Sales agency estimates are one of three ways to project revenue for an independent film. Sales agency estimates are high and low estimates given by a sales agent.

A sales agent is any individuals or company representing the producer to sell the rights to a film to distributors in different territories.

A sales territory is a predefined geographical area covered by a specific distributor. The sales territories are the rights to distribute a film may be licensed by its producer in a. Territory or territories to a certain distributor.

Satire is a comedy style that ridicules and mocks institutions like social, religious, political, or economic institutions. "Tropic Thunder" is a satire of Hollywood and overly-serious actors.

A scenario is an outline for a screenplay, or a complete screenplay.

A scene typically refers to a shot (or series of shots) that together comprise a single, complete and unified dramatic event, action, unit, or element of film narration, or block (segment) of storytelling within a film, much like a scene in a play; a scene normally occurs in one location and deals with one action. The end of a scene is often indicated by a change in time, action and/or location. See also "shot" and "sequence."

Scene-stealing refers to a character (or group of characters), usually subsidiary, whose appearance, actions and/or dialogue draws more attention than other actors in the same scene. Scene stealing is similar to the phrase "chewing up the scenery."

Scenery refers to the outdoor background in a set (represented by either a backdrop or a natural view).

Schlock film, from the Yiddish expression for "inferior," refers to a forgettable, cheaply-made, low-budget, luridly-advertised B-film (or lower Z-film) with little or non-existent quality; often unintentionally hilarious; designed to take in profitable box-office in opening week. Usually films found in the horror, comedy and science-fiction genres of the 1950s and 1960s.

The score is the musical portion of a film’s soundtrack. The score is often music created specifically for the movie by a composer. It consists of background music as well as orchestral pieces.

Screen direction refers to the direction that characters or objects are moving in a film's scene or visual frame; common screen directions include "camera left" (movement to the left) or "camera right" (movement to the right). A "neutral shot" is a head-on shot of a subject with no evident screen direction. A "jump-cut" often indicates a change in screen direction.

A screen is mesh on a metal frame used to cut the intensity of light without blocking it out.

A screen test refers to a filmed audition in which an actor performs a particular role for a film production; casting often depends upon the photogenic (the projection of an attractive camera image) quality of the star.

Screener is a term for a promotional DVD (or video) version of a film that is sent to voters (and film critics) by the movie studios for their convenience during the awards season, before the movie is officially available to the public through video rental chains.

A screening is an exhibition or display of a movie, typically at a cinema house/theatre to screen (or unspool) a film means to show or project a film. Types of screenings include a critical screening (a pre-release viewing for film critics), a pre-screening, or a focus-group screening (to test audience reactions to a film's rough cut); cinema is another term for a movie theatre.

A screenplay is a script or text for a film production written by a scripter or screenwriter(s) (or scribe), written (scribbled, scripted, or penned) in the prescribed form as a series of master scenes, with all the dialogue provided and the essential actions and character movements described. A screenplay is written to be made into a movie. Screenplays are often adaptations of other works. Known archaically as a "photoplay" during the silent era.

A screenwriter is the individual who creates a movie’s screenplay. A “scripter" can either create an original screenplay or adapt another's work, such as a book or news article, into a film.

Screwball comedy is a type of highly-verbal comedy prevalent in 1930's Hollywood, and typified by frenetic action, verbal wit and wisecracks (substituting or serving as a metaphoric euphemism for sex), a battle of the sexes with conflict that is ultimately resolved, all elements that serve as important plot points.

The script, or shooting script, refers to the written text of a film. The script is a blueprint for producing a film detailing the story, setting, dialogue, movements and gestures of actors, and the shape and sequence of all events in the film; in various forms, such as a screenplay, shooting script, breakdown script (a very detailed, day-to-day listing of all requirements for shooting, used mostly by crew), lined script, continuity script, or a spec script (written to studio specifications). A screenplay writer is known as a "screenwriter," "scripter," "scribbler," "scribe," or "penner." A last-minute script re-writer is known as a "script doctor." A shooting script is a detailed final version of the screenplay with the separate scenes arranged in proper sequence, and used by the cast during actual filmmaking.

A script supervisor is the crewmember who acts as the "eyes" of the script, keeping track of what has been shot in relation to the script, and what differences manifest during each take– such as changes in dialogue. His main purpose is to guard and maintain the precious continuity between shots.

Second banana is the actor who plays a subordinate or secondary role. Also known as "second fiddle." In comedies, the second banana refers to a performer who acts as a sidekick, foil, or stooge (straight man) to a lead comedian.

