Here is the Film Production Glossary for the Production Blog. We are in the process of creating a glossary of the Film Production terms. We hope that our Film Production Glossary and resources are helpful to all of you.
Film Production Glossary
Attached to each term or concept there will be a webpage explaining the term or concept. Included on that webpage we will provide articles and resources that pertain to that particular film production topic.
Film Production Terms – A
Above the Line refers to all of the creative talent in the production including writers, directors, producers and actors. They are called above the line because these are the items that are listed above the bold line in a film production budget.
The Abby Singer Shot is the second to last shot of the day. The reason that the second to last shot is called an Abby Singer Shot is that Abby Singer was a famous producer who was notorious for telling his crew and his actors that it was the last shot of the day when in fact, he would often make them do one more shot after that, hence the Abby Singer Shot.
The
Action: Calling out the word action signifies the start of the current take.
An Actor is the name for any male talent that appears in your film.
An Actress is the name for any female talent that appears in your film.
Affiliate Programs: Here is a list of the affiliate programs that I use to make a living here on the Production Blog. This is a very standard list. If you are familiar with affiliate programs, then there is no need to read this list. But if you are looking for some affiliate options, then please check out list of affiliate programs to help earn your blog some revenue.
Alan Smithee: An old pseudonym for directors who wish to have their names removed from the credits of a film. It is usually invoked when movies have been dramatically altered since the original cut.
A Film Agent is a person who is responsible for the business dealings of an actor, director or other talent. An agent typically negotiates the contracts on behalf of the talent, and often a part in choosing roles for their clients. For a list of film and other talent agencies, please click here.
Film Production Terms – B
Back lot: A back lot is a large open area that movie studios use to shoot large, open air scenes. It’s mostly used for large elaborate sets that would not fit in a movie theater.
Behind the Scenes: All of the off-camera goings on in a movie production. For a list of all the behind the scenes videos featured on the Production Blog, you can click here.
Below the Line is a film production term that refers to everything that is below the bold line in the film budget. Below the line costs are usually fixed whereas above the line costs are usually negotiable due to the fact that you have no idea how much your talent will cost although you might have a total fixed amount available for all of your talent.
Bit Part: A bit part is just a very part in a movie characterized by being only in once scene or only being on camera for a very short period of time.
Blocking is the process of deciding where actors will stand and move on the set so that lighting and cameras can be placed. I recommend marking the positions of your actors with masking or gaffers tape so that they know where to stand.
Bomb: A Movie that Sucks and makes no money at the box office. IE "That movie bombed at the box office. It was a total bomb."
Film Production Books: Here are some excellent Film Production Books that have served as a good resource for me over the past few years as I strive to educate myself on film production and how to be a film producer.
Bounce Board: A large piece of white poster board or foam board that is used to reflect soft light onto the actors or subject.
BAFTA: The
BSC: British Society of Cinematographers
Film Production Terms – C
Call Sheet: A Call Sheet is a piece of paper listing which actors will be needed for a given scene.
Cameo: A cameo is a small appearance by a well-known actor/actress in a film.
Campy: An adjective used to describe comedy full of bad clichés. It does not necessarily infer that it was a bad film just that it was clichéd.
CSC: Canadian Society of Cinematographers
Cast: Collectively, all the paid or volunteer talent appearing in your film.
CSA: No, not the Confederate States of
Choreographer: A person who plans and directs dance sequences within a movie. See also a fight choreographer or a person who choreographs fight sequences in an action movie.
Continuity refers to the uninterrupted flow of shots and can be achieved through screen direction. This is a very good basic overview of how to edit film in a way that won’t confuse your audience. If you would like to view an excellent video tutorial on Continuity and Screen Direction please click here.
Computer Genterated Imagery: Computer Generated Imagery or CGI is a special effect term for film that has been digitally rendered using special software like Final Cut Pro or Avid for example. For resources on effects that you make easily check out our simple special effects term located in the S section of this glossary/resource guide.
