Know the lingo: A glossary for young actors
There’s no business like show business, and if you’re going to be performing for a living, you need to be able to talk the talk. Learn some of the top terms that actors and other young talent must know before hitting the stage.
Terms for the stage
Whether you’re singing on stage or you’re in a play, it’s important that you understand certain words and phrases. Here are a few of the top terms to know:- Apron – the part of the theater that projects toward the audience
- Audition – The process that takes place when a director or casting director has potential young actors show off their talent – it may involve singing a song, dancing or reciting a monologue
- Blackout – When stage lighting is turned off or absent
- Blocking – The process where the performers’ movements are determined
- Call – the time when an actor or performer is expected to be working
- Downstage – the part of the stage nearest to the audience
- Stage left/right – the division of the stage from the actors point of view (rather than the audience’s point of view)
- Upstage – the part of the stage furthest from the audience
Terms for films and videos
While there are similarities between acting on stage and acting in a film, there are differences, too. Even short films and video clips offer more actor flexibility than stage performances allow, but there are also things that can be more confusing. Consider these additional terms:- Action – when the camera starts rolling
- Ad lib – dialoge that is not scripted
- Best boy – the assistant to the electrician – very important during films or music videos that require lots of lighting and sound equipment
- Boom – an overhead microphone
- Dailies – screening of footage before it undergoes editing
- Day-player – someone being paid on a daily basis (uncontracted)
- Gaffer – someone on the crew who is in charge of positioning light equipment
- Looping – when voice is matched to picture in-studio
- Pan – a camera shot that sweeps from one side to another
- Sight-and-sound – when your parents have the right to keep you within their line of sight at all times
Article by Laura Williams
