When the credits roll at the end of a film, it’s always remarkable to see just how many talented people are involved in bringing a project to life. Often, there are so many crew members and diverse job titles, it can be hard to keep track of which tasks fall under which Department umbrella.
Having hailed from different corners of the industry, each of our team members can recall instances in which friends or family approached them for some clarity! The questions have ranged from “What does a Producer’s job entail?” to “What does the Key Grip do?” to “What’s the difference between a Gaffer and the Best Boy?”.
A few years ago, Screen Ireland identified this as gap in knowledge as an exciting learning opportunity! Particularly given the rapid pace at which the industry is growing here in Ireland. The Film Board spearheaded the Careers in Screen initiative. This directory was intended as an outlet for industry representatives to better understand the ins and outs of crew responsibilities, all the way from pre- to post-production.
The platform also serves as a valuable resource for new entrants and aspiring filmmakers. In particular, it has provided guidance for those wish to contribute to the creative space, but are not quite sure which career best aligns with their personality and unique skillset.
The Careers in Screen website inspired us to create our own glossary of On-Set Terminology, albeit on a smaller scale. We’ve all heard directors call “Action” and “Cut”, but what about the more obscure (and sometimes, a little unusual) terminology? Check out the list we’ve compiled below:
- Unit Base: The location where you’ll find key members of the Production Team. This tends to be your first port of call when arriving on set to “check-in”.
- Holding Area: This is where the cast, usually extras, are asked to wait before they are required on set.
- Line-up: This is when the cast, usually extras, are asked to form a line. This allows the Costume and Make-Up Departments to scan everyone’s appearance to ensure everything is just right before filming.
- Blocking: Before shooting, the Director will dedicate time to guiding members of the cast on where to position themselves during the scene. They may also outline actions and the order in which they should be completed.
- “Check the Gate!”: A prompt to ensure there are no unwanted or unexpected objects on the camera lens.
- Turning Over: Get ready, the camera is about to start rolling.
- Second Unit: This is an additional filming crew. They may be tasked with shooting pick-ups or assisting the Main Unit with night shoots.
- Pick-Up: A scene, or in some cases, a line of dialogue, that was missed, flubbed, corrupted, or inaudible during the initial shoot. This is reshot or rerecorded as a “pick-up”.
- Hot Set: Continuity is an essential cornerstone of filmmaking. When a crew member mentions a “Hot Set”, it means the set is currently in use. Nothing should be added, removed, or shifted lest it disrupt visual continuity.
- Hot Brick: A fully charged walkie-talkie battery.
- New Deal / Reset: Changing the camera set-up and positioning to acquire new shots.
- “Flag on the Play!”: Usually, this means there’s an issue with the shot set-up. Filming is paused until the problem is resolved.
- Abby Singer Shot: Named after the famous Assistant Director, this is either the penultimate shot of the day or the second to last camera set-up of the day.
- Martini Shot: This is either the last shot of the day or the last camera set-up of the day.
We know members of our Talent Pool have heard some of these terms uttered multiple times on set! But it’s worth noting that turns of phrase can vary from set to set as well as country to country. We certainly came across one or two new expressions during our research. If you’ve ever been puzzled by any lingo used on set, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
For now, that’s a wrap!
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If you’re in need of Actors, Models, Extras, or Performers for your next Creative or Commercial Project, get in touch. We’d love to help. Simply email info@castingireland.ie or call us on (01) 634 3112.
