Film Terminology
This is the written text of a movie, including the lines the actors say and descriptions of the action.
What is a script (or screenplay)?
This main light source is the strongest and most important light in a scene, placed directly on one side of an actor's face to illuminate them.
What is the key light?
This genre aims to make the audience laugh and often features funny misunderstandings, jokes, and happy endings.
What is a comedy?
In the very first scene, Bailey Barnes tells the interviewer that she saw this type of mysterious, flying object pass right by her kitchen window.
What is a UFO (or flying saucer)?
While filming the spaceship scene, the crew put a smoke machine right under the actor playing Jim the alien, making everyone on set shout this phrase.
What is Tyler on fire?
A series of quick drawings or sketches that map out what each shot of a movie will look like before filming starts.
What is a storyboard?
Positioned at a sharp angle to the side of an actor, this light highlights the contours of the face and can create a dramatic split-shadow effect down the middle.
What is a side light?
Movies in this genre take place in the future, space, or alternate universes, and heavily feature advanced technology or aliens.
What is science fiction (or sci-fi)?
When Junebug gets terrified by the flashing lights in the sky, she grabs this specific weapon and starts blasting it into the air to defend herself.
What is a shotgun (or twelve-gauge)?
This is a spooky or classic party game where players must freeze like statues whenever the "seeker" turns around to look at them.
What is wax museum?
The person in charge of the artistic and dramatic aspects of a movie, who guides the actors and crew to bring the story to life.
Who is the director?
This light is aimed at the scenery or walls behind the actors to help create depth and keep the characters from blending into the room.
What is a background light?
This genre focuses on serious, emotional stories with realistic characters dealing with personal struggles.
What is a drama?
Instead of using the word "UFO," the smart-talking character Beau Cleetus insists on calling it a UAP.
What is an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena?
The ultimate goal of this acting game is to keep a completely straight face while your partner does everything they can to make you laugh by repeating this exact phrase.
What is "I want a big bucket of honey"?
This type of camera shot is filmed from way up high, looking straight down at the ground, making the scene look like a map.
What is a bird's-eye view (or overhead/drone shot)?
The head of the electrical department on a movie set, this person works closely with the camera department to safely set up and plug in all the heavy lighting gear.
Who is the gaffer?
Characterized by tense music, shadows, and psychological puzzles, this genre is designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, wondering "what happens next?" without necessarily trying to scare them with monsters.
What is a thriller?
Jim the alien admits that he didn't actually buy or build his royal spaceship; he stole it from this family member because of a bet.
Who is his dad?
If you look closely at the cast and crew of The Kornfield Konspiracy, you might notice that this specific person looks exactly like a real-life version of Bart Simpson.
Who is Tyler?
The sound effects artist who creates realistic everyday sounds—like footsteps, rustling clothes, or breaking glass—in a studio to add to the movie later.
Who is a Foley artist?
Also known as the Director of Photography (DP), this person is the overall boss of both the camera and lighting crews, deciding the look, color, and framing of every single shot.
Who is the cinematographer?
Named after the French word for "black," this classic genre features gritty, dark detective stories, rainy city streets, and cynical characters.
What is film noir?
While trying to solve the alien mystery at his whiteboard, Beau Cleetus is wearing this specific, funny object.
What is a tinfoil hat?
If you are trying your absolute hardest to keep a straight face during a high-stakes game of "Big Bucket of Honey," your concentration will be completely shattered when this hilarious, completely random noise plays out of nowhere.
What is a fish?