Talking about Film and Theatre: English Vocabulary List

the digital effects added to films or videos to enhance or create visual elements that are impossible or too expensive to achieve in real life

"The movie's visual effects were amazing."

"Visual effects are computer-generated imagery and digital manipulations added to live-action footage in post-production to create environments or events that cannot be filmed in reality."

an artificial sound created and used in a motion picture, play, video game, etc. to make it more realistic

"The sound effect of thunder made the dark scene feel very scary."

"The movie used a realistic sound effect of breaking glass to make the action scene more convincing."

the chief assistant to the gaffer or key grip

"The best boy handled the lighting equipment."

"The best boy on the film set helped the gaffer manage all the lighting equipment and electrical cables."

the last section of a literary or dramatic piece where the plot is concluded and all the matters of the work is explained

"The denouement resolved all the storylines."

"The denouement of the novel revealed how the detective solved the mystery and caught the real killer."

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."

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."

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 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."

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 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."

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 movie or television show based on real events, but not accurate in all the details

"The docudrama mixed real events with acted scenes."

"A docudrama is a dramatized television film that blends elements of documentary and fictional drama"

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 genre of filmmaking that blends elements of documentary and fiction film, using real people or events but often fictionalizing certain aspects of the story for dramatic effect

"Docufiction mixes real facts and made-up stories in a single film."

"Docufiction is a hybrid genre that blends documentary footage with fictional narrative elements"

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."

techniques used in movies and other media to create cool visuals or sounds using computers or filmmaking tricks to add excitement

"The special effects made the dragon look completely real and very scary."

"Special effects are illusions or visual tricks used in film to simulate impossible events"