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?
At the very start of the play, casting directors Towel and Geryll reveal they are sitting through 14 grueling auditions to find actors for a production with this specific, vehicular name.
What is Traffic Light?
If you look around the room during lunch and snack time, you’ll constantly see campers and counselors locked in intense, strategic battles over this classic board game.
What is chess?
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 Geryll claims it is July, Jake Speare dramatically cries out that his eyes smell like this specific vegetable before running off stage in tears
What are onions?
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?
After Pippet dumps her puppet on the floor, the casting directors call out Mikey J., who floods the stage with smoke and immediately does this un-magical action.
What is coughing from the smog?
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?
Before the casting directors give her a standing ovation, the silent rock star Pebble is escorted into the center of the stage by a man wearing this specific piece of clothing.
What is a duck hat?
If you are looking to create the ultimate, most chaotic, and unappetizing mystery condiment at lunch to dare your friends to eat, you might mix together regular condiments to invent this tropical topping.
What is pineapple sauce?
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?
In the creepy final scene of the play, a late auditioner named Patricia enters the dark stage and picks up Poppit, whose eyes suddenly turn this color right before the screen fades to black.
What is red?
In order to win theater games like "Wax Museum" without getting caught, or to sneak around the stage without making a peep, counselors will demand that you activate these.
What is quiet feet?