If you have a Production coming to film at your space, you may want to brush up on your film set terminology.

On larger sets, crew will communicate via radios or ‘walkie talkies’. Here’s some useful terms we’ve gathered from film sets across Canada!

10-4: Short for “I understand” or “Copy.”

10-100: Short for “Going to the honey wagon”; a trip to the bathroom.

What’s your 20?: Short for “Where are you?”

Go to 2: All shoot crew radios sit on Channel 1.. if you want to have a side conversation you may ask someone to ‘go to 2’ so not everyone hears you. Specific departments sit on other channels.

Action!: Director’s cue for the actors and/or action to begin.

Apple Box: An apple box is a different sized (quarter, half, full, pancake) wooden boxes used for a variety of purposes.

Back to First Marks: Instruction for actors/extras to return to their first positions; also referred to as “Ones.”

Background: Cue for extras and any other background action elements to begin their action.

Back Lot: A back lot is a piece of land on a studio’s property where filmmakers can shoot outside scenes in an enclosed area. This differs from on-location shoots where the team goes to an actual part of the city to film. For example, many scenes in Back to the Future were shot on a back lot.

Blocking a Shot: Blocking a shot is the process by which a director determines where the actors stand, where the lights will shine, and how the camera will be positioned. Generally, a director will block a shot before bringing the actors on set to actually film.

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. In other parts of the world this is called Unit Base or Base Camp.

Company Move: Short for “We’re on the move’; this means that the entire unit is finished at that location and is

Cut!: The call to stop the action. Before releasing any lock-up make sure you hear cut from the 1st AD.

Day for Night: Using special camera lenses, lighting and film stock to create a night look during the day.

Extras: Performers hired to provide background action; also known as the “background performers”.

Flag: A flag is a black, light-absorbing cloth (duvetine) stretched on a metal frame and used to block out areas of light in all different sizes.

Genie Lift: A raising platform/crane used mainly for high angle shots and lighting for exterior night shots.

Go Again: Repeat the same shot. (Get used to hearing this one).

Honey-wagon: Washroom truck.

Hot Set: The set is ready for shooting and must remain exactly as is for continuity (high priority).

Lock It Up: Short for “Be quiet and get ready for cameras to roll

Martini Shot: Last shot before wrap; also “Window Shot”

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!

Slate: A slate is the digital board held in front of the camera that identifies the camera person, director, shot number, and title. There is also the take number, and the slate operator will say “mark” before clapping. This is for sound sync purposes.

Speed: Response heard from Sound Mixer after “Roll Sound”, meaning that themachine 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 scenes.

Tracking Shot: A tracking is where the camera moves alongside the subject throughout a space. The camera is usually mounted on a dolly track, and it is best for side-to-side motions. It is also known as a follow shot.

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.

Wild Sound: Recording specific dialogue or sounds without the camera rolling, for editing purposes; also “wild lines.”

Wrap: The end of the shooting day (finally!)

References:

https://ubcpactra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Terminology-on-Film-Sets.pdf

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/movie-film-terms/