Written by The Ultimate Guide to Film and Theatre Terminology: 150+ Terms and Their Meaning. Film and theatre are rich, vibrant worlds that bring stories to life. Whether you’re a beginner actor, an aspiring filmmaker, or a curious audience member, understanding the key terminology is essential to fully appreciate and participate in these creative fields. This blog post will guide you through over 150 film and theatre terms, covering everything from basic concepts to technical jargon.
Film Terminology
1. Actor
An individual who portrays a character in a film, TV show, or stage production.
2. Director
The creative visionary responsible for overseeing the artistic aspects of a production, including guiding the actors and working closely with other key departments like cinematography and editing.
3. Cinematography
The art of capturing visual images on film or digitally, including camera angles, lighting, and framing.
4. Script
A written work that outlines the dialogue, actions, and settings of a film or play.
5. Producer
Oversees the financial and logistical elements of a film or theatre production, ensuring the project stays on schedule and within budget.
6. Scene
A section of a film or play that takes place in a single location and moment in time.
7. Take
An individual recording of a scene or a part of a scene. Multiple takes may be filmed to get the best performance.
8. Shot
A continuous view captured by the camera without interruption.
9. Editing
The process of selecting, arranging, and trimming film footage to create the final cut.
10. Close-Up
A type of shot that tightly frames an actor’s face, often to show emotion.
11. Montage
A sequence of short shots edited together to show a passage of time or to summarize an event.
12. Score
The background music composed for a film to enhance the emotional experience.
13. CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery)
Special effects created using digital technology, often used in action scenes or to create fantastical settings.
14. Green Screen
A filming technique where actors perform in front of a green backdrop, which is later replaced with digitally created backgrounds.
15. Voiceover
When an actor or narrator speaks off-camera, often providing commentary or insight into the story.
16. Boom Mic
A microphone attached to a long pole, used to capture dialogue during filming.
17. Grip
A crew member responsible for setting up and adjusting camera equipment.
18. Gaffer
The chief electrician on a film set, responsible for managing lighting.
19. Dolly
A wheeled platform used to move a camera smoothly during tracking shots.
20. Blocking
The arrangement and movement of actors on stage or set during a scene.
21. ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement)
The process of re-recording dialogue after filming, typically used to improve sound quality.
22. Clapperboard
A tool used in filmmaking to synchronize audio and visual components by marking the beginning of each take.
23. Cut
A command given by the director to stop filming, or a transition between shots during editing.
24. Master Shot
A wide shot that captures all the action in a scene from start to finish, often used as a reference during editing.
25. Point of View (POV) Shot
A shot that shows the scene from a character’s perspective.
Theatre Terminology
26. Protagonist
The main character in a play, film, or story, often facing challenges or conflict.
27. Antagonist
A character who opposes the protagonist, creating conflict.
28. Monologue
A long speech by a single character, typically expressing their thoughts aloud.
29. Dialogue
A conversation between two or more characters in a play or film.
30. Set
The physical environment created on stage to represent the story’s location.
31. Stage Left
The left side of the stage from the actor’s perspective, facing the audience.
32. Stage Right
The right side of the stage from the actor’s perspective, facing the audience.
33. Upstage
The part of the stage furthest from the audience.
34. Downstage
The part of the stage closest to the audience.
35. Cue
A signal for an actor to say a line or perform an action, or for a technical change to occur.
36. Break a Leg
A phrase used to wish actors good luck before a performance.
37. Ensemble
A group of actors who work together to perform a play or scene, often without a single lead.
38. Fourth Wall
The imaginary barrier between the actors and the audience. When an actor “breaks the fourth wall,” they directly address the audience.
39. Rehearsal
Practice sessions where actors and crew work on perfecting the performance before opening night.
40. Tech Rehearsal
A rehearsal focused on the technical elements of a production, including lighting, sound, and set changes.
41. Dress Rehearsal
A full run-through of the play with costumes, props, and technical elements in place.
42. Audition
A process where actors try out for roles by performing a piece of the script or a prepared monologue.
43. Understudy
An actor who learns a part in case the primary actor cannot perform.
44. Costume Designer
The person responsible for designing the clothing worn by actors during a production.
45. Make-Up Artist
A professional who applies makeup to actors to help them transform into their characters.
46. Lighting Designer
The person responsible for creating the lighting plan, ensuring that the stage is properly lit to support the story.
