In short: A production glossary explains the terms used on a film or video shoot. This one defines 22 of the words producers, crew and clients hear most often, from 1st AD and call sheet to stripboard and wrap, with a link to a page where the term is used in practice.
1st AD
The first assistant director runs the set on the day. They call the shots, keep the schedule moving and manage the cast while the camera is set up.
2nd AD
The second assistant director supports the first AD. They often prepare the call sheet and track cast and crew paperwork.
C-stand
A folding metal stand with a long arm, used to hold flags, reflectors and lights on set. Granary's grip includes C-stands, and the grip kit guide explains how they are used.
Call sheet
The daily sheet sent to cast and crew, giving the next day's call times, locations, scenes and contacts. It is prepared from the shooting schedule.
Coverage
The set of shots an editor gets for a scene, such as the master, singles and inserts, so the scene can be cut. Read coverage explained for how the shots fit together.
Day out of days
A chart showing which days each cast member works and which days they are needed, usually used when planning cast days.
Director of photography
The head of the camera and lighting departments on set, who shapes the look of the picture with the director. Also written as DoP or DP.
Establishing shot
A wide shot that shows where a scene happens and how the characters relate to the space around them.
Gaffer
The chief lighting technician. They turn the director of photography's lighting plan into rigs and lead the electricians. See the gaffer guide for more.
Grip
The department that rigs and moves the support equipment on a set, such as stands, flags, rigging and dolly track. Grips work with the lighting team but do not handle the electrics.
Insert
A close shot of a detail, such as a hand on a phone, a screen or a clock, cut into a scene to carry story information.
Location recce
A visit to a location before the shoot to check access, power, parking, noise and how the light falls at the time of day you will shoot.
Master shot
A wide shot that covers the whole scene from start to finish. It is usually shot first, so the timing and performance are set before the camera goes in close.
Production designer
The head of the art department, who designs the look of sets, props and locations.
Production manager
The person who manages the budget and logistics of the shoot, working closely with the producer and the assistant directors. Larger productions may also have a line producer. "Unit production manager" is the US title for a similar job.
Production report
Another name for the daily production report, the record of what a shoot day achieved.
Read-through
A session where the cast reads the script aloud, usually before rehearsal or the first shoot day.
Shooting schedule
The plan of which scenes are shot on which days. It is often built on a stripboard and changes as the shoot goes on.
Stand-in
A person who takes a cast member's place while the lights and camera are set up, so the actor can save their energy for the take.
Stripboard
A planning board, physical or on screen, that shows each scene as a strip, so the schedule can be arranged by location, cast and day. See the shooting schedule and stripboard guide.
Tech recce
A visit with the department heads to plan the technical needs of a location or set before the shoot.
Wrap
The end of a shoot day, or of the whole shoot when it is the final wrap.
Related guides
Questions we get asked
What does 1st AD mean on a film set?
The first assistant director runs the set on the day. They call the shots, keep the schedule moving and manage the cast on set.
What is the difference between a call sheet and a shooting schedule?
A shooting schedule plans which scenes are shot on which days. A call sheet is the daily sheet that tells the crew what happens tomorrow, with times, locations and scenes.
What is a DoP?
The director of photography, the head of camera and lighting, who shapes the look of the picture with the director. The term is also written as DP.
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