Pre-production

A budgeting classification for principal creative participants whose costs traditionally appear above a dividing line on a production budget top sheet.

A plan for accessible communication, physical access, accommodations, and audience or crew needs.

A controlled arrangement for production lodging, rooming, accessibility, security, check-in, and payment.

A scene inserted after numbering is locked, usually assigned a lettered identifier.

A historical Directors Guild pseudonym used in approved circumstances when a director successfully sought removal of their name from a screen credit.

Permission from a person for the recorded use of their image, voice, name, or performance under stated terms.

The review and permission process for recognizable art, photographs, graphics, trademarks, or other protected visual material.

An international customs document facilitating temporary import and re-export of eligible professional equipment.

A public or private notice describing an audition’s project, role, materials, timing, and submission route.

A request to confirm whether a performer or crew member may be available for specified dates.

Informal shorthand for collected availability information or a request for that information.

The planned number and breakdown of background performers required for scenes or production days.

A site plan for cast trailers, wardrobe, hair and make-up, holding, toilets, catering, and support vehicles.

An ordered list of dramatic beats describing the essential changes within a story or sequence.

An ordered list of story beats used to examine dramatic progression before or during drafting.

A budgeting classification for production labor and technical costs traditionally listed below the dividing line on a budget top sheet.

A supplier’s priced proposal to perform a defined scope of production work or provide specified goods.

A like-for-like review of vendor proposals against the same scope and commercial assumptions.

The prominence, placement, order, and presentation of a performer or contributor’s name in credits and advertising.

Scheduling and filming multiple scenes, episodes, or related material together because they share locations, cast, sets, or production resources.

Screen adaptation rights licensed or acquired from the owner of a literary work.

An episode designed to use a limited cast, few standing sets, and constrained production resources while still serving the series story.

An agreed allowance paid when a crew member supplies personally owned tools or equipment required for production work.

A standardized grouping used to classify script requirements such as cast, props, vehicles, or effects.

A scene-level planning record listing cast, elements, location, story day, pages, and production notes.

A summary of major production budget categories used to understand the financial shape of a project.

The daily production notice that communicates who is needed, where, when, and what safety or logistics information applies.

A later audition round in which selected performers are invited to be considered again.

The selected camera bodies, lenses, support, monitoring, media, power, and accessories rented or supplied for a production.

A dedicated equipment-preparation period for building and testing the camera package before photography.

A controlled recording made to evaluate camera, lens, exposure, color, texture, or workflow choices before principal photography.

A time-based forecast of when production funds will be received and paid out.

Interim financing advanced against contracted funds expected after production milestones or delivery.

The date a performer completes the contracted work period, subject to recalls or options.

A controlled list of performers, character names, contact channels, and relevant production status.

A later scheduled workday bringing a performer back for additional photography or recording.

A performer’s prior or requested compensation figure used as a reference in deal negotiations.

A scheduled workday devoted primarily to performance rehearsal before photography or recording.

The date a performer’s contracted production services begin for scheduling and employment purposes.

A scheduled day on which a performer provides covered services other than travel-only or hold status.

A role-by-role description of characters, requirements, sides, dates, and submission instructions.

A historical euphemism for sexual coercion, harassment, or exploitation by people who condition professional opportunity on sexual access.

A structured tracker comparing roles, candidates, status, availability, representation, offers, and approvals.

An organized audition period in which performers present material for a role or project.

An informal producing aphorism that divides films into four combinations: good or bad movies that either work commercially or do not.

A United States background-casting company founded in 1925 to organize studio hiring and reduce exploitation in the then-chaotic market for extras.

A document showing insurance coverage and named parties for a production, location, or vendor.

A trade document certifying the country in which listed goods were produced or manufactured.

The documented sequence of rights ownership and transfers supporting a producer’s authority to exploit a project.

A lawyer’s assessment of whether documented rights support production and exploitation of a project.

The designed evolution—or purposeful lack of evolution—of a character through a story.

A concise description of a scripted role’s story function, traits, requirements, and casting parameters.

A casting session that evaluates how two or more performers work together in selected material.

A production plan for legally compliant work, education, welfare, guardianship, and hours for minors.

An opening scene or sequence presented before the main titles or regular opening credits, often used to establish a hook.

A controlled bank account through which defined exploitation revenues are collected and distributed.

An independent administrator appointed to receive and distribute revenues under a collection account agreement.

A coordinated set of colors guiding visual relationships across production design, costume, lighting, or graphics.

A documented route for camera encodings, transforms, monitoring, editorial, visual effects, grading, and delivery color spaces.

