Film Terminology List and Film Set Jargon
A person who is new to the industry could become overwhelmed by the volume of film set jargon that is used on an average workday.
I’ve listed some basic film terminology below just in case, even though you’ll quickly become familiar with all of these phrases used in film production.
Film Terminology List and Film Set Jargon
A collection of the most popular film set jargon, alphabetized
- Apple Box – Wooden boxes (Grip Department)
- Automatic Dialogue Replacement (A.D.R.) (aka Dubbing) – When filming is done, the process of rerecording dialogue at a studio
- Blocking – Blocking is the practise of rehearsing a scene and planning the performers’ moves when the camera is not rolling.
- Blonde – A 2K open face light’s colloquial term.
- Call Sheet – A call sheet is a list of the day’s scheduled tasks and the time that each person is required on set.
- Crafty – Craft catering, food service, and other amenities on a set
- Dailies – The Director and Producer frequently review the most recent footage available for viewing at the conclusion of each shooting day (also called Rushes)
- End Board – The board is also held upside down when a scene is boarded at the conclusion of a shot rather than the beginning.
- Green – If you are fresh to a job, you are considered green.
- Check the Gate – Check the Gate, the first AD will yell. The portion of the camera that is located between the lens and the film is known as the gate. To ensure that the film is free of hair or dust, you inspect the gate. Even when shooting digitally, this is done.
- Electrician – An electrician is a juicer. also known as a Spark.
- Legs – Also known as “Sticks,” the tripod’s legs
- Last Looks – Last Looks is the first AD’s term for the final opportunity to inspect the cast and the set before filming starts.
- Magic Hour – The magic hour comes just before sunset, when the light from the sun is at its brightest and the sky is golden.
- M.O.S. – M.O.S. stands for “Mute On Sound” during filming.
- Pick Ups – Scenes that the crew was unable to capture on the day of the scheduled filming. Typically, close-ups and cutaways.
- Red Head – 800-watt open face light is known as a “red head” informally.
- Sides – Script sheets for the scenes that will be filmed today, normally printed on A5 paper and arranged in shooting order.
- Talent – All actors are known as “talent,”
- Video Village – Video Village is where the set’s monitor is located.
Calling The Part
Action is typically not yelled on film sets by the director. The 1st AD declares “action,” doing so by yelling out the following series of commands:
- “Final Looks” (Last chance to check the actors, set, camera)
- “Quiet Please” (This one is rather easy to understand. Stop talking and silence cell phones & laptops, we’re about to roll.)
- “Turn Over” (Press Record)
- “Speed” (Camera replies that they are recording)
- “Speed” (Sound replies that they are recording)
- “Scene one, scene one” (2nd AC Claps the Board)
- “Action!” First AD yells, “Action!”
You might enjoy reading my first AD full guide – Click Here
Types Of Shots In Movies
Film terminology that is used to define different shot types. These letters may be placed on call sheets, shot lists, or scripts to identify the type of shot being used; the most common shot types are given below.
- EST – Establishing shot
- WS – Wide shot
- MS – Medium shot
- CU – Close up
- ECU – Extreme close up
- POV – Point of View
The most typical film jargon is this. Please let me know if you think of any other terms or slang that should be on this list.
You might enjoy reading my basic film shots for film beginners guide – Click Here.
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
