
Repertory theatre (stage)
A theatre company that rehearses several plays at a time and may perform them on different nights as part of a season
Reprise
Repeating the performance
Residual (screen) Pay performers receive every time the production they were in gets shown
Résumé
A list of actor’s information, including credits, personal details, special skills, etc. Also known as an “actor’s cv”
Rewrite
Editing of the screenplay or a play
Riser (stage)
A platform on the stage that creates different levels
Roll over (screen)
Command given by the director to cinematographer and mixer to start rolling
Rolling! (screen)
Command given by a member of the crew to start rolling the cameras and sound
Room tone (screen)
Recording of a sound on location, sometimes referred to as wild track
Run (stage)
The number of times a stage show has been or will be performed
Running-time (stage)
The length of time a show takes, including intervals
Run-through (stage)
A full rehearsal of the whole show from beginning to end
Rush call (screen)
Last minute booking of performers or extras
S
Scenario
An outline of the plot
Screenplay (screen)
A written piece of material by a screenwriter used for a film or tv, also known as script Screenwriter (screen)
The person responsible for writing a screenplay to film
Script
A written piece of material for film or tv; same as screenplay, also used to describe a play
Script supervisor (screen)
The person responsible for tracking all the changes made to the script
Second assistant director (screen)
The person responsible for dealing with script revisions and how they affect the actors
Second team (screen)
The crew that works with stand-ins
Second unit (screen)
A small group that film less important shots not involving principal actors
Segue (screen)
A transition from one shot to the other
Selections (screen)
Wardrobe of actors or extras
Set
The staging of a theatre production or the location of a film production
Set designer (stage)
The person responsible for designing the set
Set-up (screen)
The time that the camera changes position
Short (screen)
Refers to short film, as opposed to a feature film
Sides
Excerpt of the script usually used during an audition Slate (screen)
A quick statement to the camera before an audition begins. Includes names of performers and any additional details
Slate board (screen)
A chalkboard with a clapper on top used as a visual cue for the camera
Soliloquy
Monologue that highlights the character’s inner emotions and thoughts
Sound designer (stage)
The person responsible for designing sound directions during a theatre production
Sound effects (stage)
Noises used to accompany a scene on stage
Spec (screen)
People who arrived on the set when they’re not booked, or a screenplay that has been written without arrangement
Spike (stage)
The same thing as marking out
Spiking the lens (screen)
Refers to an actor looking directly into the camera during a take
Squib
A small device that simulates a bullet-shot on the body and similar effects
Stage directions (stage)
Determined in the script, giving actors specific directions on stage
Stage door
The entrance into the theatre for all personnel involved in the show
Stage fright
Anxiety that can be felt by actors prior to or during the performance
Stage left (stage) A stage direction for the actor to move to the left, from actor’s perspective
Stage manager (stage)
The person responsible for running the whole show
Stage right (stage)
A stage direction for the actor to move to the right, from actor’s perspective
Stage whisper (stage)
Whisper during a show that isn’t supposed to be heard by the audience
Standby
The command for actors to be ready for their action cue
Stand-ins (screen)
Performers used in the place of principal actors while adjusting cameras and lights
Stepping on lines
A term used for when one actor cuts off another actor
Strike (stage)
To disassemble the stage set
Studio (screen)
A room or a building where the filming on the set takes place
Stunt coordinator
The person responsible for coordinating all stunts performed by actors
Stunt double
The person who performs stunts instead of the principal actor
Stunt
Physical actions that are considered dangerous
Submission
Suggestion of actors for roles
Subtext The true feeling behind the words that a character is saying
SW (screen)
Indicates an actor starting work on that particular day; appears on the call sheet
SWF (screen)
Indicates an actor starting and finishing their work on that particular day; appears on the call sheet
Swing (stage)
A performer who substitutes for a chorus member that is unable to perform; similar to understudy
T
Tabs
Curtains either side of the stage
Take (screen)
A shot that is being “taken”
Take 5
Five-minute break
Technical director (stage)
The person responsible for supervising construction of a stage set and all the technical aspects of a production
Technical rehearsal (stage)
The first time the play is rehearsed at the location it’s going to be seen by an audience. Referred to as “tech”
Teleprompter
A device that allows the reader to look right into the camera while reading the script
Three bells (screen)
An indication to be quite on the set during the filming of the scene
Thrust (stage)
Staging that projects out into the auditorium and has audience seated on three sides
Tight shot (screen) A shot that focuses on a single subject with very little space around
Tilt (screen)
Vertical movement of the camera
Timing
Best moment for an actor to do something or say something
Topping a line
When an actor responds with a line that is more powerful than the one delivered before
Tracking shot (screen)
A shot taken with a moving camera
Trap (stage)
An opening in the floor of the stage where something or someone can be hidden
Treatment (screen)
A detailed explanation of the story or plot
Troupe (stage)
Old-fashioned term for a theatre company formed by a group of actors
Turnaround (screen)
Shot from a different direction, or the time between finishing work and starting it the next day
Two-shot (screen)
A shot of two actors
U
Understudy
An actor who learns one or more roles to substitute in case principal actors cannot perform
Upgrade (screen)
Refers to individuals being promoted to a more significant part of the production
Unit production manager (UPM) (screen)
The person responsible for managing production costs Upstage (stage)
Area of the stage farthest away from the auditorium
V
VO (screen)
Abbreviation for “voice over”
Voice over (screen)
A term used to indicate an off-camera directions, narration, commentary etc
W
W (screen)
Implies that an actor is working on that particular day; used on call sheet
W/N (screen)
Implies that an actor will be working on that particular day, but no time has been decided yet; used on call sheet
Waivers
A union’s approval to deviate from the contract
Walkaway
Break for meals when the cast and crew can go on their own to eat
Wardrobe
An actor’s clothing for the performance or filming or the area in which costumes are kept and maintained
Wardrobe allowance (screen)
Payment made to actors who use their own wardrobe during the filming
Wardrobe fitting
An appointment when actors try on costumes
Weather permit call (screen)
During unplanned weather conditions, the production can dismiss actors four hours after the call time
Wings The sides of the stage, out of sight of the audience, where actors stand before making their entrance, and where props are kept
Wrangler (stage)
The person responsible for the younger cast members
Wrap (screen)
The end of the filming for the day or the whole production
Wrap party
Party that takes place after the production has been finished and wrapped