Above the Line. A budgetary term for movies and TV. The line refers to money budgeted for creative talent, such as actors, writers, directors, and producers.

Academic Theatre. Theatre connected with school and having educational, rather than commercial, goals. The physical plant may be anything from a classroom or outdoor platform to a full-size proscenium arch theatre. The actors are usually drawn from theatre classes, although there may be guest performances from community members or by a professional artist-in-residence. The works produced may be well-known standards of the commercial theatre or student-written works-in-progress.

Acetate Dub. An individually cut record, as opposed to pressed records.

Acoustics. The science of sound as applied to theaters, relating to how sound travels and reverberates.

Acting Bug. A term used to indicate that someone of any age has been infected with a great desire to be an actor.

Acting Resume. Focuses exclusively on acting and establishes your credibility as an actor by listing your acting experience and training as well as promote you as an actor to agents and casting directors.

Action. A director’s cue to begin filming.

Actor Proof. A play or sketch that is almost impervious to bad acting. Francis Swan’s Out of the Frying Pan, a hit on Broadway in the 1940s and a staple of community and academic theatre ever since, has such ingratiating characters, such a tightly constructed plot, and so much fun and goodwill built into it that it can survive the most amateurish production.

A.D. An assistant director, and usually part of a hierarchy, whose duties will include helping to set up shots, coordinating and writing call sheets, and directing and corralling extras.

ADR. Automatic digital recording, or additional dialogue recording.

Administration. The supervision of all financial, copyright and contractual aspects of either an entire catalog or a particular song.

Advance. Money paid before the recording or release of a song, to be deducted against future royalties of that song.

AF of M. Abbreviation of American Federation of Musicians.

Afterpiece. In eighteenth-century London theatres, a short comedy performed after a five-act tragedy, providing comic relief for the audience.

Agon. A debate. In the Prologue of Greek Old Comedy, a "happy idea" was put forth, then the merits of the idea were argued in the agon. In Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, for example, the women decide to end war by going on a sex strike. In the agon, Lysistrata and the Magistrate debate the issue. She prevails in the argument and he retreats.

Air. The Vamp, the Verse, if there is one, and the Chorus (composed of "8s"), ending with the Rideout, constitute the component parts of the printed sheet-music copy. But there is music that exists between the sung lines ("fills") that can be described as the "Air" in the song. If "Air" is recognized as "music without words," the Vamp and Rideout, too, must be listed as "Air" pockets.

Airbrushing. A photographic process whereby certain flaws in a picture are gently blown off of a master print.

Air Checks. A recording made of a televised show on 3/4" tape to be used for demo reels.

American College Theatre Festival. An annual competition of college and university productions that begins in local areas and advances to state, regional, and national festivals. Sponsored by the American Theatre Association, the festival names the best production of the year and gives awards for acting, writing, and designing.

Amphitheatre. Originally the Colosseum in Rome, now any large, oval-shaped building with no roof and tiers of spectator seats. The Colosseum was used for gladiator contests, not plays, but subsequent buildings of such shape have been designed and used as theatres with arena staging.

Anachronism. In the course of a stage production, a person or thing that is out of place chronologically.

Angel. The financial backer of a play.

Annc. An abbreviation for announcer. Often used by copy writers.

Anti-timing. A failing of some actors who seem to be too slow or too fast in responding to action or dialogue onstage.

Apple Boxes. Wooden crates that elevate either an actor, a cameo or furniture on a set.

A&R Director. Artists and repertoire; record company staffer or liaison in charge of selecting new artists, songs and masters.

Aristotle’s Six Elements of Drama. Also called the Six Elements of Tragedy. In his Poetico, Aristotle defines and discusses the six elements that make up the tragedy. Many critics have extended his definition to describe all types of plays.

Arrangement. The adaptation of a composition for performance by other instruments and voices than originally intended.

Arranger. One who adapts a musical work to particular instruments or voices.

