This glossary provides essential definitions of key film and television production terms relevant to location owners in the UK, helping them better understand industry jargon, collaborate effectively with production teams, and facilitate seamless shoots.
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Blocking: The process of planning and rehearsing the positions and movements of actors and cameras for a scene.
Boom Operator: The crew member responsible for operating the boom microphone, ensuring clear audio capture.
Call Sheet: A document distributed to cast and crew outlining the schedule for the day’s filming, including call times and locations.
Continuity: Ensuring consistency in the details of a scene (such as costumes, props, and actions) across different shots and takes to avoid discrepancies.
Craft Services: The provision of snacks and beverages for the cast and crew on set.
Dailies (Rushes): The raw, unedited footage shot during a day of filming, typically reviewed by the director and key crew members to assess the progress.
Day-for-Night: A technique used to simulate night-time conditions while filming during the day, often involving specific camera settings and filters.
Dolly: A wheeled platform used to move the camera smoothly during a shot, often on tracks.
DOP (Director of Photography): The person responsible for the visual look of the film, overseeing the camera crew and working closely with the director on shot composition and lighting.
Filming Permit: Official permission required from local authorities to film in public or certain private locations.
Gaffer: The head electrician on a film set, responsible for lighting setups.
Grip: A technician responsible for setting up, adjusting, and maintaining camera equipment, rigs, and lighting.
Location Agreement: A legal contract between the location owner and the production company outlining the terms and conditions of using the location for filming.
Location Fee: The payment made to the location owner by the production company for the use of their property.
Location Manager: The person responsible for finding and securing locations for filming, as well as managing the locations during production.
Location Scout: A person responsible for finding and photographing potential filming locations before the final selection is made.
Lock-Off: A stationary camera shot where the camera is fixed and does not move, often used for scenes that require precise framing.
Movement Order: A document sent out with the call sheet, providing directions on how to get to the filming location, details of parking, and other logistical information for the crew.
Night-for-Day: A technique used to simulate daylight conditions while filming during night-time, often involving specific camera settings and lighting techniques.
Pick-Up Shots: Additional shots filmed after the main production has wrapped, typically to cover missed details or improve existing footage.
Principal Photography: The main period of filming, as opposed to pre-production and post-production phases.
Production Office: The administrative hub for a film or TV production, typically where planning, coordination, and communication are handled.
Public Liability Insurance: Insurance coverage that protects against claims made by third parties for bodily injury or property damage occurring during the production.
Recce (Reconnaissance): A preliminary visit to a location to assess its suitability for filming, often involving the director, location manager, and other key crew members.
Set Dressing: The process of arranging furniture, props, and decor to create the desired look for a scene within a filming location.
Shot List: A detailed list of all the shots planned for a day of filming, including camera angles, movements, and framing instructions.
Slate (Clapperboard): A device used at the beginning of a take to synchronise sound and picture in post-production, displaying scene information and take number.
Stand-In: A person who takes the place of an actor during the setup of a scene for lighting and camera positioning purposes.
Strike (or Strike the Set): The process of dismantling and removing all equipment, set pieces, and props from a location after filming is completed.
Storyboard: A visual representation of a film sequence, using illustrations or images to outline each shot and scene.
Tech Recce: A detailed site visit involving technical heads of departments to plan the logistics and technical requirements of filming at a location.
Unit Base: The central location where production vehicles, trailers, and facilities are parked and managed during filming.
Walkthrough: A rehearsal where the director and crew go through the motions of a scene without filming, to plan and coordinate movements and actions.
Wardrobe: The department responsible for the costumes worn by the cast.
Wrangler: A person responsible for managing specific elements on set, such as animals, children, or props.
Wrap: The term used to indicate the completion of filming for the day or the end of the entire production.
