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Film Vocabulary

Lesson 1: Film Vocabulary

Lesson 1: Film Vocabulary

In this lesson, we're going to present lots of vocabulary related to films.

 

We're going to talk about different types of films, different jobs and roles in films, we're going to talk about old films and new films and the technology that’s used to make films and as well as all of this, we’re going to talk about the language you can use when you discuss films. Learning the vocabulary in this lesson will help you in the rest of the activity week!

Sign up for our activity week Learning English: Football & Films here:

https://premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org/live/activity-week-learning-english-football-and-films

On this page, we're going to look at lots of vocabulary connected to films. There are three sections. The first is the easiest and the third is the most difficult. In each section, there is an explanation of some vocabulary and an activity to check your understanding. When you have finished all three sections, try the quiz at the bottom of the page, then answer the questions at the bottom of the page and reply to at least one other learner's comment.

Vocabulary

How many types of film do you know?

There are many different types of films. When we speak about types or kinds of film we often use the word genre. The word genre means the type or style of film (it is also used in other forms of art). Some films are funny, some are scary and some are exciting. We use genres to describe these films. Look at the photos below, what would you call these types of films?

Film one is a h _ _ _ _ _.

Film two is a h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  d _ _ _ _.

Film three is a s _ _ - _ _.

Film four is an a _ _ _ _ _  f _ _ _.

Film five is a r _ _ _ _ _ _ _  c _ _ _ _ _.

Film six is a m _ _ _ _ _ _.

Film seven is a t _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Film eight is a w _ _ _ _ _ _.

In this activity, look at the definitions and try to match them to the film type or genre.

Activity 1

Activity 1: In this activity, match the types of films with the correct definitions.
What kind of film is it?

Jobs

Who works in film?

The film industry employs thousands and thousands of people in many different countries. Here are some of the most well-known jobs in the film industry:

The producer is the person responsible for everything that happens from the start to finish. The producer works on everything from the concept to the script to casting through to editing. The producer has to manage all the rest of the people who are working on the film and make sure everybody does their job on time and on budget.

The director’s main job is to manage the technical and artistic team that make the film. The director runs the film shoots and tells everybody what to do. They work with the actors to help them perform their lines and actions so that the film can be edited into a story that makes sense.

The screenwriter is the person who turns the story into a script. It is their job to make sure the dialogue sounds natural and the sequence of events in the film take place in the right way so that the story progresses smoothly and in an interesting way. 

The Art Director is responsible for the film sets and props. The sets are the settings where the scenes take place and the props are the things like guns and tools that actors use. If a film is set in interesting places like in historical dramas or science-fiction films, the Art Director will be very important as they have to build complex environments and find realistic props.

The cinematographer is also known as the director of photography. They are responsible for setting up the camera shots. This means they have to decide what camera and lens to use and how the lighting needs to be set up to make the film look right. 

The editor’s job is to take the sound and film from the director and cut it together into a film. They have to take hundreds of different shots and organise them into one continuous sequence. They often work closely with the director so that the finished film looks the way the director imagined it.

The actors have the most famous roles in film production. They act out the script and try to portray the characters in the film, showing the emotions the characters feel as realistically as they can. Some actors try to really live like the characters they are playing and stay in character even between shots. However, not everyone who appears in a film is an actor. Some films have hundreds of extras. These are the people who are used when lots of people are needed e.g. crowds at a football match or in a market. Extras don't usually have speaking roles.

In this activity, look at the definition and decide what the name of the job is.

Activity 2

Activity 2: In this activity, put the correct job in the correct sentence.
What's the job?

Do you know these film words and phrases?

Read the article about jobs again and look at the words in red. All of the words are used to speak about films. Think about what these words mean and then have a go at this activity. 

Activity 3

Activity 3: In this activity, look at some common words about film from the article that you have just read. Match the words to the right definition.
Can you talk about films?
Let's put everything you have learned together. Do the quiz below to check your understanding.

Quiz

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Comment

What do you think?

Welcome to our activity week Learning English: Football and Films. First of all, we would like you to say hello!

What's your name? Where are you from? 

Do you like films? What's your favourite type of film?

Would you like to work in films? What job would you like? Why?

Reply to at least one comment from another learner and then mark this lesson complete on the side of the page.

Write your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

Mariam Ashraf
25/09/2023
EG
50
points

Hello
I'm Mariam Ashraf
I'm from Cairo.
I like films and I'd prefer to watch horror, sci-fi-film and comedy films.
If i could work in films i would like to be an actor because I like to do different characters.


