I made this glossary in order to help you learn new words, and to give definitions to certain words that are frequently used in this field of study.
blockbuster
noun
A blockbuster is a highly popular, fast-paced movie that achieves massive financial success at the box office. These films typically have very large budgets, major movie stars, and extensive marketing campaigns, and they are usually released during the summer or holiday seasons.
Example: The studio's new sci-fi blockbuster pulled in over one hundred million dollars during its opening weekend.
fr: succès de billetterie
boom pole
noun
A boom pole is a long, extendable stick used on movie sets and television productions to hold a microphone closely above or below the actors.
Example: The crew member held the boom pole over the actors' heads to capture their dialogue.
fr: perche
cameo
noun
A cameo is a brief, unexpected appearance by a famous person—such as an actor, musician, athlete, or politician—in a movie or television show.
Example: The famous singer made a quick cameo as a coffee shop barista in the middle of the romantic comedy.
fr: caméo
camera
noun
A camera is a device used to capture and record still photographs or moving videos.
Example: The shot is not cut, the CAMERA follows their motions providing the action with continuity.
fr: caméra
CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery)
noun
CGI refers to any still or moving images created using computer graphics software.
Example: The movie studio used CGI to create a realistic dragon that breathed fire across the digital landscape.
fr: effets spéciaux numériques
cliffhanger
noun
A cliffhanger is a dramatic plot device where a movie, episode, or scene ends abruptly at a moment of high suspense or danger, leaving the main conflict unresolved until the next installment to keep the audience eager to see what happens next.
Example: The superhero movie ended on a massive cliffhanger when the villain successfully escaped with the secret weapon.
fr: suspense de fin
director
noun
The person who leads the creative vision of the movie and tells the actors and crew what to do.
Example: The director stood up from her chair and shouted "Action!" to begin filming the scene.
fr: réalisateur
editing
noun
Editing is the post-production process of selecting, cutting, and arranging separate pieces of filmed video footage, dialogue, sound effects, and music. This process structures the raw material into a continuous, well-paced final movie that tells a coherent story.
Example: The director spent weeks in the studio working on the editing to ensure the thriller had perfect pacing and suspense.
fr: montage
green screen
noun
A green screen is a solid green backdrop placed behind actors during filming. Special computer software later removes the green color and replaces it with any digital background, such as an alien planet, a fantasy castle, or a futuristic city.
Example: The actors had to pretend they were flying through the clouds while standing completely still in front of a giant green screen.
fr: fond vert
microphone
noun
A microphone is an electronic device that converts sound waves into electrical signals so audio can be recorded, amplified, or transmitted.
Example: The crew held a long pole to keep the microphone close to the actors but hidden from the camera.
fr: microphone
prequel
noun
A prequel is a movie whose story takes place before the events of an existing, previously released film. It explores the background history, origins of the characters, or early events that set up the original narrative.
Example: The studio decided to film a prequel to show how the iconic villain first gained his dark powers.
fr: préquelle
reflector
noun
A cinematic reflector is a professional light-shaping tool used in filmmaking to bounce, control, and redirect natural sunlight or artificial fixtures onto a subject.
Example: The cinematographer positioned a large silver reflector just outside the camera frame to bounce harsh sunlight and fill in the deep shadows on the actor's face.
fr: réflecteur
remake
noun
A remake is a new version of an older, previously released movie. It updates the original story, characters, and visual effects for modern audiences, often using a completely new cast, director, and updated technology.
Example: The studio hired a visionary director to helm the modern remake of the classic 1950s horror film.
fr: nouvelle version
sequel
noun
A sequel is a movie that continues the story of a previous film, featuring the same characters or setting but developing new events and conflicts that happen after the original narrative.
Example: Fans waited five years for the studio to release the highly anticipated sequel to the hit sci-fi adventure.
fr: suite
sequence
noun
A sequence is a connected series of things or events that follow one another in a specific order.
Example: I really enjoyed the breathtaking opening sequence of the movie.
fr: séquence
spin-off
noun
A spin-off is a movie or television show that focuses on a specific character, side story, or concept from a previously established, highly successful film or series, giving them their own standalone project to develop.
Example: The lovable sidekick character became so popular that the studio gave him his own spin-off movie.
fr: film ou série dérivé
storyboard
noun
A storyboard is a sequence of drawings, sketches, or digital images that maps out each shot of a movie before filming begins.
Example: The director looked at the storyboard to decide exactly where to place the camera for the big action scene.
fr: scénarimage
take
noun
A single continuous recording of a scene from the moment the camera starts rolling until it stops.
Example: The director was finally happy with the performance after filming the fifth take of the emotional scene.
fr: prise
teaser
noun
A very short promotional video released months before a movie comes out.
Example: The studio released a 30-second teaser that gave fans their very first glimpse of the superhero's new suit.
fr: bande-annonce
To direct
verb
To direct means to guide, supervise, and control the creative aspects of a movie, including instructing the actors, choosing camera placements, and managing the overall artistic style of the project.
Example: The filmmaker wants to direct an action-packed sci-fi movie next year.
