Comedy and Film Production
Comedy Terms
“looking at the grim with a grin” or finding humor in serious matters
black comedy
a delayed comic reaction to an event in a film, for humorous effect
double take
a combination of drama and comedy, also known as “serio-comedy”
dramedy
acting out a scene without script or rehearsal, to ad lib
improv
a recording of laughter used in television shows, also known as “canned laughter”
laugh track
the speechless acting out of a character and his actions
mime
falling on one’s bottom for comedic effect
pratfall
a film that mocks some other serious work
satire
a Yiddish term for a comedian’s trademark
shtick
a television comedy that focuses on the humor of a particular setting
sit com
a short comedy routine
sketch
violent actions used for humorous effect
slapstick
a film that playfully imitates the style of a serious work
spoof
Film Production Terms: Pre-production
the planning stage in a film’s production before principal photography begins: script treatment, set design, casting, etc.
pre-production
a novel, play, or original work adapted or written for filmmaking
screenplay or script
a filmed audition
screen test
a comic-style illustrated chart which maps out a film as it will be shot
storyboard
a detailed summary of a film’s story often used to sell a film project
treatment
Production
the movements that a director coaches an actor to make
blocking
filming done with only the essential crew present
closed set
advertising space within a film to showcase a commercial product, often a method to partially fund filming
product placement
Post-production
the final stage in a film’s development, including editing, sound, distribution, etc.
postproduction
a printed English translation of foreign dialogue on film
subtitles
a character’s narrative voice heard over the action
voice over
recalling acting to replace unclear or garbled voices in a soundtrack
postsynchronization
the last, complete edited version of a film, ready for release or “in the can”
final cut
an early edited version of a film used for focus-group screening
rough cut