Mariam Ashraf
25/09/2023 20:05
Egypt
Arsenal
50

Hello
I'm Mariam Ashraf
I'm from Cairo.
I like films and I'd prefer to watch horror, sci-fi-film and comedy films.
If i could work in films i would like to be an actor because I like to do different characters.

OmarGaber
05/08/2023
EG
17
points

Hello
I'm Ahmed Hamdi Halawan
I'm from Cairo.
I like films and I'd prefer to watch dramatic films.
If i could work in films i would like to be an actor because I like to do different characters.


OmarGaber
05/08/2023 15:25
Egypt
Liverpool
17

Hello
I'm Ahmed Hamdi Halawan
I'm from Cairo.
I like films and I'd prefer to watch dramatic films.
If i could work in films i would like to be an actor because I like to do different characters.

Jack Radford's picture
Jack Radford
09/08/2023
GB
18
points

Hi Ahmed

I changed your username because I think it was against the site rules. I tried writing to you, first. 

Please feel free to change it to something else (but not a phone number).

Thanks

Jack


Jack Radford's picture
Jack Radford
09/08/2023 09:15
United Kingdom
Arsenal
18

Hi Ahmed

I changed your username because I think it was against the site rules. I tried writing to you, first. 

Please feel free to change it to something else (but not a phone number).

Thanks

Jack

shbo
08/06/2023
DE
8
points

Hi
I'm Ludwin from Germany.
I love films and that's any type, actually.
If I could choose a job in films it would be that of a screenwriter, because I love the stories behind every film and I think it must be thrilling to see the characters and the plot come alive via talking and acting.


shbo
08/06/2023 13:32
Germany
Brentford
8

Hi
I'm Ludwin from Germany.
I love films and that's any type, actually.
If I could choose a job in films it would be that of a screenwriter, because I love the stories behind every film and I think it must be thrilling to see the characters and the plot come alive via talking and acting.

Mary Munro
05/06/2023
ES
7
points

Mary from Spain


Mary Munro
05/06/2023 13:07
Spain
Chelsea
7

Mary from Spain

Carine
01/06/2023
PT
6
points

very good


Carine
01/06/2023 18:50
Portugal
Chelsea
6

very good

bladeruner
15/05/2023
IN
53
points

This is Olive from India. Films is not my cup of tea. I love being a teacher as I impact lives on a daily basis.


bladeruner
15/05/2023 06:23
India
Manchester United
53

This is Olive from India. Films is not my cup of tea. I love being a teacher as I impact lives on a daily basis.

Mary Munro
05/06/2023
ES
7
points

If films are not your cup of tea, that's a pity!


Mary Munro
05/06/2023 13:09
Spain
Chelsea
7

If films are not your cup of tea, that's a pity!

ricardo torres
27/04/2023
BR
7
points

Great activities.


ricardo torres
27/04/2023 00:33
Brazil
Chelsea
7

Great activities.

ManUnitedMessi's picture
ManUnitedMessi
26/04/2023
SE
6
points

tottenham=BAD


ManUnitedMessi's picture
ManUnitedMessi
26/04/2023 07:57
Sweden
Manchester United
6

tottenham=BAD

Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023
ES
9
points

I wish someday I had the oportunity of be an actress or at least an extra, I love what producers do, I would like to study cinema


Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023 08:55
Spain
Liverpool
9

I wish someday I had the oportunity of be an actress or at least an extra, I love what producers do, I would like to study cinema

Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023
ES
9
points

Hello my name is María, I'm from Spain, I love films, I like lot of genres like action, comedy, horror or musical, but what I like the most is fantasy and sci-fi, also I like anime


Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023 08:54
Spain
Liverpool
9

Hello my name is María, I'm from Spain, I love films, I like lot of genres like action, comedy, horror or musical, but what I like the most is fantasy and sci-fi, also I like anime

Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023
ES
9
points

Hello, I'm spanish and I like a lot of genres like horror films, comedy, musical or action, but what I like the most is fantasy and sci-fi, also I like anime


Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023 08:48
Spain
Liverpool
9

Hello, I'm spanish and I like a lot of genres like horror films, comedy, musical or action, but what I like the most is fantasy and sci-fi, also I like anime

HPG67
22/03/2023
BE
7
points

My name is H. and I'm from Belgium. I enjoy several genres (psychological drama, comedy, musical, historical and costume drama). I'm not really into sci-fi or fantasy. I was an extra once!


