"91 Day Out" Clause: A stipulation in SAG contracts stating that if a performer doesn't earn an agreed to amount of money from commercials within 91 days after signing a contract, he or she can legally terminate the contract.

A &R Director: Record company executive in charge of the Artists & Repertoire Department who is responsible for finding and developing new artist and matching songs with artists.

A/C: Adult contemporary music.

A.D.: Assistant Director.

A-side: The side of a single which is considered to have "hit" potential and is promoted as such by the record company.

ACM: Academy of Country Music.

Acoustics: The science of sound. In performance it is generally used to describe the quality of sound reproduction in a room or theatre.

Act Curtain: Curtain at the front of the stage used to open and close each act. It may also be used between scenes.

Action: Verbal cue on a film/video set that indicates that the camera is rolling.

ADR: Automatic Dialogue Replacement.

Advertising Agency: Companies that do the artwork and production for advertisements.

Advertising layout: The art layout of the advertisement being produced.

AEA: Actor's Equity Association.

AFM: American Federation of Musicians. A union for musicians and arrangers.

AFTRA: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; a theatrical union.

Age Range/Age Category: Ages that an actor can possibly portray. The range can include the actor's real age but doesn't necessarily have to.

Agency: Either a model/talent agency or an advertising agency. The former handles the bookings of models/talent, and the latter places advertising for clients, which involves creating and producing print ads, tv commercials or promotions.

AGMA: Associated Guild of Musical Artists.

AGVA: American Guild of Variety Artists.

AIMP: Association of Independent Music Publishers.

Air Play: The radio broadcast of a recording.

American Dinner Theatre Institute: (ADTI): A clearinghouse for Equity-franchised dinner theatres in the USA that supplies news of interest to the theatres and negotiates Equity dinner theatre contracts on the theatres' behalf.

Anamorphic Lens: Camera lens that distorts a wide image to fit on a narrower 35mm frame of film; the film projector that later presents the film to audiences must then also have an anamorphic lens to reproportion the image to fit on the wider screen.

ANNCR: or V/O: Announcer or voice over.

AOR: Album- Oriented Rock.

Apron: On a proscenium stage, this is the frontal lip of the stage, the part closest to the audience.

Art Director: The person who creates the artwork for an assignment.

ASCAP: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

ASL: American Sign Language.

Aspect Ratio: Thhe width divided by the height of a film/TV screen. Modern TVs and pre-1950 films typically have an aspect ratio of 1.33; films made after 1950 typically have one ranging from 1.66 to 2.35.

Association of Hispanic Arts: An organization supporting Hispanic theatre companies with technical assistance; planning and financial management systems; identification of new and up-and-coming Hispanic playwrights; and marketing.

ATA: Association of Talent Agents.

Atmosphere: The extras in a film/TV production who appear in a scene to help establish the time, place, or mood of a scene.

Audiovisual: Refers to presentations which use audio backup for visual material.

Audition: A test or try out for a film, tv or stage part, generally conducted by a casting director and/or producer.

B-side: The flip side of a single promoted by a record company. Sometimes the B-side contains the same song as the A-side so there will be no confusion as to which song should receive airplay.

B/W: Backed with. Usually refers to the B-side of a single.

Background: An "extra".

Backstage: The area off or behind the stage not seen by the audience.

Bed: Prerecorded music used as background material in commercials.

Beta: 1/2" videocassette format. The Beta System uses a smaller cassette than that used with the VHS system.

Big & Tall Men: Male models wearing size 44 suit and up.

Bio: Short for biography or biographical, prepared for public relations or media purposes.

Blocking: A director's plan for a scene within the space & time limits dictated by the script.

Blue Screen: The monochromatic screen a film/TV actor performs in front of when the actor's image is to be later manipulated or superimposed by special effects editors.

Blue Sky: A film term that involves camera and editing tricks.

BMA: Black Music Association.

BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.): A performing rights organization.

Booker: An agency employee who books the models for their assignments.

Booking Editor: Selects the models assignment's or jobs for the calendar year.

Boom: A pipe or pole supporting an overhead microphone, light or camera.

Box Set: A set made up of flats enclosing the acting space, usually used to represent a room or an interior.

Buyer: A person who does the wholesale buying of products for a company.

Buyout: An agreed-to in advance of full payment to a performer in lieu of residuals.

