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The Artful Writer’s Filmmaking Term Glossary

I didn't realize how much film production slang I hadn't yet encountered:

flying in: When something is requested to be brought to the set, it “flies in”. I don’t know why. It just does. “Can I get a double filter for this light?” “Double filter, flying in.”

Linda Stills: Linda is a person, but her last name isn’t Stills. She’s the stills photographer. Crews can be large, and when you have three folks named “Linda,” it gets annoying to ask for one on the walkie and get the wrong one. Beyond that, no one really cares what your name is. On a set, you are your job. Literally. If you’re Linda and you’re the still photographer, they call you Linda Stills. They’ll call you Jim Hair and Ellen Crafty and Craig Writer. Seriously. The name on my trailer door says Craig Writer.

--The Artful Writer: Set Lingo For Writers

About J. Ott

John Ott is a writer, filmmaker and futurist. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.