Abbreviations
This abbreviation describes anything happening in the background of the scene
What is b.g
This is an editing transition whereby an image gradually appears on the screen; usually a film script begins with this.
What is Fade In/Fade To
This means what the camera sees, and there are specific types
What is Angle On
This is scene description, character movement, and sounds described in the screenplay
What is Action
This is the text in ALL CAPS at the beginning of a scene that described the location and time of day
What is the Slug Line
Close On or this: an abbreviation that indicates a shot that focuses in closely on a particular subject, character, or action
What is C.U.
This is an editing transition whereby an image gradually disappears on the screen; usually a film script ends with this
What is Fade Out
This is a shot from a distance that establishes the location; it shows the viewer where we are
What is an Establishing Shot
This is used to suggest that an actor should pause before continuing
What is Beat
This can refer to spoken dialogue, but the person speaking is not "in the shot;"
What is Off-Camera/Off-Screen
This abbreviation is for exterior setting in which the scene takes place outdoors
What is EXT.
This is used as a transition or at the start of the slug line to indicate a sequence that happened in the past; may be followed by BACK TO PRESENT DAY
What is a Flashback
This is when the camera moves across something
What is Pan
The first time this thing appears and every time they speak, their name appears in ALL CAPS
What is a Character
Very simply, this is what people are supposed to say according to the script.
What is Dialogue
This abbreviation is for interior setting in which the scene occurs in is indoors
What is INT.
This is simply a change in scene. We can either quickly "cut" to a new scene (immediate), or we can "dissolve"-- a slow blackening of the screen, followed by a slow re-lighting in the new scene
What is Cut To or Dissolve To
One image; there are many, many, many different types of these
What are Shots
This is a direction for the actor to deliver their lines in a particular way; ex: (calmly) or (softly)
What is a Parenthetical
The person who visualizes the movie based on the script, creates shots, suggests how the actors should portray their characters, and helps to edit the final cut. Basically, the person in charge of putting converting a script into a movie
What is the Director
This abbreviation is the voice of someone not seen in the image who is describing or commenting on the image that is taking place; often this is the character’s thoughts not said out loud
What is V.O
These are a series of shots, usually without dialogue, which quickly tells a section of the story
What is a Montage
This is the position from which an action of subject is seen, often determining its significance.
What is P.O.V
This is an event that takes place in one location or time
What is a Scene
This is like a "Fade to black then Fade to next scene." In other words, as one scene fades out, a moment of black interrupts before the next scene fades in
What is a CrossFade