Action! - Command given by the director to begin filming.
Example: "Action! Let's start the scene from the top."
Cut! - Command given by the director to stop filming.
Example: "Cut! That was great, but let's try it with more energy this time."
Blocking - Planning and choreographing the movement of actors and camera during a scene.
Example: "Let's work on the blocking for this scene before we start shooting."
Close-up (CU) - A shot taken from a close distance, typically focusing on the face or a specific detail.
Example: "We need a close-up of the actor's reaction to capture the emotion."
Pan - Horizontal movement of the camera from one side to another.
Example: "The director wants to pan across the landscape to establish the setting."
Tilt - Vertical movement of the camera up or down.
Example: "Let's tilt up slowly to reveal the character standing on the rooftop."
Tracking Shot - A shot where the camera moves alongside or follows the action.
Example: "We'll use a tracking shot to follow the character as he runs through the forest."
Take - A single recorded version of a shot.
Example: "That was a good take, but let's do another one just to be safe."
Boom mic - A microphone mounted on a pole used to capture sound on set.
Example: "Make sure the boom mic is positioned correctly to capture the dialogue."
Cutaway - A shot that interrupts the main action to show something else relevant to the scene.
Example: "We'll insert a cutaway of the clock ticking to build tension in the scene."
Montage - A sequence of short shots edited together to condense time or convey information.
Example: "We'll use a montage to show the character's journey through training."
CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) - Visual effects created using computer software.
Example: "The alien spaceship will be created using CGI in post-production."
Dailies - Raw, unedited footage shot during the day, typically reviewed by the director and editors.
Example: "Let's review the dailies to see how the scenes are coming together."
Gaffer - The head of the electrical department responsible for lighting on set.
Example: "We need to bring in the gaffer to set up the lighting for the night scene."
Key Grip - The head of the grip department responsible for camera support and movement.
Example: "The key grip will rig up the camera for the tracking shot."
Practical Effects - Physical effects created on set rather than through digital means.
Example: "We'll use practical effects like pyrotechnics for the explosion scene."
Storyboard - A sequence of drawings or images representing the planned shots for a film.
Example: "The director created a detailed storyboard to visualize each scene."
Wide Shot (WS) - A shot taken from a distance to show the entire scene or setting.
Example: "We'll start with a wide shot of the city skyline to establish the location."
Zoom - Adjusting the focal length of the camera lens to make the subject appear closer or farther away.
Example: "Let's zoom in slowly to emphasize the character's reaction."
Foley - Sound effects added in post-production to enhance or replace sounds recorded on set.
Example: "The foley artist will create footsteps to match the actor's movements."
Diegetic Sound - Sound that originates from within the world of the film (e.g., dialogue, ambient noise).
Example: "The sound of a car horn is diegetic because it's coming from within the scene."
Non-Diegetic Sound - Sound that does not originate from within the world of the film (e.g., musical score, narrator's voice).
Example: "The dramatic music playing in the background is non-diegetic."
Mise-en-scène - The arrangement of everything that appears in the frame of a film.
Example: "The director pays close attention to mise-en-scène to create visually striking scenes."
Rack Focus - Shifting the focus from one subject to another within the same shot.
Example: "We'll use a rack focus to transition the audience's attention from the foreground to the background."
Match Cut - A cut between two shots that have similar visual elements to create continuity.
Example: "We'll use a match cut to transition from the character opening a door to walking through a hallway."
Jump Cut - A cut between two shots of the same subject but from slightly different angles, creating a jarring effect.
Example: "The director used jump cuts to convey the passage of time in a dynamic way."
Auteur - A director who has a distinctive style and creative control over their films.
Example: "Quentin Tarantino is often referred to as an auteur because of his unique filmmaking style."
Cameo - A brief appearance by a well-known person in a film.
Example: "Stan Lee made a cameo appearance in many Marvel movies."
Steadicam - A camera stabilization device that allows for smooth handheld shots.
Example: "The operator used a steadicam to capture the intense chase scene."
Cross-cutting (Parallel Editing) - Editing technique that alternates between two or more related scenes happening simultaneously.
Example: "The film uses cross-cutting to build tension between the protagonist and antagonist."
list of movie slang with examples:
Martini Shot - The final shot of the day, indicating that the filming for the day is complete.
Example: "That's a wrap for today, everyone! We've got the martini shot."
Apple Box - Wooden or plastic box used to adjust the height of actors or props.
Example: "Grab an apple box, we need to raise the actor's height for this scene."
C-47 - Clothespin used by grips and gaffers to secure gels, diffusion, or other materials to lights or stands.
Example: "Can you pass me a C-47? I need to attach this gel to the light."
Sticks - Slang for a tripod used to support the camera.
Example: "Set up the camera on the sticks for the next shot."
Mosquito Netting - Thin diffusion material used to soften and diffuse light.
Example: "We need to add some mosquito netting to the key light to soften the shadows."
Wild Sound - Additional audio recorded separately from the main dialogue and synced in post-production.
Example: "Let's record some wild sound of the city traffic for this scene."
Greeking - Blurring or obscuring logos, brand names, or recognizable trademarks on props or set dressing.
Example: "Make sure to greek all the brand names on the products in the background."
Bogey - Unexpected object or obstruction in the frame that needs to be removed.
Example: "There's a bogey in the shot, let's clear it before rolling."
Elephant in the Room - An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but nobody wants to address.
Example: "The budget cuts are the elephant in the room we need to discuss."
Hot Set - A set that is ready for filming and should not be touched or altered.
Example: "The living room is a hot set, so be careful not to move anything."
Magic Hour - The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset with soft, warm lighting ideal for filming.
Example: "We'll shoot the outdoor scene during magic hour for the best lighting."
Abbey Singer - The second-to-last shot of the day, named after the assistant director who popularized the practice.
Example: "After this scene, we'll move on to the abbey singer."
Pancake Makeup - Heavy makeup used to create a flawless appearance on actors, often used for close-up shots.
Example: "The actress is wearing pancake makeup for the close-up scenes."
Sides - Small, portable versions of the script containing only the scenes being filmed that day.
Example: "Make sure everyone has their sides for today's shoot."
Video Village - Area on set where monitors are set up for the director, producers, and other crew members to watch the live feed from the camera.
Example: "The director is at video village, reviewing the last take."
Flop - To reverse the orientation of a shot, typically involving flipping the image horizontally.
Example: "In post-production, we'll need to flop the shot to match the continuity."
Eyeline - The direction in which an actor is looking, often important for maintaining continuity between shots.
Example: "Make sure the actor's eyeline matches in the wide and close-up shots."
Moscow Rule - The unwritten rule that states once a scene is filmed, the actors and crew should never discuss it to avoid influencing future performances.
Example: "Remember the Moscow rule, let's focus on the next scene without dwelling on the last one."
Snake - A long, flexible extension cord used to power lights or equipment on set.
Example: "We need to run a snake to power the lights for the outdoor scene."
Martian Dust - Fine particles or dust used to enhance the atmosphere and mood of a scene
Example: "Spread some Martian dust on the ground to create a desolate landscape."