HPG67
22/03/2023 21:40
Belgium
Manchester City
7

My name is H. and I'm from Belgium. I enjoy several genres (psychological drama, comedy, musical, historical and costume drama). I'm not really into sci-fi or fantasy. I was an extra once!

Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023
ES
9
points

That is so cool, I wish I got the chance to be an extra once


Nanatsu no taizai's picture
Nanatsu no taizai
25/04/2023 08:44
Spain
Liverpool
9

That is so cool, I wish I got the chance to be an extra once

Otzi
04/02/2023
DZ
6
points

"Action movies are the epitome of excitement and thrill. The non-stop adrenaline rushes, breathtaking stunts and intense fight scenes leave you on the edge of your seat, making for an unforgettable movie experience."


Otzi
04/02/2023 17:00
Algeria
Manchester City
6

"Action movies are the epitome of excitement and thrill. The non-stop adrenaline rushes, breathtaking stunts and intense fight scenes leave you on the edge of your seat, making for an unforgettable movie experience."

WanSim
03/11/2022
AU
7
points

Love this!


WanSim
03/11/2022 03:53
Australia
Manchester United
7

Love this!

baro_1's picture
baro_1
18/10/2022
SA
8
points

My name is Abrar ahmed I love watch comedy move , I don't like to work in moves , I would like to work markter


baro_1's picture
baro_1
18/10/2022 00:23
Saudi Arabia
West Ham United
8

My name is Abrar ahmed I love watch comedy move , I don't like to work in moves , I would like to work markter

baro_1's picture
baro_1
17/10/2022
SA
8
points

My name is Abrar, Iam from saudi Arabia, Iove watch Adventure move ,but I don't like to work moves


baro_1's picture
baro_1
17/10/2022 21:54
Saudi Arabia
West Ham United
8

My name is Abrar, Iam from saudi Arabia, Iove watch Adventure move ,but I don't like to work moves

YukiMotomi
07/02/2022
JP
26
points

I enjoyed this lesson as I am interested in films.


YukiMotomi
07/02/2022 10:23
Japan
Manchester City
26

I enjoyed this lesson as I am interested in films.

catsgro
11/11/2021
IT
6
points

My name's Caterina. I'm from Italy. My favourite films are historical dramas, like "Outlender". I do love it! I wouldn't like to work in films because I'm a teacher: I like teaching so much!


catsgro
11/11/2021 05:23
Italy
Brighton and Hove Albion
6

My name's Caterina. I'm from Italy. My favourite films are historical dramas, like "Outlender". I do love it! I wouldn't like to work in films because I'm a teacher: I like teaching so much!

Firadi's picture
Firadi
26/09/2021
MA
37
points

Hi everyone , I'm Badr from morocco
I enjoy watching comedy and si-fi films
I'm not interested in working in films but If i work in it i will be an editor or an actor because i love vedio editing and acting too


Firadi's picture
Firadi
26/09/2021 03:14
Morocco
Liverpool
37

Hi everyone , I'm Badr from morocco
I enjoy watching comedy and si-fi films
I'm not interested in working in films but If i work in it i will be an editor or an actor because i love vedio editing and acting too

Fuchs
05/09/2021
DE
141
points

My name is Josef. I‘m from germany. My favorite films are action films and sci-fiy. But i wouldn‘t like to work in films because this is not that kind of stuff I‘m interested in.


Fuchs
05/09/2021 10:45
Germany
Manchester United
141

My name is Josef. I‘m from germany. My favorite films are action films and sci-fiy. But i wouldn‘t like to work in films because this is not that kind of stuff I‘m interested in.

danielx_88
13/08/2021
MX
32
points

I really love Historical dramas cause they make me feel as I were living in the past


danielx_88
13/08/2021 18:00
Mexico
Manchester City
32

I really love Historical dramas cause they make me feel as I were living in the past

shbo
08/06/2023
DE
8
points

Yes, exactly. What is more: you can easily learn something about history in a very comfortable way (provided the films are based on facts rather than on fiction).


shbo
08/06/2023 13:43
Germany
Brentford
8

Yes, exactly. What is more: you can easily learn something about history in a very comfortable way (provided the films are based on facts rather than on fiction).

