Being on a movie set is like stepping into another world.  And just like stepping into another world it comes with a language and culture all its own.  With that can come some regional terminology from different departments that have been developed over a century.


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Being on a movie set is like stepping into another world. And just like stepping into another world it comes with a language and culture all its own. With that can come some regional terminology from different departments that have been developed over a century.

1) Crew/Cast Call: This is the time that you are scheduled to report for work. The time usually is set (depending on your role) hours before cameras start rolling for the day.

1) Crew/Cast Call:  This is the time that you are scheduled to report for work.  The time usually is set (depending on your role) hours before cameras start rolling for the day. 


2) Unit Base/BASECAMP: The central location of makeup, costume, &amp; cast trailers, as well as crew parking &amp; catering. It's the largest base &amp; first point of call when arriving for work. There's a lot going on &amp; that's why there is a central point where employees can clock in.

 2) Unit Base/BASECAMP:  The central location of makeup, costume, & cast trailers, as well as crew parking & catering.  It's the largest base & first point of call when arriving for work.  There's a lot going on & that's why there is a central point where employees can clock in.


3) MOW (Make Own Way): An actor or crew member will transport themselves to set for their call time as opposed to being picked up &amp; driven by the transport dept.

 3)  MOW (Make Own Way):  An actor or crew member will transport themselves to set for their call time as opposed to being picked up & driven by the transport dept. 


4) Recce: Time is money &amp; to make sure that most of the time spent on set is spent getting footage needed to tell the story requires visiting a location before shooting commences there to plan &amp; work through any issues that may arise from the location.

4)  Recce: Time is money & to make sure that most of the time spent on set is spent getting footage needed to tell the story requires visiting a location before shooting commences there to plan & work through any issues that may arise from the location.


Crew is usually called earlier than Cast because there is more set up required on the technical side before talent is needed on set. But one thing is for sure, Craft Services (catering) usually shows up before anyone to make sure there is food prepared and ready for the crew.

 Crew is usually called earlier than Cast because there is more set up required on the technical side before talent is needed on set.  But one thing is for sure, Craft Services (catering) usually shows up before anyone to make sure there is food prepared and ready for the crew.


A film production can require a huge amount of space like an entire neighborhood (in some instances) for their needs. Often times bigger productions will have its own shuttle service to bring cast &amp; crew to &amp; from set to BASECAMP.

A film production can require a huge amount of space like an entire neighborhood (in some instances) for their needs.  Often times bigger productions will have its own shuttle service to bring cast & crew to & from set to BASECAMP. 


There are some times when transport is not for every crew member (i.e. Production Assistant Units) &amp; so finding your own way to set and/or post will be left to the crew member to figure out. This is where a giving yourself plenty of time in case things go wrong comes in handy.

There are some times when transport is not for every crew member (i.e. Production Assistant Units) & so finding your own way to set and/or post will be left to the crew member to figure out.  This is where a giving yourself plenty of time in case things go wrong comes in handy.


Multiple location recces will take place in pre-production with Heads of Departments (DP, Art Dept, etc...) present to ensure no time is wasted during the shoot. The more information each department has, the more they can make precise plans &amp; contingencies.

Multiple location recces will take place in pre-production with Heads of Departments (DP, Art Dept, etc...) present to ensure no time is wasted during the shoot.  The more information each department has, the more they can make precise plans & contingencies.


But even as different departments have their own language there are some terms that everyone should know. It can be a well oiled machine of thousands of people or a small crew of ten, but regardless of the size or budget the terms are still the same.

 But even as different departments have their own language there are some terms that everyone should know.  It can be a well oiled machine of thousands of people or a small crew of ten, but regardless of the size or budget the terms are still the same. 


20 Film Terms You Need to Know to Survive On-Set: Part 1

5) Craft Services (Crafties): By far the most important part of any production is the food. Fueling the cast &amp; crew with nourishment or at least caffeine &amp; carbs is essential to any production.

5) Craft Services (Crafties): By far the most important part of any production is the food.  Fueling the cast & crew with nourishment or at least caffeine & carbs is essential to any production.


On bigger productions you'll usually find food trucks with a huge variety of food selections or an entire catering service set up with a cafeteria area for essential crew &amp; cast.

 On bigger productions you'll usually find food trucks with a huge variety of food selections or an entire catering service set up with a cafeteria area for essential crew & cast.


6) Runner: Runners are the most junior positions on a film. Managed by the office, runners transport stuff between the production office &amp; set, as well as pick up anything else needed for the crew. P.A.'s can also be considered runners as they will be sent on errands.

6) Runner: Runners are the most junior positions on a film. Managed by the office, runners transport stuff between the production office & set, as well as pick up anything else needed for the crew.  P.A.'s can also be considered runners as they will be sent on errands.


They are there to fill in the mundane errands that are required to keep a production rolling along. Time is money &amp; if a Production Manager has to run out to get printer ink, time is wasted where they could be doing more important tasks for the production. Send a runner instead.

