Terminology Pages 3-4 Flashcards
Flying In
When something is requested to be brought to the set, it ‘flies in’.
Forced Call
When an actor is ‘called’ to report to the set the next day without being given his full 12 hour turnaround period. Adjustements in salary result.
Frame Line
The ‘line’ framing what is actually being photographed.
Gaffer
Chief Electrician. Responsible for all light settings. Usually identified with a light meter around his neck. (*Stunt coordinator is sometimes referred to as the gaffer).
Generator
AKA: Genny, Genny Operator. A mechanical engine which produces electricity from fuel (usually diesel). Frequently used for location shooting, either due to the unavailability or insufficient quantities of electricity locally available.
Giraffe
A mechanically extendable and manipulated boom microphone.
Go Motion
AKA: Go-Motion. A form on animation similar to stop motion, but which incorporates motion blur. Ordinary stop motion cannot produce motion blur as motion only occurs between frames. Robotic models that are moved during the exposure of each frame produce motion blur and this are more realistic. Pioneered by Industrial Light and Magic for Dragonslayer.
Go to 2
Most of the crew is wired into a walkie system. Channel 1 is the main line. Everyone generally stays tuned into that one (certain departments just stay tuned to their own channel to avoid the chatter on 1). When you need to speak to someone, you ask for them on 1. When they respond, the caller will often say ‘go to 2,’ meaning ‘let’s not busy up channel 1 with our conversation that no one else will want to hear, so go to 2 and we’ll talk semi-privately’.
GOBO
A shadow causing device used in lighting. Also a shade thrown on an actor’s face by another actor standing in his key light.
Going Again
When the Director wants another take right away, the AD will announce ‘going again’ to the crew to avoid any disruptions. After six takes or so, this phrase can begin to take on a certain bemused twang.
Golden Time
When union crews work past overtime.
Green Screen
A newer technique similar to blue screen, however utilizing a key green background. Research showed that substantially better results could be gained by filming on green instead of blue, as effects stock was more sensitive to separating green from other (foreground) colours.
Greens Man
A member of the crew who procures, places and maintains any vegetation on a set.
Grindhouse
A term used to describe movie theatres common in the U.S. from the 1950’s onward that specialised in showing, or ‘grinding out’ as many B movies as they could fit in to their schedule. The term is also used to describe the type of B movies - commonly violent, exploitative, or just plain racy - that were shown in such theatres.
Grips
The men who help with set preparation and lighting procedures. They operate all grip equipment (dollys, cranes, booms).
Hairdresser
Directly responsible to key makeup artist for styling the hair of the actors.
Having Had
Means report to the set ‘having had’ breakfast (or lunch or dinner depending on the time of your call). This term is used on call sheets.
Hazard Pay
An adjustment in salary when an actor is asked to do something that is potentially hazardous.
Heads
Slang term for close ups
High Hat
The low, on the ground, stationary camera mounting.
Him and Her
Slang term for a two shot. Can refer to two males, or two females, still referred to as ‘him and her’.
Hit the Blowers
Slang for start the cooling systems. This is yelled at the end of shots. Before starting to shoot again they will usually yell ‘kill the blowers’ as the sound is usually too loud for the sound man.
Honey Wagon
A trailer that houses multiple dressing rooms with bathrooms.
Hot set
A set that has been set up by the prop man for the next shot, or when a set is in use and the company has broken for lunch. Never touch anything on a hot set.
I.A.T.S.E
International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees. Crew Union including craftsman, stagehands, make-up artists, wardrobe, etc.
Jokes
Slang term for lines, dialogue, ‘words’.
Junior
A Medium sized light on the set.
Keep ‘Em Rolling
Term said by an actor in the middle of a take when he has messed up a line or some piece of action and wants to repeat it correctly without having the director cut and start all over again.
Key Grip
Directly responsible to the Director of Photography, and the Gaffer during lighting procedures. He is responsible for setting all reflectors and for supervising the Grip crew.
Key Light
The main light source lighting an actor.
Last Looks
The AD’s warning to hair, wardrobe and makeup that they’ve got dwindling seconds to beautify the actors before the cameras start to roll.
Left Frame
The left frame of the camera (Your right when facing the camera).
Lines
Your dialogue in the script.
Lip-Sync
When dubbing, the actor watches the film projected and says the lines synchronously with the lip movements of the actor he is ‘dubbing’.
Location
When shooting somewhere other than on the sound stage, probably off the studio lot as well.
Long shot
When you are positioned a distance from the camera.
Looping
Re-recording lines, as you listen to them played back. This is done when outside noise or mistakes ruined the original soundtrack. Can be done with or without seeing the footage.
Lunchahalf
When the crew goes to lunch, it’s usually for an hour, but sometimes the production shortens lunch (with costs to be paid to the crew). When the AD calls ‘lunchahalf’, it means you’re getting 30 minutes for lunch.
The Martini
The last shot of the day.
Master
A shot of a scene including all actors involved.
Matching
Or ‘matching action,’ means doing the same action in your close-up that you did in your master an at the same time (eg. taking a sip of coffee before your line).
Meal Penalty
When meals don’t come after a certain number of working hours, a ‘meal penalty’ is assessed over and above your salary.
Medium Shot
Shows most of your body. Perhaps even two people.
Mixer
Sound crew member who controls recording of sound, watches for overlaps and makes you sound better than you do.
M.O.S
‘Motor Only Sync/Shot’. Without sound. When a scene is shot without a recording soundtrack.
No. 1 Position
Starting position for a shot.
On a Bell
An expression meaning ‘Quiet!’ (One bell means quiet, two bells means you can talk).
Overlapping
Talking over another actor’s lines. Don’t do it unless specifically directed to do so, or asking first.
