Terminology Pages 3-4

Question 1

Flying In

Answer 1

When something is requested to be brought to the set, it ‘flies in’.

Question 2

Forced Call

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Frame Line

Answer 3

The ‘line’ framing what is actually being photographed.

Question 4

Gaffer

Answer 4

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).

Question 5

Generator

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Giraffe

Answer 6

A mechanically extendable and manipulated boom microphone.

Question 7

Go Motion

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Go to 2

Answer 8

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’.

Question 9

GOBO

Answer 9

A shadow causing device used in lighting. Also a shade thrown on an actor’s face by another actor standing in his key light.

Question 10

Going Again

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Golden Time

Answer 11

When union crews work past overtime.

Question 12

Green Screen

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Greens Man

Answer 13

A member of the crew who procures, places and maintains any vegetation on a set.

Question 14

Grindhouse

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Grips

Answer 15

The men who help with set preparation and lighting procedures. They operate all grip equipment (dollys, cranes, booms).

Question 16

Hairdresser

Answer 16

Directly responsible to key makeup artist for styling the hair of the actors.

Question 17

Having Had

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Hazard Pay

Answer 18

An adjustment in salary when an actor is asked to do something that is potentially hazardous.

Question 19

Heads

Answer 19

Slang term for close ups

Question 20

High Hat

Answer 20

The low, on the ground, stationary camera mounting.

Question 21

Him and Her

Answer 21

Slang term for a two shot. Can refer to two males, or two females, still referred to as ‘him and her’.

Question 22

Hit the Blowers

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Honey Wagon

Answer 23

A trailer that houses multiple dressing rooms with bathrooms.

Question 24

Hot set

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

I.A.T.S.E

Answer 25

International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees. Crew Union including craftsman, stagehands, make-up artists, wardrobe, etc.

Question 26

Jokes

Answer 26

Slang term for lines, dialogue, ‘words’.

Question 27

Junior

Answer 27

A Medium sized light on the set.

Question 28

Keep ‘Em Rolling

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

Key Grip

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Key Light

Answer 30

The main light source lighting an actor.

Question 31

Last Looks

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

Left Frame

Answer 32

The left frame of the camera (Your right when facing the camera).

Question 33

Lines

Answer 33

Your dialogue in the script.

Question 34

Lip-Sync

Answer 34

When dubbing, the actor watches the film projected and says the lines synchronously with the lip movements of the actor he is ‘dubbing’.

Question 35

Location

Answer 35

When shooting somewhere other than on the sound stage, probably off the studio lot as well.

Question 36

Long shot

Answer 36

When you are positioned a distance from the camera.

Question 37

Looping

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

Lunchahalf

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

The Martini

Answer 39

The last shot of the day.

Question 40

Master

Answer 40

A shot of a scene including all actors involved.

Question 41

Matching

Answer 41

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).

Question 42

Meal Penalty

Answer 42

When meals don’t come after a certain number of working hours, a ‘meal penalty’ is assessed over and above your salary.

Question 43

Medium Shot

Answer 43

Shows most of your body. Perhaps even two people.

Question 44

Mixer

Answer 44

Sound crew member who controls recording of sound, watches for overlaps and makes you sound better than you do.

Question 45

M.O.S

Answer 45

‘Motor Only Sync/Shot’. Without sound. When a scene is shot without a recording soundtrack.

Question 46

No. 1 Position

Answer 46

Starting position for a shot.

Question 47

On a Bell

Answer 47

An expression meaning ‘Quiet!’ (One bell means quiet, two bells means you can talk).

Question 48

Overlapping

Answer 48

Talking over another actor’s lines. Don’t do it unless specifically directed to do so, or asking first.