Buzzer: Sound device used in a film/TV production that, with a single long tone, cues everyone to be quiet for a scene, and with two shorter tones, indicates that scene has finished shooting.

C & W: Country and Western.

Cabaret: Generally a restaurant that features musical or other form of entertainment while providing room for dancing.

Call Back: A second audition for a part.

Call Sheet: On a film or TV show, this is prepared daily by the production office and is a handy thing to have. Among other info, it contains a list of the actors who are working the next day and tells what their call times are.

Call-Time: Time a performer is due on the set.

Camera Left: The actor's right as he faces the camera.

Camera Right: The actor's left as he faces the camera.

Cancellation: After a model has been booked, he or she can be canceled out. There is normally a clause regarding time that may permit a model to still earn a percentage of the rate paid. There are time limits to these, however.

CARAS: (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences): An association of individuals involved in the Canadian music and recording industry.

Card: A term you'll hear when your agent is negotiating your billing on a film or TV show. Your name might appear alone on the screen ("separate card") or with others ("shared card").

Cast Album: An audio recording featuring music from a live musical theatre production.

Casting Director: A director of a film or any model assignment who may also select the people and models for the job.

Cast Party: Party for cast (and often crew) of a theatrical production, typically after the final performance.

Catalog Photography: Posing for a catalog assignment. The model will need to know how to pose to show all the selling points of the costume provided.

Cattle Call: An open interview or audition having a large number of participants all vying for the same part.

Center Stage: (middle runway, midstage) The middle point or section of a stage.

Character Look: Appearance characteristic of a certain type.

Character Model: A model who is neither a straight commercial type or an attractive fashion model type. Character models usually have very individual or unusual looks or skills.

Character Type: One of a group or class of performers having similar features or personalities.

Chart: The written arrangement of a song.

Cheat to Camera: To slightly-turn your face to the camera so as to show more of your face.

Child Labor Laws: Government regulations and guidelines covering the employment of children. They vary from state to state.

Children's Manager: One who manages the careers of child performers. May be a personal or business manager.

Children's Agent: An agent, agency or agency division specializing in the representation of child performers.

Choreographer (dance designer): One who creates and supervises dance movement in a production.

CHR: (Contemporary Hit Radio): Top 40 pop music.

Cinematographer (director of photography): The supervisor of the many usage's of a motion picture film camera.

CIRPA: Canadian Independent Record Producers Association.

Clapboard: Two pieces of wood that are slammed together at the beginning of a scene, for the purpose of facilitating the later synchronization of picture and sound in the editing process.

Class A Commercial: Part of a system for the remuneration of commercial residuals, this is the most lucrative type. Class A's are aired in more than 20 cities. Other type of commercials are Class B (6 to 20 cities) and Class C (1 to 5 cities).

Classic Look: A timeless appearance of traditional quality, refinement.

Client: A person or company who hires a model.

Close-Up (CU): Head and shoulders shot.

CMA: Country Music Association.

CMPA: Church Music Publishers Association.

CMRRA: ( Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Association): A mechanical rights agency.

Co-Publish: Two or more parties own publishing rights to the same song.

Cold Reading: Type of reading for which the actor is given very little, if any, rehearsal time before performing. TV, film, and commercial interviews often include a cold reading.

Collaborator: Person who works with another in a creative endeavor.

Commentary: A script used by the commentator (or announcer) to describe fashions for a fashion show.

Commercial Casting Call: Interview or audition for parts in a commercial.

Commercial Actor: Male or female actor who performs in television commercials.

Commercial Artist: One who does illustrations for advertisements in magazines and other advertising media.

Commercial Children: Children appearing in television, radio, or movie theatre commercials. Also kids who are marketable as talent.

Commercial Copy: Spoken or written words of a commercial.

Commercial Model: A special type model needed for an assignment. The model need not be especially attractive.

Commercial Contract: An agreement to produce script, direct, film, tape or act in a commercial.

Commercial Glossy (commercial head shot): A glossy photo of a television commercial actor, used for casting and promotion.

Commercial Agent: Agent or agency division representing performers who work in television, radio or movie commercials.

Commission: The percentage of the model's earnings that is paid to an agency or manager.

Compact Disc: A small disc (about 4.7 inches in diameter) holding digitally encoded music that is read by a laser beam in a CD player.

