CRITICAL VIEWING TERMS FROM START TO FINISH

FILM TREATMENT the first expansion of a pitch into sequence form, giving some idea of storytelling through written notations of camera shots, angles, lighting, etc. Follows a Pitch. A written synopsis of the film’s plot, also known as a breakdown (just the action, no dialogue) Used to generate interest during development stage

SCREENPLAY OR SCRIPT Any novel or play adapted to film or an original work written specifically for filming. (Ex. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘Harry Potter, etc.’)

STORYBOARD a comic-style illustrated chart which visually maps out the shot-by-shot sequences as they will be filmed. A series of consecutive drawings of each scene in a film, also known as a layout Can provide cues for sound, camera movement and motion

SCREEN TEST - a filmed audition to determine an actor’s suitability for a film role. Entourage: Johnny Drama Screen Test **Disclaimer** Two uses of ‘F’ word at end of clip - Click to Play Video -

BLOCKING the mechanical movements that a director coaches an actor to make, ensuring they are caught effective on film in coordination with camera action. This includes entrances, exits, etc.

LEADING MAN/WOMAN an actor who plays the principal role in a film, usually an “A-list” movie star who has his/her pick of roles. (Ex. A-List Actors: Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Jim Carrey, Will Farrell, etc.

A-LIST/B-LIST/C-LIST A-List: Major movie stars/Bankable actors and actresses B-List: Stars that can’t carry a movie/Strong TV actors (Ex. Kiefer Sutherland) C-List: Character actors/known by their face but not name D-List: Stand-up comedians/Reality Stars

PHOTOGENIC - a person who is suitable for being photographed for artistic purposes.

DIALECT the language of a particular district or class, An actor must master many dialects to make his characters believable.

Pre-Producton the planning stage in a film's production after the project is finally greenlit and before principal photography or actual shooting commences; involves script treatment and rewriting, scheduling, set design and construction, casting, budgeting and financial planning, location scouting, etc.

Post-Production the final stage in a film's production after principal photography, involving editing, the addition of sound/visual effects, musical scoring, mixing, dubbing, distribution, etc.

CLOSED SET filming done with only the essential crew present, usually to ensure privacy or secrecy. Few people are present on the set, perhaps only the actors, the director, and the cameraman.

GAFFE an error that remains in the theatrical release of the film, not to be confused with removed “outtakes” which often appear on home-use videos as “bloopers” features.

VOICE OVER a character’s voice heard over the action of a film for narrative effect.

Subtitles an alternative to dubbing, a printed English translation of foreign dialogue at the bottom of a frame.

Outtake imperfect shot that required a retake. In a film a shot may be retaken many times until perfect. Outtakes are often humorous “bloopers.”

Celluloid the thin strip of transparent plastic coating that forms the film’s highly-flammable, light-sensitive base layer; also used as an adjective related to some aspect of cinema (e.g. “the celluloid hero”) or as a slang word for a movie.

Rushes or Dailies a day’s shooting on film which is quickly developed in the lab, viewed by the director and staff to determine if retakes are necessary.

Clapboard or Slate a small black or white board or slate with a hinged stick on top that displays identifying information for each shot in a movie and is filmed at the beginning of a take; the board 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.

Credits titles at the beginning or end of a film that list the creative talents concerned with production.

Cast Against Type a popular actor appearing in a role unlike his traditional ones, producing either a refreshing or disastrous result.