Second Unit Photography is the production team responsible for filming less important scenes, such as foreign location backgrounds or large crowd scenes. The Second Unity Photography is essential for larger film productions where the main crew cannot be available. It is helmed by a second-unit director and a subordinate crew.

A segment, or “seg” for short, is a section or episode of a film. A segment is a series of sequences that comprise a major section of the plot; segmentation of a film often helps to further analysis.

Sell-through is an industry term meaning prerecorded videocassettes or DVDs priced lower, to encourage their sale rather than rental.

Sepia tone is a black-and-white image that has been converted to a sepia tone or color (a brownish-gray to a dark olive-brown) to enhance the dramatic effect or create an "antique" appearance.

Sequel refers to a cinematic work that presents the continuation of characters, settings, and/or events of a story in a previously-made or preceding movie. The sequel is in contrast to a "prequel," "follow-up," "serial," "series," "spin-off," or "remake."

A sequence is a scene, or connected series of related scenes that are edited together and comprise a single, unified event, setting, or story within a film's narrative. Sequence also refers to scenes that structurally fit together in the plot. Usually refers to a longer segment of film than a scene. Sequences are often grouped into acts (like a three-act play). A "sequence shot" refers to a long, normally complicated shot with complex camera movements and actions. See also "shot" and "scene."

A serial is a multi-part, "short-subject" film that was usually screened a chapter/episode per week at a film theatre. The predominant style of the serial was melodrama; often, each chapter or episode, continually presented in installments over several weeks, would conclude with an unresolved cliffhanger to ensure that audience would return the following week to discover the resolution; popular until the early 1950s. Contrast with "series" and "sequels."

A series is a string or sequence of films with shared situations, characters or themes and related titles, but with little other inter-dependence, especially with respect to plot or significant character development. Usually presented without cliffhangers; the term also applies to feature films with more than one sequel; contrast with serials and sequels.

A service deal is production financing provided to a film by production and post-production vendors in the form of deferred payment for production/post-production goods and services used in a film’s production unit the film begins generating gross receipts. The amount of the deferral may be the full cost of such services or, more usually, a portion of such costs.

The set is the environment (an exterior or interior locale) where the action takes place in a film; when used in contrast to location, it refers to an artificially-constructed time/place (a backdrop painting or a dusty Western street with a facade of storefronts); supervised by the film's art director. "Strike" refers to the act of taking apart a set once filming has ended.

The set accountant is the person who monitors a project’s finances.

The set dresser is the crewmember in charge of arranging the shooting set with furniture, decorations, and other graphic elements. They work in with a set designer or set decorator who oversee the planning and preparation in this area. In smaller productions, set dresser, set designer, and set decorator can be combined into one role.

The set medic is the person on set for any medical emergencies. The set medic must be present for any stunts.

A set-piece is usually a self-contained, elaborate scene or sequence that stands on its own (i.e., a helicopter chase, a dance number, a memorable fight, etc.), and serves as a key moment in the film. In terms of production, a set-piece may also refer to a scene with a large set.

A setting is the time and place in which the film's story occurs, including all of the other additional factors, including climate (season), landscape, people, social structures and economic factors, customs, moral attitudes, and codes of behavior. Also known as "locale."

A setup is a place or position where the director and the director of photography put the camera (and lighting) when shooting a scene. A scene is usually shot with multiple setups and with multiple takes from each setup. Also known as "angle." In a screenplay, this term refers to the first act in which the characters, situation, and the setting are established.

A sex comedy is a humorous, light-hearted film genre with an improbable plot about sexual relationships and extra-marital affairs, with various pairings between numerous characters, often characterized by slamming doors. A sex comedy may also be known as a "sex farce" or "bedroom farce."

Sexploitation refers to non-pornographic, non-explicit, soft-core films that feature sexual themes or explicit sexual material and nudity often in an apparently crude, immature, leering way. Sexploitation films exploited the concept of sex without violating long-standing cultural and legal taboos against showing it all on the screen; often with lurid titles. Also known as a "skin flick."

A shaggy dog tale refers to a long-winded, overly convoluted, often irrelevant, protracted or complicated plot, tale or storyline, that often pointlessly or meaninglessly ends up (sometimes after an extensive quest or search) with no resolution at all or with an anti-climax.

A shoot is the process of filming or photographing any aspect of a motion picture with a camera; the plan for a shoot is termed a shooting schedule.

A short subject, also known as a short film, is a film that is shorter than around 30 or 45 minutes, and definitely less than 60 minutes. In the silent film era, most films were shorts, such as those shown in nickelodeons. Then, during the early film era, the price of a movie ticket included not only the weekly feature but also "selected short subjects," as they were usually billed. Contrast to "feature films."