Composite: Poster type papers, usually 6x8 inches with printed pictures of a model in many different poses. The models name and vital statistics and where they can be reached are also included on the composite. Clients keep these composites on file for future bookings of the model. Agencies mail them out to potential clients.

Contact Sheet: A photographic print sheet made up of all the shots from a roll of film used to determine which photos are to be used, and therefore, enlarged.

Copyright: The exclusive legal right giving the creator of a work the power to control the publishing, reproduction and selling of the work.

Copywriter: The writer of words in a commercial or print ad.

Cover record: A new version of a previously recorded song.

Covering: Inadvertent blocking of the audience's or camera's view of another actor.

Creative Director: A person who creates ideas for advertising assignments and oversees their production.

CRIA: Canadian Recording Industry Association.

Crossover: A song that becomes popular in two or more musical categories.

Cue Card: A piece of white poster board used in commercial auditions which the casting director writes the copy with a magic marker.

Dailies (rushes): The selected and okayed day's film takes with sound that the director approves for quick shipment to film and sound labs for processing and subsequent synchronization by an editor for next day viewing.

DAT: Digital Audio Tape.

Day Player: A performer hired for a production on a day to day basis as opposed to long term.

Day-out-of-days: A term your agent will use when negotiating your shooting schedule on a TV show or movie-how many days you will work out of the total production schedule of days.

Dealer Spot: A type of commercial in which the dealers that sell a particular advertised product all toss some money into a pot and have their names tagged on to the spot.

Demo: A tape used for auditioning, containing scenes from commercials, programs, workshops, etc. Also an audio tape used by singers and musicians for promotion and audition purposes.

Demo: A recording of a song submitted as a demonstration of writer's or artist's skills.

Demonstrator: A model who demonstrates a product in a trade show, convention or retail store.

Design Model: A model working for a fashion house designer used to show collections in the showroom to buyers.

Dimmers: Devices used for controlling the intensity of lights.

Director: The individuals in charge of coordinating talent, technical people, etc., in a production.

Dissolve: Fading out of a scene while another scene fades in.

Dolly: When they move the camera toward you or away from you during a shot, that's called "dollying".

Donut: A jingle with singing at the beginning and end and instrumental background in the middle. Ad copy is recorded over the middle section.

Downgrade: When they hire you as a principal performer in a commercial, but your footage winds up on the cutting room floor, they will downgrade you from a principal to an extra.

Downstage: This is in front of an actor as he is standing on the stage facing the audience.

Dress Rehearsal: A practice session of a performance, presentation of a production, usually using all props, costumes, lighting, sound effects, etc., usually done just prior to grand opening.

Dresser: People hired to help models dress for a show. May also be called wardrobe personnel.

Dubbing: The substituting of a voice for the on camera person's voice.

ECU: An abbreviation for extreme close-up.

EXT: Exterior.

Editorial Modeling: Job shots for magazines, newspapers, and other publications, but not advertisements. These jobs pay a lower rate than commercial jobs.

Editorial Photography: Posing for a fashion assignment. The model will be more concerned about mood, feeling and costume. Usually more action is required.

Electronic Media: Work that appears on radio, television, videotape, film slides and other audio-visual presentations made for commercial, industrial, entertainment or public relations purpose.

Ellipsoidal Spotlight: A spotlight with a conic mirror for greater light output and shutters that control the light shape.

EP: Extended play record (usually 12") containing more selections than a standard single, but fewer than a standard LP.

Equity Waver: Term used for stage production in which the actor's don't get paid. These plays are showcases for the actor. Both equity and non-equity actors may perform.

Evergreen: Any song that remains popular year after year.

Exhibit Model: Models who host conventions and other promotion assignments. They may hand out brochures for souvenirs or just pose and look good to help sell a product.

Expense Form: A chart used by performers to record their expenses related to jobs and for tax purposes.

Exploit: To seek legitimate uses of a song for income.

EXT: An abbreviation for exterior.

Fashion Photography Model: A model who poses for fashion pictures that are used in advertising.

Fashion Show Model: A model who poses for fashions live in front of an audience and is capable of doing many different types of live modeling including stage, runway, etc.

Fashion Advertising Photographer: A photographer who shoots fashion pictures for a newspaper or department store.

Fashion Coordinator: The person who selects the clothing for a fashion show, accessorizes and coordinates the overall look, and books the models.

Fashion Show Seasons: The season when the new fashions will be shown on models and in shows. August to October for fall; January to April for spring and summer; May and June for early fall and late summer lines.

