A-C Terms

Question 1

18- To- Play- Younger

Answer 1

A performer legally 18 years old who can convincingly be cast a younger age.

Question 2

A.D

Answer 2

Assistant Director

Question 3

Action

Answer 3

Begin the action or script

Question 4

ADLIB

Answer 4

Extemporaneous delivery without relying on a prepared script.

Question 5

ADR

Answer 5

Additional (or automatic) Dialogue Replacement sometimes erroneously called “looping”

Question 6

AEA

Answer 6

Actors’ Equity Association often called “Equity”

Question 7

AFL-CIO

Answer 7

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artist

Question 8

AFM

Answer 8

American Federation of Musicians

Question 9

AMPTP

Answer 9

Alliance of Motion picture and Television Production

Question 10

Art Director

Answer 10

Person who conceives and designs the set

Question 11

Auditions

Answer 11

A tryout for a film or TV role, Usually in front of a casting director, for which the reading is required.

Question 12

Avail

Answer 12

A courtesy situation extended by an agent to a producer indication that a performer is available to work a certain job. Avails have no legal or contractual status.

Question 13

Back to One

Answer 13

Taking it to the top of the same scene or moment of action you just did.

Question 14

BACKGROUND

Answer 14

The Extra performers. One the set, “Background!” is a verbal cue for Extras to start their action.

Question 15

Beat

Answer 15

A deliberate or slight pause (short or long) in dialogue of action. Most normally in dialogue to emphasize emotion or thought.

Question 16

Best boy

Answer 16

In films, the assistant to the electrician

Question 17

Billing

Answer 17

The order of the names in the title of opening credits of a film or TV show.

Question 18

Blocking or Staging

Answer 18

The actual physical movements by actors in any scene. Also, can refer to the camera movements.

Question 19

BLUE SCREEN

Answer 19

Shooting in a studio against a large blue or green backdrop, which allows a background to be
superimposed later on in the final image. The actors must imagine the set they are on and be aware of the limitations
of their movements.

Question 20

Booking

Answer 20

A firm commitment to a performer to do a specific job

Question 21

Boom

Answer 21

An overhead microphone, usually on an extended pole

Question 22

Breakdown

Answer 22

A detailed listing and description of roles available for a casting in a production

Question 23

BUY OUT

Answer 23

a one-time fee paid by the client for the usage of said image or material for a specified period of time. No
buyouts in perpetuity

Question 24

CALL SHEET

Answer 24

A sheet containing the cast and crew call times for a specific day’s shooting. Scene numbers, the
expected day’s total pages, locations, and production needs are also included.

Question 25

Callback

Answer 25

Any follow-up interview or audition

Question 26

CAMERA LEFT

Answer 26

Actors or subjects are positioned (or asked to move) to the left side of the camera frame (from the operator’s view/perspective). Screen direction is the opposite of stage direction. To move the camera left, the actor would move to his/her right side. Whereas on stage, an actor would move to his left for stage left.

Question 27

CAMERA RIGHT

Answer 27

Opposite of camera left. The actor moves to his/her left side.

Question 28

Casting Director

Answer 28

The producer’s representative responsible for choosing performers for consideration by the producer

Question 29

CASTING FACILITY

Answer 29

A studio or space used by one or more casting directors for holding audition taping sessions. Many casting directors have their own casting facility and others rent facilities for their auditions as required.

Question 30

CATTLE CALL

Answer 30

An audition open to many, many actors at once.

Question 31

Checking the Gate

Answer 31

A verbal command to check the lens on the camera. If the lens is ok, the cast & crew will move on to the next scene or shot

Question 32

CLIENT

Answer 32

Production Company that hires an agency to supply the talent.

Question 33

Cold Open

Answer 33

A scene in a film or television show that happens before the opening credits.

Question 34

CLOSE UP

Answer 34

Camera term for a tight shot of shoulders and face.

Question 35

COLD READING

Answer 35

Unrehearsed reading of a scene, usually at an audition.

Question 36

Commission

Answer 36

Percentage of a performer’s earnings paid to agents for services rendered

Question 37

CONFLICT

Answer 37

Status of being paid for services in a commercial for one advertiser, thereby contractually preventing performing services in a commercial for a competitor.

Question 38

CONTACT SHEET

Answer 38

proof sheets used to determine best shots.

Question 39

COPY

Answer 39

The script for a commercial or voice over.

Question 40

CRAFT SERVICE

Answer 40

On-set beverage and snack table.

Question 41

Crane Shot

Answer 41

A camera shot raised over or above the set or the action

Question 42

Credits

Answer 42

Performance experience listed in a resume, also opening names in a film or TV show

Question 43

Cue

Answer 43

Hand signal by the Stage Manager

Question 44

CUT!

Answer 44

The verbal cue for the action of the scene to stop. At no time, may an actor call, “cut!”

Question 45

CUTAWAY

Answer 45

A short scene between two shots of the same person, showing something other than that person.