Film Production Terms – D
Documentary Film Production is a subsection of film production that obviously concentrates on filming documentaries. We have provided a list of online resources that will help you in your Documentary Film. You can access that list by clicking here.
Dollying: This is a tutorial showing you the basics of dollying. A dolly is a low moveable platform that rolls on casters. Filmmakers often mount a camera to a dolly in order to achieve smooth steady movement with the camera. And don’t worry there are many fairly inexpensive ways to acquire a dolly. If you would like to learn more about dollying, please click here.
Film Production Terms – E
Entrances and Exits: When you are editing it is very important that you have your characters enter the frame and then exit the frame before entering another frame. Here is a great video tutorial explaining this concept.
Film Equipment Repair: Here are some websites that can help you with film equipment repair. It really sucks when film production equipment breaks and even I am not immune to it. I try to make most of my own Film Production Equipment through DIY Projects but some equipment, I have to buy.
Exposure: Exposure is the amount of light allowed through the lens of the camera and it can drastically alter the appearance of your footage or photograph. This video gives you a bunch of good tips on how to control exposure. You can see the video by clicking here.
Film Production Terms – F
Film Editing: Film Editing is the process of choosing which scenes will appear in a movie and in which order. Editing is achieved either by manually splicing film together or using digital film editing software. For more information on Film Editing along with tips and resources, please click here.
Film Production Equipment: Film Production Equipment includes everything you need to shoot a film including computers, duct tape, dollys, and video cameras. For a list of film production equipment and information on how to build and adapt your own equipment please click here.
Film Festivals: A Film Festival is a cinematic festival that featuring short length or feature films. Film Festivals can be a lot of fun and they can also be a great place to network with other up and coming film makers and also to generate a lot of buzz for your independent film. If you would like to see a list of film festivals and possibly find a film festival near you, please click on the hyperlink at the beginning of the paragraph. Or you can also click here.
Film Internships: This is a list of the best website listings that I know of to get an internship in film production. Whether you are getting out of film school or are trying to break into the film industry, a film internship is a great way to start your career in the film production industry. I wish that I had gone that route when I was your ages believe you me. You can view these listings for film internships by clicking here.
Free Film Classes: Here is a list of professional film production tutorials that you can take online. One is from the BBC itself and none of the classes on this list will cost you a dime.
Film Schools: Here is a list of all the major film schools in the entire world. Film Schools are the traditional method for breaking into to film but many people have broken into film without attending a film school. So if you are unable to attend film school, don’t lose hope because there are many different paths to achieving your goal. Here is another list of film schools from the IMDB. You can also see a list of the film schools that I would love to attend by clicking here.
Free Video Editing Software: This is a list of free video editing software that you can download online. Some of these tools will allow you to use some professional techniques that would be unavailable to you otherwise. Windows Moviemaker can be a useful tool but that doesn’t mean that you should settle for second best. If you would like to check out some of the free software I have found, please click here.
Film Production Terms - J
Film Production Jobs: Here are some great resources if you want to find a career in film production. There are only about 5 of them but that is because they are the ones I that I have used to get grunt jobs in film production back when I lived in LA. If you would like to have a look at this resource, please click here.
Film Production Terms - L
Basic Lighting Overview: Here is a video that gives you a basic lighting overview. Its a bit silly but I like Indy Mogul, they make me laugh. The video also shows you where you can find lighting for your independent film production for around 25 dollars which isn’t bad.
Film Production Terms – M
Makeup and Creature Creation: Here is our Film Production Makeup and Creature creation resource. Here will provide articles and videos instructing you on the fine art of makeup and creature creation. We will provide resources on everything from basic film makeup to zombie creation.
A Movie Screening is the display or presentation of a movie as part of its production and release cycle, before it is widely released to movie theaters. If you would live in LA and would like to find a movie screening you can click here for a list of places to find a movie screening.
Film Production Terms – O
Online Video Production: Here are some great viral video tips that should help you with your online video production. Studies have shown that a viral video outbreak can drive thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people to your website. I have also provided some great viral video articles beneath this post along with some viral video resources.
