INDUSTRY TERMS FOR ACTORS

ACTRA – Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists is the performers’ union in Canada.

AD (Assistant Director) – Manages scheduling, call sheets, and set organization.

ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) – Re-recording dialogue in a studio to match footage.

Agent: An agent is a representative who helps actors, models, or other performers find work, negotiate contracts, and manage professional opportunities. They act as the middleperson between talent and industry decision-makers — such as casting directors, producers, and advertisers — earning a commission (usually a percentage of the performer’s income) for their services.

Agent Commission – The percentage (usually 15%) that agents take from your earnings.

Agents Booking Fee (Agency Fee) – A fee charged to production companies by the agent (for the agent’s time and services). This fee is not part of the actor’s pay rate. Typically 15–20%.

Audition – An audition is a tryout or test where an actor performs a piece of material — such as a scene, monologue, or set of lines — to showcase their talent and suitability for a particular role in a film, TV show, commercial, stage production, or voice-over project. It’s essentially a job interview for performers — where instead of answering questions, you act.

Background Performer (Extra) – Non-speaking roles that fill out scenes.

Beat – A short pause or moment of reflection in a scene; used to emphasize emotion or change in tone.

Blocking – The planned movement of actors on set or stage.

Booked It! – You got the role.

Booking – When you are officially cast in a project.

Breakdown – A casting notice describing the project, roles, pay, and submission details.

Breakdown Services – Companies that provide online audition submission and self-tape platforms (e.g. Breakdown Express, Casting Workbook, Casting Networks, eBOSS, Actors Access, etc.) 

Buyout – A one-time payment granting the producer the right to use your performance for a set period or indefinitely.

Call Sheet – Daily schedule outlining cast/crew call times, scenes, and locations.

Call Time – The time you are expected to arrive on set or at the audition.

Callback – A second or subsequent audition, usually with the director or producers.

Casting Director – A casting director is the professional responsible for selecting and auditioning actors for film, TV, theatre, and commercial projects.

Cameo: A brief appearance by a well-known person.

Chemistry Read – A test to see how two actors work together on screen.

Cold Read – Reading a script or scene without prior rehearsal.

Continuity – Consistency in actions, position, and props between takes.

Contract: Legal agreement outlining payment and working terms.

Coverage: Different camera angles or shots of a scene.

Craft Services – The snack and beverage table on set.

Crew Call – The time the crew must report to set.

Demo Reel – A short video showcasing your acting work.

Director – The creative lead of the project, guiding performances and visual style.

DP (Director of Photography) – Head of the camera department; responsible for lighting and visual composition.

Dubbing – the process of replacing or adding voices to a film, TV show, or video – usually to translate dialogue into another language or to improve audio quality.

Gaffer – Chief lighting technician.

Greenlit – The project is officially approved to move forward.

Grip – Technician handling rigging, lighting stands, and camera movement equipment.

Headshot – A professional photo used for casting submissions.

Hero Shot – The main close-up or featured moment of a character.

Hold – When production asks you to reserve specific dates while they finalize casting.

Improvisation (Improv) – Performing without scripted dialogue, creating spontaneous action or dialogue.

In the Mix – You’re being considered among top candidates.

IPA (Independent Production Agreement): The Canadian agreement governing TV/film work.

Lunch Break / Meal Penalty – Crew and cast must receive a meal after a set number of hours; penalties apply if delayed.

Manager – Focuses on career strategy, branding, and long-term growth (often takes 10–15%).

Mark – The exact spot where an actor stands during a take.

MOW – Movie of the week. A made for TV movie.

ND (Nondescript) – Background roles without specific identifiers.

New Media – Typically covers projects made for platforms like Netflix, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, rather than traditional TV or film.

Off-Book – When you’ve memorized your lines and no longer need the script.

On Hold / Pinned – The production wants you but hasn’t finalized yet.

On the Nose – Acting or dialogue that’s too obvious or literal.

Pencil – An informal “soft hold” — not yet confirmed, but you’re being considered.

Per Diem – Money given to cover expenses for meals while on location.

Permit – A temporary authorization for non-union performers to work on a union production.

Photo Double – A performer who stands in for an actor on camera when the actor’s face isn’t clearly visible

Pilot Season – Traditionally from January to April — when major TV networks and streaming platforms cast and film pilot episodes (test episodes) for new shows.

Press Kit (EPK) – Electronic Press Kit used for media and publicity.

Principal Role – A performer hired for a film, television, or other IPA-covered project who has six or more lines of dialogue.

Producer – Oversees the business, logistics, and creative execution of a project.

Publicist – Manages media appearances, interviews, and press relations.

Recurring Role: Character who appears in multiple episodes.

Residuals – Payments made when your work is reused or rebroadcast.

Resume (CV) – Lists your acting credits, training, and representation.

Roster – The client’s that an agent represents

SAG-AFTRA – U.S. performers’ union.

Scale – Minimum rates set by a union (e.g., ACTRA or SAG-AFTRA).

Self-Tape – A recorded audition that actors film and submit digitally.

Series Regular: Actor contracted to appear in most or all episodes of a show.

Session Fee – Payment for time spent filming or recording.

Set Etiquette: Professional behaviour and respect for cast and crew on set.

Set Time (Call Time) – The specific time an actor or crew member is required to arrive on set and be ready to work.

