Behind the Scenes: English Vocabulary List

the activity of acting in or producing a play in a theater as a hobby and not a profession

"The community theater puts on four shows every year."

"The community theater production featured local actors who rehearsed for three months."

a comic play, movie, book, etc. that portrays the behaviors of a particular social class, satirizing them

"Classic comedy of manners criticizes."

"The classic comedy of manners criticizes social habits and upper class behavior in a humorous way."

a technique or process of selecting, editing, and pasting separate footage in order to create a motion picture

"The film used a montage."

"The director used a quick montage of historical images to convey the passage of time effectively."

the first public screening or performance of a movie or play

"The movie premiere attracted many celebrities."

"The movie premiere was attended by many famous actors and directors who walked the red carpet."

a musical or dramatic performance that takes place in daytime, especially in the afternoon

"Afternoon matinee performance attended."

"We attended the afternoon matinee performance of the popular musical last Saturday with our friends."

the time after a play or show has just ended when the performers come to the stage to receive the applause of the audience

"The actors bowed during the curtain call while the audience cheered loudly."

"The entire cast came back on stage for a final curtain call after the audience applauded for five minutes."

translated words projected above or next to the stage on a screen in an opera or play

"The surtitle translated the opera's lyrics."

"The opera surtitle helped the audience understand the Italian words during the performance."

a speech that a character in a dramatic play gives in the form of a monologue as a series of inner reflections spoken out loud

"The actor delivered an emotional soliloquy perfectly"

"The actor delivered a powerful soliloquy that revealed his character's deepest inner conflicts and desires."

a text in the script of a play, giving an instruction regarding the movement, position, etc. of actors

"Clear stage direction given."

"The director gave very clear stage direction to the actors before the first performance."

to act a role in an exaggerated way that is not natural

"Some actors overact in scenes."

"The young actor tends to overact in emotional scenes which makes his performance look fake and unnatural."

to assign the roles of a play, motion picture, etc. to unsuitable actors

"The director miscasts the lead."

"The director completely miscast the lead role by choosing a young actor who could not act well."

a preparatory session during which actors read the words of a play before beginning to practice it on the stage

"The actors did a read through of the new script."

"The cast gathered around a table for a read-through of the entire script before starting rehearsals."

a session of practice in which performers prepare themselves for a public performance of a concert, play, etc.

"We had a rehearsal today."

"The orchestra had a final rehearsal before the big concert to make sure every note was perfect."

someone who is in charge of the artistic features, such as props and costumes of a movie or play

"The art director approved it."

"The art director chose the colors and visual style for the campaign."

someone who writes plays for the TV, radio, or theater

"The dramatist wrote well."

"The dramatist created a powerful play for the theater season."

situated out of sight of the audience, typically in the wings or backstage

"We heard an offstage noise."

"We heard an offstage noise and knew that something was happening behind the curtain."

a set of scenes in a motion picture, novel, etc. that could be regarded independently and are very elaborate or complex

"The action set piece was thrilling."

"The action movie had an exciting set piece where the hero escaped from an exploding building on a motorcycle."

a thing that achieves great widespread popularity or financial success, particularly a movie, book, or other product

"The blockbuster was popular."

"The movie became a blockbuster worldwide."

the art and methods of film-making, especially the photographic aspect and camerawork

"The cinematography of the film is beautiful"

"The film's stunning cinematography captured the vast desert landscapes with breathtaking visual artistry and skillful camerawork."

a motion picture or theatrical production with a historical setting in which the actors wear the costume appropriate to that time period

"Historical costume drama."

"The historical costume drama showed life in the eighteenth century very realistically."

to turn real events or situations into a tale or story, often by changing or adding to the details

"The novel fictionalizes real historical events."

"The novel fictionalizes the true story of a famous historical figure by adding imaginary events and characters."

a type of movie involving crime including shadowy footage and dark background music that depicted cynical characters caught in dangerous situations

"Film noir uses dark lighting and shadows."

"Film noir movies from the 1940s often feature dark streets and morally conflicted detectives trying to solve crimes."

an imaginary barrier that separates the mise en scene and the fictional characters from the audience, especially in a theatrical performance

"The actor broke the fourth wall and spoke to the audience."

"By breaking the fourth wall, the comedian made the audience feel like they were part of the show."

a short pause between parts of a play, movie, etc.

"Long intermission break."

"The theater play had a long intermission that allowed audience to buy drinks and snacks yesterday."

an actor who practices the lines of another actor in order to replace them if necessary

"Talented understudy was ready."

"The talented understudy was ready to replace the main actor if he became ill during the show."

a movie that is intended to be broadcast on TV, rather than being projected on the screen

"The telefilm was broadcast on Sunday night."

"The famous director made a telefilm for television last year."

a line that is recited in a speech or performance without prior preparation

"The actor forgot his line and had to ad lib."

"The actor forgot his scripted line and had to ad lib a funny response that made the audience laugh."

a dramatic genre characterized by exaggerated emotions, intense conflicts, etc., often trying to create strong emotional reactions in the audience

"She loves the over-the-top emotions of a classic romantic melodrama."

"A melodrama is a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and emotion to appeal to the audience's raw feelings"

to turn a book, story, or an event into a movie or play

"The movie dramatizes real historical events."

"The author decided to dramatize his bestselling novel into a captivating screenplay for Hollywood producers."

a new performance of something old that has not been performed for a long time, such as a play

"The play had a revival."

"The critically acclaimed play received a much-anticipated revival, reminding a new generation of its enduring power and relevance."

to assist someone by suggesting the next words or actions they may have forgotten or not fully learned

"Prompt him to speak."

"The director had to prompt the nervous actor when he forgot his lines during the crucial scene."

to act a role in a motion picture or perform a play on stage

"They enact a scene."

"The actors were trained to enact their characters' emotions with profound authenticity on stage."

a representation that an actor or a performer gives of an artistic or musical piece that shows their understanding and feeling toward it

"Her interpretation was thoughtful."

"Her interpretation of the poem differed completely from the teacher's because she focused on different symbols."

to stage a play, a show, etc. for an audience

"They put on a show."

"The community theater decided to put on a beloved musical for the holiday season."

to play the role of a character in a movie, play, etc.

"He will portray him."

"The talented actor was chosen to portray the complex historical figure with great authenticity."

a movie, TV program, etc. that is based on a book or play

"The movie was an adaptation."

"This new film is a faithful adaptation of the classic novel, capturing its spirit and themes."

an upper floor in a theater or cinema where there are seats for the audience

"We sat in the balcony."

"From our seats in the balcony, we had an excellent view of the entire stage."

(plural) a list of names at the start or end of a TV program or movie acknowledging the people involved in its production

"The credits rolled slowly."

"The film's end credits listed all the actors, directors, and crew members who contributed to its creation."

a short interval between parts of a play, movie, etc.

"The musical interlude was very relaxing."

"The comedian performed a brief, humorous interlude between the main acts of the show."

a short address to the audience by an actor at the conclusion of a play, frequently in verse

"The epilogue was short."

"The actor delivered a poignant epilogue that summarized the play's themes and bid farewell to the audience."