Fashion Print: A term used by models who are photography models.

Feature Films: Film and videotape productions intended for mass release, either via movie theatres or broadcast.

First-run Syndication: Describes television programs that are produced for and sold to independent TV stations all across the country; this is an alternative to selling a show to one of the three networks which would, in turn, feed the programming to its affiliates.

Fitting model: A model who stands while a fashion is being pinned and draped on her by a designer. May often work freelance and is hired during the extra busy season.

Fitting: Time booked for a model to be fitted into fashions for a show.

Flipper: False teeth for children used solely for cosmetic purposes.

Floodlight (bunch light, olivette): An open -faced box on a stand housing a large bulb for general lighting.

Floor Plan: Schematic or drawing showing the location of scenery as propped on the stage.

Foley: To enhance individual sound effects on a film.

Folio: A softcover collection of printed music prepared for sale.

Force Majeure: Legal term used to describe the right to cancel an actor's contract under catastrophic conditions (e.g., a labor strike or natural disaster).

Four A's: Associated Actors and Artistes of America, the umbrella organization for AFTRA, SAG, and other performer's unions.

Freelance Model: A Model On Your Own! One who is not registered with a model agency. They book and bill their own jobs and do all their own promotion and business negotiations.

Freelance: Actors who work through more than one franchised talent agent rather than signing exclusive contracts; models not connected with agencies who must, therefore, handle their own bookings, billing, promotion, etc.

Gaffer: A film/video crew member who handles the placement and positioning of lighting equipment.

GMA: Gospel Music Association.

Go-fer: A person who does errands on a set.

Go-See: A term used by professional models and agencies when a model is going to interview with a client for a booking.

Grip: Crew member who performs heavy lifting in a film/TV production.

HAU: Hebrew Actors' Union.

Hair Stylist: One who styles the hair for a certain look on an assignment.

Hairdresser: One who prepares model's hair while on assignment.

Hand Model: A model who possesses hands that are ideal for showing products.

Harry Fox Association: Organization that collects mechanical royalties.

Haute Couture: The French expression for high fashion.

Head Sheet: A letter size sheet of small pictures of models on an entire page. Sometimes a small body shot is next to the head shot of each model. An agency can place approximately 15 to 20 head shots on one page. These are mailed out to clients.

Headshot: Black and white photo of an actor facing the camera, usually from the neck up, occasionally from the waist up.

High Fashion Model: A type of fashion model who can look more sophisticated. She is taller, 5'8" to 6" tall.

Hip-Hop: A dance oriented musical style derived from a combination of disco, rap and R & B.

Hit: A song or record that achieves Top 40 status.

Hitting Your Marks: The ability to stop on a designated mark or put down a prop in an exact spot.

HOLA: (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors): A liaison between Hispanic talent and the industry through a talent referral network, a source book, showcases, etc.

Hold: An offer of employment; whether you work on the day's shoot or not, you are entitled to a session fee.

Holding Fee: The amount of money paid to an actor every 13 weeks for as long as a commercial is being held by an ad agency-the fee is generally the same as the original session fee.

Hook: A memorable "catch" phrase or melody line which is repeated in a song.

House Lights: The soft lights that illuminate the audience in a theatre.

IATSE:International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Motion Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada.

IAU: Italian Actors' Union.

INT: Interior.

Illustration Model: A model who poses with a product representing anything but fashion.

Improvisation: The creation of music, comedy, drama, etc. at the time of the performance.

IMU: International Musicians Union.

Indie: An independent record label.

Industrial: A filmed or live production used for promotion. It may be an educational, sales or instructional film meant for general release.

Infant Model: A baby usually between 6 and 18 months old who appears in television commercials or print ads.

Informal Modeling: In a department or retail store, restaurant, dress salon, but not on a platform, and able to converse with a customer if needed.

INT: Interior, a scene shot inside as opposed to outside.

Interviews: Commonly known as a "Go-See". A meeting between client and model to see if model is right for the job.

Ips: Inches per second; a speed designation for tape recording.

IRC: International reply coupon, necessary for the return of materials sent out of the country. Available at most post offices.

Jingle: Usually a short verse set to music designed as a commercial message.

Junior Model: A young teen model who is small-boned, young looking, and fits the smaller sizes.