They are there to fill in the mundane errands that are required to keep a production rolling along.  Time is money & if a Production Manager has to run out to get printer ink, time is wasted where they could be doing more important tasks for the production. Send a runner instead.


7) Pre-Call: As mentioned before about call times, sometimes a department or individual has a call time earlier than the crew call depending on what is required for the shoot day. Sometimes extensive make-up work needs to be done on an actor for a particular scene.

7) Pre-Call: As mentioned before about call times, sometimes a department or individual has a call time earlier than the crew call depending on what is required for the shoot day. Sometimes extensive make-up work needs to be done on an actor for a particular scene.


Many times a Pre-Call is required for many different reasons like scheduling, locations accessibility, make-up prep, etc...

Many times a Pre-Call is required for many different reasons like scheduling, locations accessibility, make-up prep, etc...


8) New Deal/Moving On: When a Director &amp; all involved (DP, Make-up, &amp; Art Director) are happy with the takes for a particular camera set-up, the term "new deal" will be called out by the ADs to let the rest of the crew know that it's time to move to the next camera setup.

 8) New Deal/Moving On: When a Director & all involved (DP, Make-up, & Art Director) are happy with the takes for a particular camera set-up, the term "new deal" will be called out by the ADs to let the rest of the crew know that it's time to move to the next camera setup.


Sometimes the changes made on set could be very small, where not much needs to change in terms of lighting or production design. Other times it can be a complete turn-around in which almost the entire production needs to move to accommodate the opposite side of a scene.

Sometimes the changes made on set could be very small, where not much needs to change in terms of lighting or production design.  Other times it can be a complete turn-around in which almost the entire production needs to move to accommodate the opposite side of a scene.


9) Flag On the Play: Sometimes, even with a confident call for a “new deal or moving on”, it is realized that there was an issue with the previous setup &amp; that everyone should stop &amp; go back to redo the take.

9) Flag On the Play: Sometimes, even with a confident call for a “new deal or moving on”, it is realized that there was an issue with the previous setup & that everyone should stop & go back to redo the take.


It takes a lot of work, logistics, &amp; time to make a film &amp; if anyone on the crew calls "Flag On the Play", it's take seriously. The production will pause &amp; discuss the issue before deciding to moving anything.

It takes a lot of work, logistics, & time to make a film & if anyone on the crew calls "Flag On the Play", it's take seriously.  The production will pause & discuss the issue before deciding to moving anything.


20 Film Terms You Need to Know to Survive On-Set: Part 2

10) Per Diem: This term should be familiar to anyone who has worked for a company. It's the brother to petty cash. It's a daily allowance for costs incurred while filming on location. Usually for food &amp; laundry, but could be for lodging as well.

10) Per Diem: This term should be familiar to anyone who has worked for a company.  It's the brother to petty cash.  It's a daily allowance for costs incurred while filming on location. Usually for food & laundry, but could be for lodging as well.


11) 10/100 or 10/1: This is borrowed from Citizen Band (CB) trucker lingo. There are a series of codes that you will hear on set through your walkie-talkie &amp; this one in particular is important &amp; discreet.

11) 10/100 or 10/1: This is borrowed from Citizen Band (CB) trucker lingo.  There are a series of codes that you will hear on set through your walkie-talkie & this one in particular is important & discreet.


They used to come in wonderful cash-filled envelopes but now are deposited in your bank account with your paycheck.

They used to come in wonderful cash-filled envelopes but now are deposited in your bank account with your paycheck.


12) The Lot: It's a much less reverential glamorous way to describe the physical location of any of the legacy movie studios. When someone says, "You're on the lot" or asks if you are on the lot, it means the studio lot.

12) The Lot: It's a much less reverential glamorous way to describe the physical location of any of the legacy movie studios.  When someone says, "You're on the lot" or asks if you are on the lot, it means the studio lot.


13) Hot Set: The best way to describe a hot set is that it is a set that needs to be "frozen" until it's ready to be used. Usually a sound stage that is complete with lighting &amp; art direction will be a hot set where actors &amp; crew can walk on with little prep before filming.

13) Hot Set: The best way to describe a hot set is that it is a set that needs to be "frozen" until it's ready to be used.  Usually a sound stage that is complete with lighting & art direction will be a hot set where actors & crew can walk on with little prep before filming.


This code is to tell other crewmembers that you will be stepping away from your post or the set to use the bathroom. Sometimes 10/200 or 10/2 is used for the other similar nature calling needs.

This code is to tell other crewmembers that you will be stepping away from your post or the set to use the bathroom.  Sometimes 10/200 or 10/2 is used for the other similar nature calling needs.


14) Hot Brick: Communication is key to any set &amp; especially on a huge set that is on location in the middle of nowhere. Every department head, director, &amp; crew member relies on a fully charged battery for their walkie-talkie.

 14) Hot Brick: Communication is key to any set & especially on a huge set that is on location in the middle of nowhere.  Every department head, director, & crew member relies on a fully charged battery for their walkie-talkie. 