Artist. As regards the music industry, an individual or group under recording contract.

Artists’ Colonies/Residencies. These habitats offer the originating artist (composer, writer, painter, etc.) space, time and solitude for the pursuit of creative work. In the theater field, playwrights, librettists or lyricists are the artists most often benefitting from these situations.

Assignment. The transfer of rights to a song or catalog from one copy-right proprietor to another.

Atmosphere. Another term for "extras" or "background artists".

Audition. A formally arranged session (usually by appointment through an agent) for an actor to display his or her talents when seeking a role in an upcoming production of a play, film or television project, usually to a casting director, director or producers.

Avail. A courtesy extended by a performer or agent to a producer indicating availability to work a certain job. Avails have no legal or contractual status.

Background. Another term for extras or atmosphere.

Back-to-One. Direction given by the Assistant Director after a take. It means to go back to the position which you were in at the beginning of the scene.

Balls. A deep and resonant vocal tone.

Beat (theater). Pause.

Bed. The soundtrack that goes under your voice-over. It may be a bed of music or sound effects or a combination of both.

Best Boy. They are either part of the grip or electrical department. They are the right hand persons of the Key Grip or Gaffer.

Big. A term used for actors giving too much of a performance in the interpretation of their scene. It refers to expression, voice levels, and body movement.

Billboard. To emphasize or set apart a copy point is to "billboard" it.

Billing. The size of an actor’s role such as starring or guest starring. Also, where the actor’s name will be placed in the credits and if the name will be shown on the screen alone or with others.

Biography. A concise account of an artist or group’s industry related experience or background.

Bit Part. A small part, usually consisting of a few lines.

Blocking. In rehearsals, actors practice the required movements, in a pattern or along a path, for a given scene that allows them to avoid any awkward positions, such as one actor walking in front of another actor or standing with his or her back to the camera.

Blocking Stage. Rehearsing as if you were on a stage but these early rehearsals are typically held in warehouses, parking lots or someone’s living space, naturally without actual props or sets.

Blue Screen. Also sometimes called Green Screen, it is a blank screen which acts as the backdrop to live action. Any background can be laid into the background and give the impression that the live action was really happening in the context of the blue screen.

Body-Shot Picture. Subject is seen in an outfit (body suit, work-out clothes, dance attire, bathing suit) or performing a special skill/stunt (martial arts, surf boarding, skiing, dancing) that accentuates their body in some way.

Booker. An agency employee who sets appointments for talent/models.

Booking. A confirmed session indicating you have a job.

Booking Agent. One who finds employment for artists from buyers of talent.

Book Out. A call to all of your agents to let them know you are working, traveling or are unavailable for auditions or a job.

Borderless. A photograph that takes up the full space of the paper with no white edges.

Boom. The Overhead microphone used to record actors’ voices.

Boom Mike. A microphone on the end of a pole, held above actor’s heads to record dialogue.

Boot Legging. The unauthorized recording and selling of a performance of the song.

Breaking Character. Stepping out of the scene which you are doing.

Breakdown Services. A fee-based service provided to agents that offers a daily breakdown of roles for each production submitted by participating casting directors.

Breaking-up. Out-of-place laughter by an actor on stage.

Broad. An exaggerated performance.

Broadway. A major thoroughfare in New York City’s midtown Manhattan Times Square area on which many large theaters are located.

Bullet. Designation of a record listed on the charts, referring to increased record sales.

Bump Up. An upgrade in pay and billing when an Extra says a few words or other special activity in a scene.

Bus-and-Truck Tour. A low-budget tour of a play or musical, usually presented in smaller cities for a very short run.

Business Owner/Manager. A fundamental management function of an independent producer is making deals, but in doing this there are a myriad of rules, regulations and forms to navigate through.

Buskin. The thick-soled, laced, leather boot worn by actors in Greek tragedy to give them added height, and, thereby dignity; also called cothurnus.

Buyout. A one-time payment for shooting and airing a commercial.

