Terms
-
Directory
as it relates to Actors and Models
also
see terms as it relates to Agencies and
Photographers
ACTING - the ability to convince and individual or group, that you
are not acting
ACTOR - a male performer
ACTRESS - a female performer
A.F.T.R.A. - American Federation of Television and Radio Artist (a
Union)
AGENCY - a company that represents Actors, Models, etc.
AGENCY DIRECTOR - The boss, or person in charge of the staff
AGENT - a person that represents Actors, Models, etc.
ART DIRECTOR - the person that is responsible for the visual
presentation of the Magazine, Catalog, Commercial, Movie, etc.
AVAILABILITY - in other words, "when are you available"
AUDITION - an interview with some one that wants to see you before they
offer you an acting job
BACK DOOR PILOT - a TV movie that has the potential of becoming a
regular series
BILLING - the title given to you in the list of credits, if your role
was important enough
BODY DOUBLE - you are someone that has a better body or body part, then
the person that has the role
BOOKER - the person at the agency that gives you your auditions or
go-sees and gives you details if you have been hired. It may also be the
agent
BOOKING - you go the job! You got the part! etc.
BOUTIQUE AGENCY - an agency that represents very few actors or models
that are working regularly
BREAKDOWNS - a list that details the description of a project and the
type of roles being cast
BUY OUT - to buy yourself out of an agreement
BUZZ - the latest news
CALLBACK - any audition other then the 1st
CALLING CARD FILM - a film or video that showcases someone's work
CAMEO - a brief appearance
CASTING - basically an interview for a project that involves moving
pictures (not still photos)
CASTING COMPANY - the company that has been hired to find, oh hell, just
read the next line
CASTING DIRECTOR - the person that is responsible for finding the right
people for the project
CATALOG - ok, there are lots of pictures, it has several pages, and it
looks like you have to buy something
CATTLE CALL - anybody and everybody is there
COLD READ - lines or part of a script given to you with little or no
time for preparation or rehearsal
COMMERCIAL - as far as I'm concerned, if it's published; it's commercial
COMMERCIAL PRINT - a still photo utilized commercially
COMP CARD - also known as a Zed Card, Comp, Composite, Modeling Comp, or
Modeling Composite - A card that has pictures of you, which includes
your name, stats, and contact information. This is usually sent via mail
or courier to individuals that are looking to hire models. It is in
other words, your business card and the 1st impression you will make
COMPOSITE - see ZED CARD or COMP CARD
CO-STARR - you share the spot light with someone else
CO-STARRING - ah, hmmmmmm, see above
DIRECTOR - the person that is in charge, you know the guy giving
everyone direction and telling them what to do
DIRECTORS CUT - the version edited by the director
DIRECT TO VIDEO - it was not shown in Theaters, TV, etc.
DOUBLE - same as Body Double
DRAMA - it's not a Horror, nor a Comedy, so it's a ...
COMEDY - if it makes you laugh, it's a comedy
EDITOR - the person that decides what to include in the final product
EDITORIAL - typically referred to as the inside pages of a Fashion
Magazine witch usually has a story line. Can also be used to describe a
photo fits the above criteria. Or so they say
EXTRA - a person that is used to fill in space, blend in, or to become
part of the background
FEATURE - a movie that is being released in theatres
FEATURED -
FILM - a movie
FINAL CUT - the final version which is ready for release
GO-SEE - typically used in the Modeling industry to mean an "appointment
or interview"
GUEST STARRING - you are some kind of celebrity or used to be, and you
make an appearance
HERO - same as Lead or Starring role but typically used in TV
commercials
HIATUS - downtime, vacation, not working
INTRODUCING - basically no body knows you, so you are being introduced
LEAD - one of the main characters
LEADING ROLE - same as Lead
MODEL - a person that is being photographed
MOS - Mitt Out Sound - a scene shot without sound
MOW - Movie Of the Week
OFF NETWORK - when a series has completed it's network licensing run and
is eligible for syndication
ON HOLD - you or the project is on standby
ON AVAIL - in other words "make yourself available"
ON CAMERA - ah, you are on camera? Like Da!
ON OPTION - you are one of their options
OPEN AUDITION - see cattle call
OUT TAKE - any footage that did not make the final cut.
PACKAGING - usually practiced by the Agency. It may go like this; "If
you want Steven Speilberg as the director, then you have to take
........ as the writer, ..... as the lead, etc, etc, etc.
PER DIEM - an allowance for daily expenses
PERFORMER - see Performing Artist
PERFORMING ARTIST - any one that puts on a show
PILOT - a project that is hopefully picked up by a network and turned
into a series
PILOT SEASON - a span of time that is typically for producing pilots.
PRINCIPAL - no not the guy at school that just suspended you, you are
one of the main people on camera
POWER OF ATTORNEY - a letter appointing and individual or company as
your representative; with the ability to do what ever you specify
PRODUCER - the person who is responsible for putting the team together
and making it happen. From thought to reality
P.S.A. - Public Service Announcement - a commercial utilized for the
purpose of making the public aware of certain issues or concerns
RESIDUALS - payments made or received every time a Commercial, TV show,
Film, etc. is aired; provided that was the agreement
ROLE - a part in a TV Show, Movie, etc.
S.A.G. - the Screen Actors Guild - The governing body (a union) which
sets the standards and guidelines in the Film and TV Commercial industry
SERIES - a TV show that is or will be aired regularly
SERIAL - also known as a SERIES
SHORT LIST - a small list the includes the names being considered for a
particular project or role
SLATE - basically it means; "Say your name, who is your agent, and tell
us something about yourself"
SITCOM - Situation Comedy
SPOKES PERSON - a person that represents a product and is paid to speak
well about it
SPOKES MODEL - a person that represents a product and is paid to speak
well about it
STAND IN - you have been hired to stand in a specific place until the
set is ready for the real actor/actress
STARRING - the main character
STARRING ROLE - you are the main character
SYNDICATION - when a show has been sold for rebroadcast.
TEAR - same as "tear sheet"
TEAR SHEET - a page torn from a publication to be utilized in a Model's
portfolio
TV COMMERCIAL - see those advertisements that come on between what ever
you are watching? Those are TV Commercials
UNION - an organization that sets standards and regulations
VOICE OVER - words spoken by an actor that is not seen
VOUCHER - a form typically used in Modeling, usually in triplicate. Used
as an invoice to bill the client for your services
WEATHER CHECK - instructions given to you in the event the weather
causes the production to chance location, etc.
WRAP - the end of the shoot or photography
WRAP PARTY - a party given after the end of a shoot, usually after the
filming of a movie
XTRA - a person that is used to fill in space, blend in, or to become
part of the background
ZED CARD - also known as a Comp, Comp Card, Composite, Modeling Comp, or
Modeling Composite - A card that has pictures of you, which includes
your name, stats, and contact information. This is usually sent via mail
or courier to individuals that are looking to hire models. It is in
other words, your business card and the 1st impression you will make to
the potential employer .
terms as it relates to Agencies and
Photographers
