A C-stand is a sturdy light stand, used in production, that has three different legs that you can adjust to accommodate steps. Long metal “arm” and round clamping head called a gobo.

A call sheet is a schedule given out periodically during a film's production crew to let every department know when to arrive and where to report. The call sheet usually refers to a listing of actors necessary for scenes.

The call time is the list of times that members of the cast and crew are expected to be on set, as written in the call sheet.

A callback is a term for a follow up audition after the initial audition.

Originally, a cameo was a small piece of artwork, and in production refers to a bit part (usually a brief, non-speaking or walk-on role that is uncredited or unbilled) or special screen appearance by a famous actor, director, or prominent person who would ordinarily not take such a small part. A cameo is in contrast to a "bit part." Also refers to a type of camera shot in which the subject is filmed against a black or neutral background. See "directors' cameos."

Camera is the basic machine involved in film-making, from a hand-held version to portables, to heavy studio cameras; some of the parts of a camera include the aperture, lens, film magazine (for storage), viewfinder, etc; the positioning of the camera by the camera operator is known as the setup

A camera angle refers to the point of view (POV) or perspective the camera operator chooses to photograph a subject. Some of the most basic camera angles include high angles, low angles, dutch angles, and eye-level shots.

The camera department refers to individual(s) who controls the camera during takes. On multi-camera productions, there can be several camera operators in the camera department working simultaneously.

Camera movement is the use of the camera to obtain various camera angles and perspectives. See "motion picture camera shots" below, including the pan, tilt, track, zoom, boom/crane, Steadicam, or hand-held.

The camera operator is the crewmember responsible for operating the camera, under the direction of the film's director and director of photography (or cinematography).

Camera ready is the term for any performer who is instructed to arrive on set completely dressed with hair and make up done.

Camp, or campy, is a term for humor wherein conventional (and especially overused or clichéd) situations and plot devices are intentionally exaggerated to the point of absurdity.

Can, or in the can, refers to the round metal/plastic container that holds or stores film (reels) for transport or for long-term storage. Canned means "pre-recorded." Also see "reel."

Candlelight, or lighting, refers to lighting provided by candlelight to give a warm hue or tone and connote intimacy, romance, and harmony.

A capsule review is an incredibly short movie review. A capsule review is a short snippet of a review you find on social media would fall into this category.

A caption is a descriptive, printed line(s) of text that occasionally appears on the screen, usually at the bottom of the frame, to describe the time, place, or to translate a foreign word/phrase. Different from "closed-captioning" for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers (closed captions are all white uppercase (capital) letters encased in a black box that require a decoder or television with a decoder chip to be viewed). See also "subtitles."

A caricature is the character appearing ridiculously out of proportion because of one physical, psychological or moral trait that has been grossly or broadly exaggerated. A caricature often portrays a character in an unrealistic, stereotypical fashion.

A cartoon is an animated film that is usually not of feature-length. Also see "animation."

Cash down is a term for a guaranteed, "can't-miss" blockbuster film that promises to generate disproportionately tremendous profits due to limited risks or a potentially lucrative franchise (sequels, merchandising, spin-offs, etc.). See "Greatest Film Franchises of All-Time."

Cast refers to the collective term for all of the actors/performers (or talent) appearing in a particular film, usually broken down into the leads with speaking roles, the supporting characters, background players or extras, and bit players.

A cast of thousands is an advertising claim, often used in big-screen historical epics of the 1930s-1960s, when 1,000s of extras were hired for crowd scenes, battle scenes, etc.

Casting is the process of selecting and hiring actors to play the roles and characters in film production and be brought under contract. Casting the lead roles is selected by the director or a producer, and the minor or supporting roles and bit parts by a casting director. "Typecasting" refers to an actor playing only roles similar to those they have played before.

Casting couch refers to the illegal practice (mostly during the heyday of the studio system) when unknown young actors or actresses (starlets) exchanged sex (literally on an office couch) with a casting director or producer to acquire/land a role in a film.

Casting director is the individual in charge of representing the producer to find performers for the producer or director to consider.

A casting notice is an announcement distributed to representatives, and sometimes the public, for roles that production is looking to fill.

A catchphrase is a short phrase or expression said by a movie character that takes on significance within the general public. In the "Die Hard" franchise, John McClane’s catchphrase is: “Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*cker.”

Catharsis is the point in a film’s climax where the audience experiences a cleansing of emotional tension. It provides relief and a sense of restoration. An audience will experience a cathartic moment when the hero definitively emerges triumphant over the villain.

Cattle call is the term for an audition open to many actors simultaneously.