Callback. A second audition where an actor is either presented to the producer and director or, in the case of commercials, is filmed on tape again for final consideration.

Call Sheet. The daily sheet for a production that lists all the scenes to be shot that day as well as actor and crew arrival times.

Call Time. The time you are supposed to report to the set.

Calling Service. As pertains to extras, a company that helps to book them on extra jobs.

Camera Right. When looking into the camera, your left.

Camera Left. When looking into the camera, your right.

Cans. Slang term meaning headphones.

Carnival Mass (play). A type of work originally designed to be performed on Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent begins. The play uses elements of Catholic liturgy, social morality, music from the Catholic Mass, masks, puppets, and characters such as the wise-fool. Dating from the 15th century and found in many Christian cultures, the type has been newly realized in the Julie Taymor - Elliott Goldenthal creation Juan Darien.

Cast. As a noun, generally refers to the group of actors performing in a particular production. As a verb, refers to the final status of an actor that has won a role or part in a production over other competing performers.

Casting. When a casting director puts out the news that he needs to fill a certain role that requires an approximate age range and appearance such as a certain ethnicity, height, build or look.

Catalog. All the songs owned by a music publisher considered as one collection.

Catalog modeling. Modeling for photographs which will be used in catalogs produced by a manufacturer or distributor to sell clothing or other items.

Catharsis (Katharsis). The feeling of release at the end of a tragedy experienced by audience members who have undergone feelings of fear and pity, shared in the troubles of the play’s protagonist, and now are set free from the emotional grip of the action. Aristotle called this cleansing the pleasure of tragedy.

Character model. A model who, while not necessarily a classic beauty, has strong or interesting facial features and selling attributes for specific products.

Character Role. A supporting role with pronounced or eccentric characteristics.

Charts. Lists published in the trade magazines of the best-selling records. These are separate charts for pop, soul, country western, etc.; musical arrangements.

Chord. Three or more notes sounded simultaneously that imply a harmonic function.

Choregus. Title given to a wealthy citizen in ancient Greece who was selected to pay for the training and costumes of the chorus in dramas.

Chorus (musical). The Chorus is the song. A section of the song that repeats itself at certain intervals. At the turn of the century, and continuing into the sixties, Choruses were compared and shaped within thirty-two bars of music.

Chorus (theatre). In Greek drama, the group of performers who sang and danced between the episodes of the play. The chorus also narrated the offstage action, commented on events, even moralized on them, as in Sophocles’ Antigone when the chorus first rejoices in the defeat of the Argive army, then comments that Polynices was a traitor deserving of his fate. The term "chorus" is now commonly used to designate a group of performers who sing, dance, or recite together in a production.

Chronicle Play. A play with a historical basis, told as a series of episodes rather than as a complete story with a structured plot. Shakespeare’s Richard II, based on Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles is an example.

Circle Takes. A director’s favorite or most usable filming of a particular scene. Used to expedite the editing process.

Class A Network Spot. Commercial airing at prime time on a major network. Residuals are highest for this type of spot.

Classic Drama. Formally, the drama of ancient Greece and Rome. Popularly, any play written before the present century that has stood the test of time. Actors auditioning are often asked to prepare two monologues, one classical and one modern.

Clearance. The right of a radio station to play a song.

Clearance Agency. Same function of a performance rights organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.

Click Track. A perforated sound track that produces click sounds that enables one to hear a predetermined beat in synchronization with the movie.

Cold Reading. Delivering a speech or acting a scene at an audition without having read it beforehand.

Collaborator. One of two or more partners in the writing of songs.

Colored Pages. Pages onto which script rewrites are copied.

Commercial. Regarding the music industry, the potential to sell, or that which has mass appeal.

Commercial Head or 3/4 Shot. Used to seek a commercial agent, and on commercial auditions. The shot usually depicts the subject as perky and upbeat with bright energetic eyes.