A register of purchase orders, contracts, and expected costs not yet fully invoiced or paid.

A logistics plan for relocating the shooting company between locations during a workday.

The government body designated to administer and certify an official co-production arrangement.

A guaranty arrangement intended to protect financiers against specified risks that a production will not be completed and delivered.

An entity that assesses, monitors, and may guarantee completion and delivery under agreed budget and schedule conditions.

The central dramatic or factual idea from which a screen project is developed.

Exploratory artwork used to develop and communicate environments, characters, objects, mood, or visual problems.

Specified requirements that must be satisfied or waived before a contract or financing obligation becomes effective.

A detailed drawing issued to fabricate, assemble, or install scenic or production elements.

A prepared response for weather, access, equipment, personnel, safety, or schedule disruption.

A controlled visual and written reference for story chronology, looks, props, sets, injuries, and recurring details.

A legal or clearance report documenting copyright ownership, registrations, licenses, and unresolved issues.

A budget or accounting identifier used to classify production commitments and actual spending.

A periodic accounting report comparing budget, actual costs, commitments, and projected final cost.

A script analysis mapping each character’s wardrobe needs by scene, story day, action, and continuity.

A timed record of performer costume changes and the locations, crew, and sequence needed to execute them.

A photographed or filmed fitting used to evaluate wardrobe design on the performer and through the camera system.

An alternate interior or protected location scheduled so production can continue when weather or another condition prevents planned exterior work.

The agreed employment terms for a crew member, usually documented in a deal memo and longer-form agreement.

A working directory of crew names, departments, roles, contacts, and scheduled involvement.

An itemized declaration of equipment or goods crossing a border for production use.

A document defining how daily picture and sound are synchronized, processed, reviewed, secured, and distributed.

A detailed plan for offload, verification, copies, naming, metadata, transfer, access, retention, and recovery.

A written plan for media naming, copies, checksums, storage, access, and retention.

A cast scheduling report that shows work, travel, hold, and other engagement statuses by production day.

A preliminary written summary of agreed engagement terms pending a long-form contract.

Compensation or another amount contractually postponed until specified financing or revenue conditions occur.

A milestone plan for supplying masters, versions, metadata, artwork, legal documents, and other contracted materials.

A contract engaging a director and defining services, compensation, credit, rights, and working conditions.

A distributor’s contracted minimum payment or commitment associated with specified distribution rights.

The geographic market in which specified exploitation rights are licensed or retained.

An entity acquiring rights to market and make a screen work available within agreed media and territories.

A planning record identifying photo, body, stunt, stand-in, hand, or other double requirements.

An intentionally brief project pitch communicating the hook, form, audience, and reason to engage.

A table mapping plots, characters, themes, and turns across episodes.

A prose or beat-level plan describing an episode’s story progression before full scripting.

A rental obtained by one supplier from another to complete a production package.

A planned inventory of camera, lighting, grip, sound, power, and specialty equipment for a production.

A scheduled inspection, assembly, configuration, labeling, and test period before equipment goes to set.

Capital contributed in exchange for an ownership interest or defined participation in project returns.

Liability coverage addressing specified claims arising from a production’s content and rights clearances.

A clearance and legal-risk record prepared to support errors-and-omissions insurance review.

A contractual restriction on specified competing services or appearances during a defined period and scope.

An operator that presents completed screen works to audiences, traditionally a cinema owner or operator.

A posted or delivered notice identifying authorized filming, timing, impacts, restrictions, and production contact information.

Post-completion certification that an official co-production satisfied the arrangement as actually made.

A document identifying the sources, amounts, timing, and conditions of money expected to finance a production.

An arrangement requiring a performer to offer availability to one production before accepting conflicting work.

A scheduled period for wardrobe, prosthetic, hair, makeup, or equipment fitting before performance work.

A coordinated calendar for performer costume, hair, makeup, prosthetic, or equipment fittings.

A scaled overhead drawing showing the layout and dimensions of a set, stage, or location.

A document defining the repeatable structure, rules, tone, and production engine of a program.

A logistics provider arranging transport, documentation, consolidation, and customs coordination for production freight.

Employer-side payroll and benefit costs added to wages under law, agreements, insurance, or company policy.

A loan secured primarily against estimated value in unsold distribution territories or rights.

A recognized storytelling category associated with audience expectations, conventions, tone, and market positioning.

A tracker for the rights and approvals of signs, artwork, packaging, screens, documents, and branded graphics.

A plan for selecting, placing, maintaining, and removing living or artificial vegetation.

Revenue received from exploiting a screen project before deductions defined by the governing agreements.