K

Large Size Model: Model (female) wearing size 12, 14, 16 and up.

LASS: Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase.

Leader: Plastic (non- recordable) tape at the beginning and between songs for ease in selection.

LOA: Letter of Agreement.

LORT: (League of Resident Theatres): Negotiating body for equity resident theatres in the USA (LORT theatres must produce a series of plays and are non-profit organizations).

Leg Model: A model who has well-proportioned legs for showing hosiery, beauty products for legs, shoes, etc.

Lighting Stage Manager: Person in charge of all a production's backstage technical operations.

Literary Agent: A representative between writer and publisher.

LMDA: (Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas: A national membership organization which serves literary managers, dramaturgs, artistic associates, and other theatre professionals through conferences and symposia, insurance, programs, exchanges, etc.

Location: The site of a film/video shoot out of the studio, either indoors or outdoors.

Loupe: A small magnifying glass used to magnify slides and contact sheets.

LP: Designation for long playing record at 33 1/3 rpm.

Lyric Sheet: A typed or written copy of a song's lyrics.

MOW: Movie of the Week.

MRE: More Remunerative Employment.

Major Markets: The most populated cities. In the USA the largest markets are New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Major: One of the two modes of scales in Western music, the other being Minor.

Make-Up Artist: One who is an expert in applying make-up on a model for an assignment. May represent a company.

Making the Rounds: Going to go-sees, interviews and auditions in order to get work.

Mark: The spot, usually indicated with a piece of tape on the ground, where the actor is supposed to stand when "action" is called.

Mask: To set or hang scenery and props so as to prevent the audience from seeing backstage.

Master Reel: An audio demo tape made by a voice-over talent agency to present to clients.

Master Property Man: The stagehand in charge of all props and prop crew.

Master Electrician: The stagehand in charge of all lighting and of the lighting crew.

Master Carpenter: The stagehand in charge of all scenery and the crew that handles the scenery.

Maxi-single: The cassette equivalent of a 12" single. Also called Maxi-cassettes or Maxi-plays.

Measure (bar): A grouping of musical notes and beats that appears throughout a musical piece.

Mechanical Right: The right to profit from the physical reproduction of a song.

Mechanical Royalty: Money earned from record, tape and CD sales.

MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Universal standard interface which allows musical instruments to communicate with each other and computers.

Mini-portfolio: A small portfolio.

Misses: A model who is more mature looking than a junior model and may be a little taller. More of a college student type.

Mix: To blend a multi-track recording into the desired balance of sound.

Model Agency: A company that registers models and has models available for job assignments. A small percentage of the model's fee is paid to the agency for services rendered. Agencies promote, book, bill, protect and pay models.

Model's Book: A model's portfolio of pictures. An important item on go-sees.

MOR: Middle of the road. Easy -listening popular music.

Motion Picture Modeling: Modeling in all types of movie films.

Movie Commercial: A filmed ad for film, up to three minutes long, played in movie houses. A shortened version , usually 20-30 seconds, is aired on TV. Also called a movie ad, movie spot, film commercial, film promo, or coming attraction trailer.

Ms.: Manuscript.

Music Publisher: A company that evaluates songs for commercial potential, finds artists to record them, finds other uses (such as TV or film) for the songs, collects income generated by the sings and protects copyrights from infringement.

Music Jobber: A wholesale distributor of printed music.

NAIRD: National Association of Independent Record Distributors.

NARAS: National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

NARM: National Association of Record Merchandisers.

NAS: National Academy of Songwriters, formerly Songwriters Resources and Services (SRS).

Needle-drop: Use of a pre-recorded cut from a stock music house in an audiovisual soundtrack.

Network Approval: The approval of an actor for a project being handled by a network studio.

NMPA: National Music Publishers Association.

No Quote: A term used in TV to indicate that you are receiving less than your usual rate, or "quote", for an acting job, but everybody promises not to tell.

Non-Equity: A play that's produced without the sanctioning of Equity; members can't appear in this type of production.

Non-SAG: A production that is produced without the sanctioning of SAG; members may not appear in this type of production.

Non-Union: A performer, crew member, agency, part or production, etc., that is not a signatory of, or affiliated in some way with a union or guild.

NSAI: Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Off-Camera: Dialogue from a character not seen on the screen.

One-stop: A wholesale distributor of records ( and sometimes videocassettes, blank tapes, and record accessories), representing several manufacturers to record stores, retailers and jukebox operators.

