Industry Terms and words.
So many to remember. The seemingly unintelligible conversations that might be heard while on set actually do make sense. Here are a few terms and abbreviations to help you unscramble the code:
AABP - Stands for ACTRA Additional Background Performer. A performer who has worked a minimum of 15 days on set within a 12-month period and who has applied through ACTRA to gain AABP status.
ACTOR (IPA) - A performance category in the IPA defined by speaking five lines or less.
ACTRA - Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) is a Canadian labor union representing performers in English-language media including film, television, radio and all other recorded media.
AD - Assistant Director. The role of an assistant director on a film includes handling background choreography, tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, and maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of the health and safety of the crew.
Agency - The individual or Corporation tasked with the general representation, procurement of work, management of information and work-related assistance/advising of the background Performer as it pertains to the entertainment industry.
Background Performer - A performance category defined by having no dialogue. Background performers on set come from two groups: cash extras, who receive hourly compensation, and ACTRA members, who receive minimum remuneration as outlined in the IPA.
Basecamp - Central-most point for crew members when filming on location. It's where all the trailers are.
Booking Inquiry - Upon receiving an order from Casting/Production, FC Talent will message all suitable performers to assess their availability and to relay any available information which may include the date(s), location, whether it is a day/night shoot, interior/exterior and to ensure that there are no conflicts with the performer (repeats, featured, etc). The time frame between booking inquiry and booking confirmation may range from minutes to days. It is important for the Performer to advise the Agency of any changes in his/her availability during this process. Once a decision is made, casting will inform the Agency of which performer(s) to book (see below).
Booking Confirmation - Once Casting/Production has decided who they would like to book, that information is sent to the Agency who in turn informs the performer via email that they are confirmed for that booking. The Performer is then required to acknowledge receipt of this information by replying to the email. The Performer is now booked.
Booking Information Email - When the Production is finished filming for the day and the information specific to the booking date that the Performer is confirmed on becomes available, that information will be distributed to the Performer by the Agency, immediately via email. The Performer is required to confirm receipt of that email to ensure the Agency that the information has been read, understood and will be executed upon. Any questions/concerns pertaining to the booking information should be addressed immediately and via email.
BG Holding or "holding" - The location for background Performers to report to.
Casting director - A Production representative tasked with selecting and booking or "casting" Performers.
Call time - The time that Production requires you to be on set. FC Talent requires all Performers to be no less than 15 minutes earlier than the call time given in the booking information email.
Continuity - Maintaining the same action between takes and/or scenes. Also describes multiple days of work required of a Performer in that same role.
GO-SEE - A term used when Performers go out to meet casting/directors/producers. Your measurements and photos are taken and your agent is contacted if you're required for a further meeting/audition, to confirm work dates, fittings, etc.
IPA - Independent Production Agreement. The national agreement signed between ACTRA and the producers’ association that sets minimum terms and conditions for the engagement of ACTRA members in films, independent television series and other non-network recorded media. Find out more HERE
MOW - Movie-of-the-Week. Usually a smaller scale production geared to television distribution.
OSLO - On Set Liaison Officer. An ACTRA member who volunteers to visit sets to meet with other members and act as the “eyes and ears” of the Business Representatives.
Permittee / "Yellow Voucher" - A permittee is a non-member working under the ACTRA jurisdiction for a specific shoot day. Permittee's are usually given a yellow voucher, designated specifically for that category.
Photo double - A Performer hired due to the similar physical characteristics of the actor being doubled.
Picture casting - When a specific look is required, the casting director will submit photos to Production to make the decision of who to book.
Principal (IPA) - A performance category in the IPA defined by speaking six lines or more.
Production - The company, corporation, organization and/or their representatives that controls, administers, directs, and is responsible for the hiring of Performers, whether or not he, she, or it is or will be an owner of copyright of the finished product.
Pushed/pulled call - This indicates whether or not crew call (and your call) will be pushed later or pulled earlier than scheduled. Usually identified with a big red stamp on the front of the final call sheet indicating so.
Shuttle - When filming outside of the city, transportation is provided by production to get performers to the location.
Stand-in - A performance category whereby a performer is engaged to “stand in” for another performer for purposes of scene blocking, lighting, etc.
SSE - Special skill Extra. A Performer hired for his/her specific skills as it pertains to the scene being filmed.
TRS - Time report summary. AKA check stub. It breaks down earnings, deductions and other amounts which is required for the Agency to accurately calculate the Performer's commission amount owing.
Upgrade - An upgrade is granted to the background Performer by Production if he/she is asked to deliver lines on camera. At the soonest reasonable time to do so and before you are wrapped, the Performer is required to contact FC Talent to have all related contracts/paperwork taken care of.
Voucher - A form issued by ACTRA that serves as a contract for background roles under the IPA. Vouchers come in different colors which are used to distinguish between full members (blue), apprentices (pink), permittees (yellow) and AABP members/non-members (white).
Wrap /Window - Wrap is called when you are no longer required in any scenes for that day or if Production is done filming for the day. An AD will inform you if you are wrapped. "Window" refers to the last shot of the day, which precedes wrap.
10-1 - Code for washroom. "Is it safe to go 10-1 now, or should I wait until we finish this shot?"
10-2 - #2. 'nuff said. Pro Tip: To avoid oversharing, everyone uses 10-1 as a blanket code for both!