Commission. Percentage of income paid by actors to their representative. If it is an agent, the amount cannot be over 10% for a union contract; if it is a manager, the percentage is unregulated, but is traditionally 15-20%.

Comml. Abbreviation for "commercial."

Common-Law Copyright. Natural protection of a song based on common laws of the various states. Was superseded by a single national system effective January 1, 1978.

Community Theater. A local theater group in a city or town.

Composer. One who writes the music to a song.

Composite. A type of head shot popular in the commercial industry which positions several different images of the subject together on one 8" x 10" spread giving casting directors a quick way to determine how the subject will look in different settings.

Composite card. Also known as a "comp card," it is a grouping of 3-5 photos of a model on one sheet which includes the model's statistics and sometimes biographical information. Used for promotional purposes, the photos should include at least one head shot and show poses which highlight the model's best features.

Composition. A musical work; the art of writing music.

Compulsory License (Phonorecords). Statutory mandate given to a copyright owner to permit third parties to make sound recordings of the copyright owner’s song after it once has been recorded.

Concept Meeting. A gathering of the producer, director and casting director to reach an agreement about the look and quality of each character in a script.

Conflicts. Being under contract for two conflicting products. This is prohibited for union commercials. An advertiser would never want one person on the air advertising both the company’s product and a competitor’s.

Console. The audio board or control panel that allows the engineer to direct the audio signal to the recorders, and to combine the various audio components into the final mix.

Consultation Meeting. The interview with a photographer which you have selected as a final choice which gives you a chance to ask questions regarding clothes, make up, what types of look you want to capture, etc.

Consumer Publication. Entertainment oriented periodicals written and published for a general public readership, i.e., Rolling Stone, Spin.

Continuity. Matching action in each take of a scene with the same props, dialogue, extras, wardrobe, make up, etc.

Control Booth. A glass-enclosed area full of equipment where an engineer and director sit during looping and dubbing sessions.

Coogan Laws. Guidelines created by SAG and named after child-actor, Jackie Coogan, for the work and pay schedules of children.

Co-Publishing. The joint publication of one copy righted work by two publishers.

Copy. A slang term for "dialogue" or "script."

Copy Points. The items in a script that require particular attention, and therefore particular interpretation by the voice actor.

Copyright. As a noun, means the exclusive rights granted to authors and composers for protection of their works; a song or musical composition; as a verb, to secure protection for a song by filling the proper registration forms with the Copyright Office.

Copyright Infringement. Stealing or using somebody else’s copyrighted song.

Copyright Notice. Notice comprised of three elements:

1. The symbol of copyright, the word "copyright," or the abbreviation "Copr."
2. The year the song has been registered for copyright or the year of first production of the work.
3. The copyright owner’s name.

Copyright Office. Federal government department, one of whose main purposes is to file and supply information regarding copyrights.

Copyright Royalty Tribunal. A committee created by Public Law 94-553 to determine adjustments starting January 1, 1978, of royalty rates with respect to compulsory licenses for educational television, cable television, jukeboxes, and sound recordings.

Cover Record. Another artist’s version of a song already recorded.

Cover Set. Set which is always ready for shooting on a moment’s notice. If a film crew is scheduled to shoot outside, and it rains, they move to the cover set.

Co-Writing. Joint authorship of one work by two or more writers.

Craft Service. The food table on a set, or refers to the person(s) who handle the food.

Crew. Everyone on the set who is contributing to the production, in addition to the cast.

Cross Collateralization. Means of recouping the money spent on one song or recording against the earnings of another song or recording.

Crossover. A song which receives airplay in more than one market.

CU. A close-up shot.

Cue (theatrical). A line of dialogue, actions or sound, onstage or off, that tells an actor it is time to enter, exit, move across stage, begin speaking, etc.

Cue (musical). Another term for the talk back system in a recording studio usually conducted through headphones. It can also mean an audible or visual sign that tells you when to begin reading.