Open Call: Known more formally as an Equity principal interview or, on the street, as a cattle call, this is where the casting process is theoretically thrown open to all comers.

Open Audition: A tryout or reading that is open to all who fit requirements of the part.

Opera: A play in which the performers sing their roles rather than speak them, usually to the accompaniment of instruments, props and costumes. An "Operetta" generally more casual than an opera, is the predecessor of musical comedy.

Over-dub: To record an additional part (vocal or instrumental) onto a basic multi-track recording. To sweeten.

Overscale: In TV commercials, payment that's higher than the amount established by the unions.

Overture: Musical selection, typically a medley of tunes which the orchestra plays at the very beginning of a musical theatre production.

PA: Production assistant; public address; press agent; power of attorney; per annum.

PACT: Producers' Association of Children's Theatre.

Pan: A sweeping lateral camera shot.

Payola: Dishonest payment to broadcasters in exchange for airplay.

Per Diem: A set daily allowance, usually for living expenses not covered by the producer for one's work on location.

Performing Rights Organization: An organization that collects income from the public performance of songs written by its members and then proportionally distributes this income to the individual copyright holder based on the number of performances of each song.

Performing Rights: A specific right granted by US copyright law that protects a composition from being publicly performed without the owner's permission.

Personal Manager: One who guides and develops the career of a performer for an agreed upon percentage of earnings. A personal manager is not an agent but works closely with an agent as well as others.

Photography Release: A contract between model and photographer whereby the model releases the right to the photographer to use pictures taken as defined in the release. The model should read the release carefully before signing.

Pit: In a musical theatre production, the area beneath the stage where the orchestra performs.

Pitch: A musical tone's height or depth that is dependent on the frequency of vibration of the sound's source.

Places: The verbal order given by a stage manager for cast and crew to get ready.

Playlist: List of songs that a radio station will play.

Plug: A favorable mention, broadcast or performance of a song; to pitch a song.

Points: A negotiable percentage paid top producers and artists for records sold.

Post-production: Everything that takes place on a TV show, movie or commercial after shooting is completed.

POV: Point of view: Referring to a film/TV camera angle that shows what a particular character is seeing.

Practical: The term applied to any stage prop or object used by the actors during a production, i.e. furniture that is sat on, doors that are opened, glasses that are drunk from, etc.

Pre-production: Everything that takes place on a TV show, movie or commercial before shooting commences.

Pre-screen: The casting director wants to "check you out" before you read for the producer and director, so "pre-screens" you. It might involve a cold reading, the opportunity to present prepared monologues, or just a meeting.

Press Showing: A live showing of the coming season's fashions at an exclusive viewing for the press only. News releases are then sent out regarding the showing.

Prime Time: Network programming aired 8:00 to 11:00 PM, (7:00 to 10:00 PM Central / Mountain time zones).

Principal: a performer with lines or action that specifically advance the plot line.

Print Work: Photos or illustrations, on imprinted materials, such as publications, packaging, posters, etc.

Producer: The person responsible for the business of making decisions on a production.

Product Demonstration: Showing how a product works in promotional modeling.

Product Conflict: Two commercials airing for products competing in the same market for which an actor is being "held".

Product Advertising: Posing with a product for a picture or film.

Production Company: Movie and film companies that do productions in live or film media.

Proofs: Individual or a number of small pictures on one page made from negatives. These pictures are studied to determine which are best for print.

Props: Things on the set that are not part of the set itself, such as furniture, vehicles, etc.

Proscenium Arch: The opening between the stage area and the audience through which a play is viewed.

PRS: Performing Rights Society of England.

PSA: Public Service Announcement: a free broadcast "advertisement" for a nonprofit service organization.

Public Domain: Any composition with an expired, lapsed or invalid copyright.

Purchase License: Fee paid for music used from a stock music library.

Query: A letter of inquiry to a potential song buyer soliciting his interest.

R & B: Rhythm and blues.

Rack Focus: Technique in which a film/TV camera lens is adjusted, so that one image in the frame is slowly brought out of focus while another image is brought into focus.

Raked Stage: A slanted theatre stage that is higher as it is farther from the audience.

Rate: The amount per hour a performer or model charges for services. A "day rate" is the charge for a whole day. A model might be booked for a weekly rate or an overall job rate.

