Film & TV Glossary

Film production, post-production, distribution, and talent terminology

23 terms 7 industries

All Industries Marketing (60) Events (35) Music (27) Film & TV (23) Public Relations (28) Digital & Tech (28) Artificial Intelligence (20)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Above the Line

Creative talent and costs that are negotiated before production begins.

Film & TV film-production

B

Below the Line

Technical and production costs that occur during the actual filmmaking process.

Film & TV film-production

Box Office

Revenue generated from theatrical ticket sales, a key measure of a film's commercial performance.

Film & TV distribution

C

Call Sheet

The daily production document detailing shooting schedule, cast calls, crew calls, and logistics.

Film & TV film-production

Color Grading

The process of altering and enhancing the color of motion picture footage.

Film & TV post-production

D

Day Player

An actor hired for a single day or brief period, typically for small roles with few scenes.

Film & TV talent

Development Hell

The extended, often troubled development phase where a project remains stuck without progressing to production.

Film & TV film-production

F

First Look Deal

An agreement giving a studio the first opportunity to develop or purchase a creator's projects.

Film & TV film-production

G

Greenlight

The official approval to proceed with full production, committing budget and resources to a project.

Film & TV film-production

I

IP (Intellectual Property)

Creative works or ideas that can be owned and licensed for adaptation.

Film & TV film-production

O

Option

Payment for exclusive rights to develop intellectual property into a film or show for a specified period.

Film & TV film-production

P

Pitch Deck

A visual presentation used to sell a film or TV project to investors or studios.

Film & TV film-production

Principal Photography

The main period when a film or TV show is being shot.

Film & TV film-production

R

Residuals

Ongoing payments to performers and creatives when their work is reused, rerun, or distributed in new formats.

Film & TV talent

S

SAG-AFTRA

The labor union representing actors, announcers, and other media professionals.

Film & TV talent

SVOD

Subscription Video on Demand services like Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max.

Film & TV distribution

Showrunner

The creative leader responsible for day-to-day production of a television series.

Film & TV film-production

Spec Script

A screenplay written without commission or assignment, created on speculation of future sale.

Film & TV film-production

Streaming Window

The period during which content is exclusively available on a specific platform.

Film & TV distribution

T

Talent Agent

A licensed professional who procures employment opportunities for performers.

Film & TV talent

Theatrical Release

The distribution of a film through movie theaters.

Film & TV distribution

Turnaround

When a project is released by one studio, allowing it to be shopped to others.

Film & TV film-production

V

VFX (Visual Effects)

Digital imagery created or manipulated outside live-action shooting.

Film & TV post-production

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