Cue Cards. The large flash cards that have an actor’s script printed on them and that are read when auditioning for a role in a TV commercial.

Curriculum vitae. Short account of one’s career or qualifications.

Curtain Up. The start of a performance, whether or not an actual curtain exists in front of the stage.

Cut. (Film) The director’s cue to stop filming.

Cut. (Musical) To record; a recorded selection.

Cuts. Lines, speeches, songs, or any other element in a printed script left out of a particular production.

Dark Night. An evening on which a theater is not scheduled to have a public performance.

DAT. Digital Audio Tape.

Date. A recording session or live engagement.

Day-out-of-Days. Schedule made by the Assistant Director (AD) assigning time slots for when certain people or things will work on set.

Day-Player. Someone who is hired at SAG scale (minimum) for the day.

Day Shot. A specific scene in the script to be filmed or taped while the sun is out.

Delivery/Distribution Manager (film). Once you have a distribution deal in place, "Delivery", a technical term, is next. It consists of supplying the physical elements such as the interpositive, internegative, soundtracks, video masters, stills and slides and the legal elements such as copyright registration, rights documents insurance, copyright and title searches and talent agreements.

Demo. Short for "demonstration," a demo can be a sample tape of a talent’s voice used to show his or her abilities.

Demo Firm. An organization specializing in the production of demo tapes.

Demo Tape. An audiocassette, audio CD or DVD recording of an actor’s voice demonstrating voice acting abilities.

Deus Ex Machina. Means "the god from the machine." In Greek classical drama, an actual machine (a crane perhaps) lowered the actor playing the god into the center of the action so that he or she could unravel the plot complications and direct the denouement. Now the term more often denotes a play that uses a trick ending to extricate the actors from impossible situations.

Deuteragonist. The second character added to Greek classical drama. Previous to that, there were only chorus and protagonist.

Dialogue-less Commercials. Used to emphasize a visual image with the spoken words of an announcer as the only recorded sound.

Diaphragm. The lower part of the lungs, filling the abdominal space, that supports the voice when actors and singers breathe correctly on stage.

Diction. Clear, sharp pronunciation of words, especially of consonants.

Dionysian. The opposite principle to Apollonian, or, the creative, the imaginative, the spontaneous in art. Named for Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility, whose festival, celebrated with drunkenness and licentiousness, is considered by many to be the birth of drama.

Director. Charged with staging a play or musical, who coordinates all onstage aspects of the production, including the performances of the actor. In television and film production, this person influences the actions of actors and action sequences during filming, and supervises editing afterward.

Director’s Cut. Film that is slightly or drastically different from the final cut that the studio ultimately releases.

Distributor (music). Company that exclusively handles the sales of a record company’s product to jobbers and retail outlets for a certain territory.

Distributor/Distribution Arranger (film). Independent producers are not usually involved in the distribution of films. Distribution is still the domain of the Hollywood-based major studios that generate more than 90% of U.S. box office, but there are also smaller distributors and independent sales agents who handle independent productions. There are also non-profit organizations that can lend a hand in various ways.

Donut. A type of spot that has prerecorded material at the beginning and at the end with a "hole" in the middle for the voice part. The parts can be reversed as well, with the voice being the donut and the pre-recorded material in the hole.

D.O.R. Dance-Oriented Rock; a categorization of popular music utilized by radio stations.

Double-take. An exaggerated facial response to another actor’s words or actions, usually used for comic effect.

Downstage. The area of the stage closest to the audience.

D.P. Director of photography, in charge of designing and lighting the shot.

Dramatis Personnae. From the Latin, meaning the characters in a play; also, the list of them.

Dramaturg. One who studies a play to interpret it for a company of actors, answering questions about the text, the language, the period, the manners and mores of the characters, the clothing, and the customs. He or she may share in selecting plays, their revisions, or adaptations; choosing translations; writing program notes; and advising technicians.

