Terms you should know
Call Time – The actual time you should arrive to check-in with the A.D. staff.
Out Time – After you have returned wardrobe and/or props and you have been released by the A.D. staff, who has signed off and given you a copy of your pay voucher.
Wrap – Is the cue from the Director that filming for the day is complete.
Extras Coordinator – Sometimes in addition to the A.D. staff, this position is responsible for coordinating the movements of the extras between extras holding and the set.
Extras Holding – The designated area to which the extras report and stay while waiting to go on set.
Set – Usually a constructed environment or an existing location used for filming.
Rolling – The cue for camera and sound to start rolling. Everyone must be quiet on the set and be prepared for the next cue of “Action” or “Background.”
Background – This is the cue when the extras should start their movements.
Action – This is the cue the Director calls out when the scene should start and the principal actors should begin their movements and/or dialogue.
Blocking – Planning the position and movement an actor takes in a scene.
Continuity – The term for matching shots, actions or locations of actors, extras or props.
Mark – Denotes a place where you need to stand/be at a particular point in the scene. Sometimes this is “marked” with a piece of tape on the floor.
Cut – A cue for the scene to stop, you most likely will be instructed to go “Back to One.”
Back to One or Re-set – This is the cue to return to your starting position, and you will need to repeat the same action as before.
Pick Up – Starting a scene from a place other than your first position.
Principal Role – A contract role – usually a speaking role.
Featured Extra – An extra, who is given a prominent shot in the scene, and does not speak.
Stand-In – A performer used as a substitute for a principal actor for the purpose of setting lights and rehearsing camera moves; also known as “second team.”
Photo Double - A non-speaking performer, who resembles the principal actor, in looks and movement, and is used for distance, over the shoulder, and other shots that don’t show the whole face.
Bump – A monetary increase for bringing or providing something extra, such as: a car, uniform, animal.
2nd Unit – A smaller crew, who film many of the additional shots not involving the principal actors or critical action. This unit will often film insert shots of locations, scenery, crowd shots, etc.
Out Time – After you have returned wardrobe and/or props and you have been released by the A.D. staff, who has signed off and given you a copy of your pay voucher.
Wrap – Is the cue from the Director that filming for the day is complete.
Extras Coordinator – Sometimes in addition to the A.D. staff, this position is responsible for coordinating the movements of the extras between extras holding and the set.
Extras Holding – The designated area to which the extras report and stay while waiting to go on set.
Set – Usually a constructed environment or an existing location used for filming.
Rolling – The cue for camera and sound to start rolling. Everyone must be quiet on the set and be prepared for the next cue of “Action” or “Background.”
Background – This is the cue when the extras should start their movements.
Action – This is the cue the Director calls out when the scene should start and the principal actors should begin their movements and/or dialogue.
Blocking – Planning the position and movement an actor takes in a scene.
Continuity – The term for matching shots, actions or locations of actors, extras or props.
Mark – Denotes a place where you need to stand/be at a particular point in the scene. Sometimes this is “marked” with a piece of tape on the floor.
Cut – A cue for the scene to stop, you most likely will be instructed to go “Back to One.”
Back to One or Re-set – This is the cue to return to your starting position, and you will need to repeat the same action as before.
Pick Up – Starting a scene from a place other than your first position.
Principal Role – A contract role – usually a speaking role.
Featured Extra – An extra, who is given a prominent shot in the scene, and does not speak.
Stand-In – A performer used as a substitute for a principal actor for the purpose of setting lights and rehearsing camera moves; also known as “second team.”
Photo Double - A non-speaking performer, who resembles the principal actor, in looks and movement, and is used for distance, over the shoulder, and other shots that don’t show the whole face.
Bump – A monetary increase for bringing or providing something extra, such as: a car, uniform, animal.
2nd Unit – A smaller crew, who film many of the additional shots not involving the principal actors or critical action. This unit will often film insert shots of locations, scenery, crowd shots, etc.