47. Stage Manager
The person responsible for the overall coordination of a production, including managing rehearsals, actors, and technical elements.
48. Black Box Theatre
A simple, flexible performance space with black walls, used for experimental or minimalist productions.
49. Proscenium Stage
A traditional stage where the audience sits in front, and a large arch frames the action.
50. Thrust Stage
A stage that extends into the audience, with viewers seated on three sides.
Advanced Film and Theatre Terms
51. Blocking
The precise movement and positioning of actors on stage or set to enhance the performance.
52. Backstory
The history of a character that informs their motivations and actions, though it may not be explicitly mentioned in the script.
53. Exposition
Information presented to the audience about the characters and plot that helps set up the story.
54. MacGuffin
An object or event in a film or play that drives the plot but may have little actual relevance to the story’s outcome.
55. Beat
A moment of pause or silence in a scene, used to enhance tension or emotion.
56. Cheat
A technique where actors or objects are positioned in a way that looks natural to the audience but is staged to benefit the camera.
57. Continuity
Ensuring consistency in the visual elements, such as costumes, props, and actor placement, from shot to shot.
58. Score
The music composed for a film or theatrical production to enhance mood and emotion.
59. Subtext
The underlying meaning or intention behind a character’s words or actions that isn’t directly expressed.
60. Table Read
A script-reading session where actors and the director sit around a table and read through the script before rehearsals begin.
61. Slate
A board or digital marker used to identify takes during filming, featuring the scene number, take number, and production information.
62. Storyboard
A visual representation of a film’s scenes, created before shooting to plan camera angles and sequences.
63. Call Sheet
A daily schedule that lists the scenes being shot, the call times for cast and crew, and other important information for the day’s shoot.
64. Screenplay
A script written specifically for film, detailing actions, dialogue, and camera directions.
65. Action
The command given by a director to start filming a scene.
66. Jump Cut
An abrupt transition between shots, often used to show a passage of time or create a disorienting effect.
67. Foley
The creation of sound effects added in post-production to enhance the audio, such as footsteps or door creaks.
68. Pan
A camera movement where the camera stays in one position but swivels horizontally to follow the action.
69. Tilt
A camera movement that pivots vertically up or down.
70. Dissolve
A gradual transition between two scenes, where one fades out while the other fades in.
71. Fade In/Fade Out
A visual effect where a scene gradually appears from black (fade in) or disappears to black (fade out).
72. Lens
A piece of equipment attached to a camera that determines how the image is captured, such as wide-angle or telephoto lenses.
73. Zoom
Changing the focal length of the camera lens to make the image appear closer or further away without moving the camera.
74. Frame Rate
The number of frames (images) captured per second in a film or video, typically 24 frames per second for movies.
75. Aspect Ratio
The ratio of width to height in a film or screen image, such as 16:9 for widescreen.
76. Location Scout
A person responsible for finding suitable filming locations for a movie or show.
77. Establishing Shot
A wide shot that shows the setting of a scene, helping the audience understand where the action is taking place.
78. Match Cut
A cut between two shots that aligns elements from each, often used to suggest a visual or thematic connection.
79. Split Screen
A technique where two or more scenes are shown simultaneously on the screen, often used to compare or contrast action.
80. Key Light
The primary light used to illuminate a subject in filmmaking or photography.
81. Fill Light
A secondary light used to reduce shadows created by the key light.
82. Back Light
A light placed behind the subject to create a rim of light and separate them from the background.
83. Over the Shoulder (OTS) Shot
A shot taken from behind one character, framing the person they are speaking to or interacting with.
84. Two-Shot
A shot featuring two characters in the same frame.
85. Tracking Shot
A shot where the camera moves with the action, often following characters or objects.
86. Steadicam
A camera stabilization system used to capture smooth shots without the need for tracks or rigs.
87. Looping
A post-production process where actors re-record dialogue to match the timing and lip movements of their on-screen performance.
88. Diegetic Sound
Sound that originates within the world of the film, such as characters talking or music playing on a radio.
89. Non-Diegetic Sound
Sound that is not part of the film’s world, such as background score or a narrator’s voice.
90. Cross-Cutting
An editing technique that interweaves scenes occurring in different locations or times, suggesting simultaneous action.
91. Insert Shot
A close-up shot of a specific object or detail that is important to the plot.
