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Making Short Films >
Film Terms
Use this filmmakers' dictionary to find your way through the secret language of movie making. Above The Line Costs
The creative elements as detailed at the top of the budget sheet. Includes story rights and screenplay, producer and executive producer, director, principal cast and all associated costs. ADR: Automated Dialogue Replacement, looping
Re-recorded dialogue to replace unfit recordings. Normally done back at a studio with the actors lip-synching. AMPAS: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
American professional honorary organisation composed of more than 6,000 motion picture craftsmen and women. Ambient Sound
Background sound in addition to dialogue picked up by the mike Anamorphic lens
A projection lens used to produce Widescreen images at the cinema.
Ancillary Rights
Rights to the commercial potential of a project aside from direct exploitation of the film. Includes, computer games rights, television spin-off, prequel, sequel and remake, book publishing rights, merchandising rights, soundtrack album rights, and the music publishing rights to the score. Answer Print
The composition print that emerges from the laboratory after the combination of the graded picture with sound, soundtrack and optical effects. Aperture
camera opening controlling the amount of light that touches the film; its size can be varied to vary the amount of light Aspect ratio
The width-to-height ratio of a movie frame and screen. Standard aspect ratio is 1.33 to 1; CinemaScope uses 2.35 to 1. Audience positioning
The relationship between the audience and the media product. How the media tries to determine the response of an audience to its products Auteur
A film-maker, usually a writer/director, with a recognisable, strong personal style. Backlighting
Lighting placed behind a subject to create a silhouette. BAFTA: British Academy of Film and Television Arts
British professional honorary organisation. BBFC: British Board of Film Classification
The organisation that issues certificates to films and videos, stating whether they are suitable for children or young people to watch. Below The Line Costs
Section of budget that includes technical, insurance, production, general expenses, editing and post production costs Best boy
The chief assistant to the gaffer on a set. Bollywood
Nickname of the Indian film industry (a fusion of 'Bombay' and 'Hollywood'). Boom
A movable arm that holds a microphone over actors' heads during filming. Buzz track, Presence, Atmos
Recorded atmospheric sound. The sound of silence. Also used as a backdrop for ADR. Call Sheet
Schedule of each day's filming normally created by the Line Producer. CGI: Computer Generated Imagery.
Used for creating everything from full on Lord of the Rings battle scenes to cleaning up minor details such as an errant watch on Napoleon's wrist. Chain of Title
The route by which the producer's right to use copyright material may be traced from the author to the producer through a 'chain' of assignments and transfers. Chroma key
A device that allows an image to be filmed in front of a background that has been produced elsewhere.
Cineaste
A film or movie enthusiast. Cinerama
A Widescreen process using three projectors to produce an image on a curved screen. CinemaScope
The trademark used for an anamorphic wide-screen process. Cinéma vérité
A style of film-making that stresses unbiased realism and often contains unedited sequences. Clapperboard
A board on which details of each Take are written in chalk, and which is 'clapped' in order to synchronise sound and vision. Cliff-Hanger
Device used principally in early film serials and latterly on television whereby the action ends at the highest point of the drama ensuring the audience tunes in for the next episode. Collection Agent
A mutually agreed company appointed to collect the proceeds from a film and distribute to the financiers and other contractually agreed benefactors. Completion Guarantee
An agreement under which a guaranteeing company guarantees to financiers that the film will be completed and delivered by a given date. Contingency
An amount added to the budget of a film to cover unforeseen circumstances, usually 10% of the budgeted costs. Continuity
Ensuring that each shot in a film or TV programme has details that match. Co-production Treaty
An arrangement between two or more countries allowing film-makers to access tax incentives in each country. Coverage
The shots, including close-ups and reverse angles which a director takes in addition to the master shot. Crane Shot
A shot from above, using a device of the same name. Crash Zoom
Rapid zoom in on a subject; also zoom-in and zoom-out, to move closer and move further away. Cross Collateralisation
Used by distributors and sales agents to apply costs from one territory or exploitation right to all other income revenues from all other territories and exploitations. Cut
1. The instruction to stop the camera and the action in front of the camera.
2. The process of editing a film or shortening a scene. Cutaway
A brief shot that interrupts the continuity of the main action of a film, often used to depict related matter or indicate concurrent action. DAT: Digital Audio Tape
Tape used to store Digital recordings of a high quality. Day for Night
A shot filmed during the day, which appears on the screen as a night scene. (title of a 1973 movie by Fran�ois Truffaut). Deep focus
A cinematic technique whereby objects are kept in focus in both foreground and background.
