Movie terminology
Every profession has it's own unique language or jargon, ranging from familiar for those in the know to complete gibberish for outsiders.
In the movie world it's just the same. Most people will be able to describe what a "dialogue editor" or "scenic artist" is, and what he/she does simply by the term itself - but here are 12 movie terms that are not so obvious...
1. Abby Singer
Named after Abby Singer, a production manager between the 1950s and the 1980s, who would frequently call "last shot of the day", or "this shot, and just one more", after which he'd ask the director for more takes.
By the way, the last shot of the day is called the "Martini shot".
2. Alan Smithee
If a film deviates heavily from the director's original vision (after altering or cutting), they sometimes wish to remove their name from the film. In such a case, the DGA (or Directors Guild of America) allowed directors to use the pseudonum "Alan Smithee" or "Allen Smithee" instead of their own name.
Nowadays the DGA usually agrees on project-specific pseudonyms instead, ever since the movie Burn Hollywood Burn revealed the alias to the general public.
Another neat little fact: "Alan Smithee" is an anagram for "The Alias Men"...
3. Cameo
A small, unimportant role (also called a "bit part") played by a famous actor, or a famous person who isn't an actor. Notable examples are Alfred Hitchcock, M. Night Shyamalan, Stephen King and Peter Jackson, to name a few.
4. Fake shemp
An actor or actress appearing on screen, unrecognisable because heavy makeup or camera angle, without any lines.
The term originated after Shemp Howard's death, when a stand-in was used to finish the Three Stooges film.
5. Greensman
Any member of the crew procuring, placing and maintaining any vegetation on a set.
6. Ingenue
An ingenue is either a young actress or a type of role played by one. The term generally implies a young, fresh-faced and naive character.
7. MacGuffin
Also known as a "weenie", a MacGuffin is an item, event, or piece of knowledge that the film characters consider extremely important, but which the audience either doesn't know of or doesn't care about. In most movies, where a MacGuffin is used, even the characters in the movie themselves are not aware of the actual nature or content of the item.
The term was popularized by Alfred Hitchcock, who popularized the technique as well. Notable examples are:
- The unknown contents of the briefcase in Pulp Fiction
- The suitcase in Ronin
- The Green Destiny Sword in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
8. Magic hour
During the minutes around sunset or sunrise, the light levels change very quickly and drastically. It lends a warm orange glow to earlier shots, and a clear blue glow in later minutes. This allows a crew to shoot night scenes, even though the light still remains.
9. Sabre artist
Any member of the production team using software programs to create special effects.
10. Sleeper
A movie that suddenly attains prominence and success, but which was once regarded as unpromising.
11. Walk-on
A walk-on is similar to a bit-part, it's a minor role which has usually no speaking lines.
12. Walla
When there is a need for background noise in a movie, the extras would be asked to provide for said noise. Most of the time they do this by mumbling the word "rhubard", or "walla" to produce the desired effect.