An obligatory scene is a cliched and expected scene for a particular genre, e.g., a love scene in a romance or dramatic film, a shoot-out in a Western, the solving of a crime in a mystery, a rescue in an action film, etc.

Off book refers to a performer who does not need a script (or "book"), after completely memorizing all lines of dialogue.

Offstage, or off-camera, refers to action or dialogue not visible on stage or is beyond the boundaries of the camera's field of vision or depicted frame. Off-stage is also known as "off-screen."

An omniscient point-of-view (POV) is when the narrator knows everything going on. The narrator understands all of the thoughts, feelings, and events transpiring between the characters.

On hold is the term for when a casting director lets an actor know that they’re wanted for a role but not formerly hired yet so that the performer doesn’t take a conflicting opportunity.

A one-liner is a term for a short, one-line joke” that contains its own punchline. A one-liner may also refer to the '"high concept" description of a film. It's a few words used to describe a script, storyline, or a film's premise that a person can easily understand with a simple sentence.

A one-man show, or one-woman show, is a scripted or filmed narrative (or an avant-garde or experimental film) featuring a solo performance piece with only one actor or actress who sometimes plays multiple roles or characters; often presented by a stand-up comedian. Contrast with "concert film."

One-reeler refers to a film 10-12 minutes long.

One-sheet refers to the typical size of a movie poster.

Onstage, or on-camera, refers to anything visible to the audience on the stage or within the boundaries of the camera's field of vision.

Opening credits, also known as the title sequence, is the introduction to the audience about the film and including selected important members of the production. Sometimes the opening credits are superimposed on the action, but often exists as static letters on a solid background. Since the closing or end credits usually list the entire cast and production crew, the opening credits sequence is usually positioned to set the mood of the film and sometimes even lacks any credits except the film's title. Also known as "front credits" or "beginning titles."

Opticals, or optical effects, refers to a visual device, e.g., a fade, wipe, dissolve, superimposition, freeze-frame, split-screen, composite (a train reflection in a car window), or another effect, some of which can be created in the camera, and others that have to be achieved in post-production by mixers or other specialized techniques.

An option is a contractual agreement between a producer and either a screenwriter or the owner of source material to temporarily purchase the rights and sell the project within a set timeframe. If the project does not sell at the end of the option period, rights revert back to the original owner.

Oscar bait is a phrase often used in a derogatory way to describe studio-invented pre-release PR buzz that a film (usually an epic or serious biopic released late in the year) is worthy, meaningful, and deserving of Oscar awards. The term was reportedly first used by Hedda Hopper in a "Looking at Hollywood" column on June 1, 1948. Term either refers to a self-proclaimed, "important", often over-produced film, undercut by its attempt to appeal to all demographics, or a showy acting performance designed to draw attention to itself. These kinds of films and performances were the sort that used to guarantee an Oscar from Academy voters during the film industry's adolescent years of the 1950s and early 1960s, but are now considered either pretentious or cheesy in the modern age, and ironically often hurt the film's or actor's chances at winning an Oscar, though some films still succeed. Also known as "Oscarbation."

Oscars is the name given to the awards of AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) given each year to various performers and others in the film industry. The Oscars are officially known as the "Academy Award of Merit."

Out-takes refers to camera shots that are not included (literally, they are 'taken out') in the final cut or print of a film, often retrieved from the cutting room floor and shown during the closing credits. Also see "blooper."

An output deal is a deal usually between a producer or producing entity and a distributor (in any market), in which the distributor has exclusive access to the producer’s future products. An out-put deal can be restricted to time, to types of projects, etc.

A over-the-should shot, which can be shortened to OTS, is a very commonly-used medium camera angle or view in a dialogue scene, mostly with alternating shot/reverse-shot editing, in which the camera records the action from behind the shoulder and/or head of one of the characters, thus framing the image; the two characters are thus linked or connected to each other, and their positions are established.

Overacting is poor, overly-broad, or "over-the-top" acting by a "ham" actor. Overacting is also known as "hamming it up" or "chewing up the scenery." Sometimes considered in a positive light as "campy." Contrast with "underacting."

Overcranking refers to speeding up a camera's frame rate to shoot at more than the normal 24 fps, so that the resulting image, when played back at the normal frame rate, appears to be in slow-motion. This technique is often used to shoot miniatures. The term "cranking" refers to the old technique of having to turn or crank a camera by hand.

Overexposed refers to a film shot that has more light than normal, causing a blinding, washed-out, whitish, glaring effect; deliberately used for flashbacked or dream scenes. Also known as "flared" or "bleached." The opposite of "underexposed."

An overhead shot is when the camera is placed over the actors. It tends to be set at about a 90-degree angle from where the performers are located. An overhead shot is also known as a bird’s eye view shot.

An overlap is when carry-over of dialogue, sounds, or music from one scene to another. Overlap occurs when the cut in the soundtrack is not at the same time as the cut in the image. Overlap can also refer to two or more characters speaking at the same time. Also known as "overlap sound."

An overture refers to pre-credits or opening credits musical selection that sets the mood and theme for the upcoming film.

Ozoner is a slang term for a drive-in movie theater. Ozoner is also known as "passion pit." See also "hard-top" (indoor movie theater).

obligatory scene

off book

offstage (off-camera)

omniscient point-of-view (POV)

on hold

one-liner

one-man show (one-woman show)

one-reeler

one-sheet

onstage (on-camera)

opening credits or title (sequence)

optical(s) (or optical effects)

option

Oscar bait

Oscar(s)

out-takes

output deal

over-the-shoulder shot (OTS)

overacting

overcranking

overexposed

overhead shot

overlap

overture

ozoner

Stage 32 Glossary