Quartz Light

AKA "tungsten" or "halogen" light. Hot/bright light (3200K) which uses a tungsten filament in a quartz container. This type of light can be quite "explosive" so take care never to touch bulb with bare hands. Always use gloves or some type of rag/cloth.

Quick Release

Device that assists in the quick mount/dismount of a camera from its tripod.

Rack Focus

Changing (racking) the focus on the focus ring while shooting.

Raw Footage

Exposed film that has yet to see any type of editing.

Raw Stock

Film stock that is unexposed.

Reaction Shot

Shot of a person reacting to dialogue or action.

Reader

Individual who reads scripts and writes down synopsis of the plotline, offering positive or negative comments (the process is called "providing coverage"), which assist studio execs or interested parties if script is worthwhile.

Reading Period

Period after a writer has been hired to write an assignment that a hiring body will review. This body will give suggestions and decide whether to pick up the option to have the writer produce further work.

Recans

Leftover (unexposed) film in a magazine that is still good to use.

Recoupment

Gross funds from a film that are required to pay off negative costs, overhead, ongoing distribution fees, interest, financing and distribution costs, and, in appropriate cases, payment of gross participations.

Reel

(1) Sample of filmmaker's projects (much like a resume). (2) Metallic (or plastic) spool which is used for holding film during editing (or projection).

Reflective Light Reading

Another type of light reading that differs from "Incident LR." This type of reading is the measurement of light that is bouncing off the subject.

Reflex

Viewfinding system in which the view finder uses the same lens that is used to shoot the image.

Release Form

Statement signed by an individual that generally frees the creator of the document from any kind of liability.

Release Print

Print made after the "answer print" has been agreed upon. This is the copy of the film that is distributed to theatrical houses for public presentation.

Re-recording Mixer

Member of the sound crew responsible for mixing the final sound elements (dialogue, music, sound effects and foley).

Reversal

Type of film and film processing which generates a positive original print.

Reverse Shot

Shot from the opposite side of the prior shot. (Example: a conversation between two actors).

Rewrite

More than a polish, this is considered the writing of significant changes in plot, story line, or interrelationship of characters in a screenplay.

Rider W

Provision of the Artists/Managers Basic Agreement of the Writers Guild of America in which the contract between WGA members and signatory agencies has been pre-negotiated.

Ripple

Automatic updating of an Edit Decision List after making a change to the list.

Rising Action

Notion of dramatic rhythm in which events in a story build upon one another with increasing momentum.

Roll

Credit rolls consist of video text moving vertically up or down the screen, usually from bottom to top.

Room Tone

A recording of the natural ambient "silence" in a set/location for the sound editor, who will use it as a reference point, or for when silence is required.

Rotoscoping

Animation technique in which images of live action are traced, either manually or automatically.

Rough Cut

Edited film between an assembly cut and a fine cut.

Rushes

AKA "Dailies." This is the unedited workprint, direct from the lab, that is scrutinized to see how the shoot came out.

Safe Area

Area beyond the "live area" of a camera's viewfinder that the camera operator might direct the boom operator to place the boom microphone.

Safety

A "back-up" take done after a successful one has been shot.

Sample Reel

Contains samples of a person's or company's best video work for the purposes of marketing; a.k.a. demo reel.

Sample Script

Script a writer has created on his own initiative and used to attain meetings for the writer in order to expose him to the entertainment industry.

Scale

Writing for payment on the minimum rates set forth in the Writers Guild of America Minimum Basic Agreement. Basic rate is scale plus 10 percent in order to include the commission that the writer's agent will receive.

Scene

Continuous block of storytelling either set in a single location or following a particular character.

Scene Cards

Method used by some writers to outline their script by describing each scene on an index card, then arranging and rearranging them to work out the story structure.

Score

The musical component of a movie's soundtrack.

Scratch Track

Sync recording which is created for a reference for the sound editor (or the actors who must re-record dialogue).

Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

Union guild for screen and television talent.

