Editing is the process (performed by a film editor) of selecting, assembling, arranging, collating, trimming, structuring, and splicing-joining together many separate camera takes (includes sound also) of exposed footage (or daily rushes) into a complete, determined sequence or order of shots (or film) that follows the script. Digital editing refers to changing film frames by digitizing them and modifying them electronically. Relational editing refers to editing shots to suggest a conceptual link between them.

The editor is the individual who works in a cutting room to assemble the film by selecting, arranging, collating, trimming, structuring, and splicing-joining together many separate camera takes.

Ellipsis is used for shortening of the plot duration of a film achieved by deliberately omitting intervals or sections of the narrative story or action; marked by an editing transition (a fade, dissolve, wipe, jump cut, or change of scene) to omit a period or gap of time from the film's narrative. In a script (designated in the text as "...."), either allows for a pause and/or omits a portion of the sequence of events allowing the reader to fill in the narrative gaps.

The ELT, short for electric lighting technician, is the individual responsible for getting power anywhere and everywhere on set.

Emcee is another term for "master of ceremonies."

The end credits, or closing credits, is the text appearing at the end of a film. Also known as "end titles."

Enfant terrible is literally from the French, meaning "terrible baby," referring to a brilliant, young, passionate but egotistical, brash director. Characteristics of an enfant terrible director include being innovative and unorthodox.

An ensemble film is a a feature film with a large cast without any true leading roles, and usually with multiple plotlines regarding the characters. Ensemble also refers to the group of actors (and sometimes directors and designers) involved in a film.

An epic is a costly film made on an immense scale or scope of dramatic production that often portrays a spectacle with historic, ancient world, or biblical significance.

The epilogue is a short, concluding scene at the end of the script or film, in which characters (sometimes older) reflect on the preceding events.

An epiphany is a moment of sudden spiritual insight for the protagonist of a film that usually occurs just before or after the climax.

An episode is the self-contained segment or part of an anthology film or serial.

An episodic film is a film composed of a series of loosely related segments, sections, or episodes, with the same character(s).

Equity is funding provided to the production of the film that is only paid back if there is sufficient back end after all other financiers have been repaid their contributions, interest, and fees. Equity financiers provide the risk capital.

The establishing shot is a long shot that shows the location from a distance. The establishing shot is often an aerial shot, and it informs the audience of the time and locale of the setting. It helps orient the viewer so that they know where the next scene takes place.

Exec, or exex, is an abbreviation for executive(s).

The executive producer is the individual who is responsible for overseeing a film's financing, or for arranging the film's production elements (stars, screenwriter, budgeting/financing, etc.).

Exhibitor is the term meaning "movie theatre owner." The exhibitor is also known as "exhib" for short. This entity publicly screens a film, usually through a movie theater.

Experimental film refers to a film, usually a low-budget or indie film not oriented toward profit-making, that challenges conventional filmmaking by using camera techniques, imagery, sound, editing, or acting in unusual or never-before-seen ways. Experimental films are sometimes also known as "avante-garde" or "art films."

An exploitation film is a sensational, often trashy B-film aimed at a particular audience and designed to succeed commercially and profitably by appealing to specific psychological traits or needs in that audience without any fuller analysis or exposition; often refers to films with extremely violent or sexual scenes; not necessarily a derogatory term. Various types of exploitation films include "blaxploitation," "sexploitation," and "splatter" films.

Exposition is the conveyance of vital background information, either through actions or dialogue, to further the events of a story. The exposition could also set up a movie’s story. It can include information about the main problem or what’s at stake for the characters. Writing exposition is particularly tricky when trying to weave it into the script organically.

Expressionism, or expressionist, refers to the distortion of reality through lighting, editing, and costumes to reflect the inner feelings and emotions of the characters or the filmmaker. Cinematic style of fantasy film common in post-WWI Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by dramatic lighting, dark visual images and shadows, grotesque and fantastic shots, distorted sets and angles, heavy makeup, highly stylized acting, and symbolic mime-like action and characters. Opposed to "realism."

An extra is the person who appears in a movie in a non-specific, non-speaking, unnoticed, or unrecognized character role, such as part of a crowd or background, e.g., a patron in a restaurant, a soldier on a battlefield; usually without any screen credit. Another term for extras is "atmosphere people." Extras are in contrast to "walk-on" and "non-speaking role," "bit players," or "principals. Also see "cast of thousands."

An extreme close-up is a shot that films the subject incredibly closely. In many cases, the outer portions of the subject will be cut out of the frame. An extreme close-up is typically done on actors to showcase their eyes, mouth, or another singular part of the body.

An eyeline match is a cut in filmmaking between two shots that show an illusion that the character, presented in the first shot, is looking at an object, presented in the second shot.

editing

editor

ellipsis

ELT (electric lighting technician)

emcee

end credits (closing credits)

enfant terrible

ensemble (film)

epic

epilogue

epiphany

episode

episodic

equity

establishing shot

exec (exex)

executive producer

exhibitor

experimental film

exploitation film

exposition

expressionism (expressionist)

extra(s)

extreme close-up

eyeline match

Stage 32 Glossary