Teddy Bear’s Arsehole

Film Makers Jargon

Words and phrases you’ll hear everyday on film sets and in television studios. Many have become things of the past but will still score heavily in your local pub quiz.

Teddy Bear’s Arsehole

Eyepiece cover that protects and aids comfort to using it.

Charlie Bar

A thin piece of wood used to cast a shadow to preserve the modesty of 1930s actresses in Period films.

Eighty Six

Based on the Army Rule to dismiss a Soldier it means “remove from the set” also known as the Spanish Archer (El Bow) and “please Strike

Grips

The crew who exclusively attach the Camera either to the tripod, Dolly or even Helicopter mount or Drone. Key Grip is the boss.

Fluffer

A crew “member “who prepares the talent for their big moment on an Adult Movie.

Mother Brown

A shot of the talent from “their knees-up” (Cockney Song: “Knees Up Mother Brown”)

Track

Like a piece of railway line that allows the Dolly to run smoothly across the floor.

Dolly

A trolly that becomes a small train when the Camera is attached.

DOP

Director of Photography ultimately responsible for the framing, lighting and style of every single shot.

Runner

At the beck and call of the Talent and all crew to do anything and everything no one else would lower themselves to.

Exec Producer

An indescribable individual who interferes with every aspect of film making with little or no knowledge. Controls the budget and is highly liked and regarded by everyone on set.

Producer

Overall control of the set with both eyes firmly locked on the Storyboard and the cash flow. Hates the Director and has a long term ambition to be an Exec Producer. See Exec Producer.

Production Manager.

Wants to be a Producer.

Director

Wants their own way at all times with scant regard for the Producer and open dislike of the Exec Producer. Drinks heavily and chats endlessly, and with little success, to the younger more attractive Talent.

Talent

Refers to any of the actors or models on set . Not necessarily talented.

First

First Assistant Director or First AD or just First  who runs everything. Traditionally the most disliked person on set.

Second

First `AD's assistant. 2nd AD. Want's one day to be the most disliked person on set.

Apple Box

Wooden boxes used by the Grips (See Grip)

A.D.R

Automatic Dialogue Replacement in a studio after filming has finished. AKA Dubbing.

Blocking

Working out the actors positions for shots before filming.

Blonde

Nickname for a 2K open face light.

Call Sheet

The days work schedule and what time everyone is needed on set.

Craft

Food and catering on a film set.

Rushes

Footage ready to be reviewed by the Director and Producer at the end of each shooting day.

Call Sheet

The days work schedule and what time everyone is needed on set.

End Board

The Clapper board used at the end of a shot rather than the start. Usually operated upside down

Gate

The part of the camera between the lens and the film which is checked for hair or dust using traditional Movie Film.

Spark

An electrician who primarily places the lights.

Legs

The tripod stand also called ‘Sticks’.

Magic Hour

The hour before sunset when natural light is at it’s best and the sky is golden.

M.O.S

Half English half German phrase used by the legendary German Film Director, Erich von Stroheim, for a silent shot "MIT OUT SOUND".

Pick Ups

Usually small shots and cutaways that the Unit failed to shoot during the normal day.

Video Village

The place where the monitor goes on the set.

Green Room

The area dedicated to the talent where they can relax between set ups and complain about the behaviour of the first AD.

Closed Set

Means there is nude filming going on.

Take

A scene that has been or is being filmed or Veronica Lake UK rhyming slang for take.

Bottle

The lens of the camera.

Speed

Means that the camera is rolling.

Print

Term used by the director to specify which take is the best in a sequence.

Wrap

Stands for Wind, Reel & Print” and comes from the days when at the end of filming the physical film Reel would be Rewound and sent to be Printed overnight

Wildtrack

An audio recording of ambient sounds without dialogue for use in the edit.

Pagganini

Stepped boxes to alter height of the Dolly (see Dolly).

POV

The Point of view of a character in the film.

Hair in the gate

Look inside the Camera Gate as this would print onto the processed film.

Cut

Stop the Camera at the end of a take

Clapper Board

Filmed after the Camera starts, the Board has details of the Production including the Director, Scene & Take Number and other information The “clapper” on the top of the Board synchronises the sound with the pictures as the audio “Clap” matches the visual point when we see the Board first close.

Gaffer

Lead electrician. Who is definitely not the guvnor or anyone with meaningful clout. However if the lights go out it will be the gaffer who is at fault. With special thanks to Mat Cooper one of Britains greatest gaffers, who we used to work with before he started criticising our rather witty LinkedIn posts!