92. High Angle Shot
A shot taken from above the subject, making them appear smaller or weaker.
93. Low Angle Shot
A shot taken from below the subject, making them appear larger or more powerful.
94. Dutch Angle
A tilted camera angle that creates a sense of unease or disorientation.
95. Rack Focus
A technique where the focus shifts from one object to another within a single shot.
96. VFX (Visual Effects)
Effects created digitally in post-production to enhance or alter the footage, such as explosions or fantasy creatures.
97. Guerilla Filmmaking
A low-budget, often improvised style of filmmaking that relies on minimal equipment and locations.
98. Pre-Production
The phase of filmmaking where planning takes place, including script development, casting, and location scouting.
99. Principal Photography
The main phase of filming, where most of the scenes are shot.
100. Post-Production
The phase after filming where editing, sound mixing, and special effects are completed.
101. Screen Test
An audition where an actor is filmed to see how they look and perform on camera.
102. Cameo
A brief appearance by a well-known actor or public figure in a film or play.
103. Cold Open
A scene that occurs before the opening credits of a film or TV show, designed to grab the audience’s attention.
104. Cliffhanger
A dramatic moment at the end of a scene, act, or episode, leaving the outcome unresolved to create suspense.
105. Plot Twist
A surprising development in the story that changes the direction of the narrative.
106. Method Acting
A technique where actors immerse themselves deeply into their characters, often drawing from personal experiences.
107. Improv (Improvisation)
The act of performing without a script, relying on spontaneity and creativity.
108. Prop
An object used on stage or in film that is handled by the actors, such as books, weapons, or furniture.
109. Choreographer
The person responsible for creating and teaching dance routines or fight sequences in a production.
110. Stunt Coordinator
The person responsible for planning and directing dangerous or complex action sequences.
111. Stunt Double
An actor’s double who performs dangerous stunts in place of the main actor.
112. Stagehand
A person who assists with moving sets, props, and other equipment during a theatre production.
113. Fly System
A system of ropes and pulleys used to raise and lower scenery, lights, or even actors on stage.
114. Front of House (FOH)
Refers to the areas of a theatre open to the public, including the lobby and auditorium.
115. House Manager
The person responsible for overseeing the audience experience in the theatre, including seating and safety.
116. Curtain Call
The moment at the end of a performance when actors return to the stage to take a bow.
117. Matinee
A daytime performance, usually held in the afternoon.
118. Off Book
When actors have memorized their lines and no longer need the script in rehearsals.
119. Strike
The process of dismantling and removing the set, props, and equipment after a production has closed.
120. Blackout
When all the lights on stage go off at once, typically signaling the end of a scene or act.
121. Gel
A colored filter placed over lights to create different lighting effects on stage.
122. Follow Spot
A powerful, moveable spotlight used to highlight a specific actor or area on stage.
123. In the Round
A stage configuration where the audience surrounds the actors on all sides.
124. Wings
The areas off to the side of the stage where actors wait to make their entrances.
125. Prompt
A person responsible for feeding actors their lines if they forget them during a performance.
126. Soliloquy
A speech where a character talks to themselves, revealing inner thoughts, often used in Shakespearean plays.
127. Raked Stage
A stage that is sloped, with the back higher than the front, used to enhance visibility for the audience.
128. Masking
The use of curtains or set pieces to hide parts of the stage from the audience’s view.
129. Cold Reading
An audition where the actor reads from the script without having seen it beforehand.
130. Stage Whisper
A loud whisper used by an actor so the audience can hear, while still appearing to be whispering in character.
131. Underlighting
Lighting from below, often used to create eerie or dramatic effects.
132. Cyclorama (Cyc)
A large curtain or wall, often white or light-colored, used to create a background on stage.
133. Scrim
A thin, gauzy curtain that can appear transparent or opaque depending on how it is lit.
134. Cue to Cue
A rehearsal that skips over dialogue, focusing only on the technical cues for lights, sound, and set changes.
135. House Lights
The lights in the auditorium or audience area that are dimmed befor
Conclusion
Film and theatre terminology can seem overwhelming at first, but as you grow more familiar with these terms, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how productions come to life. Whether you’re preparing for an audition, working behind the scenes, or simply expanding your knowledge, these 150+ terms will enhance your appreciation for the art of storytelling. Understanding the language of film and theatre is the first step toward becoming a more skilled and informed participant in these creative worlds.