Eduardo Ruggery's picture
Eduardo Ruggery
04/08/2021
CL
7
points

Hi, I'm Eduardo, I enjoy watching sci-fi and drama films. I have to say that I'm a filmoholic.


Eduardo Ruggery's picture
Eduardo Ruggery
04/08/2021 04:46
Chile
Chelsea
7

Hi, I'm Eduardo, I enjoy watching sci-fi and drama films. I have to say that I'm a filmoholic.

Nikita1819
27/04/2021
RU
1
points

Hello, my name is Nikita, I like watching horror films, and historical.


Nikita1819
27/04/2021 18:13
Russia
West Ham United
1

Hello, my name is Nikita, I like watching horror films, and historical.

Alx zhang's picture
Alx zhang
01/05/2021
CN
20
points

what horror film you liked most?


Alx zhang's picture
Alx zhang
01/05/2021 06:30
China
Burnley FC
20

what horror film you liked most?

Otzi
04/02/2023
DZ
6
points

"The Shining" (1980), "Psycho" (1960), "The Exorcist" (1973), "Halloween" (1978), "Get Out" (2017), "A Quiet Place" (2018), "It" (2017), "The Babadook" (2014), "The Conjuring" (2013), and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974).


Otzi
04/02/2023 17:02
Algeria
Manchester City
6

"The Shining" (1980), "Psycho" (1960), "The Exorcist" (1973), "Halloween" (1978), "Get Out" (2017), "A Quiet Place" (2018), "It" (2017), "The Babadook" (2014), "The Conjuring" (2013), and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974).

Heidi Kuzelova
18/04/2021
CZ
19
points

Hello, I am Martin from the CZ and I like films


Heidi Kuzelova
18/04/2021 19:21
Czech Republic
West Ham United
19

Hello, I am Martin from the CZ and I like films

MCB123
10/04/2021
GB
6
points

Hello. My name is Miles and I am from England. I like comedy films and the job I would like to do most within the film industry is that of a producer.


MCB123
10/04/2021 15:45
United Kingdom
Arsenal
6

Hello. My name is Miles and I am from England. I like comedy films and the job I would like to do most within the film industry is that of a producer.

Houyee
21/03/2021
TW
7
points

Hi, my name is Houyee. I enjoy watching comedy since it would help me to relieve stress from my work and study.


Houyee
21/03/2021 08:31
Taiwan
Arsenal
7

Hi, my name is Houyee. I enjoy watching comedy since it would help me to relieve stress from my work and study.

Firadi's picture
Firadi
26/09/2021
MA
37
points

Me too , the best way to relieve street is watching a nice comedy film


Firadi's picture
Firadi
26/09/2021 03:17
Morocco
Liverpool
37

Me too , the best way to relieve street is watching a nice comedy film

Penny Chen
20/03/2021
TW
6
points

Hello, I'm Penny and I'm from Taiwan. I like watching romantic-comedy. I would like to work as a screenwriter because I have a lot of imagination.


Penny Chen
20/03/2021 12:30
Taiwan
Tottenham Hotspur
6

Hello, I'm Penny and I'm from Taiwan. I like watching romantic-comedy. I would like to work as a screenwriter because I have a lot of imagination.

Penny Chen
20/03/2021
TW
6
points

Hello, I'm Penny and I'm from Taiwan. I like watching romantic-comedy. I would like to work as a screenwriter because I have a lot of imagination.


Penny Chen
20/03/2021 12:26
Taiwan
Tottenham Hotspur
6

Hello, I'm Penny and I'm from Taiwan. I like watching romantic-comedy. I would like to work as a screenwriter because I have a lot of imagination.

18103134
19/03/2021
TW
6
points

nice


18103134
19/03/2021 13:57
Taiwan
Tottenham Hotspur
6

nice

LucyKrolock
18/02/2021
CZ
93
points

Hello everyone, I like watching sci-fi films. If I worked in films, perhaps I could be a screenwriter. And I'd like to try the role of an extra.


LucyKrolock
18/02/2021 18:40
Czech Republic
Chelsea
93

Hello everyone, I like watching sci-fi films. If I worked in films, perhaps I could be a screenwriter. And I'd like to try the role of an extra.

Ely
17/02/2021
GB
6
points

Hello!
I am Ely and I like this site. I like talking about films.