Cautionary tale is a literary term referring to a narrative with a moral message warning of the consequences of specific actions, ideologies, character flaws, technologies or institutions, often with a downbeat ending. Many slasher horror films are semi-cautionary tales about one of the consequences of sex or experimenting with the occult. See also "satire," "morality tale," and "nihilism."

Cel is an individual, hand-drawn sheet for a cartoon or animated project. A cel represents a single animation frame that allows for multiple layers of composition. Several character cels will be placed against the same background cel to show movement.

Censorship is the process of determining what can or can not be viewed by the public or depicted by the motion picture industry; also refers to changes required of a movie by some person or body (other than the studios or filmmakers, such as a national or regional film classification board). See also "rating systems" and "banned." See "Sex in Cinema" and "Most Controversial Films of All-Time."

CGI is a term referring to the use of 3D computer graphics and technology (digital computers and specialized software) in filmmaking to create filmed images, special effects, and the illusion of motion; often used for large crowd scenes to cut down on the cost of hiring extras, or for giant creatures, huge buildings, and other costly items. See "Visual/Special Effects.” CGI is short for computer-generated imagery and computer-generated images.

Chain of title refers to legal documents that establish proprietary rights to a film, including but not limited to copyright filing, option agreements, acquisition agreements, work-for-hire agreements, releases from location owners, and other key creative contributors to the project.

Change-over cue is a small dot, oval, or mark on the top-right corner of a film frame that signaled to the projectionist to change over from one projector (or film reel) to another (about every 15-20 minutes). Today, most film theaters have only one projector. The reels are spliced into one giant roll and fed into a single projector from a horizontal revolving turntable called a platter.

A character is a fictitious or real individual in a story, performed by an actor. Characters are also called "players."

A character actor is a performer specializing in playing well-defined, stereotypical, archetypal, offbeat, humorous, or highly-recognizable, fictional roles of a particular physical, emotional, or behavioral type, in a supporting role. See also "typecasting."

Character color coding refers to identifying a film's character or persona with a particular color. Changes in color often represent transformations, shifts, merges, or changes in persona.

Character study is a film that uses strong characterizations, interactions, and the personalities of its characters to tell a story, with plot and narrative almost secondary to them.

Cheater cut is introductory footage put in the beginning of a serial episode to show what happened at the end of the previous episode.

Chemistry and screen chemistry refers to performances between actors who are uncommonly suited and perfectly complementary to each other. Performances that lack screen chemistry can sometimes be disastrous for a film. See also "buddy film."

Chiaroscuro is a combination of the two Italian words for "clear/bright" and "dark." Refers to a notable, contrasting use of light and shade in scenes, often achieved by using a spotlight. This lighting technique had its roots in German Expressionistic cinematography. Also known as "high-contrast lighting," "Rembrandt lighting." "Flat lighting," or "TV lighting," which are bright and flat lighting with no shadows, are the opposite of "chiaroscuro."

Chick flick is a term used to describe films that primarily appeal to women. Chick flick is often used in a derogatory sense to demean films that primarily star women or utilize heavily emotional components.

Technically, any actor under the age of 18 is a child actor. Because they are minors, there are special rules for working with child actors. Also known as "moppet."

Chimera, or soft box, is a cloth frame that attaches to hard light and turns it into diffused light.

Chopsocky is slang for a martial arts film.

A choreographer is the person who plans, designs, organizes, sequences, and directs dancing, fighting, or other physical actions or movements in a film or stage production. A dancer is known as a “hoofer." The movements designed by the choreographer are called choreography.

Cineaste refers to a film/movie enthusiast or devotee. Also used in the name of a leading film magazine.

Cinema verité is a French word meaning “true cinema.” Cinema verité is a filmmaking style dedicated to capturing “real life” or utilizing techniques in a fictional film that suggests the viewer is peering into the characters' lives. It was part of the French New Wave movement and popularized by David and Albert Maysles in the states.

Cinemascope is a presentation technique that uses an aspect ratio of 2:35:1. It typically refers to anamorphic techniques and widescreen processes that utilize various magnifications in the vertical and horizontal to fill in the screen.

Cinematic is a term relating to or suggestive of motion pictures. Cinematic means to have the qualities of a film.

A cinematographer is the individual responsible for the technique and art of film photography. The cinematographer’s job is to photograph images for a movie by selecting the right lenses, film stock, camera angles, and recording devices to use. On smaller sets, it is typical for a DP to perform the function of the camera operator as well. The cinematographer or director of photographer is sometimes shortened to “DP.”