Production planning with a minor performer’s parent, guardian, or legally required responsible adult.

A scene-by-scene plan for character hair, cosmetic, prosthetic, injury, aging, and continuity requirements.

A plan for a featured prop requiring close visual detail, performance function, duplicates, or special handling.

A non-shooting day on which a person, location, or resource remains reserved for the production.

A contractual restriction delaying one form of exploitation to protect another license or release window.

An agreement paying a performer or creator to remain available or exclusive during a defined period.

A contract coordinating priority, security, notices, and remedies among a production’s financiers and key counterparties.

A consent-centered plan for choreographing and filming intimacy, nudity, or simulated sex.

A pre-production record of intended focal lengths, lens families, filtration, and coverage needs.

A controlled test comparing lens rendering, mechanics, coverage, focus, distortion, flare, or consistency.

The defined duration for which licensed rights may be exercised.

An agreement governing cooperation, access, releases, and authorized materials connected with portraying a real person’s life.

A drawing or document specifying fixture positions, circuits, control, rigging, color, and intended focus.

A contract granting production access and defined filming rights for a particular property.

The confirmed dates and hours during which a location may be accessed, prepared, filmed, and restored.

A searchable collection of location photographs, details, contacts, restrictions, and availability information.

A contract granting production access and recording rights at a property under defined conditions.

A timed assessment of ambient and intermittent sounds that may affect recording, communication, or neighbors.

Authorization from a relevant owner or authority to film at a location under stated conditions.

A systematic photographic record of a potential location’s creative views, access, services, and existing condition.

Written permission to photograph and use the recognizable appearance of a location under stated terms.

The search and evaluation process for places that could satisfy a production’s creative and practical needs.

A production script whose scene numbering is frozen so later revisions do not renumber existing scenes.

A brief statement of a project’s protagonist, goal, conflict, and distinctive premise.

A curated visual reference that aligns departments on color, texture, composition, wardrobe, and production design.

A camera-facing trial of hair, cosmetic, prosthetic, or character treatments before filming.

A documented relationship with a distributor, broadcaster, platform, or sales agent supporting project viability.

A distributor, broadcaster, platform, sales agent, or similar market participant contributing project finance or value.

Permission to use a particular recorded performance of music in an audiovisual work.

A representative piece of proposed fabric, surface, finish, hardware, or construction material.

Written permission to photograph, reproduce, adapt, or distribute specified artwork, documents, footage, or other material.

A guaranteed advance payable by a distributor or sales agent against future exploitation receipts.

A jurisdiction-specific authorization required for eligible minors to work in entertainment.

A short reference edit conveying atmosphere, rhythm, texture, color, or emotional direction.

A detailed instruction sheet for a production move, travel day, or unit relocation.

The process of securing and documenting rights needed to use music in a production and its distribution.

Advance communication informing affected residents or businesses about permitted filming activity and contacts.

Receipts remaining after the deductions permitted by the governing distribution or participation agreement.

A scheduled discussion in which stakeholders clarify and prioritize feedback on creative material.

A negotiated written addendum specifying approved nudity or simulated-sex content and working conditions.

A casting status indicating that a performer is being approached without a conventional audition requirement.

A production certified under a government treaty or arrangement so participating countries recognize qualifying national status.

A locked-script scene retained by number but marked as removed so downstream references do not shift.

A compact scene-by-scene schedule line used to summarize script requirements for planning.

A contract granting an exclusive limited period to acquire specified underlying screen rights on defined terms.

A structured scene-by-scene or sequence-level plan for a proposed screenplay or episode.

A top-down schematic showing planned camera, performer, lighting, or equipment positions.

A scheduling convention dividing a script page into eighths to estimate scene length.

An extensive rewrite that substantially reconceives a screenplay rather than revising isolated pages.

A labeled application of proposed paint color and finish on a representative material.

A location drawing identifying approved parking, truck positions, loading, shuttles, restrictions, and emergency access.

A mapped allocation of crew, cast, trucks, working vehicles, visitors, and accessible parking.

A negotiated compensation commitment that may remain payable even if the performer’s services are not used.

A contract engaging a performer and setting compensation, services, usage rights, credit, and conditions.

The collection of location permits, traffic plans, insurance, site rules, and supporting approvals.

Production money issued for small authorized expenses that are impractical to process through normal purchasing.

A fixed advance issued to a crew member or department to cover approved small purchases.

A screenplay for an opening episode intended to establish an episodic series and its repeatable engine.

A focused presentation intended to secure interest, attachment, financing, distribution, or another next step.