Deferment
Payment from revenues derived from the exploitation of the film, after the deduction of distribution fees and expenses and, usually, after financiers have recovered all of the sums. Most short films are made with deferments. Degeneration or Drop Out
The lowering of quality as images and sound are transferred from tape to tape. Diagetic sound
Sound that belongs naturally with what can be seen in the picture. Diffusion
The reduction of the harshness or intensity of light achieved by using a screen, glass filter or smoke. Director of Photography (DOP)
The movie photographer responsible for camera technique and lighting during production. Also called cinematographer. Director's Cut
Director's version of a film, which usually includes scenes cut from the original. Dissolve
The gradual transformation of one scene to the next by overlapping a fade-out with a fade-in. Distributor
Company responsible for the distribution and placement of a film in cinemas and other agreed media. Dolby
A technique in sound recording that helps cut out background noise and distortion. Dolly shot
A moving shot that uses a wheeled camera platform known as a dolly. Domestic rights
The rights to distribute a film in North America or other originating country where specified. Down Time
The late hours and off-peak times at an editing suite where you may be able to cut your film on a budget. E&O: Errors and Omissions insurance
Insurance against claims arising out of infringements of copyright, defamation and unauthorised use of names, trade names, trademarks or characters. Establishing shot
The first shot of a scene showing a wide shot of the location in which the action takes place. Edit Controller
Machine linking a player, or video camera, to a recorder in order to assemble and edit shots; they come in various sizes with a range of extras. Editor
The person usually responsible for the final structure of a film. Equity
British equivalent of the US SAG (Screen Actors Guild) External Microphone
Mike that plugs into the camera. Fade-in
A gradual transition from complete black to full exposure. Fade-out
A gradual transition from full exposure to complete black. Field of Vision
The area your camera sees and will record. Film gauge
The size or width of film, e.g. 35 mm or 16 mm
Final cut
The last version of an edited film prior to release. Flickers
Early nickname for the movies stemming from the flickering effect they had. Foreign rights
Opposite of domestic rights, the rights to distribute a film outside America. Four Walling
The renting of a cinema by a producer for a period allowing for the retention of all box office returns. Frame Accurate Editing
Editing system that allows editors to stop and start cuts exactly where they want. Frame/FPS frames per second
An individual unit of movie film. The American standard film speed is 24 frames per second; there are 16 frames per foot of 35mm film. Freeze-frame
A still picture during a movie, made by running a series of identical frames. Gaffer
The main electrician and supervisor of lighting on set. Gaffer Tape
A strong and versatile multi-purpose cloth tape used for everything from marking floor positions to fixing equipment. Gag
A furry object for reducing the amount of wind sound as mike picks up. Gap Financing
Lending arrangement whereby a bank will lend the difference between production finance raised and the minimum expected from sales by a reputable sales agent. Gate
The part of a camera or projector in front of the lens, through which the film passes. Gel
Coloured transparent sheets that are placed in front of lights to change the colour and ambience, or over windows to maintain a white balance in the picture. General release
The exhibition of a film that is shown in cinemas across a country. Grip
Crew member who adjusts scenery, flags lights and often operates the camera cranes and dollies. Gross participation
An arrangement whereby a participant in a film, usually a major artist, takes a share in the gross, rather than net receipts. Hook
It is the special 'selling' point that gets the buyers interested in your script and keeps the audience in their seats when the film is made. Every tale must have one. Holdback
A period during which a particular form of exploitation is not allowed. An example would be a six-month holdback on video rentals to allow sufficient time for a theatrical release. In-camera editing
A technique used when shooting on video. Requires shooting in sequence and re-recording over unwanted scenes. Jump cut
A cut made in the middle of a continuous shot rather than between shots, creating discontinuity in time and drawing attention to the film itself instead of its content. Key grip
The head grip who supervises the grip crew and receives orders from the gaffer. Key light
The primary light in a scene. Klieg light
A powerful carbon-arc lamp producing an intense light that is commonly used in film-making. Laveliers
Small omnidirectional microphones usually attached to an actor's chest. Loan out agreement
An agreement where the services of an individual are made available through a production company, usually owned or controlled by that individual. Low-angle shot
Shot with the camera placed low (which makes people look bigger and stronger) as opposed to high-angle shot (which makes you look small and insignificant. An aerial-shot is a bird's eye view of the scene. M & E track