Cinematography specifically refers to the art and technique of film photography, the capture of images, and lighting effects. One of the earliest movie-picture machines, patented by the Lumiere brothers in 1895, was termed a "cinematographe."

Cinerama is a widescreen filming process that first used three cameras and three projectors to achieve an encompassing view of the subject matter and projected on a curved screen of about 160 degrees. Cinerama was the first commercially successful multiple-camera/multiple-screen process.

Clamps are fastener devices that comes in a wide variety and used on sets to hold gels, lights, etc.

A clapboard is a small black or white slate with a hinged stick (called a clapstick or clapper) on top displaying identifying information for each shot in a movie and filmed at the beginning of a take. The capboardboard typically contains the working title of the movie, the names of the director, the editor, and the director of photography, the scene and take numbers, the date, and the time. On the top of the clapboard is a hinged wooden stick (called a clapstick or clapper) which is clapped to provide audio/visual synchronization of the sound with the picture during editing. Electronic clappers and synchronization are currently in use instead of the old-fashioned clapboard.

Claymation is a style of animation where the characters are made out of clay, plasticine, putty, or other moldable materials. The characters are then filmed, generally through stop motion animation.

Click is a slang term to denote a hit film.

Cliffhanger is a film characterized by scenes of great tension, danger, adventure, suspense, or high drama, often climaxing at the end of a film, or at the end of a multi-part serial episode, where the plot ending and the fate of the protagonist(s) are left unresolved. The name was derived from the movie serials of the 1930s where each week the hero was perilously left dangling from a cliff with a "to-be-continued" ending to increase interest for the next episode (sequel).

A climax is the highest point of anxiety or tension in a script or film in which the central character/protagonist faces, confronts, and deals with the consequence(s) of all their actions, or faces the antagonist in a climactic battle or final engagement. A crisis often leads to a climax. Also called the film's "high point," "zenith," "apex," or "crescendo." It may be followed by an anti-climax or denouement.

A close-up, or CU, is a shot taken from an incredibly close distance to the subject. A single object or part of an actor’s body will appear in the frame in a close-up shot. This is to emphasize the importance and make the audience focus on a single item.

The coast is a slang term meaning either Hollywood or Los Angeles, both entertainment centers.

Coda literally means "tail" in Italian and usually refers to musical selections. In film, a coda refers to the epilogue, ending, or last section of a film (often wordless) that provides closure, a conclusion, or a summary of the preceding storyline.

Coin is a slang term for money or financing.

A cold reading is when a performer must read lines in an audition without time to memorize fully.

A color film is the phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects caused by differing qualities of the light reflected or emitted. In contrast to "black and white."

Colorization is a film-altering process whereby a black and white film is digitally changed to include color. Colorization was popularized but controversial in the 1980s when classic films received modern updates.

Comedian (or comedienne) is a performer who specializes in genre films, designed to elicit laughter from audiences. Also known as a "comic."

A comedy is a film genre that elicits laughter or humor by celebrating or showing the eternal ironies of human existence. Comedy film subgenres include screwball, dark/black, farce, slapstick, dead-pan, parody, romantic comedy, etc.

Comic relief is a humorous or farcical interlude in a dramatic film, usually provided by a buffoonish character, that is intended to relieve the dramatic, built-up tension or heighten the emotional impact through contrast.

A coming-of-age films are associated with difficult teen rites of passage (from adolescence to adulthood), the onset of puberty, the loss of naive innocence and childhood dreams, the experience of growing up, achieving sexual identity, etc. Also known as "teen films."

A command performance generally refers to an amazing performance given by an actor. Most of the time, a command performance has come right before the actor’s death. It originally referred to a special performance requested by a sovereign, royal, head of state, or another important person.

Commentary is an objective opinion or description of characters or events occurring in the film, presented from an omniscient point of view by a commentator. The commentator's voice comes from off-camera and is presented on the soundtrack as a voice-over. Commentary also refers to one of the added features on various DVDs in which a cast member, director, film critic, or film historian comments on the film in some way.

Competitive analysis is one of three ways to project revenue for an independent film. Competitive analysis involves taking 20 films of a similar genre, attachments, and intellectual property status, and using the performance of those films to project estimates.

A compilation is a film made up of shots, scenes, or sequences from other films.

A complication is an event that complicates or tightens the tension of the film.

A composer is a musician who creates a movie’s score. A composer is in contrast to a conductor, who directs the orchestra playing the score, and a lyricist, who writes the lyrics to a song.

Composition refers to the arrangement of different elements (i.e., colors, shapes, figures, lines, movement, and lighting) within a frame and in a scene.

