Cinema and Theater: English Vocabulary List

an outdoor area in a movie studio, where large exterior sets are constructed and some scenes are shot

"The movie was filmed on a backlot."

"The movie studio's backlot features fake city streets and building facades used for filming outdoor scenes."

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 piece of raw footage that is recorded but is not used in the final edited version of a movie, TV program, etc.

"The outtake showed the actor laughing when he forgot his lines."

"The DVD includes funny outtakes from the filming process where the actors forgot their lines and laughed."

the process of creating a set of pictures or drawings depicting the outline of the plot of a movie, TV series, etc.

"Storyboarding is drawing the scenes before filming to plan the shots."

"The director spent weeks storyboarding each scene before filming began to plan every camera angle and shot."

the first version of editing a movie, after different scenes are assembled

"The director watched the rough cut before adding music and final touches."

"The director watched the rough cut of the film and decided to reshoot several scenes that did not work well."

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."

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 method used in theater production that indicates a change of the setting

"Scene-shifting during the play was done quickly and quietly by the crew."

"The crew worked quickly during the scene-shifting interval to change the set for the next act of the play."

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 genre of film characterized by humorous or satirical imitation of other films, genres, or cultural phenomena

"The movie was a spoof of horror films."

"A spoof is a humorous imitation of a specific genre or work"

a sad movie, play, book, etc. that is too sentimental and makes the audience cry

"The weepy drama made her cry."

"I always keep tissues nearby when watching a weepy movie because I know I will start crying."

a type of comic theatrical production combining pantomime, dance, singing, etc. popular in the 1800s and early 1900s

"Vaudeville was a type of theater with songs"

"Before movies became popular, vaudeville shows featuring comedians and singers entertained audiences across America."

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."

a style of physical theater that satirizes social and political issues through exaggerated, grotesque performances and audience interaction

"Bouffon comedy mocks serious subjects."

"Bouffon is a theatrical style that uses exaggerated grotesque characters to mock authority and social norms."

the visual arrangement of elements in a film scene such as set design and lighting

"The mise-en-scene is perfect."

"The director paid great attention to mise-en-scene."

the architectural wall or frame that separates the stage from the auditorium in a modern theater, often forming an arch through which the audience views the performance

"The proscenium framed the stage."

"The actors performed in front of the proscenium."

the art of creating and recording sound effects in a studio setting to be added to a film or video

"He works in foley."

"The foley artist created realistic footsteps by walking on gravel while watching the movie screen to sync the sounds with the actor's movements."

the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical production

"She studies dramaturgy."

"Dramaturgy is the theory and practice of dramatic composition."

a group of performers, especially actors or dancers, who work together as a collective entity

"The theatre troupe performed."

"The touring troupe visited many cities."

a director who has such a significant influence and personal style on a film that is considered their author

"The director was considered an auteur with a unique style."

"The director is considered an auteur because she writes her own scripts controls every aspect of production and has a distinctive visual style."

a style of documentary filmmaking that emphasizes capturing real-life situations and events with minimal interference or intervention

"It is cinema verite."

"Cinema verite uses handheld cameras for realism."

a subgenre of film noir with a contemporary setting, complex characters, and elements of other genres, while still featuring a dark and pessimistic tone

"The film is neo-noir."

"Neo-noir films often have dark themes and complex plots."

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."

an ending to an episode of a series that keeps the audience in suspense

"It ended in a cliffhanger."

"The episode finished with an exciting cliffhanger."

something occurring at a time when it could not have existed or happened

"The smartphone in the movie was an anachronism."

"The film contained an anachronism when a character used a modern device in a historical setting."

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 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 room in a theater, a studio, etc. in which performers can relax while not performing

"The actors waited nervously in the green room before the show started."

"The nervous actors waited backstage in the green room before going on stage for the live performance."

a minor role that is played by a well-known actor

"The famous actor had a cameo role."

"A cameo is a brief appearance or a small but memorable role in a film"

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."

an actor's line that is told to the audience but the other characters on the stage are not intended to hear

"Aside is spoken directly to audience."

"The character spoke an aside directly to the audience while other actors froze on stage."