A mixed music and effects track, which is free from dialogue. Used for foreign language versions. Master shot
A continuous take that covers the entire set or all of the action in a scene. Matching
It's all about the money. This is a funding process where funds are granted to equal those that are already in the pot. Matte shot
A partially opaque shot in the frame area. The shot can be printed with another frame, hiding unwanted content and permitting the addition of another scene on a reverse matte. Minimum guarantee
The minimum sum a distributor guarantees will be payable to a producer as a result of the distributor's distribution of the film. Mise-en-scène
From French meaning 'Arranging the scène.' The physical setting of the action and environment. It defines the mood, colour, style and feeling of the world. It includes the style of art, camera movement, and lighting; architecture, terrain, atmosphere and colour palettes. Mix
To put together sound or images programmes, or the sounds on a record. Montage
The putting together of visual images to form a sequence. Negative
An image that has been shot on to film from which a Print or Positive is taken. Negative pick-up
A distribution agreement where the advance is payable only on delivery of the finished film to the distributor. Net profits
The revenues from the exploitation of the film after distribution fees and expenses, deferments, repayment of any loans and investments raised to finance production. Non-Diagetic sound
Sound that does not come from anything that can be seen in the picture � i.e. the musical score or a voiceover (VO). Non-linear Editing
Editing style where shots can be edited in a way that does not conform to, or affect, the scheduled story order. NTSC: National Television Standards Committee
A broadcast and video format using a fixed vertical resolution of 525 horizontal lines. NTSC countries are: USA, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Burma, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts, Saipan, Samoa, Surinam, Taiwan, Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela, Virgin Islands. Optical
A visual device such as a fade, dissolve or wipe, also includes superimposing and other special effects. Option agreement
The right to exploit, during a specific period of time, for a specific sum, a book, screenplay, short story or contributors services for the making of a film. Out-take
A shot or scene that is shot but not used in the final print of the film. Overages
Distribution revenues payable to the producer after the advance or minimum guarantee has been recouped. Overexposure
When too much light gets through the aperture during filming, often caused by the sun's sudden appearance through clouds. The makes faces and shiny surfaces glossy. It is more commonly called flare or bleach. You may wish to overexpose film for dream sequences and flashbacks.
See underexposure below. P & A commitments/spend
A contractual obligation imposed on a distributor to spend specified minimum sums on prints and advertising to support the initial theatrical release of a film. PACT
Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, the UK trade association for film and television producers.
PAL: Phase Alternating Line
Broadcast and video standard which is used mainly in Western Europe, Australia and some areas of Africa and the Middle East and provides a clearer image than NTSC. This standard is based on 625 horizontal scan lines and 50 frames per second. Pan
A horizontal movement of the camera from a fixed point. Paper Edit
Written guide to the planned chronology of the film footage, soundtrack and other effects; also called the edit script. Pay or play
A commitment to pay a director or performer made before production commences, regardless of whether the production actually goes ahead. Pitch
Verbal summary of a film delivered to busy executives; the elevator pitch gives the film-maker two minutes to tell his story and get backing. Points
Shares of the net profits of a film, measured in percentage points. POV: Point of View
A shot that depicts the outlook or position of a character. Post-production
The final stage in the production of a film or a television program, typically involving editing and the addition of soundtracks. Also called post. Pre-production
The planning stage of a film or television program involving budgeting, scheduling, casting, design and location selection. Pre-screen
To see a movie before it is released for the public. Press Kit
Essential marketing document containing film-makers' contact details, film synopsis, behind the scenes production details, key profiles & photos, credits of key players, press clippings. Other handy tools: flyers, posters, stickers and business cards. Producer
The person responsible for initiating, organising and financing a venture. Product placement
A form of sponsorship in which advertisers pay the producers of films to have characters use their products. Reaction Shot
Just what it says. It's usually a cutaway shot to show someone's reaction, the bigger the close-up the greater the reaction. Recce
Short for reconnaissance, this is an essential part of pre-production where the director and key personnel go and look at locations prior to filming. Recoupment order