Dramaturgy. The study and interpretation of plays with special attention to the difficulties plays from another period present for the acting company of today. Sometimes a component of playwriting MFA programs, the University of Michigan, among others, offers a doctoral program in dramaturgy.

Drive To. Monies paid to an actor by a production company for driving to location other than a studio lot.

Drop/Pick-up. Term used when an actor is dropped from, then picked-up by payroll; this can only be done when there are ten working days between the drop and pick-up work dates and can only be done one time per actor per project.

Dub. An audio or video copy. Also called a "dupe" (short for duplicate).

Earprompter. A small tape recorder system which the entire script is recorded and is transmitted to an earpiece through a loop around the neck. It is activated by a foot or hand control. Known in the industry as "the ear."

ECU. Extreme close-up.

Editorial print. Editorial print work involves photographs used to compliment the story line of an article in a magazine.

Educational Theatre. Theatre conducted in or as an adjunct to schools. Also, theatre with a didactic purpose.

8 x 10 Glossy Pictures. The primary calling card to the people who will be calling you in for interviews and auditions, and casting you in their productions.

Employee For Hire. Contractual basis whereby a motion picture producer or company employs a composer or lyricist to create music or songs for a movie with copyright ownership to be retained by the producer or company.

Engineer. Individual who operates studio equipment during the recording of a song.

Exclusive Songwriting Contract. A contract which prohibits the songwriter from writing for more than one publisher.

EXT. Seen at the beginning of a new scene description in a script, refers to Exterior.

Exterior Shot. A scene filmed or taped out of doors.

Fabula Palliata. A play translated into Latin from Greek New Comedy.

Fabula Praetexta. An original play in Latin based on Roman legend or a historical event.

Fabula Togata. A Roman comedy, popular from about 150 to 50 B.C., having nationalistic themes and a realistic presentation.

False Start. Term used to describe a take in which the talent makes an error within the first couple of lines. The take is usually stopped, and a new take is slated.

Fashion modeling. The modeling of clothes where the clothing is the central focus of the photos, not the model. Fashion models must meet size nd height requirements to properly display clothing in runway shows and fashion layouts.

Favored Nations. An agreement which means that all terms are equal among all actors.

Featured Role. A co-starring role where you may have played a large role but weren’t necessarily the main character.

FIDOF. The International Federation of Festival Organizations.

Figure modeling. This is a form of nude modeling normally used for art rather than glamour.

Finding Your Light. An actor’s ability to sense when he or she is properly placed in respect to stage lighting.

Fire in the Hole. An explosion or gunshot is ready to occur.

First Refusal. A request to hold an actor for a given day. It is not binding for either the producer or you. It is more of a sign of interest than an availability request, and it is not as good as a booking.

First Team. The actual cast members who are being used in a given scene.

Fit models. Clothing manufacturers use fit models to test the sizing of sample garments. Fit models must match the company's predetermined sample size exactly.

Flap. In animation, movement of the mouth. If the talking stops and the character’s mouth keeps moving, an actor will be called in to add either internally, at the beginning, or at the end of the line so that the mouth flaps match the rhythm of the speech.

Flashing. What is said when taking a flash picture.

Folio. A collection of songs offered for sale to the public.

Forced Call. Making an actor or crew member come to work without the required turn-around time.

Generation. The process whereby each time you copy a piece of film or tape it losses some clarity.

Glamour modeling. A broad term for modeling where the model's appearance, rather than the attire or product, is the central focus.

Gold Album. Certification by the Recording Industry of America that a album has sold half a million units.

Gold Single. Certification by the Recording Industry of America that a single has sold half a million units.

Golden Time. Refers to overtime paid after working sixteen hours straight, equal to one’s daily rate every hour.

Go-see. The action of a model visiting a client to investigate what a particular assignment entails.

Green Lit. The process that follows after a script has been developed and moves into production. Production involves building sets, designing costumes, measuring and fitting actors for costumes, and rehearsals.

Green Lighted. When a studio commits to starting a project.