A visual presentation that communicates a project’s concept, audience, team, scope, and financing case.

The target duration of a completed project, episode, act, or segment.

A dependency-based calendar for editorial, sound, music, visual effects, color, approvals, mastering, and delivery.

A schedule of department or individual work required before the main unit call.

Lighting work performed before the principal cast or scheduled photography arrives at a set or location.

The foundational situation and dramatic proposition that makes a story possible.

A paid or scheduled workday assigned to preparation rather than principal photography.

A license or distribution commitment for a project made before the completed work is delivered.

A legal and production assessment of personal information, private facts, consent, and data handling.

Compensation budgeted or contracted for a producer’s specified services and production responsibilities.

An Australian refundable tax offset for eligible expenditure on qualifying screen productions.

The planned inclusion of a branded product or service within screen content under agreed creative and commercial terms.

A visual planning surface for tracking scenes, days, locations, cast, and department constraints.

A shared summary of objectives, scope, constraints, owners, schedule, and approvals for a production.

A structured estimate and control plan for the costs required to complete and deliver a project.

A date-based overview of preparation, shooting, post-production, delivery, and contractual milestones.

A budget reserve for eligible unforeseen costs rather than known but omitted work.

Insurance coverage arranged for the people, property, liabilities, and risks of a screen production.

The principal contract stating a screen investor’s contribution, rights, approvals, recoupment, and delivery conditions.

A budgeted allowance for approved general production-company costs not charged as direct line items.

A public incentive reimbursing eligible production expenditure under a jurisdiction’s rules.

The planned form and technical or editorial structure of a screen project.

A limited production demonstrating that a creative, technical, or audience proposition can work.

A scene-linked inventory of scripted and added objects handled by performers or required for action.

A planned application and camera test of prosthetic appliances, materials, adhesion, color, movement, and removal.

Pre-production confirmation that a proposed international co-production appears to meet an applicable arrangement.

A company-controlled payment card issued for authorized production purchasing within defined limits.

A controlled authorization to buy specified goods or services from a supplier under stated terms.

An internal request seeking authorization to buy or rent specified goods or services.

Qualifying Australian production expenditure used in calculating eligibility and value for Australian screen incentives.

Production spending that meets the definitions and exclusions of a particular incentive or funding program.

A document by which a person disclaims or transfers any claimed interest in specified material or rights.

A supplier’s stated price and terms for particular goods, rentals, or services.

A rehearsal in which the cast reads the full script or selected scenes aloud.

A location reconnaissance visit, also called a scout, performed before filming to gather practical information.

A contractual sequence describing how receipts are allocated among costs, fees, investors, and profit participants.

An edited compilation of visual or audio references used to communicate intended craft or tone.

Planned practice used to develop performance, movement, timing, or technical coordination before recording.

A schedule and method for blocking, safety, technical checks, and performance preparation before filming.

A production transaction involving parties connected through ownership, control, family, or another defined relationship.

A written permission covering a person, property, or location’s participation or appearance in a production.

Rights to create a new screen production derived from an existing completed work.

An organized collection of verified background material supporting story development and production planning.

Replacement script pages issued after a shooting draft, commonly tracked by color and date.

A substantive revision that changes scenes, structure, character, dialogue, or other screenplay material.

The exclusive contractual right to purchase or license identified rights during a specified period.

A defined period during which a work may be exploited through a particular medium or license.

A documented review of hazards, likelihood, controls, and responsible people before work begins.

An authority-approved plan for temporarily restricting a public road during filming or event work.

A plan for when hazards, controls, emergency routes, and responsible people will be briefed.

A company or representative licensed to sell a screen work’s distribution rights to buyers.

A single stripboard record summarizing one scene’s number, heading, pages, cast, location, and requirements.

A physical or photographed finish sample used to approve scenic color, texture, sheen, and technique.

A numbered workday in the production schedule used to group scenes, locations, and resources.

The negotiated and approved identification of contributors displayed in or with a completed production.

Non-recoupable or conditionally repayable public funding awarded under a screen agency or cultural program.

A filmed audition or technical test used to assess a performer’s suitability on camera.

A written dramatic work organized into scenes, action, dialogue, and production-facing cues.

The process of tagging cast, props, wardrobe, locations, vehicles, effects, and other requirements in a script.

A version-to-version analysis identifying additions, deletions, and changed production requirements.

An evaluative document summarizing a screenplay and assessing craft, audience, production, or acquisition considerations.

A continuity label indicating the story date or relative day on which a scripted scene occurs.

Written observations and proposed changes addressing story, character, dialogue, structure, clarity, or production concerns.

