Characters
An ordinary character whose relatable qualities engage audiences in extraordinary circumstances.
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Film Terms Starting With E
84 entries in the Movie Wiki begin with E, listed alphabetically with a one-line definition each. Open any of them for the full explanation.
61–84 of 84 entries
Definitions of Film Terms Starting With E
Open any entry for the full definition, where the term comes from and the films that show it best.
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Characters
The Evil Mentor is an antagonist archetype who poses as a wise teacher or father figure to the protagonist, only to betray them for their own sinister purposes.
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Characters
The evil twin is a character who is physically identical to a hero but possesses a malevolent, opposite personality.
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Industry
A period during which a film is available only on a specific platform or in a specific format.
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Industry
High-tier credit denotes financiers, power brokers, or showrunners who exert top-line influence rather than granular oversight.
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Industry
SAG-AFTRA daily timesheet documents performer hours, meals, and safety compliance for union records.
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Characters
The Exiled Prince is a character archetype, often the protagonist, who has been forced out of their homeland and must live in obscurity before returning to claim their birthright.
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Genres
Experimental film is a mode of filmmaking that rigorously re-evaluates cinematic conventions and explores non-traditional forms of expression, often outside of mainstream commercial practice.
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General
An explainer video is a short, informative video that breaks down a complex topic, such as a film's ambiguous ending or intricate timeline, into an easily understandable format.
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Genres
Low‑budget cinema emphasizing sensational content to attract niche audiences.
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Characters
The explorer archetype is a character driven by an insatiable curiosity to venture into the unknown, chart new territories, and expand the boundaries of human knowledge.
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General
Exposition conveys essential story information—who, what, when, where, why—without stalling dramatic momentum.
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Filmmaking
Expository dialogue packs necessary facts into spoken lines, risking artifice if not carefully disguised.
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Filmmaking
"EXT." is the standard abbreviation for "Exterior" used in a screenplay's slugline to indicate that a scene takes place outdoors.
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Filmmaking
A film version that includes additional footage not shown in the original theatrical release.
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Industry
An 'Extended Hold' is a contractual agreement in the film industry to keep an actor or director on hold for a project for a longer period than is standard, usually for additional compensation.
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Pop Culture
Umbrella term covering VR, AR, and MR techniques applied to production, marketing, and exhibition.
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Storytelling
External conflict involves a struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another character, nature, or societal norms.
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Filmmaking
Components that lie outside the story’s diegesis, often addressing the audience directly
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Genres
A shot that magnifies a small detail to convey heightened emotion or narrative significance.
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Filmmaking
An eye-light, also known as a catchlight, is a small, specific light source used to create a glint of light in a character's eyes.
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Storytelling
An eye-line match is an editing technique where the editor cuts between what a character sees and the character’s gaze, ensuring spatial continuity.
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