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Glossary

Glossary of Movie Terms

Above the Line:
Refers to the costs of a film's creative team (like the director, producer, and writers). This is distinct from "below the line," which represents the technical crew and production costs.
Above the Line Talent:
Refers to high-profile individuals involved in the creative aspects of a film who usually command significant salaries.
Back-End:
This term describes a profit-sharing agreement where key personnel receive a percentage of the profits after a film earns certain revenues.
Blockbuster:
A highly successful and popular film that achieves significant box office success.
Breakthrough:
Refers to a film or performance that significantly elevates the career status of an actor, filmmaker, or producer.
Bump:
An increase in a performer's salary or a budget increase for specific aspects of production.
Casting:
Selecting actors for roles in a film.
Cinematography:
The art and science of camera work and lighting in film-making.
Color Grading:
Enhancing the color and visual aesthetic of a film.
Cue:
A visual or audio signal marking the start of a specific action or event.
Dailies:
The raw, unedited footage from a day's shooting viewed by the producers and director to assess performance and technical quality.
Development Hell:
A situation where a film project stagnates in the development phase, often due to script issues, lack of funding, or creative differences.
Dialogue:
Lines spoken by the characters in a film or TV show.
Dubbing:
Replacing original audio with a different language or soundtrack.
Editing:
The process of selecting and combining shots to create a cohesive film narrative.
Film Score:
Original music composed specifically for a film.
Foley:
Sound effects added to a film in post-production to enhance the audio.
Genre:
A category or style of film, such as action, comedy, or drama.
Greenlight:
The process of officially approving a project to move forward into production. A project receiving a "greenlight" indicates it has secured sufficient funding and approval.
Logline:
A one-sentence summary of a film's premise, intended to hook interest from producers or studios.
Montage:
A sequence of shots used to convey a passage of time or narrative.
P&A:
Stands for Prints and Advertising, the budget allocated specifically for producing film prints and promotional marketing materials.
Pitch:
An oral or visual presentation made to sell a film idea or script to executives or producers.
Premiere:
The first public screening of a film.
Ratings:
Classification of films based on content, such as G, PG, or R.
Screenplay:
The written script of a film or television show.
Soundtrack:
The music accompanying a film, television show, or video game.
Special Effects:
Visual elements created to enhance or manipulate the film's visuals.
Spec Script:
A script written on speculation without a prior contract, intended to be sold to studios or producers.
Storyboard:
A visual representation of a film's sequence of events.
Subtitles:
Text displayed on screen to translate or provide additional information.
Trailer:
A promotional preview of a film.