The order in which investors and financiers are repaid their loans and investments. Redhead
Standard type of lighting equipment. Reverse Shot
Filming from opposite angles. In this way, a moving object can appear to change directions. Rush
The print of the camera footage from one day's shooting. Also called the daily. SAG: Screen Actors Guild
American equivalent of British Actors Equity. Sales agent
An agent appointed by the producer to act as agent for the sale of a film. Set
This is the place where it all happens, where the actors act, the technicians set up their gear, the DOP rolls that camera and the director yells (through a megaphone if need be) ACTION. This is an interior space decorated by the set designer, as opposed to an exterior location. SCART
A 21-pin plug connector for audio and video between VCRs, camcorders and televisions. Screenplay
The script for a film. Scene
A succession of shots that conveys a unified element of a movie's story. Sequence
A succession of scenes that comprises a dramatic unit of the film. SFX
Special effects or devices used to create particular visual illusions. Shooting script
The final version of a script with the scenes arranged in the sequence in which the film is to be shot. Shot
The basic building block of film narrative - the single unedited piece of film. Short Subject
Before they were called short films, the term was short subject and studios in the US sold their short subject as part of a block booking package that included the feature, a cartoon, news clips, a comedy and occasionally a travelogue. Slate
The digital board that is held in front of the camera and identifies shot number, director, cameraperson, studio and title. The data was originally written with chalk on a piece of slate. This footage is used in the laboratory and editing room to identify the shot. Soft focus
The device of shooting the subject a little out of focus to create a specific effect, usually to do with nostalgia, an attractive female star or dreams. Sound stage
A soundproof room or studio used in movie production. Source material
The original work on which the screenplay for a film is based. SteadiCam
A hydraulically balanced apparatus that harnesses a camera to an operator's body providing smooth tracking shots without using a track. Stop date
The last date on which a performer or director can be obliged to work. Allows an agent to schedule projects for a client. Storyboard
The sketches depicting plot, action and characters in the sequential scenes of a film, television show or advertisement. Strobing
A system of digital editing employed to make video look like more like film. Sub-genre
A genre within a genre. Sync
When sound and images are linked properly together in time. Take
The filming of a shot in a particular camera set-up. The director usually films several takes before approving the shot. Take-over
Completion guarantors and some financiers require the right to take over the production of a film if the producer becomes insolvent, commits a material breach of its obligations to the completion guarantor or the financier encounters serious production problems. Television rights
The collective expression for different forms of television, i.e. free and pay television, terrestrial, cable and satellite television. Third Party Material
Such things as music, film clips or text used but not owned by the filmmaker. Tilt
A vertical camera movement from a fixed position. Time Code
The numerical sequence shown in a camera view finder, or tape player to help locate shots. Time lapse
A technique of filming single frames of action at delayed intervals and replaying them at normal speed, to speed up dramatically an action or event. Tracking shot
A shot that moves in one plane by moving the camera dolly along fixed tracks. Trailer
A short filmed preview or advertisement for a movie. Treatment
A detailed synopsis of a movie's story, with action and character rendered in prose form. An essential weapon. Turnaround
Occurs when an agreed period in which to put a project into production expires. The producer is entitled to buy the project back from the financier, usually for all or a proportion of the sums advanced by the financier. Two Shot
Just as it sounds: a shot with two people dominating the frame. Underexposure
The opposite of overexposure, underexposure occurs when the sun suddenly vanishes into clouds or not having the aperture open enough. Underexposure is useful to create the effect of night and twilight. Video assist
Video assist (or video tap) takes some of the image and sends it to a video monitor that allows the crew/director to check footage immediately. Voiceover
The voice of an unseen narrator or of an onscreen character not seen speaking in a movie. Whip Pan
Favourite of the MTV directors, like a pan only quicker, in fact so quick the shot comes out streaked or blurred. Wildtrack
A recording of background or atmospheric noise that can be used at the editing stage. See also Buzztrack Zoom in/Zoom out
Zooming in makes the object in the frame steadily larger or smaller, depending on the direction of the zoom. send in anything we've missed: dave@making-short-films.com
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