A focused screenplay revision intended to refine dialogue, clarity, tone, pacing, or consistency without wholesale restructuring.

A controlled change issued after a production script has entered formal distribution.

A development document combining treatment-style prose with selected scripted scenes or dialogue.

The planned progression of story and character developments across a season of episodic work.

Rights to create later works continuing characters, world, or story from an existing property.

A controlled reference describing a series premise, world, characters, format, tone, and ongoing story engine.

The developed spatial and visual design for scenery constructed or adapted for a production.

A drafted plan, elevation, section, or detail communicating the approved geometry of scenery.

A room- or location-specific plan for furnishing and dressing the environment before shooting.

The production-authorized script version prepared for breakdown, scheduling, and filming.

The ordered plan for capturing scenes within available people, locations, equipment, and time.

A script version annotated with scene numbers, revisions, camera intent, and production notes.

A limited agreement allowing a producer or representative to seek financing or buyers for material without owning an option.

A planned list of camera setups that turns creative intent into a coverage and logistics plan.

Selected script pages distributed to cast and crew for a particular day or scene.

A short promotional edit created to demonstrate a project, concept, talent package, or market proposition.

A document defining production recording, metadata, synchronization, editorial exchange, ADR, mixing, and audio deliverables.

A screenplay written without a prior commission or production assignment, usually to be sold or used as a sample.

A concise prose proposal for an episode or storyline before a detailed outline or script.

A unit of chronological time within the narrative used to track continuity across scenes.

A development reference defining the places, systems, history, and rules of a fictional world.

A sequence of drawings or frames that communicates intended composition, action, and camera movement.

A timed storyboard assembled with temporary sound to preview pacing, coverage, and transitions.

A schedule board that visualizes scenes, company moves, cast, locations, and production-day groupings.

A color convention used on schedule strips to distinguish interior, exterior, day, night, or other scene attributes.

The schedule and staffing plan for required education and welfare supervision of working minors.

A script-derived record of actions requiring stunt evaluation, coordination, doubles, equipment, rehearsal, or special safety planning.

An assessment of expected solar direction, height, shadow, and timing at a location and date.

Permission to combine a musical composition with timed visual images.

A prose summary that presents a story’s principal characters, events, and outcome.

A group reading of a script by performers and production participants before filming.

A temporary request that a performer keep specified dates available while casting or scheduling is unresolved.

The intended primary viewers considered when developing, financing, marketing, rating, and distributing a project.

A department-focused location visit used to verify access, power, sound, safety, camera, and logistics assumptions.

A rehearsal focused on coordinating cues, equipment, movement, effects, and department timing before performance or photography.

A recurring idea or question explored through a project’s characters, choices, images, and consequences.

A clearance search for conflicting film, television, business, trademark, or other uses of a proposed title.

The project’s prevailing emotional attitude and overall manner of presentation.

Review and permission work addressing recognizable brands, marks, packaging, or trade dress in a production.

A documented system for separating and directing public, production, pedestrian, and work-vehicle movement.

A coordinated plan for moving people, equipment, vehicles, and materials throughout production.

A scheduled day principally used to move cast or crew to or from a production location.

A document giving travelers confirmed itinerary, reporting instructions, transport, lodging, contacts, and allowances.

A concise creative document describing a project’s story, tone, visual approach, and intended audience.

A controlled new version of a prose story treatment responding to creative or production notes.

Rights in pre-existing material or real-world subject matter on which a screen project depends.

A layout and operations plan for trailers, holding, catering, transport, parking, waste, and support services.

A person or business that supplies goods, rentals, facilities, or services to a production.

The process of approving a supplier’s identity, tax, insurance, payment, safety, and contract information.

A spoken presentation of a project delivered in a meeting, room, call, or recorded setting.

A vendor estimate assigning scope, methodology, labor, schedule, assumptions, and price to visual-effects work.

A shot- or scene-level analysis of visual-effects requirements, methods, elements, complexity, and dependencies.

A specification for transferring approved editorial shots, plates, references, metadata, and instructions to visual-effects vendors.

A curated board of images used to align design, camera, color, wardrobe, or location direction.

A character- and scene-based chart showing the approved costume worn through the production.

A scheduled contingency day reserved for work that depends on suitable weather conditions.

A plan confirming that cast and crew may lawfully work in every production jurisdiction.

A jurisdiction-specific insurance and benefits system for eligible work-related injury or illness.

An end-to-end trial proving that acquisition material can travel through editorial, finishing, sound, and delivery as planned.

A contract commissioning or acquiring writing services and defining rights in the resulting material.