A concert film is a film that records the live concert performance of musician(s), a band/group, or stand-up comic(s). Concert films are often edited throughout many performances or staged for the camera with multiple set-ups and can be considered pseudo-documentaries. A rock concert is also known as a "rockumentary."

Continuity is one of the responsibilities of the script supervisor is to ensure elements are consistent from shot to shot and scene to scene. When there is a mistake, such as an actor wearing different clothing within the same scene, it is referred to as a “continuity error.”

Continuous is a screenwriting term refers to action or dialogue on the page as it moves from page to page, or through multiple locations, without interruptions. Continuous is shortened in script formatting as "CONT'D."

A contract player is a performer who has a contractual commitment or agreement with a studio, producer, or company.

Contrast refers to the difference between light and shadow, or between maximum and minimum amounts of light, in a particular film image. Contrast can be either high contrast (with a sharp delineation between the bright and dark areas) or its opposite low contrast. Color can also be contrasted. See also "chiaroscuro."

Convention is a typical element audiences expect out of certain genres of film without question. For example, film noir is expected to have a lot of shadows and pose questions related to human corruption and betrayal.

Coogan’s Law is landmark legislation in the late 1930s designed to protect a child actor's earnings by depositing some of the minor's earnings in court-administered trust funds that the child receives when they reach the age of majority. Named after child actor Jackie Coogan.

Copy is a term for a script for a commercial and voice over auditions.

A corridor is the small percentage of the first dollar gross received by the production company that is reserved for a specific recipient.

The costume designer is responsible for pulling or designing the wardrobe for all the characters, while keeping in mind the needs of the story, the director’s preferred aesthetic, and the sensibility of the actors.

A costume drama is a film set in a particular historical time period, often with elaborate costuming.

A costume parade is when actors are required to model all of their costumes for the director for approval or changes with the costume designer.

Costume is an garment or clothing worn by actors/performers in a film. Costume is also referred to as wardrobe.

The costumer or stylist the person responsible for acquiring, selecting, manufacturing, or handling clothing and accessories.

A courtroom drama is a drama and/or mystery film, where the protagonist is a lawyer, and most of the drama and dramatic action takes place in a courtroom setting. The courtroom drama plot revolves around the preparation of a trial and its result of guilt or innocence.

Coverage refers to all the shots, including close-ups and reverse angles, that a director takes in addition to the master shot, to make up the final product; to have proper coverage means having all the proper scenes, angles, lightings, close-ups, and directions.

Craft services are the crew department responsible for keeping everyone well fed and hydrated. Provides an assortment of on-demand snacks and drinks to accommodate the crew. Craft services may also be equipped to address minor needs, like sunscreen, wet wipes, basically anything that promotes the spirit of being “at your service.”

A crane shot is a shot taken from a large camera dolly or electronic device (a piece of apparatus, such as a crane), resembling an extendable mechanical arm (or boom), that can raise the camera in the air 20 feet or more. The crane shot allows the camera to fluidly move in virtually any direction (with vertical and horizontal movement), providing shifts in levels and angles. Crane shots usually provide an overhead view of a scene.

Crawl is the superimposed text on the screen that can move up, down, diagonally, or across. The most famous example of this is the opening crawl detailing a prologue in the "Star Wars" films.

Credits are the text appearing before or after a film detailing the cast, production crew, and technical personnel who worked on a movie. Each person listed receives credit for what they did on the film.

The term crew refers to the collective of individuals involved with the technical aspect of shooting a movie. It does not refer to the performers in a film.

Stage 32 Glossary

C-stand

call sheet

call time

callback

cameo

camera

camera angle

camera department

camera movement

camera operator

camera ready

camp (campy)

can ("in the can")

candlelight (lighting)

capsule review

caption

caricature

cartoon

cash cow

cast

cast of thousands

casting

casting couch

casting director

casting notice

catchphrase

catharsis

cattle call

cautionary tale

cel

censorship

CGI (computer-generated imagery; computer-generated images)

chain of title

change-over cue

character

character actor

character color coding

character study

cheater cut

chemistry (screen chemistry)

chiaroscuro

chick flick

child actor

chimera (soft box)

chopsocky

choreographer (choreography)

cineaste

cinema verité

CinemaScope

cinematic

cinematographer (director of photographer; DP)

cinematography

Cinerama

clamps

clapboard (clapper)

claymation

click

cliffhanger

climax

clip

close-up (CU)

coast ("the Coast")

coda

coin

cold reading

color (film)

colorization

comedian (comedienne)

comedy (film)

comic relief

coming-of-age (film)

command performance

commentary

competitive analysis

compilation (film)

complication

composer

composition

computer generated imagery (CGI)