Sides – The portion of a script given to actors for an audition.

Slate – Introducing yourself on camera before performing your scene (e.g., “Hi, I’m Jane Doe, reading for the role of Sarah”).

Stage Mom /Dad – A parent who closely manages or oversees their child’s performing career, often attending auditions, rehearsals, and shoots.

Stand-In – A performer who takes the actor’s place for lighting and camera setup.

Steward – The ACTRA staff representative responsible for ensuring that all union rules and collective agreement standards are properly followed on set.

Table Read: A full cast reads through the script together for the first time.

Taft-Hartley – U.S. term for non-union actors being allowed to work union jobs (in Canada, ACTRA has its own Permit System).

Take: A single recorded performance of a scene.

Talent Agent – A talent agent is the professional or agency that represents you or your child in the entertainment industry.

Talent Voucher – A form used on set to record your work hours and pay rate.

Time Sheet – Officially called a Performer Work Report, records the details of each performer’s workday — including arrival time, makeup and wardrobe call times, on-set hours, meal breaks, and wrap time.

Trailer – A short promotional video that highlights key scenes and moments from a film or TV show to generate audience interest before its release.

Trailer (On Set): Private dressing room for actors during filming.

Turnaround – The time off between one workday and the next.

Union Credit – A role that qualifies you for union membership.

Union Scale – The minimum legal payment under union agreements.

Union vs. Non-Union: Refers to whether a performer is a member of an actors’ union.

Usage Fee – Additional pay for how/where the performance is used (TV, digital, print, etc.).

Voiceover (VO) – Acting using only your voice, for animation, commercials, etc.

Voucher – A short-form contract that background performers sign on set.

Waiver / Permit: Approval allowing a non-union actor to work on a union project.

Wrap – The end of a shooting day (or the entire production).

Wrap Party – The celebration marking the end of a shoot.

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ON SET TERMINOLOGY

• 10-1: “Going to the honey wagon”; a trip to the bathroom.
• Abby Shot: 2nd to last shot of the day.
• Action: Director’s cue for the actors and/or action to begin.
• Back to First Marks: Instruction for actors/extras to return to their first positions; also referred to as “Back to Ones.”
• Background: Cue for extras and any other background action elements to begin their action.
• Butt Sweep: Sweep the site, including around unit trucks and entrances.
• Butt Cans: Metal cans for cigarette butt disposal.
• Call Time: The time you must be on set or location, ready to work.
• Circus: Makeup, Hair and Wardrobe Trucks, Honey wagons, Mobile Dressing Rooms and Catering.
• Cut: The call to stop the action. Before releasing lock-up make sure you hear cut from the 1st AD.
• Day for Night: Using special camera lenses, lighting & film stock to create a night look during the day.
• Exterior: Outdoor shot
• Extras: Performers hired to provide background action; also known as the “background performers”.
• Genny: The generator.
• Lift: A raising platform/crane used mainly for high angle shots and lighting for exterior night shots.
• Going Again: Repeat the same shot.
• Honeywagon: Washroom truck.
• Hot Set: The set is ready for shooting and must remain exactly as is for continuity (high priority).
• Interior: Indoor shot.
• Lock It Up: “Be quiet and get ready for cameras to roll”; a cue for PAs to stop vehicle or pedestrian traffic and be alert for interfering noises.
• MOS: Mute On Screen. Camera is rolling but not recording sound.
• Pick-Up: Re-filming part of a scene from a specific point in the action.
• Picture’s up: Rehearsal is complete; cameras will roll on the next action.
• Roll Camera: Cue to the camera operator to begin rolling film.
• Roll Sound: Cue to the sound mixer to begin recording sound.
• Rolling: Film and sound are rolling; action is about to begin. Be quiet and still.
• Room Tone: Recording dead air (no dialogue) for matching sound ambience during post-production. Be quiet and still.
• Speed/Sound Speed: Response heard from Sound Mixer after “Roll Sound”, meaning the machine is up to speed.
• Stand By: Hold your positions for a temporary delay and be prepared for rolling.
• Star Wagon: Mobile dressing room for actors
• Tow Shot: A sequence where a picture car is towed by a camera truck for traveling car scene.
• Turn Around: Reversing the camera angle 180 degrees. This is not to be confused with crew turnaround, which is the required rest period between workdays.
• We’re on the Move: This means that the entire unit is finished at that location and is about to move to the next location.
• What’s your 20?: “Where are you?”
• Wild Track: Recording specific dialogue or sounds without the camera rolling, for editing purposes; also “wild lines.”
• Window Shot: Last shot before wrap, can also be called the “Martini Shot”.
• Wrap: The end of the shooting day

SOURCE:  UBCP / ACTRA

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FILM CREW POSITIONS:
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO EVERYONE ON A FILM SET

Unlike many other art forms, filmmaking needs a film crew of collaborators to bring the art to life. A film’s success or failure depends on the ability of the film crew to make good decisions.

If you are new to filmmaking, you might find it helpful to take some time to learn about the roles of the various members of a film crew and how they can contribute to making a successful film. This article will briefly discuss the film crew positions in a typical production.

Please note: We have added a couple of ridiculous easter eggs for the film and tv professionals in the audience. Enjoy!   

Table of Content (click to jump to the department of your choice)

SOURCE:  INDIE FILM HUSTLE 

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