A shot is the basic building block or unit of film narrative. A shot refers to a single, constant take made by a motion picture camera uninterrupted by editing, interruptions, or cuts, in which a length of film is exposed by turning the camera on, recording, and then turning the camera off. It can also refer to a single film frame (such as a still image). A "follow-shot" is when the camera moves to follow the action. A "pull-back" shot refers to a tracking shot or zoom that moves back from the subject to reveal the context of the scene. See also "scene" and "sequence." "Shot analysis" refers to the examination of individual shots. A one-shot, a two-shot, and a three-shot refer to common names for shooting just one, two, or three people in a shot.

A shot list is a list distributed and used by a film crew of all the shots to be filmed during the day.

Together, a shot, scene, and sequence make up the larger dramatic narrative of film. "Scenes" are composed of "shots," "sequences" are composed of scenes, and "films" are composed of sequences.

The showrunner is the individual who has primary creative control and management of a TV show. The show runner isn’t always necessarily the creator of the show, but they’re almost always a writer.

The shutter speed refers to the length of time a single frame is exposed.

A sight gag is an image that conveys humor visually, usually non-verbally; often used in silent film comedy, or in films with very little dialogue.

Silent film is a term for motion pictures without sound (spoken dialogue or synchronized soundtrack), although they were often accompanied by live commentary, piano-music, sound effects, and/or orchestration. Silent films were popular from about 1895 to 1927 (when "talkies" were introduced). Contrast with "talkies."

A silver bullet refers to the solution that completely solves the complicated dramatic problem within a film; the term silver bullet was derived from European folklore in which only a silver bullet could kill a werewolf. Also known as a "magic bullet."

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things using the words “like” or “as.”

Size refers to a film element, used by the film-maker to indicate a character's or object's relative strength compared to other things or persons.

A skip frame is an optical printing effect of skipping or cutting out certain frames of the original scene to speed up the action.

Slapstick comedy is a broad form of comedy in which the humor comes from physical acts or pantomime, frequently harmless violence and pratfalls intended to produce laughter. The name for slapstick comedy was derived from a device called a slapstick, two boards that slapped together with a loud crack when used to strike something or someone; prevalent during the silent era and in early talkies, with its primary motif being pie-throwing.

A slasher film usually refers to a cheaply-made sub-genre film (usually in the horror genre) designed for the teenage audience (teen movie), deliberately made to contain gory, blood-splattering, explicit deaths without any build-up, style or suspense, often committed by an unstoppable serial killer, with a sharp bladed weapon. Most slasher films are created to generate sequels and repetitive boredom. Also known as "splatter films." See also "trash film," "grindhouse film," "schlock film," "B-film," and "Z-film."

Slate is a digital board held in front of the camera that identifies the camera person, director, shot number, and title. There is also the take number, and the slate operator will say “mark” before clapping. This is for sound sync purposes. See also "clapboard."

Sleeper is a term for a movie that is released with little publicity or pre-release buzz, often directed by and starring relatively unknown people, that eventually becomes popular (as a cult film) or financially successful beyond expectations, usually due to positive word-of-mouth; the term is sometimes used incorrectly to describe unpopular movies that the critics love.

Slow-motion is the term for running film through a camera at a faster than typical rate. It is then projected at a standard speed, making the playback appear slower than in actuality.

Smash-cut, or shock cut, is a cinematic term that refers to an abrupt, jarring and unexpected change or transition in the scene or film's image (and the audio) to another scene or image, to surprise the viewing audience. See also "transition."

Snipe refers to any piece of projected footage during (usually prior to) a motion picture feature presentation that is not a trailer or film presentation, i.e., announcements and theatre promos for the concession stand, courtesy requests and prohibitions (such as turning off cell phones, curbing loud talking, etc.).

Occurring during nominations or awards proceedings, a snub is when a prominent, leading, or favored performer/director/crewmember or film is inexplicably excluded or denied an award or nomination.

Soft-focus is a cinematographic effect in which a filter, vaseline, or gauze-like substance placed over the camera lens reduces the clarity or sharpness of focus, blurs the image, and produces a diffused, hazy light. The visual effect of soft focus can also be created by simply shooting out-of-focus. It is often used to enhance romantic or dreamy scenes or to remove wrinkle lines from an actor's face.

Soft money is financing provided to the production of a film in the form of tax incentives, such as tax credits, rebates, tax deductions, or allowances.

A soliloquy is a dramatic monologue delivered by a single actor with no one else onstage; sometimes expressed as a 'thinking aloud' dialogue of inner reflections; a soliloquy is delivered by a character to him or herself, or directly to the audience. Contrast to an "aside."

