Glossary
Comprehensive glossary of filmmaking terms, concepts, and techniques.
Showing 25 terms
A
3Above the Line
The section of a film budget covering writer, director, producer, and principal cast fees.
Apple Box
A standardized wooden box used on set to adjust height, support equipment, or serve as an impromptu seat.
Audition
A live performance assessment in which an actor reads or performs material to be evaluated for a specific role.
B
3Back Lot
The outdoor area of a studio facility containing permanent or semi-permanent exterior sets.
Below the Line
The operational production costs in a film budget: crew, equipment, locations, sets, and post-production, managed by the line producer.
Body Double
A performer who substitutes for a principal actor in shots where the actor's face is not visible or their presence is impractical.
C
5C-Stand
A counterweighted metal stand used to position flags, nets, diffusion, reflectors, and small lighting accessories.
Call Sheet
The daily production document listing every scene, cast member, crew call time, and logistical detail for a shooting day.
Cameo
A brief on-screen appearance by a well-known person, director, or public figure in a minor or uncredited role.
Cast
The collective group of actors who perform the roles in a film, from principals to background performers.
Clapperboard
The hinged board filmed at each take's start to identify the shot and sync audio.
G
2Gaffer Tape
A heavy-duty, cloth-backed adhesive tape used throughout film production for securing cables, rigging, labelling, and repairs.
Greenlight
Formal approval by a studio or financier that commits funding and authorizes a film to enter production.
P
2PA (Production Assistant)
An entry-level crew member who supports department operations, logistics, and set management.
Pre-Production
The planning and preparation phase of filmmaking that occurs after greenlight and before principal photography begins.
S
4Second Unit Photography
A supplementary crew that shoots footage independently of the main unit, covering action, scenics, and inserts.
Slate
The identifying board held in front of the camera at the start of each take, recording scene, shot, and take information.
Soundstage
A large, acoustically treated studio building designed for filming, providing a controlled environment for set construction and shooting.
Storyboard
A sequence of illustrated panels that visually plan a film's shots before production begins, showing framing, composition, and camera movement.
W
2Wardrobe
The department responsible for designing, sourcing, and maintaining all clothing worn on screen.
Wrap
The conclusion of a shooting day, a specific actor's scenes, or the entire production's principal photography.
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