Ely
17/02/2021 22:19
United Kingdom
Wolverhampton Wanderers
6

Hello!
I am Ely and I like this site. I like talking about films.

yasserelmajdoubi
09/02/2021
GB
7
points

yesterday I have seen a movie called Adventures in babysitting.
it was comedy movie and I enjoyed watching it, I recommend it for family


yasserelmajdoubi
09/02/2021 14:44
United Kingdom
Chelsea
7

yesterday I have seen a movie called Adventures in babysitting.
it was comedy movie and I enjoyed watching it, I recommend it for family

Toby Doncaster's picture
Toby Doncaster
05/02/2021
GB
13
points

This is a great site! Love talking about films.


Toby Doncaster's picture
Toby Doncaster
05/02/2021 11:23
United Kingdom
Manchester United
13

This is a great site! Love talking about films.

Sheila Sponton's picture
Sheila Sponton
28/01/2021
BR
20
points

Hi, I'm Sheila and I'm from Brazil. I love all kind of films. I would like to work as stuntwoman, because I think it's very exciting!


Sheila Sponton's picture
Sheila Sponton
28/01/2021 20:39
Brazil
Wolverhampton Wanderers
20

Hi, I'm Sheila and I'm from Brazil. I love all kind of films. I would like to work as stuntwoman, because I think it's very exciting!

ONE77
03/12/2020
GB
52
points

This is a good way to improve my English skills.


ONE77
03/12/2020 10:10
United Kingdom
Crystal Palace
52

This is a good way to improve my English skills.

LucianaR's picture
LucianaR
26/11/2020
AR
7
points

Hello! My name es Luciana. I'm from Argentina. I like films very much! My favourite type of film es romantic-comedy. I would like to work on a movie as an editor or producer., because are the most funny jobs.


LucianaR's picture
LucianaR
26/11/2020 21:00
Argentina
Chelsea
7

Hello! My name es Luciana. I'm from Argentina. I like films very much! My favourite type of film es romantic-comedy. I would like to work on a movie as an editor or producer., because are the most funny jobs.

Abbas Essam's picture
Abbas Essam
03/11/2020
IQ
6
points

Hey
I’m Abbas , I’m from Iraq.
My favorite type of movies is action-comedy


Abbas Essam's picture
Abbas Essam
03/11/2020 18:56
Iraq
Manchester United
6

Hey
I’m Abbas , I’m from Iraq.
My favorite type of movies is action-comedy

pattern's picture
pattern
10/10/2020
BR
7
points

Hello!
I'm Pattern I come from BR.
I love films. I guess my favorite type of movie is a drama or action kind of film.
I love everything that involves art. I'd love to act just like I do in my mind hahaha Acting is great you can live a totally different story of your own.


pattern's picture
pattern
10/10/2020 20:38
Brazil
Chelsea
7

Hello!
I'm Pattern I come from BR.
I love films. I guess my favorite type of movie is a drama or action kind of film.
I love everything that involves art. I'd love to act just like I do in my mind hahaha Acting is great you can live a totally different story of your own.

lolisosa's picture
lolisosa
20/01/2021
SE
85
points

I very much agree! You get to pretend to be someone you're not, and it doesn't even matter because it is all fiction!


lolisosa's picture
lolisosa
20/01/2021 10:36
Sweden
Arsenal
85

I very much agree! You get to pretend to be someone you're not, and it doesn't even matter because it is all fiction!

Binha-23's picture
Binha-23
25/09/2020
BR
6
points

Brazil


Binha-23's picture
Binha-23
25/09/2020 17:12
Brazil
Chelsea
6

Brazil

meikie321
24/09/2020
MZ
12
points

wow


meikie321
24/09/2020 08:49
Mozambique
Tottenham Hotspur
12

wow

sem.wensveen's picture
sem.wensveen
24/09/2020
CX
12
points

very very nice quiz


sem.wensveen's picture
sem.wensveen
24/09/2020 08:47
Christmas Island
Liverpool
12

very very nice quiz

Andrea08's picture
Andrea08
07/09/2020
AR
14
points

I am Andrea from Argentina. I love films. I really enjoy romantic films but I wouldn't like to work in the movie industry. If I have to, I could be the screenwriter.


Andrea08's picture
Andrea08
07/09/2020 16:40
Argentina
Chelsea
14

I am Andrea from Argentina. I love films. I really enjoy romantic films but I wouldn't like to work in the movie industry. If I have to, I could be the screenwriter.

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Film Vocabulary: Genres

Film Vocabulary: Jobs

Film Vocabulary: Common words and phrases about film