Sound is the audio portion of a film including dialogue, music, and effects. "Sound effects" refers to all created sounds except dialogue or music.

A soundstage is a huge, soundproof room used for movie productions. Elaborate sets can be constructed on a soundstage, allowing filmmakers more control over sound, lighting, and climate.

Technically, the soundtrack is the audio component of a movie, including the dialogue, musical score, narration, and sound effects, that accompany the visual components. Popularly, the soundtrack refers to a collection of songs heard during the movie, and often sold as an album.

A spaghetti western is the term for a low-budget Western that is technically classified as a B-movie. Spaghetti westerns were generally filmed in Spain or Italy during the 1960s, and they were often characterized by sparse dialogue and low production values.

A spec script is an unsolicited or non-commissioned ("speculative") feature screenplay sent to a studio by a screenwriter for consideration (hoping that it will possibly be 'optioned' or purchased). A spec script is also known as a speculative screenplay.

Special effects is the broad term for fantastical audio and visual illusions that could not have been filmed by normal means. Special effects include in-camera effects, miniatures, CGI, rear-camera projections, and stop motion animation. "Visual effects" are a subcategory of special effects. Special effects is often abbreviated to F/X, SFX, SPFX, or EFX.

The special effects supervisor is responsible for all creative and technical executions of the special effects. Think in terms of anything dangerous or exciting: if it can break, explode, burn, collapse, spill, drip, or make mess or harm of any kind, it’s the special effects supervisor’s job to handle it safely. Helps to block the actors when they begin implementing the effects.

A spin-off is a derivative work of another film that can either be a sequel or prequel. A spin-off often includes characters from a previous property but takes them in a different direction than a straightforward sequel would do. "Alien vs. Predator" is a spin-off of both "Alien" and "Predator." See also "crossover."

A split edit is an editing technique used to ease the transition from one scene to another, in which the audio starts before (or after) the picture cut. Also known as "L-cut" or "J-cut."

In the silent era, a split-reel referred to two different short-subject films (each too brief for a separate screening) that were joined together on one reel for movie-house exhibition.

A split-screen is a combination of two actions filmed separately by copying them onto the same negative and having them appear side-by-side within a single frame (without overlapping). Slight variation on split-screen is termed multiple image (different images are set alongside each other within a single frame); usually intended to signify simultaneous action. Also see "bluescreen," "greenscreen," and "matte shot."

A spoiler is information about the plot or ending of a film that may damage or impair the enjoyment of the film if known ahead of time. Usually, critics or reviewers warn readers with a "spoiler alert," or avoid revealing spoilers altogether. See "Greatest Plot Twists and Spoilers."

A spoof is a comedic film that pays tribute to an earlier film in a humorous way.

A stand-in is a substitute person who is physically similar (in size and appearance) to an actor and who takes the actor's place during often lengthy preparation of a scene (the taking of light meter readings, camera setup, light adjustment, etc.) but not during filming. Not to be confused with a "stunt double" or a "body double."

Star is the name given to famous, talented, and popular actors or celebrities, often in lead character roles, who can draw an audience to a film with their photogenic appearance, inspirational acting, or some other quality. Historically, a starlet (or ingenue) was an attractive actress promoted by a film studio in a small role as an up-and-coming star during the 1940s and the 1950s. Also used in the term star quality and star system.

Star system refers to how studios "groomed" stars under contract and sought star vehicles for them. Studios served as protectorates for their stars in the star system.

A star vehicle is a film expressly made to show off the talents of a performer, with all other aspects almost secondary. Compare with "tour de force."

Static shot is an unmoving or immobile camera shot that is stationary, due to the use of a tripod.

A Steadicam is a hand-held camera developed in the late 1970s. The Steadicam was created by Garrett Brown, and the operator uses a mechanical harness to take smooth, steady shots, even when the camera needs to move. This allows the operator to move along smoothly with the action.

Stealing a scene, or scene-stealing, usually refers to a supporting performer attracting attention from the lead actor or actress to whom the center of interest legitimately belongs. See also "tour de force" performance.

Stereotyping is the act of portraying a particular character (or group) with a formulaic, conforming, exaggerated, and oversimplified representation, usually offensive and distorted.

A still refers to a single, static image, either a frame still (possibly enlarged) from a finished film, a production still taken from an unfinished film, or a publicity shot (of an actor or scene). A still is also known as a "photogram."

A stinger is a surprising, last-minute bit of dialogue (or footage) that appears after the end (or closing) credits. A stinger can also be used to refer to an extension cord.

A stock character is a minor character whose actions are completely predictable, stereotypical, or standard for their job or profession; similarly, a stock situation is a basic, recognizable plot situation (e.g., a lover hiding in the closet, twins mistaken for each other, etc.).

