Terminology Page

If you're a visitor not familiar with some of the terminologies used in the film industry this page will assist you in understanding some of them. Should you have further comments, questions or suggestions please become a member and add your own terminology or suggestions to this page.

  Art Director
Manages art department, creating and setting up the production sets.

  Assistant Director
Manages the shooting schedule, logistics and other tasks, different AD are responsible for different tasks.

  Casting Director
Recruits the actors and actresses during an audition.

  Choreographer
Designs the action or fight scenes and works mainly with the stunt doubles.

  Composer
Creates music for the film.

  Costume Designer
Creates clothing for the characters, works closely with actors.

  Director
The director is the primary responsible person to translate the story to the screen.

  Director of Audiography
Responsible for the sounds, sound designer and sound editing.

  Director of Photography (a.k.a 'DP')
Supervises the principal photography of the film, sets up and direct cameras and usually directs and in charge of the camera crew.

  Editor (film)
The film editor works with the raw footage, selecting shots and combines them into sequences which create a finished motion picture. A film editor must creatively work with the layers of images, story, dialogue, music, pacing, as well as the actors' performances to effectively "re-imagine" and even rewrite the film to craft a cohesive whole.

  Intimacy Coordinator
They are "an advocate, a liaison between actors and production, and a movement coach and/or choreographer in regards to nudity and simulated sex, and other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes." Intimacy coordinators are distinguished from intimacy directors who are associated with live performance roles, such as: theatre, dance, circus, performance art, and fashion shows.

  Line Producer
A line producer is responsible for managing the financial and logistical aspects of a film or television production, overseeing the budget, hiring the crew, and coordinating daily operations. They act as a liaison between the creative team and the production staff, ensuring that the project stays on schedule and within budget.

  Location Manager
Finds the location for filming, this could be outdoor or a remote indoor location. Location managers rent spaces and setup times for shooting. This person also often assist with setting up the security and safety of location where filming takes place.

  Makeup Artist and Hair Designer
Works with the custom designer creating a certain look for the character.

  Producer
Responsible for presenting the film to financial investors, oversees the budget of the movie, recruits screenwriters and other staff for the movie, also helps finding resources needed for the picture.

  Production Designer
Creates visual conception of the film, works with the art director.

  Production Sound Mixer
Head of the sound department during the production. Records and mixes audio – including the dialogues on the set; generally works with the boom operator.

  Screenwriter
Develops the script for the picture, which could be an original idea or an already existing story that is translated to a movie.

  Script
Story translated to motion picture format, consist mainly the dialogues for the actors, notes locations, times and other details.

  Script Supervisor
Ensures the continuity of the filming, making sure details from set to set follow properly. Script supervisors closely work with the director and supervisors of other departments such as sound or photography.

  Sound Designer
Creates the aural concept of the film, works with the supervising sound editor.

  Story Board Artist
Creates a visual concept of the film (this saves a lot of time and money, however some directors prefer not to create a story board).

  Unit Production Manager
Manages production budget and schedule. Reports to studio executives and/or financiers of the film.