Reel: A videotaped composite of excerpts from your film, TV, or commercial work, usually on a 3/4 inch format.

Release: This is a contract signed by the model permitting the use of those photographs taken at that particular sitting for a specific purpose.

Residuals: Money earned every time a television commercial is used.

Resume': A sheet giving the background of a performer, including professional experience, education, vital statistics, etc. It is often attached to the back of a photo.

Retail Modeling: A fashion model who models fashion in a dress salon or department store.

RIAA: Recording Industry Associations of America.

Royalty: Percentage of money earned from the sale of records or use of a song.

RPM: Revolutions per minute. Refers to phonograph turntable speed.

Running Lines: The process of actors rehearsing lines (but not blocking) with one another in preparation for a more formal rehearsal or performance.

Runway: A raised platform 3 to 4 feet wide and of various lengths upon which models display fashions.

SAE: Self-addressed envelope (with no postage attached).

SAG: (Screen Actors Guild): A theatrical union for television actors and actresses.

Sample Model: A model upon whom the original sample dress of a designer is made. A tedious job of standing still for hours.

SASE: Self-addressed stamped envelope.

Scale Wage: Minimum wage as designated by the unions.

Scrapbook: A large book full of pages with tear sheets from the model's jobs over the years; usually kept at home but available upon request.

Screen-Test: A "go-see" session , at which a short scene by a performer is viewed for evaluation.

Screening: Interviewing many models and selecting the most suitable for the assignment.

Script Supervisor: The person who supervises takes and sees that each shot fits in the finished production.

SEG: (Screen Extras Guild): Union in some cities for "background" or "atmosphere actors", people who do not speak any lines in feature films, filmed TV shows, and filmed commercials.

Self-contained: A band or recording act that writes all their own material.

SESAC: A performing rights organization.

Session Fee: Performance pay for single airing of a commercial.

SFX: Sound effects.

Shop: To pitch songs to a number of companies or publishers.

Short: A film with a running time under thirty minutes.

Showcase Plays: Plays that are produced for the benefit of actors, writers or directors. There is no pay for such plays. In LA, they are called 'Equity Waiver' plays and in NYC they're called 'Off Broadway' plays under the 'Showcase' code.

Showcase Club: A nightclub that presents variety acts, usually without monetary payment, it serves as a good venue for performers to further tune acts.

Showcase Code: The Equity agreement of many Off-Off Broadway theatres in NYC. Any actor, Equity or not, may audition for these plays.

Showroom: The wholesale room where the manufacturers sell fashions to buyers often using models to demonstrate.

Slate: (clapboard): A chalkboard with a clapper used to identify scenes for editing and often to start the action.

SMPTE: Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

Soap/Soap Opera: A continuing serial, usually broadcast during the daytime.

SOCAN: Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada.

Solicited: Songs or materials that have been requested.

Song Plugger: A songwriter representative whose main responsibility is promoting uncut songs to music publishers, record companies, artists and producers.

Sound Track: The music for a film.

Soundstage: A soundproof building used for shooting movies, TV shows, or commercials.

Soundtrack: The audio, including music and narration, of a film, videotape or audiovisual program.

SPT: Small Professional Theatre.

Specialty Model: A model with special attributes such as hands, legs, feet, hair, etc.

Split publishing: To divide publishing rights between two or more publishers.

Spokesmodel: An attractive, well-spoken individual who represents a product, service, company, etc.

Spot: A commercial, often a local or random showing.

SpotLight: A highly concentrated light enclosed by a metal box, covered by a lens for specific lighting.

SSDC: (Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers): An independent labor union representing directors and choreographers working in all areas of professional theatre.

Stand-in: A substitute for featured players, usually from the extra ranks, used for light settings.

Statistics: A model's vitals listed on the composite or resume'; Age group, size, height, weight, measurements, hair coloring, eye color. Some include special talents like golf, sailing, horseback riding, etc.

Statutory Royalty Rate: The maximum payment for mechanical rights guaranteed by law that a record company may pay the songwriter and his publisher for each record or tape sold.

Storyboard: A series of cartoon-like drawings outlining the shots required for a TV commercial. It is combined with a story guideline.

Street Casting: The opting for non-models from streets or public places to appear in photographs, film, etc., to create a more realistic effect.

Strike: The term for removing scenery, props and lights from the stage.

Strip Lights: A group of lights placed together to light up a particular area.