Stock footage is previously-recorded footage of common elements, such as shots of deserts or travelogue shots. Stock footage can also include footage of historical events that have been archived.

Stop-motion is an animation technique using solid 3D models, figures, or puppets appear to move. One frame is shot at a time while the models are repositioned, giving the illusion of natural motion. The best stop motion movies are able to achieve incredible levels of realism.

Story refers to the events that appear in a film and what we can infer from these events. Story is also referred to as "narrative" or "plot."

A storyboard is a sequential series of illustrations, stills, rough sketches, and/or captions (sometimes resembling a comic or cartoon strip) of events, as seen through the camera lens, that outline the various shots, indicate camera angles, blocking of actors, and the size of the frame. They provide a synopsis for a proposed film story (or for a complex scene) with its action and characters; the storyboards are displayed in sequence for the purpose of visually mapping out and crafting the various shot divisions and indicating camera movements in an animated or live-action film. A blank storyboard is a piece of paper with rectangles drawn on it to represent the camera frame (for each successive shot). A sophisticated type of preview-storyboard (often shot and edited on video, with a soundtrack) is termed an "animatic."

The straight man is the performer who serves as a stooge for a comedian (or funnyman), usually by adopting a serious stance or reaction to the comic partner. The straight man often feeds lines to the other irreverent comedian, who replies with witty comments. Also known as "second banana" or "foil."

Studio chief refers to the head or chairperson of a film studio who has the final authority for each film project (gives the green light, or authorization go-ahead), and oversees the many departments (financial, legal, marketing, advertising, distribution, etc.). The studio chief is also called the "topper." In Hollywood's Golden Age, the chief was called a "mogul."

Studio system refers to the all-powerful control the monopolistic film studios had over all aspects of assembly-line filmmaking and film production from the 1920s until the late 1950s, when chiefs and moguls (Mayer, Selznick and Zukor) ruled. Tactics included the ownership of property, control of publicity and marketing, and iron-clad contracts with star actors, directors, composers, camera operators, costume designers, writers, and producers.

Studios are for-profit companies that specialize in developing, financing and distributing most American commercial films. Studios also refers to the actual site for a film production, with physical sets, stages, offices, backlots (located on the outdoor grounds of a film studio and used for filming exteriors), etc. See also "majors" and "independents," and "mogul."

A stunt double refers to performer(s) (aka stunts) that take the place of an actor when the scene calls for a dangerous or risky action (car crash, fight, window jump, etc.). Stunt doubles usually have the same build or appearance as the star. Also called stunt performer, stuntman or stuntwoman; not to be confused with a stand-in or a body double; stunts are supervised, conducted and planned by a stunt coordinator.

Stylized is a term that refers to the artificial exaggeration or elimination of details in order to deliberately create an effect. In other words, to make (or interpret) a person, a face, a tree, a figure, or something as grotesque, disturbing, or over-bright as opposed to realistic or naturalistic.

Subjective point-of-view, or POV, is a film in which the narrator has a limited point-of-view regarding the characters, events, action, places, thoughts, conversations, etc.. A subjective camera is a style of filming that allows the viewer to look at events from the POV of either a character or the author, when the camera position is close to the line of sight of the character. Contrast to "omniscient point-of-view."

Subplot is the secondary, subordinate, or auxiliary plotline, often complementary but independent from the main plot (the A story), and often involving supporting characters. The subplot is not the same as multiple plotlines. Also known as the "B story" or "C story."

Stage 32 Glossary

sales agency estimates

sales agent

sales territory

satire

scenario

scene

scene-stealing

scenery

schlock film

score

screen direction

screen (single; double)

screen test

screener

screening

screenplay

screenwriter

screwball comedy

script (shooting script)

script supervisor

second banana

Second Unit Photography

segment (seg)

sell-through

sepia tone

sequel

sequence

serial

series

service deal

set

set accountant

set dresser

set medic

set-piece

setting

setup

sex comedy

sexploitation

shaggy dog tale

shoot

short subject (short; short films)

shot

shot list

shot, scene, and sequence

showrunner

shutter speed

sight gag

silent film (silents)

silver bullet

simile

size

skip frame

slapstick comedy

slasher film

slate

sleeper

slow-motion

smash-cut (shock cut)

snipe

snub

soft-focus

soft money

soliloquy

sound

soundstage (stage)

soundtrack

spaghetti western

spec script

special effects (F/X, SFX, SPFX, or EFX)

special effects supervisor

spin-off

split edit

split-reel

split-screen

spoiler

spoof

stand-in

star