Sometimes referred to as the "Back Lot" where there are sound stages &amp; location sets where any number of productions will be filming. The "Universal Studios" Tour is a great introduction to seeing a back lot experience.

Sometimes referred to as the "Back Lot" where there are sound stages & location sets where any number of productions will be filming.  The "Universal Studios" Tour is a great introduction to seeing a back lot experience.


Everything is specifically planned &amp; put in place, usually days before actors &amp; crew walk onto the set. The set will be considered to be hot so everyone knows that nothing should be touched or moved. A huge amount of wrath will be rained on anyone who messes with a hot set.

Everything is specifically planned & put in place, usually days before actors & crew walk onto the set. The set will be considered to be hot so everyone knows that nothing should be touched or moved.  A huge amount of wrath will be rained on anyone who messes with a hot set.


A Production Assistant will be given the job to make sure that fully charged batteries (hot bricks) are supplied to any crewmember that needs them &amp; to make sure that batteries are always charging during the production day.

 A Production Assistant will be given the job to make sure that fully charged batteries (hot bricks) are supplied to any crewmember that needs them & to make sure that batteries are always charging during the production day.


20 Film Terms You Need to Know to Survive On-Set: Part 3

15) DFI (Don’t Follow Instruction): This should be pretty straight-forward. There are many orders that will be made over the course of a production day which are subject to change momentarily due to any number of factors. It essentially means not to fulfill the order.

15) DFI (Don’t Follow Instruction): This should be pretty straight-forward. There are many orders that will be made over the course of a production day which are subject to change momentarily due to any number of factors.  It essentially means not to fulfill the order.


16) Cowboys: This term came about because of the way in which westerns were typically shot. For scenes like a showdown in the town square, DP's start to use a shot that is framed from the top of the actor's head down to just above the knees.

16) Cowboys: This term came about because of the way in which westerns were typically shot.  For scenes like a showdown in the town square, DP's start to use a shot that is framed from the top of the actor's head down to just above the knees.


Your supervisor or fellow crew member may give an instruction, but then tell you to “DFI” after the fact. Why film crews don't just say “don’t do that”? It might be a product of abbreviating everything for fast communication between crew members.

Your supervisor or fellow crew member may give an instruction, but then tell you to “DFI” after the fact.  Why film crews don't just say “don’t do that”? It might be a product of abbreviating everything for fast communication between crew members.


17) Blocking: One of the first things that a Director does with their actors is to block out a scene. This is where the Director works through the scene with the actors to determine where they will stand, move, interact &amp; sit throughout the scene. This is the early part of rehe

17) Blocking: One of the first things that a Director does with their actors is to block out a scene.  This is where the Director works through the scene with the actors to determine where they will stand, move, interact & sit throughout the scene.  This is the early part of rehe


19) Martini Shot: Also known as the last camera setup of the production day. The Abby Singer gives crews a heads up to start packing up, but the announcement of the martini shot let's every know how close the production is to wrap &amp; to really get ready to pack everything up.

19) Martini Shot: Also known as the last camera setup of the production day. The Abby Singer gives crews a heads up to start packing up, but the announcement of the martini shot let's every know how close the production is to wrap & to really get ready to pack everything up.


This is the early part of rehearsal &amp; could be done on location while the DP watches in order to determine a shot list to cover the scene. Or it can be in another rehearsal space where more extensive scene work will happen.

This is the early part of rehearsal & could be done on location while the DP watches in order to determine a shot list to cover the scene.  Or it can be in another rehearsal space where more extensive scene work will happen.


20) Wrap: Is the end a scene, actor, item, production day or the entire production altogether. There's a sweet sorrow that comes with announcing a wrap on a part or all of the production It's the finish line confirmation that excites the entire production &amp; is great to hear.

20) Wrap: Is the end a scene, actor, item, production day or the entire production altogether.  There's a sweet sorrow that comes with announcing a wrap on a part or all of the production  It's the finish line confirmation that excites the entire production & is great to hear.


18) Abby Singer Shot: Named after an Assistant Director named Abby Singer who would always called the last two shots in order to give the crew time to start packing up gear knowing it was almost at wrap.

18) Abby Singer Shot: Named after an Assistant Director named Abby Singer who would always called the last two shots in order to give the crew time to start packing up gear knowing it was almost at wrap.


The second to the last camera setup of the production day is now known as the Abby Singer &amp; remains a tribute to this renowned Assistant Director in Hollywood history.

The second to the last camera setup of the production day is now known as the Abby Singer & remains a tribute to this renowned Assistant Director in Hollywood history.


Now that you have a basic knowledge of terms you will hear on a film set, you have just stepped into a world where there is another language, dialect, &amp; culture of the entertainment industry. This is just a small part of a bigger world.

Now that you have a basic knowledge of terms you will hear on a film set, you have just stepped into a world where there is another language, dialect, & culture of the entertainment industry.  This is just a small part of a bigger world. 