Stylist: Individual responsible for acquiring props for a shot or set; it may include acquiring clothes, finding a location.

Subpublishing: Certain rights granted by a US publisher to a foreign publisher in exchange for promoting the US catalog in his territory.

Supernumerary: In theatre, opera, etc.; an extra on stage who has no lines.

Synchronization Rights: Rights to use a composition in film or video.

Synchronization: Technique of timing a musical soundtrack to action or film or video.

Taft-Hartley Law: Law stating that a person can work a certain amount of time on a union job without having to join that union. An actor can work up to 30 calendar days of a first job without joining the appropriate union. On the second job, or any job obtained after 30 calendar days, or any job that lasts over 30 calendar days, one must join union.

Take: A still shot or filmed/taped scene.

Talent Scout: A representative of a talent agency, studio, production house, network, record company, sports team, etc., who looks for talent to hire, represent or promote.

Talent Agency/Talent Agent: A representative working on a commission basis who acts as a business representative for a performer attempting to get work in the entertainment industry.

TCG: (Theatre Communication Group): A non-profit organization in NYC that helps theatres by holding invitational auditions for specific plays. An invitation to one of these auditions depends on the actor's performance at TCG auditions, which are usually held twice a year.

Tea Room Modeling: A fashion model who models clothes during luncheon or dinner hours in a dining environment.

Tear Sheets: Photographs kept from various assignments in magazines, brochures, newspapers, etc.

Technical Director: The person responsible for creating a stage setting from a scenic design and for controlling the set during a performance; often the set designer.

Teleprompter: A device used in lieu of cue cards to help a performer read without looking away from the camera.

Test Shots: Pictures taken of a fashion model by a photographer to test new ideas.

Test Commercial: A commercial scheduled to be aired in a small area and monitored for its effectiveness.

The Songwriters Guild of America: Organization for songwriters, formerly called AGAC.

Theatrical Booking: An engagement to act or perform.

Trade Show: A particular industry's show usually held in a convention center to display products and services.

Turnaround: In a shoot, the amount of time between a "wrap" one day and the "call time" on the next day.

TV Commercial: A job requiring acting or talking to sell a product on television.

TYA: (Theatre for Young Audiences): An Equity contract used for children's plays.

Typecasting: The casting of roles based on appearance.

U/C: Urban contemporary music.

Under-5: A part that calls for five speaking lines or less.

Understudy: A performer hired to take over a role should the featured performer be unable to perform.

Union Card: A CARD proving that the person holding the cad is a member of the named union.

Union Fee Scale: A schedule of graduated minimum payments for work done under a union's auspices.

Union Initiation Fee: A one-time payment to a union required by a new member upon first joining.

United Scenic Artists: The union representing set, props, wardrobe and stylist professionals in theatre, opera, film and tape.

Upstage: Near or at the rear of the stage. Also pertains to a performer trying to gain more attention than other performers.

Usage Fees: Additional fees paid to a model when a photograph is exposed to a large number of readers.

VHS: 1/2" videocassette format. The VHS system uses a larger cassette than that used with the Beta system.

VLA: Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Voice-Over: A model's voice will be substituted for another model being photographed in a film or commercial.

Voicetape: An audio demo tape giving samples of a voice-over talent's vocal abilities used for promotion.

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts: Provides free legal representation and counseling to eligible artists and non-profit arts organizations that have arts-related legal problems; sharing of information through publications, clinics, workshops, etc.

Voucher: A receipt that a model receives from an agency ( or has printed if you are on your own). This receipt is signed by the client and the model at the end of the assignment showing agreement on hours worked and fees earned.

VTR: Video tape recorder: A reel-to-reel device for recording and playing sound and video on magnetic tape.

Walk-On: A small non-speaking part in which the person walks on-stage or on the set as the script indicates during the course of a production. Also called a "silent bit part".

Wardrobe: The clothing and accessories needed for a shoot.

Weather Day: An outdoor location shooting day; if the weather is inclement, shooting is postponed until the weather day. A half-days wage is paid for each inclement day that shooting does not take place.

Widescreen: Any film format with an aspect ratio of at least 1.66.

Wild Spot: A commercial that runs on a non-network station, or a spot that runs between scheduled network programming.

Wrap: The end of a production.

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Z-Cards: See composite.

Zoom: A type of lens used to alter the depth and closeness of an actor without moving the camera.