Screen Story

Credit given to a writer who has written a screenplay based on another writer's work but has used the other writer's work only as a springboard, a characterization, an incident, or some equally limited contribution, creating a story that is substantially new and different from the other writer's work.

Screen Test

Form of audition in which an actor performs a particular role on camera, not necessarily with the correct make-up or on the set.

Screening

Exhibition of a movie, typically at a cinema.

Screenplay

A script written to be produced as a movie. Normally between 90-120 pp.

Screenwriter

A writer who either adapts an existing work for production as a movie, or creates a new screenplay.

Script

A written work detailing story, setting, and dialogue. A script may take the form of a screenplay, shooting script, lined script, continuity script, or a spec script.

Script Editing

Process whereby a script is reviewed and changed, based on input from various sources such as the director or producer.

Script Supervisor

Individual who tracks which parts have been filmed, how the filmed scenes deviated from the script; they also make continuity notes, creating a lined script.

SECAM (Systeme Electronique Pour Colour Avec Memorie)

The color television system developed/used in France as well as in other parts of eastern Europe & Africa.

Second Assistant Camera

An assistant to the assistant cameraman.

Second Assistant Director

Assistant to the assistant director whose duties include overseeing the movements of the cast, and preparing call sheets.

Second Second Assistant Director

Assistant to the second assistant director; responsible for (among other things) directing the movements of extras.

Second Unit

Small, subordinate crew responsible for filming shots of less importance, such as inserts, crowds, scenery, etc.

Selects

The "selected" shots that are going to be used in editing which are separated from the remaining footage.

Seperation of Rights

Rights given to the creator of an original written material. Includes: publication, audio, live stage, live dramatic tape, live television, radio, and writer sequels and remakes.

Sequel

Movie that presents the continuation of characters and/or events of a previously filmed movie.

Serial

A multi-part film that usually screened a chapter each week at a cinema.

Series

Sequence of films with continuing characters or themes, but with little other interdependence, especially with respect to plot or significant character development.

Services Contract

Contract that a writer-client signs with an agency for representation in order to receive writing assignments.

Set

An artificial environment which is constructed to make filming easier but still appear natural when viewed from the camera angle.

Set Designer

Individual responsible for translating a production designer's vision of the movie's environment into a set which can be used for filming.

Set Up

Term describing both the function of the first act in posing of the problem which the story will try to resolve, and in a more general way, the process of laying the groundwork for a dramatic or comic situation which will later be complicated, and then resolved or paid off.

Shooting Ratio

Ratio of the film shot compared to the actual running time. (Example: Ten hours of footage for a 1 hour film would have a 10:1 shooting ratio).

Shooting Schedule

Production schedule for shooting a film with the scenes from a script grouped together and ordered with production considerations in mind.

Shooting Script

Script from which a movie is made which contains that includes scene numbers, camera angles, inserts, and certain directors/cinematographers input.

Short Subject/ Short

Movie that is shorter than 60 minutes.

Shot

Continuous block of unedited footage from a single point of view.

Shot Composition

Arrangement of key elements within the frame.

Shotgun Mic

Highly directional microphone that may be hand-held or mounted on a boom.

Shutter Speed

Length of time that a single frame is exposed for.

Silent Film

Film that has no synchronized soundtrack and no spoken dialogue.

Silent Speed

Rate for silent films is 18fps.

Single Perf

Film stock that has only one row of perforations along its edge.

Situation Comedy

Comedy in which humor is derived from people being placed in uncomfortable, embarrassing, or unfamiliar situations.

Slapstick Comedy

Comedy in which the humor is derived from physical interactions, often involving exaggerated but ultimately harmless violence directed towards individuals.

Slate

Small blackboard (chalkboard) used to record the scene number of a specific shoot. Usually has a clapstick attached at the top which is "clapped" to create a sync mark.

Slow Motion

Shot which in which time appears to move more slowly than normal.

Slug Line/Slug

A header appearing in a script before each scene or shot detailing the location, date, and time that the following action is intended to occur in.

