A to Z Guide to Film Terms

The Book

Know What You're Talking About

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in the movie industry? Do you watch the credits for a film and wonder what all those people do? Do you want to learn the behind-the-scenes lingo used by the cast and crew?

"Vancouver's Tim Moshansky can help you talk the talk." Vancouver Sun

Learn the Lingo

Learn strange sounding movie terms and phrases such as:

Apple Box - A small wooden box that is used on set for raising equipment, cameras and (sometimes) actors.

Break the Bubble - To tilt the camera off axis. Also called a Dutch Angle.

Gaffer - The person in charge of the lighting and electrics crew.

Honeywagons - The washroom trailers. You will need to know this if you need to go 10-100.

Jack Lord - Camera term for a 50mm lens. Five-O, get it?

Magic Hour - That golden time just before the sun sets and everything is bathed in a orange glow.

Martini Shot - The last shot of the day. Also called the Window Shot.

Pretties - The name given to the hair, makeup and wardrobe departments. Also the name of the trucks that they use while on location or at a studio.

To view some of my short videos explaining film terminology and phrases, check out my YouTube channel: youtube.com/termsguy video and film production