Common Terms for Film Directors
Stinger - Extension cord.
Tap/Double
Tap/Triple Tap - A multi-headed outlet,
usually attached to a stinger.
Brick - Battery.
Bullet/C-47 - A clothespin.
1,
2, 3 clamps - Clamps in increasing
size.
Applebox - A sturdy wooden box. Used as a chair or for someone to
stand on, be it a camera op or an actor who’s too short.
Half-Apple - The same designed box, but half as wide.
Quarter-Apple - A wooden box that’s half as wide as a half-apple.
Hazer - Fog machine.
Sides - Small copies of the script that can fit into your side
pocket.
Barn
doors - Adjustable folding
panels for directing light.
Pan - Turning the camera horizontally.
Tilt - Turning the camera vertically.
Dolly - Moving the camera from the left to the right, or
vice-versa.
Truck - Moving the camera toward or away from the subject in a
straight line.
Courtesy - Something to block the sun. Can be a flag, a clipboard,
or even just someone’s hand.
Negative/flag - A large black panel usually mounted on a C-stand. Used
for blocking the sun and directing light.
Bounce - A reflector.
Sticks - Tripod.
Flying
In - A steadicam operator is
moving through towards the shooting location.
Flying
Out - A steadicam operator is
moving away from the shooting location.
Slate/Mark - Using a clapperboard to label a take and sync the video
and audio.
Points! - A tripod or stand of some kind is moving and people need to
watch out.
Hollywood
____ - To have someone hold a
flag, bounce, light, or anything else to contrive a quick setup that’ll work
for the take.
Rack/Pull/Get
Sharps - To adjust focus on the
shot to make sure it’s sharp.
Bogey - Any passerby without a release getting onto a set or
into a shot.
Crafty - Food for the cast and crew.
Release - A form that consents someone to being filmed on camera.
Scriptie - The script supervisor. In charge of continuity in
action, dialogue, props, and costumes during a shoot.
DIT - Digital Imaging Technician. The guy who organizes all
the files onto drives and backups and makes sure that everything is in order.
ERS - Editing Room Syndrome. When an editor has been
overworked and is overlooking mistakes a regular person would notice.
GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. When a new filmmaker falls
into a mentality that they need to buy every piece of equipment they can find.
Quasar - Long tube lights. Very popular in music videos.
Firewatch - A person designated to watch the gear while everyone
else is preoccupied doing something else.
Once-over/Idiot
Check - A final check of a
location for any gear that wasn’t squared away.
Surveilance - An earpiece to a walkie-talkie.
Aby
shot - The penultimate shot in
a shoot’s day.
Martini
shot - The last shot in a
shoot’s day.
Kennedy -
An extra, unscheduled shot in a shoot’s day. Why is it called Kennedy? “Because
you don’t see it coming”
20 On Set Film Terms You Need to Know
A film set is a wacky place full of
nicknames, strange film terms, and abbreviations. There have been so many days
when someone has asked me to do something and I’ve enthusiastically responded
“Copy that”, before realizing I don’t fully know what they even asked. Before
long you’ll be using these film terms like a pro and rolling your eyes when the
young film-school graduate doesn’t know what a hot brick is.
But for now…here’s 20 film terms to
help show off your film savvy next time you’re on set:
1.
MOW (Make Own Way) – An
actor or crew member will transport themselves to set for their call time as
opposed to being picked up and driven by the transport department. Don’t muck
this one up or you’ll be waiting for the public bus and late to work.
2.
Crew Call – The time of day
shooting is scheduled to begin for the day. Your call time may vary.
3.
Unit Base – This is where
the makeup, costume, and cast trailers are located, as well as crew parking and
catering. It’s the largest base and first point of call when arriving for work.
(In Los Angeles they call is BASECAMP)
4.
Recce – Visiting a
location before shooting commences there to plan and work through any issues
that may arise from the location. Multiple location recces will take place in
pre-production with HODs present to ensure no time is wasted during the
shoot. Or, often I’ll do important ‘recces’ to the crafties van just to make
sure they still have plenty of donuts available.
5.
Craft Services (Crafties) –
An oasis in the desert of boring equipment trucks. The crafties food truck
supplies snacks and food to the crew.
6.
Runner – Runners are the
most junior positions on a film. Managed by the office, runners transport stuff
between the production office and set, and also pick up anything else needed
for the crew. They are not here to pick up your dry cleaning (unless you are
the Producer) but they can be great in organizing any pickups and deliveries
your department may have. Get friendly with the runners and they’ll be able to
help you out in so many ways.
7.
Pre-Call – When a
department or individual has a call time earlier than the crew call. Be sure to
check your actual call time rather than the crew call, as it may be different.
It’s always embarrassing receiving a call from your boss while you are still in
bed.
8.
New Deal – Moving on to a
new camera setup for that scene. The Director and all involved are happy with
the takes and “new deal” will be called out by the ADs.
9.
Flag On the Play – After
calling “new deal or moving on” but then someone realizes there was an issue
and the take needs to be redone. Crew may call “flag on the play” so people
pause and discuss the issue before moving equipment.
10.
Per Diem – A daily
allowance for costs incurred while filming on location. Usually for food and
laundry. They used to come in wonderful cash-filled envelopes but now are
deposited in your bank account with your paycheck.
11.
10/100 or 10/1 – I’m going
to the restroom. This often confuses newbies on set as to why someone wouldn’t
just say “I’m going to the restroom”, but apparently it’s more polite and film
etiquette to use code.
12.
The Lot – No you aren’t
ordering burgers. The lot refers to the film studio. As in “Are you on the
lot?”.
13.
Hot Set – A set that is
currently in use for filming or needs to be left as is because filming will return
there in the near future. Don’t touch or move the props or set dressing, or
else prepare to feel the wrath of the art department.
14.
Hot Brick – A fully
charged walkie-talkie battery. When starting out you need to supply these to
your superiors throughout the day.
15.
DFI (Don’t Follow Instruction) –
Stand down, don’t do what I just told you to do, something has changed so it’s
not needed anymore, standby for new instructions. Someone may tell you to “DFI”
after they have just given you an instruction. Again why not just say “don’t do
that”. I think it’s so we film professionals can pretend we are highly skilled
individuals.
16.
Cowboys – A shot that is
framed just above the knees of the subject. No Indians required for this.
17.
Blocking – The early
stages of rehearsing a scene. The Director works with the cast to place
everybody in the set and walk through actions and dialogue. Be sure to give
them space and stay quiet while this is happening.
18.
Abby Singer Shot – The
second last camera setup of the day. Named after the renowned Assistant
Director, Abby Singer, who always called the last two shots, giving the crew
time to start packing up their gear knowing they were almost at wrap. This is
the time to make sure the beers are on ice if they aren’t already.
19.
Martini Shot – The last
camera setup of the day. Announced on set so everyone knows to pack up any
equipment, not in use.
20.
Wrap – End something,
usually the end of the day of filming but can be used as wrap on a scene, actor
or item. It’s always nice to hear these words called out at the end of a day,
or even better at the end of a job.
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