Film Production Terms – P
Panning is the action of moving the camera about its vertical axis. Basically you are just moving the camera parallel to your ground without moving up or down. You can use a pan to show the area around your subject or even to follow the subject as it moves through the location. To see a video explaining the Pan, please click here.
A Prequel is a second or third film in a series whose events take place before the 1st movie in the series. Please click here to see the best prequel ever made. You can also click here for the worst prequel ever made. Oddly enough, they were made by the same man.
Movie Props: Here is a list of great Movie Props. We not only have a bunch of movie props for purchase. We also show you how make your own cheap and realistic looking props along with articles about where you can find low cost prop and costume items. You can find the List by clicking here.
Film Production Terms - R
Rotoscoping: Rotoscoping is a form of animation in which animation artist’s trace or paint over live action film stills either digitally via Film Editing Software or manually through a rotoscope.
The Rule of Thirds is a cinematography concept used in film production that divides the frame into nine imaginary sections. This process creates reference points that are used to frame the image. Points of interest should be place 1/3 or 2/3 of the way up or across in the frame basically you want to avoid your natural instinct to center things. If you would like to see a quick video explaining the Rule of Thirds please click here.
Reel 13: Reel 13 is an Independent Film Showcase presented by NY’s WNET or Station Thirteen located in
Film Production Terms - S
There are Seven Deadly Sins to Camera Work and this video from Videomaker shows you how to correct them before they send your film project straight to Hell. It doesn’t matter how good your script is if your camerawork is shaky. You what they say: “The road to Hell was paved with good intentions.” -- Story of my Life.
Short Film Database: Here is a database of all the excellent short films that have been featured here on the Production Blog. If you have a small film that you would like to see considered for the Short Film Database, you can click here to email me. Please write: Submission Short Film Database in the subject line of your email.
Simple Special Effects: Here is a list of special effects that any filmmaker can utilize effectively to enhance their film production. Many of them are so simple that a child can do them and some of them are secrets that even the professional filmmakers use.
Free Filmmaking Software for the Mac: Here is a list of some free filmmaking software that you can download for the Mac Operating system. There are several amazing programs available for download. This is a more serious resource.
Stock Footage: Stock footage is another word for archival footage from other film productions and that is reused in other productions. It is a great way to fill gaps for your film and attain footage that you would be unable to attain otherwise. You can find a list of stock footage sources by clicking here.
Film Production Terms – T
Time Lapse is a form of cinematography in which each frame is captured at a slower rate than will be played back. It can also be achieved by speeding up the film with film editing software. It is called time lapse because when the film is played the video appears to be moving much faster and thus lapsing. Time Lapse is actually a very simple effect to achieve. If you would like a basic tutorial on Time Lapse, I recommend our Time Lapse 101 Tutorial.
Film Transitions are a technique in film that is used to transition from one shot or scene to the next. The three most common film transitions are the fade, the cut, and the dissolve. For a very simple video illustrating the different film transitions, please click here.
Film Production Terms – U
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed lead agency for film in the
Film Production Terms – V
Video Converter: A video converters allow you to change the format of your videos for example from AVI to MPEG etc which can be very useful depending on what editing software you use or if you need to change the raw video file into a more soluble form. For a list of free video converters, please click here.
Free Video Hosting: A video hosting site is a site that will allow you to upload your video and store it on their server so that you and your users/fans can embed the video into a website or blog. Here is a list of 8 great website that will host your video for online consumption. You can access the link by clicking here.
Film Production Terms – W
Wardrobe: This is a list of wardrobe and costume design resources that can help you with that aspect of your film production. Thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets are also good sources of wardrobe material.
Numerical Film Production Terms
The 180 Degree Rule: The 180 degree rule is a rule of film editing which states that all characters will maintain the same left to right relationship with each other through shooting. See also the Reverse Angle.
I realize that the list is rather small at the moment and I apologize as it will be expanding over time. If there is anything you would like to see on the list please leave a comment and we will add it to the glossary.
1 comments:
Ha ha nice glossary I'm definitaly going to use it in the future.
Post a Comment