12 Terms Parents of Child Actors Need to Know
Every industry has its own lingo. When your child enters the entertainment industry, you'll encounter a whole new vocabulary. These terms are frequently used when describing auditions and scripts. If you can familiarize yourself with them now, you'll be able to help your young actor understand what's required and how to use these terms correctly.
Booking: Getting hired for the job.
Breakdown: A description of the project that includes a storyline synopsis in addition to descriptions of all the characters/roles in the script. It also commonly includes names of the people involved in the project such as the directors, casting directors, and producers as well as an estimated start date and location of the production.
Callback: A second or additional audition to an initial interview or audition.
Cold read: For auditions, reading aloud a scene or sides with little or no rehearsal.
Copy: A commercial or voice over script.
Improvisation: A spontaneous scene leading to discovery that allows the actor to find reality within themselves while performing without a script.
Local hire: An actor hired locally where production (usually TV and film) is being shot. This eliminates costs for travel, housing and per diem.
READ: How Child Actors Can Get Work in Atlanta & Florida
Open call: An interview or audition open to anyone.
Sides: Pages or scenes from a script used by performers selected for an audition that highlights a specific character.
Slate: In on-camera auditions the performer’s introduction of their name, age (if under 18), and sometimes height, hometown and agency.
Triple Threat: An actor or actress who can sing, dance and act skillfully and equally well usually referring to performers in musical theatre.
Type (or type casting): Characterizing performers based on their “look.”
Knowing these terms will help you avoid confusion and feeling that others know more than you do. There are plenty more terms pertaining to other areas of the entertainment industry as well. Next month look for my article identifying key terms as it relates to legal and union matters.
