Business Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Greenlight | Approval to make a film |
| Development hell | Project stuck in development |
| Tentpole | Big-budget film supporting a studio's year |
| Slate | A company's lineup of projects (also the clapperboard) |
| Turnaround | Project released to be set up elsewhere |
| Above the line | Key creative costs like director and stars |
Set Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Call sheet | Daily schedule and contacts |
| Martini shot | Last shot of the day |
| Abby Singer | Second-to-last shot |
| Wrap | End of shooting |
| Company move | Whole unit changes location |
Post Terms
- Dailies: footage reviewed after each day
- Locked cut: final edit
- Deliverables: final files required
Learn on set
Ask when unsure.
Our earlier post-production terms go deeper. For "the line", see above and below the line, and for synonyms, video production synonyms.
Why Industry Vocabulary Matters
Film sets and production offices run on shorthand. When an assistant director calls for a company move, or a producer says a project is in turnaround, everyone who understands acts immediately. Newcomers who do not know the terms can feel lost or make mistakes. Learning the vocabulary helps people integrate quickly, follow instructions, and contribute confidently in meetings.
Clients working with production companies benefit too. Understanding terms such as call sheet, wrap, or picture lock makes schedules and updates easier to follow and reduces misunderstandings.
Development Terms Explained
Development is the stage where ideas become projects. An option is the right to develop a story for a period, often paid to a writer or rights holder. A treatment is a prose summary of the story. Packaging means attaching key talent to make a project attractive to financiers. A project that never progresses may be described as stuck in development hell, a phrase that captures how frustrating the stage can be.
Financing Terms
Financing vocabulary includes pre-sales, where distribution rights are sold before a film is made; gap financing, which covers the difference between raised money and the budget; and completion bonds, which guarantee that a film will be finished. Above-the-line costs cover key creative people, while below-the-line costs cover crew, equipment, and production expenses.
Scheduling Terms on Set
The call time is when cast and crew must arrive. A call sheet lists the day's scenes, locations, contacts, and timings. A day out of days chart shows which actors work on which days. A company move is when the whole unit relocates. The martini shot is the last shot of the day, and the Abby Singer, named after a production manager, is the second-to-last.
Camera and Shot Terms
Coverage refers to all the angles shot for a scene. A master shot covers the whole scene, while singles and inserts cover individual actors and details. Pick-ups are additional shots filmed later. A slate or clapperboard marks takes for syncing sound and picture. Hearing the camera operator call rolling or speed means recording has started.
Post-Production Terms
Dailies are footage reviewed after each shooting day. An assembly is the first rough arrangement of scenes. Picture lock means the edit is final. Spotting sessions decide where music and effects go. A conform rebuilds the edit with full-quality media for finishing. Deliverables are the final files required by distributors or clients.
Distribution and Release Terms
Windows are periods when a film is available in particular formats, such as theatres or streaming. A sales agent sells rights to distributors in different territories. Festival premieres may be world, international, or regional, and many festivals have rules about prior screenings.
Common Set Slang
Crews use playful slang: a stinger is an extension cable, a C-stand is a versatile stand for flags and lights, and apple boxes are sturdy wooden boxes used to raise people or objects. Learning these terms helps new crew respond quickly when asked for equipment.
Regional Variations in Vocabulary
Terms vary between countries and industries. Indian sets may use some different expressions from those common in Hollywood or Europe, and corporate video teams may use simpler vocabulary than feature crews. When joining a new team, listen first and ask about unfamiliar terms.
How to Learn Industry Vocabulary Quickly
Keep a notebook of new terms heard on set, read call sheets carefully, and ask colleagues during breaks. Watching behind-the-scenes documentaries also helps. Within a few productions, most vocabulary becomes second nature.
Speaking the Language
Producers at our video production company in India translate jargon for clients. A video production agency in India should never confuse you with slang. A good video production company explains terms on call sheets. Clients call us the best video production company in Bangalore for clear communication, and that clarity helps us work as a top video production agency in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does greenlight mean in film?
Approval to proceed with making a film.
What is a martini shot?
The last shot of the shooting day.
What is a call sheet?
A daily document with schedule, locations, and contacts.
What does above the line mean?
Key creative costs such as director, writer, and stars.
What is a company move?
When the entire crew and equipment relocate from one shooting location to another.
Learn the Lingo
Knowing industry vocabulary makes meetings and sets easier. For a team that explains everything clearly, contact our video production company.
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