Lingo

Behind the Scenes

40 Words

20m

1.
community theater
Noun

the activity of acting in or producing a play in a theater as a hobby and not a profession

The community theater group put on a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the local high school auditorium.

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2.
ad lib
Adverb

without prior practice or preparation

The actor forgot his lines and had to speak ad lib during the performance.

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3.
comedy of manners
Noun

a comic play, movie, book, etc. that portrays the behaviors of a particular social class, satirizing them

"Emma" by Jane Austen explores matchmaking in Regency England, a classic comedy of manners.

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montage
4.
mon
tage
Noun

a composition that combines multiple images, graphics, or elements to visually represent a theme, idea, or story

The movie poster featured a dynamic montage of scenes from the film, capturing the excitement and essence of the story.

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premiere
5.
pre
miere
Noun

the first public screening or performance of a movie or play

The red carpet was rolled out for the premiere of the highly anticipated blockbuster movie.

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melodrama
6.
me
lod
ra
ma
Noun

a dramatic genre characterized by exaggerated emotions, intense conflicts, etc., often trying to create strong emotional reactions in the audience

The movie descended into melodrama in the final act, with characters delivering over-the-top speeches and indulging in exaggerated emotional outbursts.

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matinee
7.
ma
ti
nee
Noun

a musical or dramatic performance that takes place in daytime, especially in the afternoon

Editors use matinee to refine pacing and maintain audience engagement throughout the movie.

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8.
curtain call
Noun

the time after a play or show has just ended when the performers come to the stage to receive the applause of the audience

As the final notes of the musical faded away, the audience erupted into applause, signaling the start of the eagerly anticipated curtain call.

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dramatize
9.
dra
ma
tize
Verb

to turn a book, story, or an event into a movie or play

Historical accounts of great leaders are often dramatized in biographical films to engage modern audiences.

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10.
sur
ti
tle
Noun

translated words projected above or next to the stage on a screen in an opera or play

The surtitles displayed translations of the dialogue for non-native speakers in the audience.

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soliloquy
11.
so
li
loq
uy
Noun

a moment of speaking one's thoughts aloud, typically when alone

During her morning walk, she muttered a quiet soliloquy about the day ahead.

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12.
stage direction
Noun

a text in the script of a play, giving an instruction regarding the movement, position, etc. of actors

The stage direction called for a prop to be placed center stage before the next scene.

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revival
13.
re
vi
val
Noun

the act of bringing something back into active use, attention, or importance after a period of decline or obscurity

The renovation project sparked a revival of interest in the historic building.

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prompt
14.
prompt
Verb

to encourage someone to do or say something

The teacher used thought-provoking questions to prompt students to participate actively in class discussions.

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enact
15.
en
act
Verb

to approve a proposed law

The legislature voted to enact new regulations governing environmental protection.

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interpretation
16.
interpretation
Noun

the act of forming a personal understanding or mental image of something based on individual perception or analysis

Her interpretation of the poem revealed layers of meaning that others had overlooked.

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overact
17.
o
ver
act
Verb

to act a role in an exaggerated way that is not natural

He tends to overact by emphasizing every line with dramatic gestures.

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18.
mis
cast
Verb

to assign the roles of a play, motion picture, etc. to unsuitable actors

By the time they realized it, they had already miscast the key role.

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19.
read
through
Noun

a preparatory session during which actors read the words of a play before beginning to practice it on the stage

The cast gathered around a table for the read-through, eagerly flipping through their scripts and preparing to bring their characters to life.

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put on
20.
put on
Verb

to place or wear something on the body, including clothes, accessories, etc.

I always put on my helmet before riding my bike.

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rehearsal
21.
re
hear
sal
Noun

a session of practice in which performers prepare themselves for a public performance of a concert, play, etc.

The actors gathered for their final rehearsal before the opening night of the play.

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portray
22.
port
ray
Verb

to describe something or someone through words

The author portrays the protagonist as a courageous and determined individual.

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adaptation
23.
a
dap
ta
tion
Noun

a movie, TV program, etc. that is based on a book or play

The film adaptation of the bestselling novel stayed true to the book's plot and characters.

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24.
art director
Noun

someone who is in charge of the artistic features, such as props and costumes of a movie or play

The art director oversees the visual elements of a film, ensuring consistency and creativity in every scene.

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dramatist
25.
dra
ma
tist
Noun

someone who writes plays for the TV, radio, or theater

The theater company invited a talented dramatist to write an original script for their upcoming production.

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balcony
26.
bal
co
ny
Noun

a platform above the ground level and on the outside wall of a building that we can get into from the upper floor

She enjoyed her morning coffee on the balcony, taking in the beautiful view of the city skyline.

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offstage
27.
off
stage
Noun

the part of the stage area hidden from the audience, typically used for preparation or waiting during a performance

The actor hurried to the offstage to avoid being seen by the audience.

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set piece
28.
set piece
Noun

a set of scenes in a motion picture, novel, etc. that could be regarded independently and are very elaborate or complex

The grand ballroom set piece towered over the stage, adorned with crystal chandeliers and opulent furnishings, transporting the audience to a lavish 19th-century soiree.

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blockbuster
29.
block
bus
ter
Noun

a thing that achieves great widespread popularity or financial success, particularly a movie, book, or other product

The new superhero movie became a blockbuster, earning over $1 billion at the box office.

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cinematography
30.
ci
ne
ma
tog
ra
phy
Noun

the art and methods of film-making, especially the photographic aspect and camerawork

The cinematography in the action sequence was dynamic and visually captivating.

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31.
costume drama
Noun

a motion picture or theatrical production with a historical setting in which the actors wear the costume appropriate to that time period

The costume drama depicted the court intrigue of medieval Europe with stunning accuracy.

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credit
32.
cre
dit
Verb

to recognize and acknowledge someone's effort in achieving a specific thing

The coach credits the team's victory to rigorous training sessions.

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33.
fic
tio
na
lize
Verb

convert into the form or the style of a novel

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34.
film noir
Noun

a type of movie involving crime including shadowy footage and dark background music that depicted cynical characters caught in dangerous situations

"Double Indemnity" is a classic film noir that follows an insurance salesman who becomes involved in a murder plot with a femme fatale, leading to betrayal and deception.

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35.
fourth wall
Noun

an imaginary barrier that separates the mise en scene and the fictional characters from the audience, especially in a theatrical performance

Breaking the fourth wall, the character addressed the audience directly, inviting them into the inner workings of the play and blurring the line between fiction and reality.

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intermission
36.
in
ter
mi
ssion
Noun

a temporary suspension in an ongoing activity before it resumes once more

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interlude
37.
in
ter
lude
Noun

a short interval between parts of a play, movie, etc.

During the interlude, the stage was rearranged for the second act.

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epilogue
38.
e
pi
logue
Noun

a brief section added at the end of a literary work, providing closure, commentary, or resolution

The novel concluded with an epilogue explaining the characters' futures.

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39.
un
der
stu
dy
Noun

an actor who practices the lines of another actor in order to replace them if necessary

The understudy stepped into the lead role at the last minute when the main actor fell ill.

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telefilm
40.
te
le
film
Noun

a movie that is intended to be broadcast on TV, rather than being projected on the screen

She starred in a romantic telefilm that aired last weekend on a popular channel.

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