Grip. Someone who handles, carries, moves, and stores lighting, electrical, and other equipment on the set.

Groove. Rhythm or tempo that helps create the "feel" of the song.

Guards. These are the positions taken by the fighters at the beginning of the fight, from which they subsequently either attack or defend. Guards will be described according to which of the fighter’s arms and feet are forward and which behind, together with the position, angulation and direction of their weapon.

Ham. An actor who gives a very broad or exaggerated performance.

Harmony. The combination of musical notes to form chords that serve to enhance the melody line; the art of combining notes into chords.

"Head" Arrangements. An arrangement devised spontaneously. No chords are prepared for instrumentalists and vocalists. Instead, they read off lead sheets and an arrangement is made from various experimental styling devised at the studio.

Headsheet or Headbook. The sheet, poster or book of models' headshots an agent sends to a prospective client interested in using one of their models.

Head Shot. An 8" x 10" photograph that acts as your calling card for securing television, film and theatrical work, showing your face as it actually appears. The head shot should capture your best and most unique physical features, while still remaining true to your actual image.

Heads Out. Manner in which a reel-to-reel tape is stored, with the loose end at the beginning of the tape, enabling the tape to be played immediately.

Heavy Metal. Musical category characterized by high-volume, maximum guitar presence.

Hiatus. Time of year when the cast and crew of a television series is on vacation.

High Note. The highest note sung in a particular song which varies according to the musical key of the song.

High-Speed Dub. A tape copy that is made at several times normal speed. Often used in reference to tape duplication. High speed dubs are often less costly and have a quicker turn-around time than real time or at speed dubs. They can be susceptible to problems, so always check your dubs before releasing them to prospective clients.

History Play. A play dealing with a historical subject, such as Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Richard II, and Don Taylor’s The Roses of Eyem, the true story of the village of Eyem in Derbyshire, England. The village fell victim to the plague of 1665 and elected to seal itself off from the world to stop the spread of the disease. The play begins with the cast of over fifty villagers and ends with the handful who survived.

Hitting Your Marks. The ability to physically stop on a preset mark or put down the product in an exact spot.

Hold. When an actor is being paid, but is not working.

Hold Over. When a director decides to use an actor for an extra day not originally scheduled.

Holding Area. A place where extras are kept on a set or location.

Honey Wagon. A bank of dressing and mini-bathroom rooms attached together and pulled by a tractor trailer to a shooting location.

Hook. A phrase or melody line that repeats itself in a song; the catchy part to a song.

Hot Mike. A microphone that is turned on.

House Tape. A voice demo tape that includes short samples of all talent that includes short samples of all talent represented by a certain agent.

Hypokrites. The Greek word meaning "actor."

Image. The casting type or quality you wish to convey and portray to the theatrical community.

Impresario. An entertainment entrepreneur.

Ink. To sign a contract.

Insert. A form of pick-up where a short segment of the script is reread from one point to another.

INT. Seen at the beginning of a new scene description in a script, refers to Interior.

Interior Shot. A scenic shot inside a sound stage or inside a set on location.

Internship/Apprenticeship. Situations in which aspiring artists receive training and perform designated tasks in creative, administrative and technical areas. They are offered by most nonprofit theaters and by mostly all summer stock theaters.

In The Can. A phrase borrowed from the film business and used in voice-overs. When a good take is achieved, it is considered ready for processing or "in the can." It generally means that the director has the take he wants.

In-The-Round. A theater in which the audience is seated on all four sides of a central stage.

J-Card. The artwork on an audio cassette box named for the shape it makes when folded to fit in the box.

Jingle. A short phrase of music usually accompanied by lyrics used to convey a commercial message.

Junior model. Models with a young look or who wear junior sizes; the typical measurements for a junior model is usually junior size 7 and about 105 pounds.

This list was obtained from The Actor’s Checklist with reproduction permission granted from Cool Fire Technology LLC.