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)

Technical society devoted to advancing the theory and application of motion-imaging technology including film, television, video, computer imaging, and telecommunications.

Softlight

Light which is diffused and creates very soft shadows .

Sound Crew

Group of crew members directly involved with creating of a movie's soundtrack: sound designer, sound editor, sound effects, sound mixer, sound recordist, boom operator, re-recording mixer, music supervisor, and foley artist.

Sound Designer

The conceptual chief of a movie's soundtrack, responsible for designing and creating the audio component of a movie.

Sound Editor

Member of the sound crew who performs editing on the soundtrack. See also dialog editor.

Sound Effects

Sounds added during post-production by the sound crew.

Sound Mix

Process of re-recording multiple reels of track to produce one final soundtrack, which includes all dialogue, "looped" dialogue (ADR), music, sound effects and foley, and narration (if any), for each reel of picture.

Sound Recordist

Member of the sound crew responsible for operating the audio recording equipment on a set.

Soundstage

Large studio area where elaborate sets may be constructed.

Soundtrack

The audio component of a movie.

Speaking Role

A role is one in which the character speaks scripted dialogue in contrast to a "non-speaking role" where the character is specifically mentioned in the script but who doesn't have any lines of dialogue in the finished film.

Spec Script

Script written before any agreement has been entered into ("on spec" or speculation), in hopes of selling the script to the highest bidder once it has been completed.

Special Effects (SFX)

Artificial effect used to create an illusion in a movie.

Special Effects Supervisor

Chief of a production's special effects crew.

Speed

Term shouted out during the beginning of a shot by the cameraman or sound recordist to let crew know that the camera is rolling.

Spherical

Optical system which in which the magnifications in the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the picture are the same.

Split Screen

Matte shot that is divided down the center creating two (or more) images at the same time.

Splice

Editing technique of joining two separate pieces of film together (using tape or cement) to create a continuous piece.

Squib

Small explosive device, which when detonated ,will simulate the effect of a bullet/puncture wound or small explosion.

Stand-In

Individual who has the same physical properties of a particular actor, and takes their place during the lengthy setup of a scene.

Steadicam

Camera attached to a camera operator via a mechanical harness which reduces or eliminates the unsteadiness of the operator's motion.

Step Outline

Method used by some writers to outline their story by numbering the major scenes and the order in which they occur.

Still Photographer

Individual who photographs the action (often alongside the camera) to be used in publicizing the movie.

Stock Footage

Footage from other films that are used in a production.

Stop Motion

Form of animation in which objects are filmed frame-by-frame and altered slightly in between each frame.

Storyboard

Sequence of pictures created by a production illustrator to communicate the desired general visual appearance on camera of a scene or movie.

Stunt Coordinator

Individual who arranges and plans stunts.

Stunt Double

Stunt performer who specifically takes the part of another actor for a stunt.

Subplot

Also called the "B Story," the subplot is used in various ways, weaving in and out of the main action.

Subtitles

Words which are superimposed over a film which mirror the dialog that is heard at the time.

Super 16

16mm film on which a wider image is exposed. Used mainly when planning to blow up the film to 35mm.

Surround Sound

Sound system which creates the illusion of multi-directional sound through speaker placement and signal processing.

SVHS

Video format developed by JVC which has largely replaced the 3/4 inch format for low budget productions.

Sweetening

Audio post-production where audio is corrected and enhanced.

Swing Gang

Group within the art department that construct and take down a set.

Switcher

Device with a series of video inputs that permits one or more selected inputs to be combined, manipulated and sent out on the program line or edit VCR.

Sync

The degree in which a picture and accompanying sound are lined up together.

Sync Sound

The sound (usually dialogue) that is actually recorded via a crystal or cable sync during filming. Not to be confused with room tone, sound effects, or other non-diagetic sound.

Syncing

Process of which the film and sound are lined up before editing them together.

Synopsis

Summary of a story told in present tense.

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