Film Vocabulary

English Film Genres

Film Genres	Meanings
Action	Fast-paced films with exciting scenes like car chases or fights.
Adventure	Films about journeys or quests, often in exotic locations.
Animation	Films using drawings or CGI instead of real actors.
Biographical	Films about the life of a real person.
Comedy	Films meant to make you laugh with funny situations or characters.
Crime	Films about illegal activities, often with detectives or criminals
Documentary	Films that provide factual information about real people or events.
Drama	Films focusing on emotional stories or personal struggles.
Family	Films suitable for all ages, often heartwarming.
Fantasy	Films set in magical worlds with non-real elements.
Historical	Films set in the past, often based on historical events, figures, or settings.
Horror	Films designed to scare, with ghosts or monsters.
Martial Arts	Films focused on fighting techniques or combat.
Musical	Films where characters sing and dance as part of the story.
Romantic	Films focusing on love stories.
Rom-Com	Light-hearted films about love with funny situations.
Sci-fi	Films imagining futuristic worlds or technology.
Thriller	Suspenseful films with tension and unexpected twists.
War	Films about military battles or wars.
Western	Films set in the American West, featuring cowboys and gunfights.

Film Terms

Film Terms	Meanings
Actor	A male performer in a film or play.
Actress	A female performer in a film or play.
Antagonist	The character who opposes the protagonist.
Antihero	A central character who lacks traditional heroic qualities.
Audience	The group of people watching a film.
Background	The setting or environment behind the main action.
Based on	When a film is adapted from another work, like a book or real event.
Behind the Scenes (BTS)	The activities that happen off-camera during production.
Blockbuster	A highly successful, popular film.
Bombed	A film that fails commercially or critically.
Box Office	The revenue generated from ticket sales for a movie.
Budget	The amount of money allocated for making a film.
Cameo	A brief appearance by a famous person in a film.
Camera Crew	The team responsible for filming and operating the camera.
Camera Movement	The motion of the camera during filming, such as pans or tilts.
Camera Operator	The person who operates the camera during filming.
Cast	The group of actors in a film.
Casting Director	The person responsible for selecting actors for a film.
Celebrity	A famous person, often in the entertainment industry.
Character	A person or figure in the story of the film.
Character Arc	The transformation or change a character undergoes in the story.
Cinematographer	The person in charge of the film's visual appearance.
Cinematography	The art of filming and composing shots.
Cliffhanger	A dramatic ending that leaves the audience in suspense.
Climax	The most intense or important moment in a film.
Close-up	A shot showing a subject in great detail, usually of a face.
Contrast	The difference between light and dark elements in a shot.
Created By	The person(s) who originated the concept of a film.
Cut	An abrupt transition from one scene or shot to another.
Cutaway	A shot that interrupts the main action to show something else.
Director	The person responsible for overseeing the film's artistic and technical aspects.
Director’s Cut	A version of the film as the director originally intended, often longer or with different edits.
Documentary	A factual film that documents real events or people.
Dolly	A wheeled cart used for smooth camera movements.
Dubbed	When the original dialogue is replaced with a translation in another language.
Editing	The process of selecting and arranging footage for the final film.
Editor	The person responsible for editing the film.
End Credits	The list of people who worked on the film, shown at the end.
Executive Producer	A person who oversees the production, often a financier or decision-maker.
Exposition	The part of the film where background information is introduced.
Exposure	The amount of light that hits the film or camera sensor.
Extended Cut	A version of the film with additional scenes or footage.
Fade	A transition where the image gradually appears or disappears.
Fade in	The gradual appearance of an image from black.
Fade out	The gradual disappearance of an image into black.
Falling Action	The events following the climax leading to the conclusion.
Feature Film	A full-length film, typically over 90 minutes.
Femme Fatale	A mysterious and dangerous female character.
Film Maker	A person involved in creating a film, including directors, producers, etc.
Film Review	A critique or analysis of a film's content and quality.
Film Star	A well-known actor or actress.
Filter	A lens or effect used to alter the look of a shot.
Flashback	A scene that takes the viewer back to an earlier time in the story.
Focus	The sharpness of an image or the subject of a shot.
Frame	The borders of an image or the boundaries of a shot.
Genre	The category or type of film, such as comedy, drama, etc.
Head Voice	A vocal technique used in singing or acting to produce a higher pitch.
Hero	The main character, usually courageous and good.
Limited Edition	A special release of a film, often with extra content.
Long Shot	A shot that shows a wide view of the setting or scene.
Montage	A series of shots edited together to convey a passage of time or idea.
Motif	A recurring theme or element in a film.
Movie	Another term for a film.
Movie Premiere	The first public showing of a film.
Narrator	The person who tells the story in a film, either in voiceover or through dialogue.
Plot	The main events or story of a film.
Post-production	The phase of editing and finalizing a film after shooting.
Prequel	A film that tells the events before the original movie.
Producer	The person who oversees the production of a film, including funding and logistics.
Production	The process of making the film, from planning to shooting.
Production Designer	The person responsible for creating the visual style and look of the film.
Protagonist	The main character, often facing challenges.
Rabarba	A mistake, possibly a typo or lesser-known term (unclear).
Rating	The classification of a film based on its content, like PG-13 or R.
Release	The official launch or distribution of a film to the public.
Resolution	The part where the main conflicts are resolved, and the events come to a conclusion, providing closure to the plot.
Rising Action	The events that build up tension leading to the climax.
Scene	A sequence of actions in one location, typically forming part of a film.
Screenplay	The written script of a film, including dialogue and action.
Scriptwriter	The person who writes the screenplay.
Sequel	A film that continues the story of a previous movie.
Sequence	A series of connected scenes that make up part of the film.
Shooting Schedule	The planned timetable for filming scenes.
Short Film	A brief film, usually under 40 minutes.
Shot	A single continuous take or sequence of frames in filming.
Sidekick	A supporting character who helps the protagonist.
Sound Crew	The team responsible for all sound-related aspects of a film.
Soundtrack	The music used in a film, including songs and instrumental pieces.
Stock Character	A typical character type, such as the "wise old man."
Storyboard	A series of drawings that represent each shot in the film.
Stuntman	A person who performs dangerous actions in place of the actor.
Stunts	Dangerous or physically demanding actions performed in a film.
Subtext	The underlying meaning or themes not directly stated in the dialogue.
Subtitle	Text displayed on the screen to translate or explain dialogue.
Supporting Character	A character who plays a secondary role in the story.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent deeper meanings in the film.
Take	A single filmed attempt at capturing a scene.
Theatrical Cut	The version of the film released in theaters, often shorter than other versions.
Tracking Shot	A shot where the camera follows the action smoothly.
Trailer	A short preview of a film, usually shown before its release.
Treatman	A detailed summary of a film's plot, often before the screenplay is written.
Villain	The character who opposes the hero, often evil.
Voice Over	A narration heard over the action, often by a character or narrator.
Wrap	The completion of filming for a movie.
Zoom	A camera effect that changes the focal length to make subjects appear closer or farther away.

Frequently Asked Question About Film Vocabulary

What is the purpose of a cameo?

A cameo is a brief appearance by a famous person or actor, usually in a small or unexpected role, often for fun or as a tribute.

What is the difference between a sequel and a prequel?

A sequel continues the story from a previous film, while a prequel tells the events that happened before the original film.

What is the difference between an “actor” and a “character”?

An actor is the person performing in the film, while a character is the role the actor portrays.

What is the difference between a director and a producer?

A director oversees the creative aspects of a film, including its visual style, performance, and pacing, while a producer manages the logistical, financial, and organizational aspects, ensuring the film is completed on time and within budget.

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